NCVC Lifestyle Farming

05/01/2026

Check ewes udders at weaning – to cull those obvious ewes with problems – as well at 4-6 weeks after weaning. You may be surprised by what you find once those udders have shrunk in size.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year! It's the Year of the Horse, specifically the Fire Horse, bringing intense energy and change, fast action and bold moves! Here at NCVC we send you all our very best wishes for a positive year ahead. We thank you so much for having us as your animal health partners to deliver the best care possible for your beloved pets and farm animals. Have fun and stay safe.

23/12/2025

Have you done your WOF on the rams?
They count for half of your lamb crop next year, so it makes sense to ensure they are fighting fit for mating.
Your WOF checklist
Palpation – make sure there are no lumps, bumps or oddly sized nuts in there, as these can all lead to subfertility. Sadly, fellas, size DOES matter!
Trace elements – if you are treating your ewes, you should be treating your rams! Iodine and selenium affect semen quality and even ram libido.
Condition – rams that are too fat become lazy, rams that are too thin crash and burn before mating is done – so making sure they are in good order before they need to do all that hard work helps them perform at their optimum
Feet and teeth – if they have no teeth, they will crash and burn. Poor feet, lameness and problems with limbs means they won’t want to do any jumping.
Footrot -If foot rot is a problem, you can vaccinate your rams no closer than 4 weeks out from the planned start of mating. This will help reduce the risk of them going lame over mating.
If you would like one of our vets to check your rams over, get in touch with your local clinic and book in a ram inspection, ideally 6-8 weeks before the rams are due to go out.

23/12/2025

Sending you all our very best wishes for a fabulous Christmas with family and friends. We take this opportunity to say thank you so much - it was great being a part of your year.

15/12/2025

Should I drench my lambs?


Your lambs may still be on mum or recently weaned.
Questions to ask yourself:
• How are the lambs looking?
• Are they growing well?
• Are they scouring?
• What is their Faecal Egg Count (FEC)?
FEC testing: this is an essential tool in deciding whether to spend money on drench. This test gives us an idea of the worm burden that the animal is having to cope with.
What’s involved:
• Take 10 fresh faecal samples from each bunch of lambs
• Take them straight into a NCVC clinic. If they need to be left overnight, please store in the fridge.
• A vet will then call to report the results and discuss best management options
With widespread drench resistance, it is critical that we only drench stock when necessary with an effective product.

01/12/2025

Attention Lifestyle Block Owners: Fly Strike in Sheep

With Christmas fast approaching, it's easy to forget preventative fly treatment on sheep. With this humid weather, we are already seeing a lot of flies about.

Fly strike occurs when flies lay eggs on the sheep’s skin, and the maggots that hatch cause significant damage to the animal. It’s extremely painful for the sheep and a serious welfare concern. If left untreated, it can lead to infection and even death. If you suspect fly strike in one of your animals, please contact your local clinic promptly to help arrange appropriate treatment.

Prevention, however, is always better than treatment. We offer Click Extra, a fly prevention treatment, and we can decant into smaller volumes for convenience. CLiK™ Extra (dicyclanil) is a ready-to-use spray that provides long-term residual protection for your sheep, offering 14 to 26 weeks of fly strike protection.

Don’t wait until it’s too late! Contact us to learn more about Click Extra and how we can help keep your sheep protected this season.

01/12/2025

Do you wonder if your horse has ulcers?
Are they girthy, reluctant to go forward or struggling to hold weight?
While these are not the only signs of gastric ulcers (and many horses can present as totally normal) a gastroscopy will rule in or out gastric ulcers as a cause. 🐴
We have a couple of spaces still available for our first gastroscopy clinic on December 3rd! Please contact the Amberley clinic for more details or to book in! 📲

📍Amberley: 03 314 8612

27/11/2025

Case of the Week: “Woody Tongue” in Cattle

We recently visited a cow who had been losing weight and condition, showing a swelling under her jaw, and drooling excessively. When we examined her, we found painful lesions and thickening on the top of her tongue — classic signs of Woody Tongue (also known as Actinobacillosis).

What is Woody Tongue?
Woody Tongue is a bacterial infection caused by Actinobacillus lignieresii. It typically enters through small cuts or abrasions in the mouth caused by rough feed or foreign objects. Once it infects the tongue, it causes inflammation, hardness (“woody” texture), and ulceration — making it very painful for the cow to eat.

What to look out for:
• Difficulty eating or dropping feed
• Excessive salivation (“drooling”)
• Swelling under the jaw or around the tongue
• Weight loss or poor condition

If you notice these signs in your cattle, it’s important to call your vet promptly. Woody Tongue responds well to appropriate antibiotics and anti-inflammatory treatment, but early diagnosis makes all the difference.

We’re happy to report that this lovely cow has now fully recovered and is back to her happy, healthy self!

Check out the video and photos below to see what Woody Tongue looks like and why prompt veterinary care is so important.

21/11/2025

Last week we had these three cuties in to be disbudded.
Goats must be disbudded before 7 days of age before the horn buds attach to the skull. Goats receive a pain relief injection, sedation and local anaesthetic prior to disbudding. Once the job is done, we reverse the sedation so they wake up smoothly.

05/11/2025

Feeding out in the paddock or working in the yards? Make sure you remember to remove all rubbish when you are done. Especially after the wild weather lately, it is a good opportunity to ensure you paddocks are clean and safe for your stock. One of our clients recently pulled this baling twine from a cows mouth. If stock consume things that they shouldn’t, they can cause a blockage or damage in the gastrointestinal tract which has the potential to cause loss of condition, poor growth or even death.

05/11/2025

28/10/2025

Hoof Abscesses — What You Need to Know
Hoof abscesses are one of the most common causes of sudden, severe lameness in horses — and they are incredibly painful. Often a horse that’s fine one day can barely put weight on a leg the next.
🔹 Why they happen:
Bacteria enter the hoof through tiny cracks, nail holes, or bruises, creating an infection inside the rigid hoof capsule. Because the hoof can’t expand, the pressure builds — and that’s what causes the intense pain.
🔹 Prevention:
Keep up regular trims, even if your horse is barefoot, to avoid cracks or stretched white lines.
Try to minimise time standing in wet or muddy areas — constantly damp feet are more vulnerable.
Keep gateways and high-traffic areas as clean and dry as possible.
🔹 What to look for:
Sudden, often severe lameness
Heat in the hoof
Swelling up the leg or a strong digital pulse
🔹 Treatment:
Locating and draining the abscess to relieve pressure will often bringing instant relief. Soaking in warm water with Epsom salts or using a poultice can help draw it out.
Because hoof abscesses are extremely painful, your vet will also prescribe pain relief to keep your horse comfortable while it heals.
If you notice sudden lameness or have any concerns about hoof health, give our team a call — we’re always happy to help keep your horses sound and comfortable.