Crofton Downs Veterinary Clinic

23/04/2025

They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.

Lest we forget

The clinic will be closed tomorrow for Anzac Day

We re-open Saturday 26th April @ 9am

17/04/2025

🐰A very Happy Easter everyone🐰

Please note our opening hours for the long weekend 🥰

We hope very one has a happy and safe Easter long weekend.

16/04/2025

Meet the Team 😍

Nurse Zara👩‍🔬

Zara graduated from UCOL Manawatu at the end of 2021 joining our team in August 2022.She has a passion for all things surgical and enjoys taking the time to get to know each of her patients.

Zara is looking forward to expanding her knowledge in all things veterinary nursing, especially emergency medicine 💊

In her free team you will find Zara at the beach with her family or hanging out with her friends and cat Edward ❤️

10/04/2025

🦷What is Periodontal Disease and What can I do at home to help reduce it?? 🦷

Periodontal disease is where plaque or calculus forms on the teeth. This plaque is a mixture of calcium salts, food debris and bacteria. Left untreated this becomes calcified causing gum inflammation and trapping bacteria. This can eventually affect the gums and bone causing bone loss and in severe cases complications with internal organs including the heart and kidneys.

Here are some tips to keeping your pets teeth healthy at home:

🦷Tooth Brushing
This is the gold standard in prevention, which is why human dentists insist we brush our teeth twice a day, every day! If your pet will allow it, this can be done with either a pet tooth brush, finger brush or microfiber cloth. Please only ever use pet toothpaste with this and remember lots of praise afterwards

🦷Dental Diets
Dental diets are designed to help clean your pets teeth both mechanically (larger, more elastic kibble pushes tarter away from teeth) and enzymatically (nutrients and enzymes in the kibble to help break down and prevent tartar forming). We recommend Hills T/D and Royal Canin Dental.

🦷Chewing
Effective chewing will push the plaque away from the teeth, like wiping the tooth’s surface clean. There are a vast range of treats on the market which range in quality and effectiveness. We recommend whole carrots, Greenies or Veggiedents.

If you would like to book a free dental check in with one of our experienced nurses please call the clinic on 04 479 0570 or book online https://croftondownsvet.co.nz/

08/04/2025

Yearly Health Checks and Why They Matter

Did you know that one pet year is roughly 5-7 human years 🤯

A lot can change in that time, which is why it is so important to get regular health checks to help us catch issues before they become more serious and ensuring your furry friend is in tip top shape.

😻 Early detection saves lives - some common illnesses we see such as kidney disease, arthritis and heart conditions, to name a few, can be slow and subtle, regular health checks can catch them early
😻 Dental Checks - We brush our teeth twice a day, do you brush your pets teeth twice a day too?? Did you know that roughly 80% of pets over the age of 3 years have dental disease 😲 regular checks can help prevent nasty infections and painful teeth
😻 Nutrition and Weight - Obesity in our fury friends can lead to diabetes, arthritis and heart disease. At your yearly check ups we can discuss the right diet for your pet and their ideal weight range to keep them fighting fit
😻 Vaccinations and Parasite Control - Fleas, worms and overdue vaccinations put your pet at risk, particularly with the deadly parvo virus doing the rounds in Wellington again. Keeping these up to date means much better protection

Want to know more or to book your pet in for their annual health check?? Give us a call 📱 04 479 0570 or book online 💻 https://croftondownsvet.co.nz/

📷 Dr Ben's dog Winston getting his yearly health check 😍

03/04/2025

😷Parvovirus Alert in Wellington Region😷

Canine parvovirus (commonly known as parvo) is a highly contagious virus that primarily affects dogs, especially puppies. As we are seeing a surge in parvovirus cases around the Wellington region again, here are some of the major signs to look out for:

🚨Lethargy: Dogs may appear unusually tired or inactive.

🚨Loss of appetite: Affected dogs often refuse food and water.

🚨Vomiting and diarrhea: These are hallmark symptoms, with diarrhea often being bloody.

🚨Fever: Dogs may develop a high temperature.

🚨Abdominal pain: They might show signs of discomfort or pain in the stomach area.

Preventing canine parvovirus is crucial, especially since it's highly contagious. Here are some effective ways to safeguard your dog:

🚨Vaccination: Ensure your dog receives their parvovirus vaccine as part of their routine vaccinations. Puppies require multiple booster shots, typically starting at 6–8 weeks old.

🚨Limit exposure: Keep puppies away from areas where unvaccinated dogs may roam, such as dog parks.

🚨Proper hygiene: Disinfect surfaces and items that dogs come into contact with using a solution containing bleach. Parvovirus can survive on surfaces for months.

🚨Avoid contact with infected dogs: If you know of dogs with parvo, keep your dog away from them and any contaminated environments.

🚨Regular veterinary check-ups: Make sure your dog is healthy and up-to-date on their vaccinations.

If you suspect a dog has parvo, it's crucial to seek veterinary care immediately, as the disease can progress rapidly and be life-threatening

01/04/2025

Did you know we now offer Best for Pet??

