First Vets

26/06/2024

✨ Matariki Long Weekend ✨

Another long weekend has come, and as usual; here are our hours for the weekend.

Totally Vets Accident and Medical Centre will cover the after-hours emergencies for the entire weekend 🩺🏥

To contact them:
📞 Call them directly on 06 324 0812
📞 Call us and push 5 when prompted

24/06/2024

📝 Certificate Reprints 📝

Did you know, similar to humans birth certificates, and passports; that desexing certificates and vaccination certificates are legal documents? 🧐

Around this time of year, when dog registration is due with the Whanganui District Council, we are seeing an influx of requests for desexing certificates.

Our certificate fee is $15.00 - Which covers our vet's time to check the patients history and sign the certificate, as well as our support staff's time to send it out to you (if required) in a timely manner.

We always send desexing certificates home with our desexing patients on discharge, so make sure you keep the certificate in a safe place.

We'd recommend taking the certificate to the Council as soon as possible so they can have it on record for your dog

19/06/2024

🐾 Spreading the Word about Vets & Nurses 🩺

Last Friday, Dr. Catherine and I (Vet Tech Emma) went to St. Mary's School to talk to the intermediate students about careers!

We were joined by our paw-some ambassa-dogs Willow (Dr. Catherine's doggo) and Devito (My doggo)!

St. Mary's School reached out to us earlier in the School Term to see if any of our team would want to come in, and talk to the students about the veterinary industry.
Of course we were very excited about this opportunity to do some 'field work' in the community!

Dr. Catherine and I talked about our journey into the veterinary industry from before our studies - such as how to become a Vet / Vet Nurse, to now (many years into our careers!).
The students loved looking at the x-rays and the real life case examples of Willow and Devito 🩷

We are happy to report that we gained ✨more✨ interest from the students to join the vet industry after our talk - so we didn't put them off! Phew 🤣

Thanks for having us!

31/05/2024

‼️Saturday 1st of June‼️

Due to unforeseen circumstances, we will not have a veterinarian on staff today.

If your pet requires urgent care, please head through to Totally Vets in Fielding.

Thank you for your understanding at this time.

30/05/2024

👑 King's Birthday 👑

Another long weekend has come, and as usual; here are our hours for the weekend.
Totally Vets Accident and Medical Centre will cover the after-hours emergencies for the entire weekend 🩺🏥

To contact them:
📞 Call them directly on 06 324 0812
📞 Call us and push 5 when prompted

17/05/2024

💟 Pink Shirt Day 2024 💟

On Wednesdays, Regina George and the Mean Girls wear pink...
But on Fridays, the First Vets Gals wear pink for Pink Shirt Day!

Friday 17th of May 2024 is Pink Shirt Day Aotearoa!

What is Pink Shirt Day?

Pink Shirt Day is about working together to stop bullying by celebrating diversity and promoting kindness and inclusiveness.

It’s about creating a community where all people feel safe, valued and respected, regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or cultural background.

Here's Brooklyn, Zoé, Catherine, and Squid (bribed into participation!) showing their support for Pink Shirt Day!

Kōrero Mai, Kōrero Atu, Mauri Tū, Mauri Ora!
Speak Up, Stand Together, Stop Bullying!

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜🩷

14/05/2024

🐾 PUPPY PRESCHOOL 🐶

We are so happy to announce that Puppy Preschool is getting a refresh, and we are collaborating with the PAWsome Julz from Julz's Canine Aftercare 🤩🐾

Julz's first class is beginning soon! See below for details!

🐾 The new class will begin on Wednesday 29th of May 6:00pm-7:00pm.
🐾 There is a maximum of 6 puppies per class.
🐾 The course is 6 weeks long.
🐾 The puppy must be aged between 8-16wks at the beginning of the course
🐾 The puppy must also have had at LEAST one DHP 'Parvo' Vaccination
🐾 The course cost is $100.00 per puppy.
🐾 Course is run by a qualified Dog Trainer.
🐾 Class is open to for enrolments now!

