Vetlife Pets

22/01/2025

Last month at Vetlife Banks Peninsula, a Huntaway momma needed an emergency c-section. She had delivered 3 pups at home, but after over an hour of pushing and no more pups, her owner guessed something was wrong and rushed her in to us.

Our skilled vets, Rachael and Nikki, managed to remove a stuck pup, and then successfully delivered 6 live pups! All of them needed their airways cleared and their tiny faces rubbed to stimulate breathing. After a big group effort, we all had the joy of watching 9 little pups nursing from their brave momma, who recovered remarkably well!

Their owner reports that the puppies are now big and healthy and doing really well!

(Photos of Vets: Nikki and Rachael; Nurses: Sandy and Tara; Vetlife hub manager Tina and customer service Roriana).

21/01/2025

**Edited - further update: The case is isolated to a single property following a horse being transported from the North Island.**

Strangles Alert - we’ve just learned of a Strangles outbreak in North Canterbury (we have no more details than that).
Horse owners, it’s essential to stay vigilant and protect your horses from this highly infectious bacterial disease.

What is Strangles?

Strangles is a bacterial infection which affects the upper respiratory tract in horses. It is highly infectious and can spread quickly through nose-to-nose contact or shared equipment. Symptoms to watch for include:

🌡️ Fever (>38.5°C)
🤧 Thick, pus-like nasal discharge
🐴 Swelling or abscesses around the head and neck (lymph nodes)
🥵 Cough, difficulty eating, reduced appetite
😷 Respiratory noise or breathing issues

How Can You Protect Your Horse?

💉 Vaccinate: A Strangles vaccine can prevent infection in some horses and reduce symptoms in others.
🚫 Limit Contact: Avoid nose-to-nose contact and sharing equipment with infected horses.
🏡 Stay Put: Do not move horses on or off a yard with infected horses.
🚛 Be Cautious When Traveling: Consider the risks of transporting your horse, especially if unvaccinated.

If your horse shows any symptoms, isolate them immediately and contact us for testing and advice.

We’re Here to Help!

If you are concerned you horse may have Strangle or to arrange vaccination please call your local Vetlife clinic to chat with our team today.

18/01/2025

Parvovirus… it’s a diagnosis that every pet parent and vet clinic dreads, and one that can take the life of a previously healthy puppy in a matter of days. Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral disease that affects dogs, particularly puppies. It is a serious and potentially fatal illness that can cause severe gastrointestinal symptoms and weaken the immune system.

Parvovirus is an easy to prevent disease but if dogs are left unvaccinated, or miss their boosters, the results can be devasting.

01/01/2025

🌞🐾Pawsome Summer Spots Giveaway🐾🌞

Who doesn't love enjoying summer with their best fur mates? To celebrate, we're giving away some PAWSOME PET PRIZES this month:

🐾 Animo activity and behaviour monitor for dogs
🐾 Surefeed microchip pet feeder
🐾 The Dog's Best Friend Game for rainy days!

THE RULES:
➡️For your chance to win COMMENT with a photo of your pet in their favourite summertime spot and tell us when and where it was taken.
➡️Contest ends January 31, 2025. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges and notified by PM within 7 days of the contest ending.
➡️This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with Facebook.
➡️Terms and conditions apply - see https://vetlife.co.nz/pawsome-summer-spots-giveaway

Feel free to share this post with friends and family who have adventurous pets so they have the chance to win too!

Good luck! 🐶🐱🌟



P.S. Beware scammers - we will NEVER ask you to click on any links if you win. We will message you directly. Stay safe and steer clear of scam pages!

01/01/2025

🎉 Happy New Year from Vetlife! 🎉

We look forward to another year of supporting our wonderful companion animal clients. Your trust and support mean the world to us, and we can't wait to continue serving you in the year ahead.

Wishing you all a prosperous, joyful, and healthy New Year! 🌟✨

24/12/2024

🎄 Merry Christmas from Vetlife! 🎄

An enormous, heartfelt 💝 THANK YOU to all our wonderful clients, colleagues, and supporters - we couldn't do what we do without you!

