Rangiora Vet Centre - Lifestyle Block

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Rangiora Vet Centre - Lifestyle Block

Rangiora Vet Centre - Lifestyle Block Offering veterinary care, guidance and experience to Lifestyle Farmers in North Canterbury assisting them to make the right decisions at the right time.

Enquire about our Animal Health Plan. The RVC farm team is available 24/7.

30/01/2025

How many animals can I graze on my property?

A very important question, but also a very difficult one to give an exact answer to.
Each property will be unique in many ways: land size, topography, soil type/fertility, rainfall, irrigation, and grass type. Each of these will have an impact on how many, and what type of animal you can graze.

To calculate the number of grazing animals on your property you need to know a few things:

🐄Effective grazing area.

🐎Number and kind of animals you want to graze.

🫏Change in pasture quality through the seasons. In the middle of Winter and Summer there can be almost zero growth in some places.

🐑Your ability to buy in extra feed or gain access to additional grazing (at short notice too if need be).

Follow the link to work out how many animals you can graze on your property:

https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/how-many-animals-can-i-graze-on-my-property?rq=how%20many

15/01/2025

🌾Grass seeds are designed to catch and hold, being arrow-like with small barbs. The barbs prevent them falling off a pet’s hair or skin and also mean that each movement of the body can drive the seed deeper into fur, tissues or cavities.

Once they pe*****te the skin, hide, enter cavities like the ear or become trapped under eyelids, they can start to cause problems. Grass seeds can track large distances, e.g. from toes up to mid-limb, from fur on the back through skin into spinal muscles or internal organs, from the nose to lungs.

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to grass seeds. Keep your pet groomed (especially feet and ears) and your lawns short. Do not let your dog play in the long, unkept grass at the edge of parks and by streams etc. during seed season. Check all feet, ears and the coat after each walk.

Contact your vet for advice whenever you see any of the following symptoms:

🐾Toes, feet and skin: Swelling of the skin, limping, weepy hole, excessive licking/chewing
🐾Ears: Head shaking/scratching, an ear which is painful to touch, yelping.
🐾Eyes: Rubbing eye/squinting, swollen eyelids or discharge.
🐾Fur: Matting.
🐾Nose: Sneezing, nasal discharge, pawing at nose, difficulty breathing.

If you are concerned your pet may be affected by grass seed, contact your vet as soon as possible.

09/01/2025

Our busy, equine hospital and surgery centre has a growing case load and is looking for a special person to join the team. They will have experience handling race and young horses, a genuine love for horses and be dedicated to their welfare.
If you have excellent horse handling skills, and a strong work ethic for physical tasks, please head to our website for more information on the permanent, part-time position available: https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/rvc-careers-equine-care-assistant

❤️

02/01/2025

Christmas and New Year are done. We hope everyone had a chance to catch up with family and friends and enjoy a little break, The team is back, refreshed and ready to take care of your farm animals. We're back to business as usual. Bring on 2025!

29/12/2024

We are open for routine vet care on Monday and Tuesday this week from 8:00am - 5:00pm. The team is then taking a break to celebrate the New Year from 5:00pm on New Years Eve, re-opening for routine services and back to business as usual on Friday 3rd January from 8:00am. Over the New Year period and the weekend, you can contact the Rangiora branch at any time on 03 313 8387 for the contact details of the on call emergency vet.

Do not hesitate to call us if you have an emergency with your farm animals at any time.

For more detailed information, including branches and small animal vet care over this period, check out the information on our website: www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz

22/12/2024

Our vet care team is taking a break for Christmas from 5:00pm on Christmas Eve, re-opening for routine services on Friday 27th from 8:00am - 5:00pm. On Christmas Day, Boxing Day and over the weekend, you can contact the Rangiora branch at any time on 03 313 8387 for the contact details of the on call emergency vet.

Do not hesitate to call us if you have an emergency with your farm animals at any time.