If this sounds like something you'd like to do with your new puppy, then contact the clinic to register your interest! 🤩🐾🎓

06/05/2024

🤩 SQUID WANTS MORE FRIENDS! 🤩

We are looking for ✨another✨ Full-Time Vet Nurse to join our super-duper Vet Nursing team! 🦸‍♀️🦸🦸‍♂️

See the link below for details and applications:
https://www.seek.co.nz/job/75629244

27/04/2024

🤩 What a day to celebrate! 🩺

Saturday April 27th (today!) marks a day to celebrate the veterinarians who work hard to treat, and maintain the health of our beloved pets!

Today is World Veterinary Day 2024!

Join us in celebrating and thanking our wonderful vets for everything they do for our pets 🥰🤩

🩷 Dr. Nicola 🩷
💚 Dr. James 💚
💜 Dr. Julene 💜
💙 Dr. Catherine 💙

22/04/2024

🐾 ANZAC Day 2024 🐾

With the upcoming public holiday fast approaching, here are our hours over this time.
We will be CLOSED on Thursday the 25th of April, with normal hours resuming on Friday the 26th of April.

As always, the wonderful team at Totally Vets Accident and Medical Centre will be available for After Hours Emergencies. To reach them, you can call us on 06 281 3157 out of business hours, and press 5 when prompted.

❤️Lest We Forget❤️

28/03/2024

🍇 Raisins & Cocoa are a big NO NO! 🍫

Grape, raisin, or sultana ingestion from Hot Cross Buns can cause a variety of symptoms depending how how much they have eaten. Toxicity symptoms can include;
🍇 vomiting and diarrhoea.
🍇 hypersalivation.
🍇 head tilt.
🍇 ataxia, or incoordinated gait.
🍇 changes to urine colour and output (renal damage).

Chocolate toxicity can cause a variety of symptoms, such as:
🍫 vomiting and diarrhoea.
🍫 panting or restlessness.
🍫 increased thirst and excessive urination.
🍫 racing heart rate.
🍫 muscle tremors.
🍫 seizures.
🍫 heart failure.

The link below takes you to a chocolate calculator:
https://www.vets-now.com/app/chocolate-calculator
This is ✨not✨ a substitute for veterinary care, only a tool!

26/03/2024

🐰 Hoppy Easter! 🐣

Easter is this coming weekend - so here are our hours over the public holiday!

We will be CLOSED on Friday March 29th (Good Friday) and Monday April 1st (Easter Monday), with normal hours resuming on Tuesday April 2nd.

As always, the wonderful team at Totally Vets Accident and Medical Centre will be available for After Hours Emergencies. To reach them, you can call us on 06 281 3157 out of business hours, and press 5 when prompted.

🐰🐣

21/03/2024

😎 Meet Jimmy! 🐈

Jimmy came in for a visit with Dr Nicola recently and we LOVE his mode of transport! 😍 We couldn't resist getting a photo of him in his wee backpack!

Jimmy is travelling in style 😎🐾

17/03/2024

💐 Tuesday 19th of March 💐

This coming Tuesday, we will be running a reduced service period between 10:00am and 2:00pm. However, the retail area will still be open for sales during this period.

Most of our Team Members will be away from the clinic to celebrate the life of a beloved former colleague.

Vet consultations will run as normal from 8:00am to 10:00am and resume from 2:00pm until closing time.

We wish to thank you in advance for your understanding 💜

15/03/2024

🌟 WE'RE HIRING! 🌟

Are you our next Vet Nursing Superstar?

With one of our lovely Team Members about to move on to her next adventure, we are now looking for a FULL-TIME nurse to join our First Vets Nursing Team.

This full time role will rotate through 3 different weekly shifts with varied start and finish times between 7:30am and 6pm, with participation in the Saturday roster.

If you:
🐶 Are friendly, approachable, and value client relationships
🐱 Have a Veterinary Nursing, or Veterinary Technology qualification
🐹 Can provide exceptional service to all our clients (both human and animal)
🐰 Have outstanding communication, and computer skills.
🐔 Have experience in surgery nursing, anaesthesia monitoring, hospital nursing, reception duties, and nurse consultations...

