NCVC Lifestyle Farming

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.

27/10/2025

Don’t wait until strangles is in your paddock.
Once it spreads, it can affect every horse on the property – young ones are particularly vulnerable.

Vaccination is the easiest way to keep your horses safe.
For a limited time, we’re offering 50% off the first strangles vaccine to help you get started.

Protect your horses, protect your herd. Book today before this offer ends!

20/10/2025

Did you know? Strangles can spread rapidly among horses, especially the young or unvaccinated.

Symptoms include fever, nasal discharge, and painful, swollen glands around the head and neck. In some cases, swelling can even make breathing difficult.

Vaccination is the best way to reduce the risk of outbreaks.
An initial course of three vaccines is required, followed by annual boosters.

Right now, you’ll get 50% off the first strangles vaccine.
Call us today to book your horse in.

15/10/2025

You’ve worked hard to keep your horses happy and healthy – the last thing you want is an outbreak of strangles in your paddock.
It spreads quickly, especially among young or unvaccinated horses, and can leave them feverish, off their feed, and struggling to breathe.

The simple step of vaccination helps stop strangles in its tracks.
Start with an initial course of three vaccines (2 weeks apart), then keep immunity up with annual boosters.

Right now, you can get 50% off the first vaccine – the perfect time to start!

10/10/2025

Strangles – don’t let it strangle your horse’s health!
Strangles is a nasty and highly contagious bacterial disease that causes fever, nasal discharge, and painful swollen glands around the head and neck. In some cases, it can even make breathing difficult.

The good news? Vaccination is your best defence.
To make it easier to start protecting your horse, for a limited time we’re offering 50% off the first strangles vaccine.

Book your appointment today and give your horse the protection they deserve.

09/10/2025

🌟 Case of the Month: Ruby’s Swollen Chest 🌟
Recently, we were called out to see Ruby, a lovely mare who had developed a very large swelling on her chest after what was most likely a kick. The swelling (a hematoma) had become uncomfortable and was affecting her ability to move freely.
🔍 What is a Hematoma / Seroma?
• A hematoma is a collection of clotted blood under the skin, usually after trauma such as a kick or a knock.
• Over time, a hematoma often separates into clotted blood and serum (the liquid portion of blood). At this stage, it’s called a seroma.
• These swellings are most often found on the chest, upper limbs, stifle, hamstrings, or abdomen.
💉 Ruby’s Treatment
In Ruby’s case, the swelling was large enough to impact her comfort and movement, so we drained it. She was also given antibiotics and pain relief to support healing and reduce the risk of infection.
With follow-up care, Ruby has been recovering well — and you can see the difference in the before, during, and after photos below! 📸
✅ Key Takeaways for Horse Owners
• If you notice a sudden, large swelling on your horse, don’t panic — but do get it checked.
• Small hematomas/seromas may reabsorb on their own over time.
• Larger swellings, or those affecting movement, often need veterinary attention and sometimes drainage.
• After treatment, scar tissue may remain for a time, but it usually resolves.
👉 Hematomas and seromas are rarely an emergency, but they can be alarming when first noticed. If you find an unusual lump or swelling on your horse, give our team a call — we’re always happy to advise on the best course of action.
🐴❤️ Ruby’s case is a great reminder that with timely treatment and proper care, horses can bounce back quickly from these dramatic-looking swellings.

06/10/2025

🌟🐾 Vet Nurse Appreciation Week! 🐾🌟

Behind every healthy animal (and every slightly frazzled vet 😉) there’s a superhero in scrubs – our vet nurses! 💚

From calming nervous pets, being that extra set of hands on farm calls, to knowing exactly where that one piece of equipment is hiding – our nursing team are the glue that holds everything together. ✨

We honestly couldn’t do what we do without their skill, care, humour, and hard work. So this week (and every week!) we want to shout out a HUGE THANK YOU to our amazing vet nurses – you’re the heartbeat of our clinic and we appreciate you more than words can say. 💐🐶🐱🐑🐮

If your pet has ever been cared for by one of our amazing nurses, drop a ❤️ in the comments to show them some love!

30/09/2025

🐷💩 Piglet Diarrhoea (Scours) – What to Watch For 💩🐷
Diarrhoea is one of the most common health problems in young pigs. It can be caused by bugs, parasites, poor nutrition, or sudden feed changes – and if not managed quickly, piglets can dehydrate fast.
👉 Signs to look out for:
• Faecal staining on back legs
• Sunken eyes / dehydration
• Depression, weakness, or poor suckling
• Fever or loss of appetite
✅ Prevention is key: keep pens clean and dry, make sure piglets get plenty of colostrum early on, and always wash your hands after handling pigs (some causes can spread to humans).
If your piglets develop scours, early treatment makes all the difference – electrolytes, fluids, and vet care if needed.

22/09/2025

Not something you see everyday!
This big guy is called Ace, he was in at our Amberley Clinic recently for a sore foot. Our vet Georgie checked him over and sent him home with some medication. We wish him a speedy recovery! ❤️‍🩹