Otautau Vets Ltd

11/04/2024

We have seen a number of down cows recently on farm due to poor weather and low magnesium/high potassium grass. We are seeing lower than optimal Magnesium levels on routine blood testing too.

If you currently rely on the water to get Magnesium to your herd you may wish to consider dusting pasture or silage with Magnesium oxide or adding it to your in-shed minerals.

Also consider any cattle that are being transported as they are high risk for metabolic disease at this time of year too.

Although they need to be stood off green feed before trucking to make transport more comfortable for them, they should have access to hay/silage/bailage and water while they are on restricted pasture. It is a very good idea to put some Magnesium and lime on their feed before they go.

Should you require further advice on this topic please contact your vet.

05/04/2024

email address for RSVP for the Sustainable Parasite Management seminar is [email protected] or just phone the clinic on 03 225 8134.

04/04/2024

We have a couple of great speakers lined up on the 16th of April at 7:30 pm to talk about managing worms in a sustainable manner for all our clients involved in rearing cattle.
Triple drench resistance is already present in the North Island so come and learn how you can reduce your reliance on drenches and preserve their efficacy for the long-term health of your business.
Let Bri know if you are coming so we have enough grub!

29/12/2023

Hopefully this rain doesn't spoil people's holiday weekend, it will be welcomed by our farmers!
Even if you are happy to see the rain, do be aware that we often see thiamine deficiency ("polio") in calves and lambs and lungworm in calves when we get rain after a dry period.
Providing some long fibre like hay or stalky balage if your youngstock are on lush pasture can help reduce the risk of polio.
Coughing calves should be taken seriously as lungworm can kill quickly.
For more advice about either of these conditions please contact your vet.

29/12/2023

The Team at OVL and Mavis would like to wish all our clients a safe and happy new year!

We close at 3pm this afternoon for the New Year Holiday weekend but will be back at 8:30 on Wednesday the 3rd of January.
If you have an emergency over the holiday period please call 03 225 8134 to speak to one of our vets.

22/12/2023

The team at OVL wish you all a Merry Christmas. We are closed now until Wednesday when we will be back on deck.

The lovely vets from Waikiwi are providing emergency care over the holidays. Just call the usual number 03 225 8134. 🥰

13/12/2023

Remember to get your pets vaccinated before you go on holiday if they are going into boarding kennels. If you are unsure of your pet's vaccination status or need a booster please give us a call on 03 225 8134

23/11/2023

We had fun yesterday unleashing our inner artists. Can you guess who painted which cow?!

21/11/2023

15/11/2023

Have you tested your horses for intestinal parasites?
Now that Spring has sprung, it is not just ducklings we are seeing hatching out, but equine intestinal parasites.
Rather than blanket treating our horses and ponies with unnecessary and costly drenches, that potentially build up resistance in parasitic populations and worsen future worm burdens, we can perform a Faecal Egg Count.
This allows us to build a picture of your horse’s worm status and help formulate the best management plan for you and your hooved friends moving forward.
Bring us a fresh sample of your horses’ faeces (take 10 pinches from different parts of a poo pile) in a clean bag, and we’ll see what we find!

24/03/2023

5-6 week old kitten found at the bottom of Orauea hill, seems very friendly. Currently being treated for catflu and a few scrapes but otherwise healthy. Please call the clinic if you know where he belongs, we will look at rehoming if nobody comes forward.

06/03/2023

Friendly black and white female cat found in Otautau. She has moderate injuries which require treatment ASAP, she is currently under supportive care at the clinic. If she belongs to you, please contact the clinic on 03 225 8134 .

06/03/2023

Friendly female cat found at Ohai Park, she has quite serious injuries. We have started supportive treatment at the clinic, but she will need more care. Please contact the clinic ASAP if she is yours. 03 225 8134

04/01/2023

** Owner Has been Found***
This 3 legged, neutered male cat has been hanging out at the Rabco Office at the old sawmill over the long weekend. He is missing his front right leg and has lived in the area for several years. He is not microchipped. He is well but thin and hungry!
If he is yours please can you contact the clinic on 03 225 8134.

29/12/2022

We close at 3pm today but have a vet on call over the long weekend as usual.

Wishing you a happy, healthy and successful 2023 filled with adventures!

The team at OVL x

29/12/2022

We have seen a number of cases of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) deficiency in calves this week. Affected calves or lambs are blind, may be wobbly or may be found down and fitting. Prompt treatment is usually successful.

One risk factor is a change to better quality pasture eg regrowth from making silage. The nice rain we had last night and the resulting growth will increase the risk further. Supplying some hay can help reduce the risk.

Keep an eye on your calves and lambs and give us a call if you are concerned. If you have had problems in the past and want to discuss prevention in more detail please give us a call at the clinic.

23/12/2022

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!
We will have a vet on call for emergencies over the festive season.

06/12/2022

And they are off! The team are heading off for their magical mystery Christmas tour. We still have a vet here for emergencies but otherwise are now closed until 8:30 am tomorrow. We hope everyone else is enjoying this beautiful day!

28/11/2022

Dairy Mating 2022

Submission rate is a good early indicator for how your mating is tracking! Results are in for our clients 3-week submission rates! see the graph below (all anonymous).

submission rate = % cows that have received at least one insemination in the first 3 weeks of mating.

Average submission rate for our clients is 82% this year.

(You can find this on Minda under Reproduction then go to the mating tab)

18/11/2022

Would anyone like some pallets? Free to a good home or they will be disposed off. Just give us a call, 03 225 8134

04/11/2022

Male entire black and white eye dog found at South end of Main Street yesterday morning. No collar or microchip. Please call the clinic BEFORE 5:30 pm this evening

30/09/2022

We have had a lot of calls about down cows this week! Fast growing N boosted grass and cows milking very well means that mineral demands are really high.
Keep going with your in shed minerals or dusting and in some situations a bit of nice long fibre for cows to chew might help. If you are worried give us a call sometimes these problems can be complicated.
The cold snap coming up will further increase the Magnesium requirements of the herd so, if you have a choice, avoid effluent areas for night feeds when you are less able to monitor the herd and consider dusting effluent paddocks if you have to graze them.

12/09/2022

Make flea and worm treatments easy for your pets! Call the clinic today to organise your products delivered straight to your door.

05/09/2022

Big welcome to Garry Hull, the latest to join our Otautau Vets team! You may see him out and about on farm working as a Vet technician. Currently busy disbudding calves and metrichecking herds :)

26/08/2022

CHECK YOUR DRENCHES!

The Milk Witholding period for ALL Abamectin containing drenches is changing. From 19th September 2022 you will be required to withold milk for 35 days following treatment of dairy cattle with ANY Abamectin containing product. If you have any products on farm or recently purchased they are likely to still have the old nil milk withhold label so please check and maybe write this in big bold markers on each product to avoid accidental use in lactating dairy cattle.

Call the clinic if you have any queries

22/08/2022

** The owner has now been found***
This female dog was hit by a car on the Riverton bridge this morning. She has quite serious injuries. We have started supportive treatment to make her more comfortable but we would very much like to find her owner. She has no tags or microchip. Please contact the clinic on 03 225 8134.

24/07/2022

Come along to our Spring FirstAid seminar tomorrow (26th July) 10am - 12pm
Basic calving advice and down cow treatments covered.
Call the clinic with numbers attending 03 225 8134

18/07/2022

We are now stocking BlackHawk Working dog food!
Get a free hat, bucket, scoop and dog bowl while stocks last :)