Northland Veterinary Group Pets

23/12/2024

🎄🧑‍🎄🐾 MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE TEAM AT NVG 🐾🧑‍🎄🎄

We would like to take a moment to thank all our wonderful clients and pets for your support this year 💖
Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and happy New Year ✨ our clinics will be closed over the statutory holiday days but we’re here for you if your pet requires urgent treatment 📞🐶
See our holiday hours in the post below! ⬇️

04/12/2024

Although New Zealand remains free of high pathogenicity avian influenza – also known as bird flu – we are preparing in case it spreads here. Did you know you can subscribe to receive regular bird flu updates in your email inbox?

Subscribe to the newsletter 👇 https://bit.ly/416skXC

Find out more about bird flu 👇 https://bit.ly/bird-flu-be-ready

04/12/2024

🧑‍🎄🎄Please see our hours for the Christmas period below 🎄🧑‍🎄

26/11/2024

Just a few of the star patients from today’s farm dog vaccine run! 🐕🐾

14/11/2024

🐰🌸🐾 MEET PICKLES 🐾🌸🐰
Pickles visited us last week to have his castration surgery, thanks Dr. Jenny! 💖
Pickles is recovering well with his family at home 🥕🐰🐾

05/11/2024

🌞🐾🐶 SEASONAL ALLERGIES IN PETS 🐱🐾🌞
As we head into the warmer months our furry friends may suffer from seasonal allergies too! 🍃🤧💐
Common signs of seasonal allergies in pets include:
🌸 Excessive scratching, itching and biting at their skin or ears
🌸 Red inflamed skin or rashes
🌸 Watery eyes or sneezing

If your pet is suffering from any of these symptoms, give us a call on 09 470 1060 to book a consult with one of our vets today! 📞👩‍⚕️

31/10/2024

🎆🐾 ARE YOU PREPARED FOR GUY FAWKES? 🐾🎆
As we prepare for a night of fireworks, let’s not forget about our furry friends! 🐶🐱🐴
Fireworks can be quite stressful for some of our pets, and we want to ensure they stay safe and comfortable 💖
Here are a few tips to help keep your anxious pets calm during the celebrations:
1. Create a safe space: Set up a quiet room with their favourite blanket and toys
2. Stay indoors: Keep your pets inside to ensure they avoid the noise and lights and stay safe
3. Distraction is key: Engage them with toys, treats and cuddles to help keep them distracted
4. Consult your vet: If your pet is particularly anxious about fireworks, talk to us about safe calming options

If you have any concerns about your pet and fireworks, give us a call on 09 470 1060 📞👩‍⚕️🎆🐾

17/10/2024

IgG testing…

What is it and why is it important for your foal?

What does IgG stand for?

IgG or Immunoglobulin G is an indicator of the number of antibodies in the blood of a newborn foal. These antibodies are absorbed through the colostrum that the mare has produced.

Why do we test for the IgG levels?

Foals have a short timeframe where they can effectively absorb the antibodies from their mother’s colostrum. Newborn foals do not produce their own antibodies until they are 3-4 months old. If they are unable to obtain enough colostrum within the first 8-16 hours, they are more susceptible to infections.

What if a foal has a low IgG score?

If the foal fails to get enough colostrum this may require veterinary help. The IgG test determines the number of antibodies the foal has. If this is deemed too low, the foal may require an intravenous plasma transfusion. Without this, there is a risk that the foal may not survive if they contract an infection.

What is recommended?

It is recommended to test the foal between 8-12 hours old. A blood sample is required, and this can be done on farm at the foal’s first health check.

If it is noted that the foal needs more antibodies, and the window for colostrum absorption has not closed, administering a colostrum replacer can aid in correcting these levels. This is often the first and preferred treatment for the foal.

Once this has been administered a second IgG test is then needed to assess levels. It is then determined whether a plasma transfusion is needed.

If the foal is older than 24hrs old, a test can still be run, although the course of treatment may differ as the window for “passive transfer” of antibodies has now passed and the absorption from the milk is only nutrients. Your vet will then devise a plan for your foal.

10/10/2024

👏 HAPPY VET NURSE APPRECIATION DAY 👏
To our team of amazing vet nurses, thank you for your hard work and dedication every day ❤️
These ladies have all spent years studying the ins and outs of vet nursing so they can give your pets the best care possible! We are lucky here at Northland Vet Group to have such an amazing team of knowledgeable, skilled and passionate nurses 💖 So let’s show them some love today!!

08/10/2024

This month’s farm newsletter covers all things BVD!

