Pets News

Meet Anexa Vet, Sophie and her cat Mishy Meow

Friday, 13th March 2020Hi, for those of you whom I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting yet, my name is Sophie and I started with the Morrinsville team in December last year. As a fellow proud ...
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Is it safe to let your dog lick you?

Wednesday, 19th February 2020Recently in the media, there have been a couple of cases of infections in people contracted from the family dog. This is a timely reminder that is good for our health to take care ...
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Do you have an older cat that seems to be eating a lot and not gaining weight?

Saturday, 1st February 2020Has your cat become more talkative, or agitated? Has their coat lost its normal lustre? If so, your cat may be suffering from hyperthyroidism, a common disease in older cats. It ...
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Parvo in dogs - What you need to know

Friday, 13th December 2019By Katrina Crowe, Veterinarian, Anexa Vets Huntly What is Parvovirus and why does it make my dog sick?“Parvo” is a viral infection that affects dogs, and is shed by ...
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New Year: New Facial Eczema season. Are you prepared?

Friday, 13th December 2019By Julia Baynes, Veterinarian, Anexa Vet Services From January onwards, warm and moist weather conditions enable a toxic fungus, Pithomyces chartarum, to multiply to dangerous ...
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Be aware of these holiday hiccups

Monday, 2nd December 2019Dog FightsOver the holidays, we treat a number of dogs injured in dog fights, most of which occur on the beach. These range from major life-threatening injuries, to less serious ...
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More than meets the eye – the importance of pre-anaesthetic bloods

Monday, 25th November 2019When a sick animal arrives at one of our Anexa clinics - sometimes just by looking at the animal it is obvious what is wrong; sometimes it takes a bit more detective work; and ...
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Has your cat started toileting where it shouldn’t?

Friday, 22nd November 2019In ancient times cats were domesticated purely as pest control, but over the years have grown into a much loved family pet. However, living with us in our modern world can cause ...
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Acupuncture – another option for managing pain

Wednesday, 20th November 2019By Jennifer Katona, Veterinarian, Anexa Vets Morrinsville What is Acupuncture?Acupuncture is a beneficial treatment for certain cases in conjunction with modern medicine. It is ...
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An eye emergency for Poppy the pug

Thursday, 17th October 2019By Arnica van der Wiele, Veterinarian, Anexa Vet Services Ngatea Poppy was only a few weeks old when she came to our (Ngatea) clinic with an eye emergency. One of her eyes had ...
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Your pet can have seasonal allergies just like you

Thursday, 17th October 2019Did you know the skin is the largest organ in the body?Skin takes all the wear and tear that nature dishes out, not only to us but to our beloved pets. With the change in seasons ...
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Did you know your dog or cat can suffer from seasonal allergies just as you do?

Tuesday, 1st October 2019By Chris Hutchings, Veterinarian, Anexa FVC Morrinsville There are primarily two types of allergies: food allergies and environmental allergies. If your pet gets itchy during ...
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Chocolate: Not for your pets

Wednesday, 18th September 2019Did you know that chocolate can be toxic, even fatal, for animals? Dogs are the most commonly affected, as their keen sense of smell means they are able to track down hidden ...
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5 reasons to treat your pet for fleas this spring

Wednesday, 18th September 2019Did you know that 95% of the problem (eggs, larvae and pupae) are living in your pet’s environment (your home, carpets, furniture and garden). A flea’s eggs can take anywhere ...
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My dog is shaking its head - does he have an ear infection?

Thursday, 12th September 2019Ear infection (Otitis externa)By Arnica van der Wiele, Veterinarian, Anexa Vets Ngatea My dog is shaking its head- does this mean my dog has ear mites?The most likely answer is ...
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Pet Food – So many choices?

Thursday, 15th August 2019By Paul van der Wel, Veterinarian, Anexa Vets Raw, grain-free, dry, wet – so many pet food options! In recent times there have been a myriad of choices appearing in the pet ...
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Euthanasia – your questions answered

Tuesday, 13th August 2019It can be difficult to talk to your Veterinarian about euthanasia, but that doesn’t mean it should be a mystery. Euthanasia is a special privilege that allows us to end ...
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Kat catnapped!

Tuesday, 13th August 2019By Audra Watkins, Vet Nurse, Anexa Vets Ngaruawahia Kat is a Grey and White Domestic Shorthaired Tabby who lives with a member of my family, in a household with five other ...
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The seal deal

Saturday, 6th July 2019Every year Raglan has the pleasure of seeing a handful of fur seal pups and adults visit our shores. Female fur seals birth their pups during December and January, and nurse ...
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Protect your pet (and family) from worms!

Saturday, 6th July 2019This topic can make some people feel a little squeamish, it is very important to understand why our animals require regular de-worming. Today we will focus on cats and ...
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Has your dog slowed down?

