Veterinary Associates Equine

21/06/2024

🐴 Please note the venue change! 🐴

18/06/2024

14/06/2024

Save the date!!! 26th June from 6-9pm, join the team for a client night on Breeding in Pukekohe.
Spot prizes to be won including a free dental examination and float! These will be drawn on the night.
RSVP is important for catering please call or email [email protected] 092947307 to register

30/05/2024

Winter can be gloomy with horses but our ‘Winter Talks’ are something to look forward to. Keep checking back to see what’s coming up in your area and share with friends. Please see below for a talk on breeding with Dr Felicity Wade.

24/05/2024

It’s a good week for our Warkworth clients.

Gastroscope day this Weds 29th May at Matakana Country Park - some spaces still available.

Equine evening with our lovely Farm & Lifestyle Centre Warkworth crew Thursday 30th May 6pm.

We also have Vicki joining our Warkworth team so have extended the days we are available. Share the good news round!

We look forward to seeing you for an appoint or for an event soon

Email [email protected]
Phone: 09 359 8407

19/05/2024

Reminder our Karaka Gastroscope day is coming up this Wednesday 22nd of May 🐴

Why is equine gastric ulcer scoping performed?

To definitively diagnose gastric ulcers & monitor the effectiveness of treatment for gastric ulcers.

To investigate symptoms such as:
Poor appetite
Dullness
Reluctance to train
Attitude changes
Girthiness
Decreased performance
Poor body condition, or weight loss
Low grade, recurrent colic

Gastroscopy is also a useful tool to screen horses at risk for gastric ulcers, such as those in intense training or competition.

The gastroscope procedure may take somewhere between 15-60 minutes to complete, with the average time being around 20-30 minutes.

If you need access to yards to allow for fasting your horse overnight, we have spaces available 🐴

To book or discuss further please contact us!
📧 [email protected]
Phone Karaka clinic 09 2947307
📸 credit: Randlab

13/05/2024

For our Warkworth locals come along to hear Elise talk on bandaging - abscess poulticing and checking your horses vitals. Thank you to the Farm & Lifestyle Centre Warkworth for organising this event

🐎𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 𝑬𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒊𝒔 𝒘𝒆𝒍𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒆!

The team @ Farm and Lifestyle Centre with the support of Farmlands and FMG invite you to join us for a fun and informative evening on all things Equine.

Elise from Vet Associates and Luisa from NRM will be here for a demonstration and brief informative chat.

When: Thursday 30th May 2024 Time: 6pm to 8pm Where: 2 Morrison Drive, Warkworth

Yummy grazing table and spot prizes on the night.

Please RSVP to 09 425 7754 by 23rd May 2024 and go in the draw to win a fabulous prize to be redeemed on the night!

07/05/2024

Our next Karaka Gastroscope day is coming up on Wednesday 22nd of May.

This is a great day to take advantage of our specialists expertise and book in with them for any first time or follow up scopes with the continued discounted price.

If you need access to yards to allow for fasting your horse overnight, we have spaces available 🐴

Horses will need to be fasted for 12-18 hours and water withheld for 4 hours prior to the procedure to give us the best chance of seeing all areas of the stomach.

Gastroscopy is the only way of providing a definitive diagnosis of gastrointestinal ulcers.
Ulcer location and severity then can be determined and the appropriate treatment can be prescribed.

Under light sedation, a stomach tube is passed up the horses nostril, into the oesophagus and then into the stomach. A 3-metre long scope is then passed inside the tube to allow us to visualise the stomach lining.

The gastroscope procedure may take somewhere between 15-60 minutes to complete, with the average time being around 20-30 minutes.

To book or discuss further please contact us!
📧 [email protected]
Phone Karaka clinic 09 2947307

23/04/2024

Warkworth Gastroscope Day. Spaces are half full already so get in touch asap if you would like a spot! Email and phone number on the flyer for bookings.

22/04/2024

A reminder our Gastroscope day is this Wednesday 24th April.

This is a great day to take advantage of our specialists expertise with a discounted price of $300 ex gst, including a thorough examination and sedation.

If you need access to yards to allow for fasting your horse overnight, we have spaces available 🐴

Horses will need to be fasted for 12-18 hours and water withheld for 4 hours prior to the procedure to give us the best chance of seeing all areas of the stomach.

Gastroscopy is the only way of providing a definitive diagnosis of gastrointestinal ulcers.
Ulcer location and severity then can be determined and the appropriate treatment can be prescribed.

Under light sedation, a stomach tube is passed up the horses nostril, into the oesophagus and then into the stomach. A 3-metre long scope is then passed inside the tube to allow us to visualise the stomach lining.

