The Pet Doctors

24/01/2024

WARNING FOR DOG OWNERS: KARAKA TREES ARE NOW FRUITING
Most of us are aware of the toxicity risk of Karaka fruit to dogs (and children) but, since Karaka are fruiting heavily right now, it's timely to remind everyone to be careful to NOT let our dogs eat the fruit.
The most poisonous part of the plant is the yellow - orange fruit and the hard kernel inside. When the fruit matures it falls from the tree and the soft flesh is lost, revealing the kernels (see photo below). Karaka fruit right through summer and autumn. It is worthwhile to look up what these very attractive native trees look like so you can recognise them.
Signs may occur a day or two after the fruit is eaten and include weakness, dazed appearance, vomiting, hind limb paralysis and seizures. Ingestion can be fatal.

13/12/2023

Check our previous posts to see how you could win this Christmas hamper!! 🎁🎉🐾😍

13/12/2023

Two of our Christmas competition contenders, Arlo and Poppy!

Don't forget to send in your photos to [email protected] or post them in the comments section of this or the original post, to be in with the chance to win a Christmas hamper!

08/12/2023

20/10/2023

Hello! 👋

We have had a beautiful calico stray cat brought into the clinic today and she is not microchipped.

She has be hanging around a property in Watea Road, Torbay and will be cared for over the long weekend by the kind people who found her.

If you think this is your cat please give the clinic a call at 09 478 4349. Proof of ownership will be required.

06/10/2023

Something for us to work on for all dogs, but especially those fearful ones.

02/10/2023

Happy October! We have a brand new competition throughout October for our Bravecto customers. Simply come into the practice and purchase your Bravecto to be entered to win this beautiful Linden Leaves gift set!

13/09/2023

We have a very cute stray kitten here with us that was handed in after being found on Bawden Road, Dairy flat. Please let us know if this is your cat or you know the owner. Thanks!

12/09/2023

Puppy training class available here at The Pet Doctors ran by 'Pawz Perfect'! Follow the link on the flyer or click below to enrol!
www.pawzperfect.co.nz/enro

29/08/2023

UPDATE: She is now home safe with her owner and has been registered to NZCAR.

Is this beautiful female Border Collie yours?
She was found around Cliff Road in Torbay. She has a microchip but it's not registered. Right now, she's being totally spoilt by our nurses, having a lovely brush and a bit of a bath. Please give us a call on 09 478 4349 if she's yours or you know who she belongs to. We will need proof of ownership before we can pass her over to you.

24/08/2023

Be in to win a New Zealand Sheepskin rug.

In clinic we are running a competition with Bravecto. Buy any Bravecto product and be in the draw to win.

Winner will be announced on the 28th of September.

16/06/2023

Another week with some of the cutest patients, take a look at who we’ve had in for surgeries recently 🐶🐾

15/06/2023

Paws off!

Did you know one in three pets are at risk of getting sick or worse because owners accidentally share human foods and drinks that are toxic to dogs and cats?

Paws off developed by Southern Cross Pet Insurance and the New Zealand Veterinary Association is a food safety warning symbol for food and beverage packaging, similar to the don’t-drink-alcohol-when pregnant symbol. The aim for Paws off is to help owners see what ingredients aren’t safe for their pets and for all our pets to live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

25/05/2023

MEET THE TEAM: Daniella (VNA)
Certificate in Animal Technology Veterinary Nursing Assistant

Hi my name is Daniella, I gained my certificate as a Veterinary nursing assistant and am currently studying towards my Diploma of Veterinary Nursing. I was fortunate enough to be placed at The Pet Doctors for my first clinic rotation during my first year of studying at Vet Nurse Plus and was later offered a job at the clinic. I've always had a keen interest in working with animals from a young age and knew that it was an industry I'd like to work in. I have a love for all animals - especially rabbits - and hope to provide the best care for them. Once I have completed my studies for a Diploma in Veterinary Nursing 2023, I plan to continue to achieve my bachelor's in Veterinary Nursing and further my studies in exotic companion animal nursing.

I own 2 rabbits, Toffee a Mini Lop, and Peanut a Netherland Dwarf x Mini Lop. In my free time I enjoy crocheting or going out and about to local craft markets.

16/05/2023

MEET THE TEAM: Lorien (VNA)
Certificate in Animal Technology Veterinary Nursing Assistant

Hi, my name is Lorien. I joined The Pet Doctors last year and I am eager to learn and expand my skills as well as build a good rapport with clients. I gained my Certificate as a Veterinary Nursing Assistant in 2022 and am currently working towards my diploma in veterinary nursing.