29/09/2024

🐴 WHAT IS LAMINITIS 🐴

Laminitis is inflammation of the laminae of the hoof. Laminae is the soft tissue within the hoof capsule that attaches to the coffin bone.

When the laminae becomes inflamed, it causes severe pain and, in some cases, can cause the coffin bone within the hoof to become unstable and rotate.

🐎 What does a laminitic horse/pony look like?

Acute (sudden) onset:
- Forelimbs are most affected
- Reluctant to move
- Rocking on hooves or “praying” stance
- Unable to weight bare/balance on one hoof (when one is being held or picked out)
- Coronary band and hoof wall hot/warm to touch
- Strong digital pulse
- Positive pain reaction to hoof tester pressure (often in the toe but not always the case)

Chronic (continuous) laminitis:
- Laminitic “rings” formed around the hoof wall (each ring may correspond to a previous laminitic episode)
- The hoof wall often is dished at the front and the toes become long
- Reduced ability to move, reluctant to put weight through forelimbs (often called the “Laminitic Stance”

🏇 What causes laminitis?

Spring is generally when ponies or horses are most prone to laminitis. This is due to the increased carbohydrate in the grass. This then causes changes to the body’s metabolism, in turn, this causes changes in the blood flow to the laminae in the foot.

🐎 Reasons for acute onset laminitic episodes include:

- Gorging on hard feed (grains are particularly bad due to the carbohydrate content)
- Gorging on lush/fresh grass
- Retained placenta post-foaling
- Septicaemic conditions
- Obesity
- Severe lameness
- Excessive trimming of the hooves
- Overworked barefoot horses/ponies
- Overweight ponies/miniature horses are at higher risk

🏇 How is laminitis diagnosed?

A veterinary visit is crucial for any horse or pony that is exhibiting signs of having laminitis. Once this visit has taken place, a treatment plan will be determined, in some circumstances the vet may request x-rays of the hooves to determine the location and angle of the coffin bone.

🐎 Management of the laminitic equine:

- Remove from grass, if overeating is the cause
- Mares that have retained placenta are an emergency and must be seen by a veterinarian immediately
- Adequate pain relief based on vet assessment
- Yarding, or stabling with deep, soft bedding is recommended to allow horses to stand comfortably when their hooves are painful. If sand-based yards are used, ensure hooves are picked out several times a day to avoid overpacking
- Correct management of diet can minimise the risk of flare-ups
- If confined, provide a friend as most horses do not enjoy being alone

25/09/2024

It's Mental Health Awareness Week and this year it's all about community! 🐾
Our staff at Northland Veterinary Group work hard every day to provide your pets with the best care, often thrown into stressful situations or working long hours to ensure your pets are cared for as if they are their own ❤️
To read more about MHAW visit www.mhaw.nz 🥳

10/09/2024

⚖️IS YOUR PET A HEALTHY WEIGHT?⚖️
Most commonly in the clinic we see pets that are above their ideal weight! Overweight pets are at risk of developing preventable diseases and medical conditions.
If you are concerned your pet is not at their ideal weight, book a FREE weight management consult with one of our nurses! They can help you create a plan to manage your pets weight 🥰 Call us today on 09 470 1060 🐾

08/09/2024

💖 MEET JERRY 💖
Jerry had been battling with bladder stones and visited our Maunu Rd clinic last month to have them surgically removed by Dr. Alan! Jerry was a 🌟 star 🌟 patient for our vets and nurses

06/09/2024

Let’s talk about foaling!

With the breeding season here, it is important you are prepared!

Provided below is a bit of information about foaling to help give your mare the best chance at a safe delivery and a healthy foal.

As always, if in doubt, get a vet out!

Our emergency number is (09) 4701060

31/08/2024

🌼SENIOR WELLNESS🌼
Is your pet over 8 years old? As our pets get older they are more likely to develop health problems such as arthritis, kidney disease, diabetes, heart disease and so on!
Book a Senior Wellness Consult to give your pet a full health check including blood tests and blood pressure! Give us a call on 09 470 1060 today! 🐾😸

27/08/2024

‼️ IS THIS AN EMERGECY? ‼️
Take a look at our handy guide so you know what to expect when booking appointments or if your pet is experiencing an emergency! 😸

25/08/2024

Don’t forget our 🎉FREE🎉 urine analysis day is this Wednesday!! Drop off your pets urine sample from now until Wednesday 🤩🙌

💦 FREE URINE ANALYSIS DAY 💦
On Wednesday the 28th of August we are running a FREE urinalysis day! Just bring us a sample of your pets urine, refrigerated in a clean jar!
Our Sedivue urinalysis machine can detect bacteria, cells and crystals 🦠 and also give us an indication of kidney health!🫘