For more detailed information, including branches and small animal vet care over this period, check out the information on our website: www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz

12/12/2024

🌬☀️Dry and windy conditions can contribute to increased wildfire 🔥 risk. Create an evacuation plan in case of a wildfire impacting your property. Use low flammability plants near buildings and for shade, clear flammable plants (particularly grass fuels) away from buildings and other infrastructure and maintain fire breaks. If you keep water reserves for firefighting, ensure these are topped-up.

⚠️On high-risk fire days, remove any flammable gear from animals, such as rugs, harnesses, halters and fly veils, and anything that contains metal (in the case of horses). Most rugs are a polyester/cotton blend, if they catch fire they’ll melt onto the animal’s skin.

Be prepared this summer to ensure your animals are safe and happy. Follow the link to read the full article about summer precautions to consider for your stock - https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/fah-prepare-for-a-dry-summer?rq=summer

09/12/2024

☀️Dry conditions put animals under stress, which makes them more likely to get sick and loose body condition. Effective parasite management is vital during dry periods as animals have reduced natural resilience. Avoid adding extra stress by minimising mustering, yarding and transport, especially during the hottest parts of the day.

Be prepared this summer to ensure your animals are safe and happy. Follow the link to read the full article about summer precautions to consider for your stock and more animal transport info - https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/fah-prepare-for-a-dry-summer?rq=summer

07/12/2024

🌤Reduced rainfall can cause issues with pasture cover, feed supply and the body condition of your animals. The amount of feed your animals require depends on factors like growth, pregnancy, lactation and weather conditions.
During dry times and drought, pasture quality is often poor and limited. You may need to bring in supplementary feed or relocate your animals. Always prioritise animal welfare when making these decisions.

💡Make a feed plan
Ensure your animals have enough feed in the coming months by creating a feed plan early to avoid potential shortages. You can find feed budget templates and resources online:
• Beef+LambNewZealand: beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/feed-budgeting
• DairyNZ: dairynz.co.nz/feed

📞Consult your local veterinarian
Your local veterinarian can provide essential information for planning – especially pregnancy scanning and body condition scoring.
They can offer nutritional advice, guidance on animal health and welfare, and assistance with humane culling if necessary.

🟨 Buy extra feed
Order supplementary feed like hay or grain as soon as your feed plan indicates the need. Introduce supplementary feeds gradually to prevent digestive issues. Seek advice from your veterinarian or feed supplier for the best options.
Consider sourcing feed through online communities for farmers/ lifestyle block owners e.g. web forums or social media.

Be prepared this summer to ensure your animals are safe and happy. Follow the link to read the full article about summer precautions to consider for your stock - https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/fah-prepare-for-a-dry-summer?rq=summer

06/12/2024

We are having a lot of hot sunny weather – if you have guys like this on your property make sure they have shade and plenty of water available.

Make sure you subscribe to our LifeStyle Block Enews Letter! 📧 email: [email protected] they can add your name to the list.

04/12/2024

Consider animal numbers 🐴🐮🐷🐑🪿🐐🐓

The number of animals you have on your property needs to be low enough that there is enough pasture to feed them (i.e. appropriate stocking rate). Overstocking (having too many animals) means animals might not get enough food which can lead to welfare problems. Consult a rural professional or your veterinarian to calculate your stocking rate.

Selling excess stock is often more economical than buying feed. During periods of drought, processing plant wait times may be longer, so early bookings are crucial.

Regular monitoring and pasture management
Monitor your animals’ condition through body condition scoring and assess pasture levels and quality. Act promptly to secure more feed or reduce animal numbers if weight loss occurs.
If sharing water sources or grazing areas, use biosecurity measures and separate stock where possible.

Be prepared this summer to ensure your animals are safe and happy. Follow the link to read the full article about summer precautions to consider for your stock - https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/fah-prepare-for-a-dry-summer?rq=summer

02/12/2024

Ensure animals have access to shade. If your property does not have natural shade 🌳(like trees), create shade using buildings or shade sails. In addition, for animals with light or bare skin, consider using summer covers or animal-specific sunblock. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations.

Shearing
Plan to shear your animals before the summer heat to keep them naturally cooler.