Thursday, 4th July 2019Have you noticed that your older dog has started to slow down on their walks, has difficulty rising or laying down, or is starting to walk stiffly? These are just a couple of the ...
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Checks before your pet is anaesthetised

Thursday, 4th July 2019Pre-anaesthetic blood testing is essentially a ‘safety check’ that can be performed before your pet is put under an anaesthetic. This screening test can provide you with very ...
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Grooming your pet in winter

Wednesday, 19th June 2019Many people think they need to grow their dog's hair in winter to keep them warm however often a long coat, if not cared for, can become unruly and matted. It is just as ...
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Poisoning in our Dogs and Cats with Rat Bait

Tuesday, 18th June 2019By Fiona McLeod, Veterinarian, Anexa Vets Te Kauwhata One of the most common toxicities we see is from rat poison. Frequently our pets find the poison we have carefully hidden ...
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Dental disease - our feline friends need our help

Tuesday, 4th June 2019Did you know that nearly 70% of cats over 3 years old have some form of dental disease? This is a huge problem for our feline friends, especially since they hide their pain, so by ...
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Keeping your pet's smile healthy

Saturday, 1st June 2019If you have noticed that your pet has smelly breath, isn’t chewing as before, is eating food slower, or just generally slowing down with no obvious cause, please bring in your ...
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Gum disease is regrettably common but it can be prevented

Saturday, 1st June 2019Did you know that 75% of health problems seen by vets have ties to dental disease? Gum disease is usually silent. When it starts there are no outward signs and symptoms. Yet once ...
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Has your pet’s behaviour changed with the weather?

Friday, 17th May 2019The condition commonly referred to as arthritis is more correctly known as Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD, for short. Most people think of arthritis as affecting older pets, ...
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It all starts in the mouth

Friday, 17th May 2019Dental disease is the most common serious ailment in cats and dogs! The incidence and severity of dental disease increases as pets age. In fact, the vast majority of cats and dogs ...
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Neutering & Vaccinations – the what, why and how.

Friday, 17th May 2019Neutering your Dogs and CatsUnwanted litters, wandering animals, fights, heats, birthing complications, emergency caesarean sections, medical conditions such as pyometra (pus ...
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Starting ‘em early! Puppy Preschool

Thursday, 18th April 2019Have you recently welcomed a new canine into the family, or are you thinking about doing so? As with kids, puppies gain a massive amount of information from their environment ...
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Hippity hop, happy I am not - Fly strike in rabbits

Thursday, 18th April 2019With the seasonally hot weather this year, we are seeing more and more cases of fly strike in rabbits, especially the longer hair types. Causes of fly strike can be from loose ...
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Hunter’s Hind Legs

Tuesday, 11th December 2018Hunter is a fit and healthy dog, who loves spending time with his family. He loves swimming and running, and has always had plenty of energy to burn. Hunter belongs to one of ...
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Pets on Holiday - Embedded or Swallowed Fish Hooks

Saturday, 1st December 2018Dogs and cats with embedded or swallowed fish hooks are another problem we see quite a bit of at our Raglan clinic. Usually these animals belong to people who are enjoying some ...
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Keeping your pets safe over the silly season

Saturday, 1st December 2018We all want the holiday season to be fun and safe for the whole family and this includes our pets. After all they are part of our family as well, bringing much joy and cheer. ...
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Keeping your pet hydrated

Saturday, 1st December 2018Water is required in the body for basic organ function Water intake for cats and dogs: approximately 60-70ml of water per kilo of body weight daily (average 4.5kg cat = about ...
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The top ten Christmas foods that are toxic to your pets

Friday, 23rd November 2018Make sure your friends and family are aware of these festive toxins, and help to keep your pets safe this holiday season. Chocolate! Your animals may love it, but it can cause ...
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Does your pooch need entertaining?

Thursday, 22nd November 2018Over the summer period, canine members of the family are often left at home while their humans are out on day trips, or are expected to behave while a yummy smelling BBQ is cooked ...
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Protect ALL of your pets against fleas

Thursday, 27th September 2018Cats and dogs share the same flea species. Even if your dog never goes near the cat in your house, forgetting to treat the cat can mean flea eggs are shed around the house, which ...
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George's upset tummy

Thursday, 27th September 2018George, a 9 week old German Shorthair Pointer pup, came in for a check up this morning at our Huntly Clinic. He has been with his new owners for 6 days, had vomited a few times ...
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Parvo - is your pup protected?

Thursday, 27th September 2018As pet owners we know that annual vaccinations are important, and that they help protect our pets from serious illnesses. But do we understand the passion behind our Veterinary ...
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Will my itchy pet be alright if I just leave it?

Wednesday, 26th September 2018By Anne Gelling, Veterinarian, Anexa FVC Te Aroha No, is the short and sharp answer. When your pet develops an itch, the problem can soon enter a vicious cycle. Your ...
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How do I chose which flea product to use? There’s just so many!