I have spent my entire life surrounded by a range of animals, from dogs and cats to goats, chickens, rabbits and even cockatiels, leading me to develop a love for all sorts of animals.

I have an energetic border collie named Hugo, my first dog of my own, who I have enjoyed training myself and who keeps me busy outside of work.

08/04/2023

With the Worldwide Veterinary Personnel Shortage, After Hours clinics are struggling to see patients in a timely manner, so let's help them out this weekend by only taking your pet to them if they really need to be seen. That leaves them free to direct their time to those patients that genuinely need care.

Is it an emergency? Find our if your pet really needs that after-hours visit this with our handy guide: nzva.org.nz/assets/For_the_public/Guide_Emergencies.pdf

05/04/2023

🐰Happy Easter 🐰

Below is our Easter opening hours, normal hours resume, Tuesday 10th.

Make sure to keep your furry friends safe this Easter with all the chocolate around, chocolate has a chemical called theobromine which is toxic to dogs & cats and can cause serious illnesses. If your furry friend has eaten some chocolate it is always best to give the vet a ring just in case.

31/03/2023

‼️MISSING‼️
Mia has informed us her wee cat has gone missing and was last seen yesterday in Oteha valley, please keep a look out. 🐱

27/11/2022

Please let us know if you can't make your appointment.
We are having lots of people not turning up for their appointments at the moment and not letting us know that they won't be coming. When you don't turn up, we wonder what's happening - are you running late, have you forgotten, do you not need your appointment now? When you don't turn up, we don't know if we should stand around and wait a few minutes or if we should start another task. Should we choose a 5 min task, a 10 minute task or a 20 minute task? Just last Friday, we had 4 people not show with no notification. - that's 80 minutes of time that became free. We had a pet owner come in mid morning whose dog needed some cuts sutured. But, we had to ask him to try to find another clinic to help because we did not have any space. Had we known that those 4 people weren't going to turn up, we could have helped this dog. So, if can't make your appointment, please be considerate and let us know.

13/11/2022

Will your pet be staying in a cattery or kennel over the holiday season? Make sure their vaccinations are up to date now so you don't have to worry next month. Most catteries and kennels require pets to be vaccinated at least two weeks before boarding. Check with the boarding facility about any special requirements they have before booking. If you're not sure about your pet's vaccination status, talk to your vet.

21/10/2022

Making your pet comfortable while they are with us is really important to us. We know that vet clinics can feel a bit odd for your pet. So, when Bobby, was feeling a little bit lonely after his surgery, we gave my dog, Poppy a bed next to Bobby to keep him company until it was time for him to go home💕

20/10/2022

You could win this lovely Swandri picnic blanket simply by purchasing any packet of Bravecto flea control for your pet. Bravecto gives you easy long lasting protection against fleas.

Competition closes Friday November 18th.

04/10/2022

Is this lovely grey cat yours? He's somewhere between 5 and 8 years old, desexed but he doesn't have a microchip. Found on Glenvar Rd, Torbay. We're minding him here at The Pet Doctors.
If you recognise him, please contact the clinic on 09 4784349 with some proof of ownership, so that we can get him back home.

27/08/2022

For those of you with Netflix, there is a fascinating program on at the moment, called" Inside The Mind of a Cat". Even if you're not a cat person, you'll be amazed at some of the information that's shared - here's a snippet:
The length of a cat's whiskers is equal to the width of their body at an ideal weight, so cat's use their whiskers to work out if they can get through a space. The whiskers don't grow as the cat gains weight which is why an overweight cat, will still try to get through a narrow hole if their whisker's don't touch the edges of the hole.

13/08/2022

Enjoy the weekend everyone

18/07/2022

Gentleman Dutch
We first met Dutch when he was just 8 weeks old. In the year that has passed, Dutch has been a regular visitor to the clinic whether for a vaccination or a check for another minor ailment or just popping in for a visit as his owner goes past or needs a worm tablet. So, Dutch is really comfortable in the clinic, curiously checking everything out when he's here.
A couple of weeks ago, he came in to be desexed but before we booked him in, we ran a blood test to check his level of Von Willebrands' Factor which is important in blood clotting. Doberman's are known to be one of the breeds that can have low levels of vWF, so it was vital that we knew his level prior to surgery. Fortunately for Dutch, his levels were good and his surgery went without a hitch.