To book 📧 [email protected] or phone the clinic 09 2947307

19/04/2024

Gastroscopy day with specialists, next week Wednesday 24th April

A great day to take advantage of their expertise with a special price of $300 ex gst, which includes a thorough examination, sedation, and gastroscopy.

Please call or email to schedule your appointments 09 294 7307
[email protected]

18/04/2024

Veterinary Associates Equine Whangarei Day!

Get in touch to book one of the limited spaces for Thursday 23rd May 🐴

12/03/2024

GASTROSCOPY DAY WITH SPECIALISTS ON 27TH MARCH

Our internal medicine specialists are taking bookings for a day of gastroscopes at our Karaka clinic. This is a great opportunity to take advantage of their expertise! Special price of $300 ex GST, which includes a thorough exam, sedation, and gastroscopy. Please call or email to schedule 09 294 7307 [email protected]

19/02/2024

Warkworth Gastroscope day at the beautiful Matakana Country Park. Good cafe onsite! Monday 4th March.

If you've noticed a change in your horses behaviour, grumpiness, girthiness, lack of appetite and a bit lack luster it might be worth getting your horse gastroscoped.

Be sure to take advantage of our special gastroscope pricing and having the team check over your horse.

Please book via email [email protected]

15/01/2024

At VA we are big on supporting the up & coming talent within the horsey world! 💙

Recently we sponsored one of the NZ Polo youth teams in the Ardmore Tournament played at the Holilio Polo Club - the players did an amazing job and it was excellent to see the horsemanship on the field. 🏇🤠

Players were Henry Jones, George Cronin, Ethan Wade and Edward Jones. The boys were so grateful for the sponsorship as they prepare for the upcoming New Zealand Polo Open in February. 💥

Credit to Chukka Magazine for the superb photography skills! 📸

12/01/2024

2024, the year of progression ✨️

08/01/2024

Meet the Team Monday ✨

Dr Louise Lemonnier - Equine Internal Medicine Specialist

Louise is our newest addition to the VA team, gracing us with her wealth of knowledge and expertise in equine medicine from Normandy, France. A science lover with a passion for horses is a sure fire way of gaining an expert in the wonders of equine internal medicine. Louise started off her career by obtaining a degree in Biology and Applied Ecology, before stepping into the Veterinary industry. 🐎🔬

After attending the Veterinary School of Budapest in Hungary as part of an English-speaking international program and gaining her degree, she went back to France to complete an internship in one of the biggest private equine hospitals in Normandy; Centre Hospitalier Veterinaire Equin de Livet. After two years working as an equine ambulatory vet, her growing interest for internal medicine and critical care led her to completing a 6 month fellowship, followed by a residency in Equine Internal Medicine. 💥👩‍⚕️

Louise has a strong interest for critical care, neonatology, and cardiology. When our ambulatory vets are fronted with a weird and wonderful medicine case, Louise is only a phone call away and always happy to help. 🩺

She’s also a vivid adventurer outside of work and enjoys surfing, hiking, and exploring nature; hence the move over to Aotearoa. We sure are lucky to have someone with her gentle-hearted nature and expertise join our team. 🏄‍♀️💙

07/01/2024

Warkworth Gastroscope day Thursday 18th Jan. Dream team with local vet Elise alongside our Registered Medicine Specialist - Louise.

Louise has an interest in all aspects of internal medicine, with a strong interest for critical care, neonatology, and cardiology.

Be sure to take advantage of our special gastroscope pricing and having this team check over your horse to start the new year well.

Please book via email [email protected]

29/11/2023

Another great auction for the Katie Cox Appeal...please bid on the original post only...Thanks to Aaron Swain and the team from MCMILLAN FEEDS...Auction closes 15/12/23 at 5pm

28/11/2023

Our Warkworth branch has its last gastroscope of the year, taking place Monday 4th December at Matakana Country Park. Get in touch to book your space.

27/11/2023

Meet the Team Monday ✨

Alexandra Raju - Practice Manager

Alexandra is one of our newest team members and steps into the big role of managing our ever-growing team of veterinary professionals. With a vast background in project management, business development and marketing, she's the lady for the job. 💥

Alexandra has loved all things horses for as long as she can remember. Finally talking her parents into letting her ride from the age of six, she has never looked back.
She is deeply devoted to the well-being of horses and keeps equine welfare near to her heart, hence the career change into the veterinary industry - a place where she can help make a difference. 🐎💙

She is excited to be a part of the VA team and support the amazing people who make a difference in horses lives every day. Alexandra brings a sense of warmth and welcome to the clinic with her beaming smiling and positive attitude. 🌼🌟

24/11/2023

Foaling Friday 🌟
This week we go through
'What to look for when your cute new addition is earthside.' 🐴

22/11/2023

ARTHROSCOPY - one of the most common procedures performed by our specialist surgeons at our Karaka hospital 💙🧑‍⚕️👩‍⚕️

The What? ⭐️
Equine arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed on horses to diagnose and treat various conditions affecting the joints. It involves the use of an arthroscope, which is a small, flexible instrument with a camera and light source attached to it. The arthroscope is inserted into the joint through small incisions, allowing the veterinarian to visualize the internal structures of the joint on a monitor.