Wishing you all a relaxing break with your friends and family this festive season. Should you need us, please call your local Vetlife clinic for emergency support on the public holidays when we are closed.

https://hubs.la/Q02_HQbd0

Stay safe and enjoy the holidays! 🎅✨

21/12/2024

UPDATE: Huntaway has been found, unfortunately deceased, possibly hit by vehicle

Sharing on behalf:

Missing huntaway from Millers Flat Central Otago - please keep an eye out for him.
He’s a special dog from Lloyd Smith breeding given to us as a gift from Lloyd
If you could share that would be amazing
Call Angus Ross if anything turns up
0274990273

19/12/2024

🎄 Holiday Closure Notice 🎄

Just a reminder that our teams will be enjoying a well-deserved break and our clinics will be closed on the public holidays.

Help is just a phone call away should you need it - simply call your nearest clinic to be put through to our emergency after-hours service.

https://hubs.la/Q02_HSTg0

Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday season! 🎅✨

17/12/2024

🐾 Pre-Order Your Pet's Medication! 🐾

Don't forget to ensure your furry friends have all the medications they need! If your pet is on any regular medications, make sure you have enough to last the entire trip. 🐶🐱

Vetlife have clinics from Otago to the top of the South - with support available and afterhours call lines 💛
https://hubs.la/Q02_wQw20

14/12/2024

☀️Baxter loves a holiday as much as we do☀️
Planning a getaway with your furry friend? 🐶🐱 Make sure you have everything you need for a stress-free and fun holiday! Here's a checklist to help you out:

📌Food & Water: Pack enough food and treats for the trip, plus a portable water bowl.
📌Medications: Don't forget any necessary medications and a first-aid kit.
📌Comfort Items: Bring their favorite blanket, bed, or toy to make them feel at home.
📌Leash & Collar: Ensure you have a sturdy leash, collar, and ID tags with up-to-date information.
📌Emergency Contacts: List of local vets and emergency contacts at your destination.
📌Plan for Breaks: Schedule regular breaks for exercise and bathroom needs.

Happy travels and enjoy your holiday with your beloved pet! 🐾✨

11/12/2024

🎄Great tips from CANZ for this festive season🎄

https://hubs.la/Q02-DtMg0

Companion Animals New Zealand

07/12/2024

🌺 Christmas Lilies Alert! 🌺
As we deck the halls this festive season, let's be mindful of our furry friends. Those beautiful Christmas lilies might brighten up your home, but they pose a serious risk to pets. Lilies are highly toxic and can cause severe damage in cats. While they are also poisonous to dogs, the effects are much more severe in cats.
Keep your beloved pets safe by opting for pet-friendly flowers this Christmas! 🐾❤️

02/12/2024

"Giving Tuesday" proud partner of SPCA https://hubs.la/Q02-3K-H0

01/12/2024

All dogs on farms where sheep graze must be dosed regularly with tapeworm treatments.

29/11/2024

💉 Be Summer Ready Top Tip #3🐛

🐾 Keep Your Pets Safe and Healthy! 🐾

Whether you're planning a family getaway, boarding your pet at a kennel or cattery, or enjoying a staycation, make sure your furry friends are up-to-date with their preventative treatments!
Vaccinations: 🐶🐱
• Ensure your pets have their vaccinations up to date. Catteries and kennels require proof of vaccination, with a minimum of 10-14 days between vaccination and admission.
• Don't forget to bring your pet's vaccination book when dropping them off!
Flea and Worm Treatments: 🐾
• Warmer days mean peak flea season! Protect your pets with effective flea treatments.
• Treat your pets against worm infestation at least a month before your visit. This keeps both your pets and family safe.

Vetlife's Veterinary Team is here to assist with all pet vaccinations, and worm, flea, and tick control throughout the year. 💛

27/11/2024

🚗 Be Summer Ready Top Tip #2🚗

Travelling with Pets? Keep these tips in mind 🐾
📌Always have water available for your pets during car trips. Never leave them in the car in hot weather, even with the windows down 🚫

📌If your pets get travel sick, book an appointment with your local vet to get the necessary medications 💊

23/11/2024

🐾 Meet Inka! 🐾

Inka is a lovely wee dog who has been experiencing some musculoskeletal pain. To help her feel better, it was recommended she try acupuncture with Yvonne, one of the vets in Oxford who is trained in animal acupuncture. 🩺✨

Acupuncture helps release tension in the muscles and alleviate pain. Inka was the perfect patient for her first treatment, allowing Yvonne to place the needles without needing any sedation—just a few treats! 🍖🐶

We're so proud of Inka and grateful to Yvonne for her gentle care. 💖

If you want to know if acupuncture is right for your pet, get in touch with Vetlife Oxford to speak to Yvonne today!
☎️ 03 312 4882