This monthly membership includes:

🔷 Unlimited Consults

🔷 Annual Vaccinations - including puppy and kitten vaccinations

🔷 Annual Health Screening - including a blood and urine test

🔷 Access to Vet Chat - an afterhours phone and video call service for when we are closed with NZ and Australia Vets

🔷 Microchipping

🔷 x4 Nail Trims per year

🔷 $250 off Dental Procedures annually

🔷 10% Off Professional Services

🔷 10% Off Food and Merchandise

Want to know more?? Click the link below 😻

https://bestforpet.co.nz/

31/03/2025

Meet the Team Monday (One day late)

I know we have done Daniel before but why not again 😀

Meet Daniel 🦷

Daniel graduated from Massey University. Originally from Singapore, he was captivated by the beauty of the NZ landscape after watching Lord of the Rings, and decided to move here.

He strives to foster client-vet relationships based on trust and respect. Daniel has a special interest in small animal dentistry and ultrasonography.

When not in the clinic you can find him running a game of Dungeons & Dragons or curled up at home with a good book.

28/03/2025

🛑 TOXIC FOOD FOR PETS 🛑

Some foods that we enjoy can be harmful or even toxic to our fury friends. Here's a list of common toxic foods:

❌Chocolate: Contains theobromine, which can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and even seizures in dogs.

❌Grapes and raisins: Can lead to kidney failure.

❌Onions and garlic: Damage red blood cells and can cause anemia.

❌Avocados: Contain persin, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea.

❌Macadamia nuts: Can cause weakness, vomiting, and tremors.

❌Alcohol: Even small amounts can be dangerous, leading to vomiting, diarrhea, and coordination issues.

❌Xylitol: Found in sugar-free gum and candies, it can cause a rapid drop in blood sugar and liver failure.

❌Raw dough: Can expand in the stomach and cause bloating or alcohol poisoning.

❌Caffeine: Causes restlessness, rapid breathing, and heart palpitations.

❌Tomatoes (green parts): Contain solanine, which is toxic to dogs.

If your furry friend has accidentally consumed any of these please contact us 04 479 0570 or the Wellington After Hours Vet Clinic 04 473 7545

16/03/2025

Meet the team Monday 🥳

Meet lead vet Ben

Ben hails from the Manawatu and has worked as a vet in the Hawke’s Bay, and more recently as a rural vet in the Wairarapa. He prides himself on offering practical veterinary advice, while at the same time staying current with the latest advances.

Whilst Ben enjoys solving medical cases, his main clinical interest is in surgery (both advanced soft tissue surgery, as well as orthopedic surgery). Ben has completed further training in these fields and is able to offer our clients in-house treatment for some advanced procedures, such as cruciate ligament (ACL) repair and obstructive airway surgical correction.

Ben has a wee dog called Winston who is regularly spotted at the clinic after making it his second home. He and his wife have recently returned from a trip to the Arctic, where they sled huskies.

Ben has a great appreciation for the human-animal bond and looks forward to getting to know you and your pets.

13/03/2025

With Easter around the corner it is a timely reminder that dogs and chocolate don't mix, much to their disappointment 🐰

Chocolate can be toxic to dogs due to the presence of theobromine and caffeine, which are compounds that dogs metabolize much more slowly than humans. The severity of toxicity depends on the type and amount of chocolate consumed, as well as the size of the dog.

Here are some key points:

Dark chocolate and cocoa powder contain the highest levels of theobromine and are the most dangerous.

Milk chocolate is less toxic but can still cause harm in large quantities.

White chocolate has negligible theobromine levels but can still upset a dog's stomach due to its fat and sugar content.

Symptoms of chocolate poisoning in dogs may include vomiting, diarrhea, restlessness, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, and in severe cases, seizures or cardiac failure. Symptoms can take several hours to appear and may last for days.

If you suspect your dog has eaten chocolate, please contact the clinic immediately on 04 479 0570 or if outside of our hours please call Wellington After Hours Clinic on 04 473 7545

04/02/2025

We have a fabulous new promotion running for our clients! Buy any Bravecto product and go into the draw to win an awesome Pepper & Me Hamper!

T's & C's apply, see our team instore for extra details.

30/01/2025

Due to staff illness we will be closed from 5pm this evening.
Many thanks for your understanding and apologies for any inconvenience.

05/01/2025

Hi there, unfortunately our phone lines are currently down. We are working on get these back online ASAP. If you have an urgent request, please email us at [email protected]

Many thanks for your understanding and apologies for any inconvenience!

19/12/2024

Just a reminder of our holiday hours starting next week. We wish all our wonderful clients a safe and happy holiday season 🤶🎅🎄🥂🎁

It is getting to that time of year 😱 here are our opening hours for the Christmas period 🎅🤶🎄❄

08/12/2024

We have unfortunately had a wee kitten handed into us this morning deceased. She looks to be around 6-8 weeks old, ragdoll or Birman, no microchip. If this sounds like your wee baby please get in contact with the clinic. We are so very sorry for the loss

19/11/2024

A great wee video around antibiotics from the NZVA 😷🤧

05/11/2024

We have had a female tabby cat brought in by a member of the public. She is very small, with no microchip but a collar. She looks as though she has been living rough for a little while, if you think she may be yours please give us a call with a description of her collar. 04 479 0570