🤩THEN WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!! 🤩

🐣New Graduates will be considered for the role🐣

Listing will be closed when we find the right applicant, so DON'T DELAY!
Please send your CV and Cover Letter to: [email protected].

First Vets Whanganui - Veterinarian professionals with a passion for small & companion animal health

01/03/2024

😍 Wear the Rainbow & Squid's 1st Birthday! 🌈

Today we celebrated Pride Whanganui's Wear the Rainbow Day and Squid the Clinic Cat's First Birthday!

Here we have Dr Catherine, Vet Nurse Zoe, and Vet Tech Emma sporting their rainbow outfits in support of Pride Whanganui's Wear the Rainbow Day for Pride week. Our team love supporting and celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community ❤🧡💛💚💙💜

Squid celebrated his 1st birthday with some presents and a cat friendly 'grazing platter' constructed from a Puree Kiss, and some Temptations! 🥳🎂 It went down a treat...!

What a great way to end the week!

28/02/2024

🇫🇷 Buy NexGard and say Salut to Lisa Carrington! 🇫🇷

Purchase and NexGard Spectra for Cats between 1st March and 30th April 2024 and enter yourself in the draw!

Triple packs earn three entries and singles packs one entry in the draw to win a trip to Paris for two to see Lisa go for gold, and a chance to win signed Games merchandise.

Once you've purchased your NexGard Spectra, visit www.winwithnexgard.co.nz or scan the QR code in store to enter your details to get in the draw!

🇫🇷🐾😎☀

22/02/2024

🤩 Introducing Shanna's artwork 🤩

We are so lucky to know such a talented young lady! 🎨👩🏻‍🎨

Shanna, who works with us part-time in the cattery, has drawn these spectacular animal portraits 😍

These are now on display in the waiting room of the clinic - and better yet, they are for sale!

Be sure to check out Shanna's art page:
Facebook: Shanna's artwork
Instagram:

Which one is your favourite?
🫐 Blueberry Chinchilla
🍓 Strawberry Bunny
💤 Sleeping Kitty
🐍 Beady-Eyed Rattlesnake

15/02/2024

🤩 BRAVECTO REWARDS 🤩

Did you know that Bravecto has a rewards program?

Bravecto Rewards is an app which allows you to collect stars for each Bravecto product you purchase!

So, how does it work?

🐾 Download the app, and make your account.

🐾 Scan our QR Code in clinic

🐾 Start collecting stars! For each Bravecto you purchase, you will earn 1 star. You need to take an itemised receipt and take a photo of the receipt.

🐾 For every 4 of the same product that you buy (i.e. Bravecto Spot On / Bravecto Plus Spot On for Cats, or Bravecto Chew for Dogs, or Bravecto Spot On for Dogs) you will get the 5th for 🌟FREE🌟!

🐾 Once you have earned 4 stars, you can redeem your 5th product. You will need to scan our QR code in clinic, then we can issue you your 🌟FREE🌟 Bravecto!

If you have a cat and a dog on Bravecto products, you can have 2 product 'cards' on the app! That way both animals can get their 5th Bravecto 🌟FREE🌟

Jump on to your app store and download the app now and start collecting your Bravecto Rewards!

Your cat or dog (or both!) will thank you for it!

🍏🍎🍏🍎
Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/au/app/bravecto-rewards/id1595001057
🍏🍎🍏🍎

🔴🟡🟢🔵
Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nz.com.bravecto.rewards&hl=en&gl=US
🔴🟡🟢🔵

01/02/2024

🤩 Waitangi Day 🤩

With the upcoming public holiday fast approaching, here are our hours over this time.

We will be CLOSED on Tuesday the 6th of February, with normal hours resuming on Wednesday the 7th of February.

As always, the wonderful team at Totally Vets Accident and Medical Centre will be available for After Hours Emergencies. To reach them, you can call us on 06 281 3157 out of business hours, and press 5 when prompted.

Enjoy the public holiday.

18/01/2024

🤩 Wellington Anniversary Weekend 🤩

With the long weekend fast approaching, here are our hours for the public holiday 🥳
We will be CLOSED on Monday the 22nd of January, with normal hours resuming on Tuesday the 23rd of January.

