Keep up to date with all our latest news, articles of interest, and case studies from the veterinary world around Hawke’s Bay.
Retired Working Dogs NZ is a registered charity that works to find homes for working farm dogs if they are unable to work due to age, injury or have no interest in stock. Retired pig dogs and hunting dogs are also included! The charity started in Pahiatua in 2012 and has since grown to a…
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Raw diets are meat-based diets (including bones and offal) that have not been cooked, this includes foods that have been frozen, dehydrated or freeze-dried. Recently these diets have gained popularity among pet owners who are hoping to provide a more natural option for their beloved companion. Although these diets may be marketed as a better…
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Rat bait (anti-coagulant rodenticide) is the most common poison eaten by dogs and it causes problems by preventing their blood from clotting. Symptoms begin 2-4 days after ingestion due to bleeding in different locations in the body. Dogs can bleed from anywhere but most commonly into their lungs, which causes a cough and then difficulty…
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What is Shock Wave Therapy? Shockwave therapy is the use of high-energy sound waves – called pulses or shock waves – to stimulate and speed up the body’s own healing process. These sound waves release higher energy and result in deeper penetration than an ultrasound or laser, for example. The waves travel through soft tissue…
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What is this disease we are talking about, that in some cases, you may not even know is happening in your own dog until she becomes very sick and compromised…. Pyometra (pyo) is effectively a pus filled uterus that can develop in an ovary intact bitch. Why this occurs, without getting too technical, is because…
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There has been a notable increase in the number of people interested in probiotic products for their pets. Do our pets need them? Veterinarian, Reshika Fonseka explains. Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms that live in the gut and help to absorb nutrients from the food eaten and act to support gut immunity. They are important for…
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We always fear losing our pets. Nevertheless, sometimes it is inevitable that we need to make this decision. We hope this article helps answer any questions you may have and gives you a better understanding of what to expect for you, your family and your precious pet when it comes time to make that decision.…
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Dogs are natural scavengers and even during a hard day’s work (or play) can usually find a moment to snack on tasty morsels they may come across. Recreational areas such as rivers and bushland are not always entirely safe as possum and rabbit control measures utilise baits which are attractive to dogs. We commonly see…
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Many people know the importance of insuring their items, their house or car, even their own health. Fortunately we are also able to insure pets, for not only medical and surgical care but in some cases routine visits can be covered (including vaccinations and wellness checks/blood tests). Like any insurance, the hope is that you…
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Canine parvovirus, commonly called ‘Parvo’, is a highly infectious and often lethal disease that affects puppies and dogs. It effects their stomach and small intestine and symptoms can include; vomiting, diarrhoea (often with traces of blood), a lack of appetite, dehydration and rapid condition loss. Puppies under 6 months of age are at the highest…
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A paralysed dog has managed to defy the odds and learn how to walk again, thanks to the persistence of her owners and the team at Vet Services Waipukurau. It’s believed that Kaz, a nine-year-old heading dog, was kicked by a deer during a busy day on the farm. At first her owner thought Kaz…
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Podgy Pooches & Curvaceous Cats Every pet has an ideal weight but almost 50% of animals coming into the clinic are overweight. This problem can be difficult to manage and is often overlooked, despite the well-known health risks including diabetes mellitus, arthritis, cancer and respiratory and heart disease. The first step to helping podgy pooches…
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