Be prepared this summer to ensure your animals are safe and happy. 📲 Follow the link to read the full article about summer precautions to consider for your stock - https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/fah-prepare-for-a-dry-summer?rq=summer

28/11/2024

Animals must have access to enough clean 💧 water daily. In hot and dry conditions your animals might drink three times more water than usual, especially if they are eating dry feed like hay or pellets. They also need more water if they are working, pregnant or lactating. 🥵

Having a reticulated water supply offers the most control over providing water to your animals. Plan for an alternative water supply if you start to run low, or if the water for your animals becomes contaminated.

Low dams or ponds may become surrounded by mud or sludge. Fence off the muddy areas to prevent animals from getting into waterways.

⚠️Monitor water supply
During extreme dry conditions the ground can harden and damage water systems, leading to leaks and water wastage.

Watch for signs of problems with the stock water set up, such as animals congregating around a trough, or wet spots on dry ground. Green patches of grass growing in a brown paddock could be a sign of a leaking water pipe.

⚠️Check water quality
Dry and drought conditions can affect water quality. When water levels are low, water temperatures rise, and flow reduces, creating an ideal environment for bacteria and algae to grow. Coastal areas have the added risk of saltwater contaminating groundwater.

Animals don’t like the taste of contaminated water, so it increases the risk of dehydration, toxicity, and illness. Test water quality through your local council.

Be prepared this summer to ensure your animals are safe and happy. 📲 Follow the link to read the full article about summer precautions to consider for your stock - https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/fah-prepare-for-a-dry-summer?rq=summer

25/11/2024

Prepare your lifestyle or small block for a hot, dry summer. ☀️

This summer there is likely to be low rainfall for a long time, and the prolonged dry spells may cause a drought, heat stress in animals and an increased risk of wildfires.

You can prepare by making a dry-weather plan for your animals. Remember you are responsible for their welfare under the Animal Welfare Act.

✅Pre-Summer Checklist
• Check water supply and quality
• Provide shade for animals
• Shear animals
• Make a feed plan
• Buy extra feed if needed
• Consider animal numbers
• Create a fire evacuation plan

📲Be prepared this summer to ensure your animals are safe and happy. Follow the link to read the full article about summer precautions to consider for your stock
- https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/fah-prepare-for-a-dry-summer?rq=summer

14/11/2024

Our team is taking a break for the long weekend. We close for routine vet care at 5pm today and re-open Monday 8am. If you experience an emergency with any of your animals this long weekend, do not hesitate to call the clinic for the details of the after hours emergency vet on call. Phone: 03 313 7438

Wishing you all a happy Canterbury Anniversary Day!

30/10/2024

The cooler bags and work socks have arrived, get yours free with every 20 L of MATRIX® Hi-Mineral.

MATRIX Hi-Mineral is a triple active drench to control internal parasites in sheep; trusted by generations of producers throughout NZ. We encourage you to talk to our vet team about how MATRIX fits into your parasite management plan 🐑🐑🐑

*Terms and conditions apply. Offer ends 31st December 2024. While stocks last. See product label for full claim details and directions for use. ACVM No. A009390.

25/10/2024

Happy long weekend!
Our team is taking a break for the long weekend. We close for routine vet care at 5pm today and re-open Tuesday 8am.

If you experience an emergency with any of your animals over the long weekend, do not hesitate to call the clinic for the details of the after hours emergency vet on call. Phone: 03 313 7438

24/10/2024

🎆Horses are particularly vulnerable to bolting when exposed to fireworks. A recent study in New Zealand found that a large number of owned horses escape in response to fireworks. ⚠Some horses come back with lacerations, strains and broken limbs.

In preparation for a known fireworks event nearby:

🐴Horses should be securely stabled or temporarily moved to a location away from the fireworks display, to minimise the risk of them physically harming themselves.
🐴Any sharp objects that might injure a panicking horse should be removed
🐴Stable windows should be covered to hide the sight of the fireworks, and food and water should be available for the horse
🐴For stabled horses, have a radio playing to help with noise.
🐴For horses that can't be stabled, it might help to leave some lights on around the property also.