The How? ⭐️
During an equine arthroscopy, the horse is typically placed under general anesthesia. The joint to be examined or treated is shaved, cleaned, and prepared for the procedure. The veterinarian makes one or more small incisions near the joint and inserts the arthroscope and other surgical instruments through these incisions.

The Why? ⭐️
The arthroscope provides a high-definition video image of the joint's interior, allowing the veterinarian to assess the condition of the joint, identify any abnormalities, and make a diagnosis. It is commonly used to diagnose and treat conditions such as cartilage injuries, joint infections, osteoarthritis, and certain ligament or tendon injuries.

The Benefits... ⭐️
If a problem is identified during the arthroscopy, the veterinarian can perform additional procedures using specialized instruments inserted through separate incisions. These procedures may include removing loose fragments of cartilage or bone, debriding damaged tissue, repairing ligament or tendon injuries, or performing joint fusion.

Equine arthroscopy offers several advantages over traditional open joint surgery. These include smaller incisions, reduced trauma to the tissues, decreased post-operative pain, faster recovery times, and lower risk of complications.

17/11/2023

Foaling Friday 🌟
This week we go through
'The Stages of birth' 🐴

15/11/2023

Wednesday Wonders 🌟

Nugget a lovely Irish cob was enjoying his day, grazing the paddock when he got quite the pain in his left fore foot. The poor boy had stood on the flat end of a large nail which became embedded in his sole.

Fortunately, Nugget’s mum knew to leave the nail in place and call us for assistance. On arrival Dr Ella gave him some pain relief to keep him comfortable and a light sedation to reduce his mobility which will aid in preventing the nail going deeper into his foot. 💉

Before removing the nail, xrays were taken to ensure the nail had not caused any damage to the internal joints, luckily for Nugget there was no synovial involvement and the nail was simply directed caudoproximally into the heel bulb.

Dr Ella carefully removed the nail and flushed the area with saline before thoroughly cleaning it with iodine. A padded foot bandage was applied to reduce the risk of infection and keep Nugget comfortable while the area healed. 👩‍⚕️🛠

This case is a great reminder to practice patience and call for help before removing foreign objects from your horses’ feet. 📲

10/11/2023

Foaling Friday 🌟

First up on our 3 week foaling series is
'Symptoms your mare is ready to foal' 🐴

Share a photo of your mare prior to foaling in the comments and let us know the first sign you noticed.

08/11/2023

Wednesday Wonders 🌟

The forever unanswered question of ‘why do horses like playing with fences?’ is asked again in this case. 🤨

Evie, a sweet, usually very sensible mare gave her mum an early Halloween scare. Having decided that fences are for playing with and not just as boundaries, she presented her mum with a fair chunk of her lateral hoof wall missing.

An immediate call to our afterhours vet; Vicki was made and the clean up job began.
Evie was given some pain relief and a light sedation to aid in keeping her still while xrays were taken to ensure there was no internal damage to the bone. Fortunately, for Evie there was no further damage other than the external degloving injury.
Vicki gave the wound a thorough flush and clean, before placing a supportive bandage over the area. 👩‍⚕️🐎

Evie was administered anti-biotics to reduce any risk of infection and pain relief to keep her comfortable, while being under strict box rest for at least the next 6 weeks.

Box rest is no easy feat for horses or their owners, it takes time and dedication to ensure a wound like this heals. Luckily with the guidance of our wonderful vet Vicki and the compassionate determination of her owner, Evie has made a full recovery.💙

07/11/2023

Our vets really do go above & beyond 💙

One of our patients needed some extra bedding to keep her comfortable under foot, Dr Ella didn't hesitate to pick up the wheelbarrow and get to work in the rain!

04/11/2023

PSA - it's Guy Fawkes this weekend 💥

The time of year all us horse owners dread and feel nervous about!
Preparation is our best solution to making sure our horses are happy, settled and safe during this time.

✨️Keep them in a paddock close to the house.
✨️If you can provide them with shelter or a stable do so.
✨️Make sure they have plenty of hay to keep them occupied.
✨️A companion is a great way to make them feel comfort during times of stress.

Lastly, we are here if you need us for anything, just call 💙