Nursing Pawfection

22/08/2024

I can confirm Miss Bindi has done some growing. She has also learned how to cat - laptop, must sit, plastic bag, must sit. If I fits I sits! 😻

😼

21/08/2024

I'm off to see little Bindi this morning. I took these photos when I first met her 6 weeks ago. I bet she's grown!

20/08/2024

Such an adorable assortment of dogs in one house! Meet Xuru the Rottweiler, Bear and Bayley the Pomeranians and Frankie the Spoodle. I visit these adorable floofs every 12 weeks to update their flea and worm treatments and trim their nails as needed. Aren't they cute? 🐾

20/08/2024

Just a Brandy cat having a nap 💤

I love being able to pop home for lunch and see what everyone is up to at home 💜

19/08/2024

Brandy's dental went really well today! She's been snuggled up with me on the couch since dinner. Brandy is usually a real Daddy's girl so I'm making the most of it! ❤️

18/08/2024

An update on the youngest and the oldest!

Youngest first - Hiccup! Hiccup has been doing really well since his repeat knee surgery. He is now back out of the crate and enjoying some more freedom. His only remaining restriction is he can't go in the catio unattended. He likes to climb the netting and drop from the top which isn't so good for his knees. 👀

Old lady Brandy continues to amaze us. Well over a year after receiving a terminal diagnosis she continues to thrive. She is coping so well, she is going to have a dental procedure tomorrow. I'm feeling really anxious about it but after many long discussions with our vet (the poor woman!) I know we are making the right decision for Brandy. She will be in the best hands! Wish her luck! 🍀

16/08/2024

People ask me this all the time! I can't decide and I don't want to.🤷‍♀️What about you?

15/08/2024

Every day is check the chip day at Nursing Pawfection. I am suuuper passionate about checking and updating microchips! I often do this without owners even noticing. If you think it's been awhile since your pet has been checked, just ask at your next appointment. There is no extra charge! 🥰

Today is National Check the Chip Day! 🐾

On this important day, we remind all companion animal guardians about the importance of microchipping your furred and feathered friends and keeping their information up to date.

The New Zealand Companion Animal Register (NZCAR) has 1.3 million animals registered and has had more than 77,000 registered in 2024 so far! 🌟 By microchipping and registering your pet with NZCAR, you significantly increase the chances of reuniting if they are ever lost.

Here are other great ways to celebrate National Check the Chip Day:

🐾 Make an appointment to get your pet microchipped.

🐾 If your pet is already microchipped, go in for a ‘check’ (scan), and verification of the microchip registration details. Once confirmed, log into your account at animalregister.co.nz to ensure your contact details are all up-to-date!

🐾 Visit your local vet to learn more about microchipping and its benefits.

Share a cute photo of your companion with a message about the importance of microchipping and keeping information current. Don’t forget to use !

Let’s work together to keep our pets safe and sound. Every little effort makes a big difference! 💕

Learn more about the importance of microchipping and how the NZCAR helps get lost pets home at animalregister.co.nz.

14/08/2024

In my newsletter every month, I try to share updates about our wee family. I get lots of questions about the various team member's ailments. I have received wonderful comments about how you have learnt something from my own family - like the dangers of plastic eating cats - thank you Sterling! I thought I would start sharing some of the extended Nursing Pawfection family and what they have been up to with 'Pet of the Month'.

Introducing pet of the month - Taco!

This lovely fellow is hands down our most frequent flier at the moment. Poor Taco has had a chronic ear infection which has had him going back and forth to his vet and having a lot of oral and aural (ear) medication. Things weren't resolving, so Taco had a visit to the specialists at Animal Dermatology Canterbury. They dispensed more medication and scheduled Taco for a video otoscopic procedure. This is when I first meet Taco and his family.

As you can imagine, Taco was pretty fed up with being poked, prodded and medicated by this point. His Mum and Dad were finding it increasingly difficult and stressful to administer medication to their already sensitive wee boy! Between myself and Chelsea from Vet Nurse Direct - another independent mobile vet nurse based in North Canterbury - we were able to schedule daily visits to administer Taco's medication leading up to his otoscopic procedure.

Video otoscope is a pretty cool piece of technology! I have only had the pleasure of using one a handful of times in my career, but boy do they make looking in ears much easier! Cats and dogs have an 'L-shaped' ear canal, which when unhealthy, can become thickened, narrow and dirty, not to mention malodorous! Having a bendy camera which can go around corners and light the way is like magic! It means we can see further, more clearly and even perform more diagnostic procedures or carry out treatments.

After Taco's procedure, he was prescribed nearly six weeks worth of medication which was twice a day for a few weeks. I wasn't sure how we would manage twice daily visits with my hectic schedule. Lucky for me, I have some wonderful friends in my life who are also vet nurses! My friend Barb agreed to help me out which meant between us, we could visit Taco for all of his medications.
Taco is quite a sensitive soul. When we first met, he was very shy and not thrilled about my presence. He tolerated my pats and brushes, rarely accepted treats from me and always looked relieved to see me leaving.