Address

181 Lehmans Road, Fernside
Rangiora
7471

Telephone

03 313 7438

Website

http://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/

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Videos

If you have a pig or piglet, we strongly encourage you to provide them with engaging activities to alleviate boredom (and therefore hopefully reduce the amount of rooting occurring without the need for a nose ring or clip). Here are some great ideas for enrichment: 💦Mud bath or paddling pool to wallow in ⚽️Swiss ball or football 🪢 Hanging ropes 🔶 Road cones 🛖Hay/straw bedding in their hut to allow nesting behaviour 🐽Providing them with access to an area that they can root up 🌾 Ad lib access to hay/roughage in a slow feeder or hay net 🐷🐷 Companionship (pigs are generally very social animals, and will often thrive with a friend) For more information follow the link to read the full article or download the full Spring Lifestyle Farming newsletter https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/services 📬To get our seasonal lifestyle farming newsletters direct to your inbox email: [email protected] they can add your name to the list. #rangioravetcentre #KiwiLife #waimakariri #northcanterbury #lifestylefarming

🐑 Most owners prefer to remove the tails of lambs when they are young to reduce the chance of poo (faeces) becoming stuck to the wool on the underside of the tail and on the bum (dags). Preventing the build up of poo also prevents the establishment of flystrike (flies laying eggs in the skin). Vaccinations are often done at the same time as tailing, as it is convenient and helps protect lambs from infections due to tailing or docking wounds. For more information, tailing advice, and vaccination protocols follow the link to read the full article or download the full Spring Lifestyle Farming newsletter https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/services To get our seasonal lifestyle farming newsletters direct to your inbox 📬email: [email protected] they can add your name to the list. #rangioravetcentre #KiwiLife #waimakariri #northcanterbury #lifestylefarming

Do you, or anyone you know, have cute lambs this spring? 🐑🐑 Check out our lamb rearing guide for tips and advice on keeping your lambs happy, healthy, and bouncing around just like Ruby and Rio 🤍🖤 https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/basic-lambing-and-rearing-guide?rq=lamb To get our seasonal lifestyle farming newsletters direct to your inbox email: [email protected] they can add your name to the list. #rangioravetcentre #KiwiLife #waimakariri #northcanterbury #lifestylefarming

How to: Tube feeding your lamb

Lambing season is just around the corner! We have put together a comprehensive video on how to tube feed your lamb. Be prepared for lambing season with these helpful tubing tips and techniques.🐑🐑 ➡️Share this video with anyone who have lambs due this season. ___________ #rangioravetcentre #rvc #nzfarming #ruralnz #lambing #lambhealth #largeanimalvet #northcanterbury #canterburynz

The weird and wonderful: A case of a calf born with extra legs

A case of a calf born with extra legs!🐮 Follow Spider's story, an Angus calf born with three additional limbs, and see the exceptional care provided by our dedicated large animal team, which even involved a CT scan!🩺 Watch this video to delve deeper into Spider's story. Find more information about spider condition here: https://www.rangioravetcentre.co.nz/fah-the-weird-and-wonderful-a-case-of-a-calf-born-with-extra-legs

Today is love your pet day! What is your favourite way to indulge your poultry friends? These hens are loving a bale of straw bought for them to rip apart and scratch through.🥰🥰 #LoveYourPetDay

This week's Behind The Mask😷 we catch up with Tristan Kamps one of our Large Animal Veterinarians. Watch this video to learn more about Tristan and his top tip for large animals.🐄🐏🐖

In part 2 of our Animal Poison Prevention Videos mini-series, learn what to do if you livestock eats something they shouldn't have.🐐🐖🐑🌿

This week is Animal Poison Prevention Week, watch the video to learn some tips from Vet Paul Blondell about how to keep your livestock safe from poisons, toxins and plants to prevent your stock from eating. 🐂🐖🐑🐐

Happy Valentine's Day! We hope you are able to spend the day with someone special. Here are the special furry, wooly, hairy, and feathery pets our staff ❤️.