As always, the wonderful team at Totally Vets Accident and Medical Centre will be available for After Hours Emergencies. To reach them, you can call us on 06 281 3157 out of business hours, and press 5 when prompted.

Enjoy the weekend 🥳🏖

11/01/2024

🥵 HOT DOG!! 🥵

As the sun cranks up the heat, we must give a timely reminder to not leave your pets in the car. Even in the shade, and even for only a few minutes with the windows down, temperatures will rise...

Vehicle internal temperatures can skyrocket in a very short space of time, leading to heat stroke and collapse in our furry friends 🐕☀️

Be "Summer Smart", and keep your furry friends safe! 😎🐾

24/12/2023

🎅 MERRY CHRISTMAS! 🎄

We wish you all a wonderful, and safe Christmas, and a Happy Holiday season 🥳🎉

From the Team at First Vets 🤩💜

23/12/2023

🍖 Christmas Food and Pet Toxicity 🥑

While we all love a good Christmas Feast, the food served at the table this holiday season ideally needs to remain a human only feast!

You're best to resist those puppy eyes 🥺 and deter those cat burglars who will steal food right off your plate! 🚫

Below is a list of foods that can pose a risk to your pets health over the holiday season, which may require an unexpected Afterhours / Emergency Vet Clinic trip! 😬

For more information visit:
www.pawsoff.co.nz/ingredients.htm
www.southerncrosspet.co.nz/pet-hub/tips-and-tricks/foods-your-pet-shouldnt-eat

Have a safe holiday!

19/12/2023

🤩 Paw-some Cookies! 🐾

Sorry pups, these ones are for the humans!

Shout out to Laszel's Tiers Of Joy for these amazing paw print cookies😍 If you are coming in to the clinic this week, you may be lucky enough to get one! 🍪🐾

13/12/2023

🐈 Led and Collared Cat Collars 🧡🖤

Check out these new Led and Collared cat collars that we ordered in for some wonderful clients! 🤩🤩

Get in touch with us to see how we can help you get your pet the purr-fect collar 😍😍🐈🐈

12/12/2023

🤩 Our Pickle's Pawtraits Project is COMPLETE ✅

If you've been into the clinic in the last week or so, you may have seen us hanging a variety of pet pawtraits on the wall in the Dog Waiting Area.

This has been a really fun project which we began back in October, along with the talented people of Pickle's Pawtraits who have done an ✨AMAZING✨ job on these pawtraits.

We have 30 pet pawtraits on the wall. These pets all belong to our staff or are in our staff's family 🥰 They represent both past and present pets 🐾

Make sure to have a look next time you visit the clinic, and be sure to check out Pickle's Pawtraits to get your pet 'pickled' 🤩🐾

🦜🐇🐩🐈

08/12/2023

🎅🏼🎄 Christmas & New Years Hours 🥳🎆

Christmas and New Years holidays are fast approaching, so here are our hours for the holiday season 🎄🎅🏼🥳🎆

Totally Vets Accident and Medical Centre will cover the after-hours emergencies for the public holidays, and Massey University Pet Emergency Centre will cover the weekdays🩺🏥

To contact them:
📞 Call us and push 5 when prompted, and you'll be directed to the right afterhours help

06/12/2023

Meet Claire! 🤩

Claire joined the First Vets team as a receptionist and administration extraordinaire in November 2023. She is returning to the veterinary industry after a long break to raise a family in the wonderful Whanganui, where she has resided for the last 42 years.

Claire’s favourite part of being on the reception team is customer care; and building and maintaining client rapport. As a trained vet nurse, Claire is just as passionate for the wellbeing and welfare of our patients, as she is for customer care. Being back on board as a part of our team, she is looking forward to meeting all our wonderful clients, and patients 🐾

In her spare time, Claire loves to potter in her veggie garden and flower garden. We hear she has quite the green thumb! She also can’t pass up on a good book to read.
At home, Claire has a Labrador cross dog who loves to play fetch and help in the garden. She also has 3 cats, one being a Turkish Van mix, who loves to play with water 🐶🐱

Claire can’t wait to meet you; she’ll be ready to greet you at reception! 🤩