Over the last few weeks, we have come a very long way. Taco now happily receives pats, chin scratches, brushes, treats and the occasional cuddle both before and after his medication. Hearing him purr and seeing more of his little personality shine through has been wonderful. Moments like that are what makes my job so awesome and that's why Taco is pet of the month!

Taco's Mum sent me some photos of Taco living his best life before his ear trouble started. There was no way I could just pick one!

**Only those who have ticked 'Yes, you may share photos of my pets on Social Media' will be featured.

13/08/2024

How can I choose just one photo of Carlos when they are ALL so CUTE!

12/08/2024

Just a cat named Marley enjoying her wee hammock! 🩷

11/08/2024

I had a wonderful day at the Selwyn Pet Expo yesterday. My wonderful friend Laura came and helped me out for the morning which was very busy and then my partner helped in the afternoon. He got the quiet shift!

It was lovely talking to new families who are in need of my services, as well as seeing so many of my existing clients. I also love talking about all of the products I sell. Everything I stock has been tried and tested by the Nursing Pawfection cats and dogs so I can reccomend it all with confidence!

It was also amazing meeting other stall holders and looking at their products. I was right next to the Nightrave Greyhounds so had frquent visits from them - including a puppy! 🥰

My favourite of the day was Pointer & Hound. They have the most beautifully made products which I feel in love with. The only reason I didn't spend all of my money there was I just couldn't decide what the boys needed! Yes, NEED not want! 😆 Some more online shopping is in my future!

I am a little behind with emails and messages but slowly catching up! Another busy week commences in 1.5 hours.

10/08/2024

We're at the Selwyn Pet Expo today!

Come down and say hi! 👋
We are at West Melton Community and Recreation Centre 10am-4pm.

10/08/2024

It's been a busy couple of days getting packed and ready for the Selwyn Pet Expo tomorrow. Tibbs is clearly exhausted.....

We hope to see you at the Expo! 🐈‍⬛🐕

09/08/2024

Anyone who has a dog, already knows this to be true 💙

07/08/2024

How can I have not shared Arnie yet?! I saw this handsome fella a few months ago because he needed help sorting out his Winter coat.

Cat grooming often requires adjusting the plan frequently throughout the process to ensure the patient is happy and comfortable. A bit of bribery doesn't hurt either. You can see the organized chaos in Arnie's second picture!

06/08/2024

I think Golden Retrievers are born having mastered that sad, sweet, innocent look. Cooper is no exception!

06/08/2024

Peppa is such a character. She can go from zooming to snoozing in no time at all!

03/08/2024

It's nail and weigh-in day for the Nursing Pawfection kids! As you can see, Sterling is a big fan of the scales. Too bad he didn't wait for me to turn them on.....

02/08/2024

JD has the cutest little sleeping face 😴

🎶

01/08/2024

Whenever you think you're safe, BAM! Here comes another one. 😅

31/07/2024

Little Elsie wasn't on the agenda last time I visited her house. She didn't mind, she doesn't much like her treatments. She wasn't going to be missing out on treats though. She waited patiently outside the door for me to finish grooming her sister. How cute!

28/07/2024

Betty & Mabel. Just two Border Collies looking beautiful after their bath, blow-dry and groom 🩷

27/07/2024

How many other people's cats are sleeping on top of beds they are meant to sleep inside of?? Now, how many people's cats are doing this while another cat is in the bed??
What you can't see here is Sterling snuggly warm in the bed, right under Atticus's bum!

26/07/2024

Did you know this about Calico & Tortoiseshell cats? I have NEVER seen a male tortoiseshell in person. Does anyone here have one???

25/07/2024

Cogsworth things he's helping with the cleaning of my kit this evening.....

24/07/2024

I think it's pretty clear how Stormi feels about me! 🥴

No matter what you do, some cats just don't enjoy being handled. I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve for handling these patients safely and with minimal stress to them. There are a lot of things you can do before I arrive to make your cat's appointment stress free.

- Have your cat in a small area. The bathroom or laundry is ideal.
- Provide a safe place but limit hiding places.
- Have a towel or blanket handy.
- Let me know everything your cat needs before we enter this space.
- Highlight anything you would like to prioritise.

Being chased or caught with numerous places to hide causes cats to become stressed before we begin and reinforces my visits as a bad experience. In a smaller space, we are able to interact and start their visit off on a positive note with treats and pats if they are willing. Wrapping your cat in a towel not only prevents injury, but can also provide security and have a calming effect.

So, if you have a sassy or scaredy cat, I am still more than happy to help. After our first appointment I may make additional suggestions such as medication, calming supplements or additional preparation to help reduce stress for your cat. If at any point I feel your cat is too stressed, I will discontinue and either create a new plan or on rare occasions, recommend sedation at your vet clinic.

Your pet's wellbeing is my number one priority!

21/07/2024

A few months ago now, I had an exciting first. I saw Greyhound puppies in person!
I see dozens of adult Greyhounds as my regular patients. I have met hundreds in my years as a Vet Nurse but I had never seen a puppy in person. Angel is my regular nail trim patient, and while visiting her I was able to meet all of her babies.

20/07/2024

Being an old girl is hard work - Brandy 💜🐾

19/07/2024

This really doesn't look comfortable 😂 Silly Ollie Dog!