Saturday, 1st September 2018By Ashley O’Driscoll, Veterinarian, Anexa FVC Ngaruawahia How long do I want the flea treatment last? Most flea treatments are monthly, but a lot of people find it difficult ...
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Sparky's Dental

Thursday, 5th July 2018Sparky is a 10 year old Fox Terrier dog who presented to the clinic with a large swelling on the right hand side of his face, under his eye. Sparky was examined by our ...
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Dealing with dog breath

Sunday, 1st July 2018‘Dog breath’ is a clear sign that something inside a dog’s mouth is not quite right and could require attention. Gum disease, one of the likely causes of smelly breath in ...
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Dental Disease in Pets

Sunday, 1st July 2018Dental disease is one of the most common diseases in dogs and cats, and involves the buildup of tartar causing gum and tooth irritation. If left untreated, the gums will ...
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To desex or not to desex… that is the question!

Thursday, 31st May 2018Desexing a pet is also known as castration (males), spay (females), sterilization, neuter, or getting fixed. This usually happens around 4-6 months for dogs and cats, or 3-4 ...
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What is Euthanasia? (De-mystifying the end-of-life decision.)

Thursday, 31st May 2018It can be difficult to talk to your Veterinarian about euthanasia, but that doesn’t mean it should be a mystery. Euthanasia is a special privilege that allows us to end ...
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Should I buy pet insurance?

Thursday, 31st May 2018Many pet owners will do whatever they can to help their dog or cat live a long, happy and healthy life. But sometimes when sudden accidents, injuries or illnesses happen, even the ...
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Exercising your cat

Tuesday, 10th April 2018As we all know, most cats are happy to sleep, walk to the food bowl, and sleep again. Unfortunately, this is not the best exercise regime when trying to get a cat to lose weight. ...
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Toffee the Staffy X

Friday, 16th March 2018Toffee is a female Staffy X, approx. 10 years old, owned by one of our vet nurse’s family members. Toffee’s owner rang to have a chat to his sister, as Toffee has been ...
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Food for thought

Friday, 9th March 2018Food is not only a requirement in order to live and function normally, but we also love it and so do our pets! Food, however, is not all equal. When it comes to feeding our ...
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How you feed your pet is just as important as what you feed your pet

Thursday, 1st March 2018With your pets, it is just as important to have good habits around feeding routines as it is to feed a nutritionally balanced diet. Wild animals have to work for their food, ...
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Keep your bunny safe, vaccinate NOW

Thursday, 1st March 2018If your pet rabbit hasn’t been vaccinated in the last year, book an appointment now. Our Anexa Companion Animal Vets have seen many of our rabbit clients recently for ...
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Your pet can get sun burnt too!

Tuesday, 12th December 2017The sun in New Zealand is particularly harsh, which can be problematic for lighter coloured animals. Over summer ensure your pet has access to a cool, shady area, out of direct ...
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Keeping your pets safe over the holiday season

Monday, 11th December 2017We all want the holiday season to be fun and safe for the whole family and this includes our pets. After all, they are part of our family bringing much joy and cheer. The tips ...
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Does your cat get stressed when they visit the Vet?

Monday, 11th December 2017Below are some easy tips that you can put in place to help your cat, and create a more pleasant experience Desensitize your cat to the carrier cage - place the carrier in a ...
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Marvi the stray kitten gets a second chance at life

Tuesday, 10th October 2017By Isa Hulena-Leslie, Vet Nurse Anexa Raglan A very scared, very malnourished little stray kitten was found one evening on a clients property, hiding in the cattle yards. ...
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Five Reasons to de-flea your Dog or cat

Sunday, 1st October 20171. Fleas make your pet itch! And itching can lead to skin trauma, rashes and even infected wounds. 2. Fleas also bite humans. 3. “Flea allergy dermatitis” is caused by ...
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Pet First Aid Advice At Your Finger-tips!

Monday, 11th September 2017Check out our new First Aid App, free and now available on Android Play Store and Apple App Store (search for First Aid for Pets New Zealand). This great new app complements the ...
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Did you know the skin is the largest organ in the body?

Thursday, 7th September 2017Skin takes all the wear and tear that nature dishes out, not only to us but to our beloved pets. With the change in seasons a few issues can arise. Spring can bring on ...
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Bunny Butt

Thursday, 7th September 2017By Audra Watkins, Vet Nurse, Anexa FVC Ngaruawahia We recently had a bunny rabbit, brought into our clinic at Ngaruawahia. His owner was concerned that he smelt funny and that ...
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Colombus's tangled tummy...

Thursday, 7th September 2017 By Terrie Wells, Vet Nurse, Anexa FVC Huntly Being a Maine Coon, Colombus sits at roughly 11kg and is very fluffy, he gets very hot in the warmer months. Colombus doesn’t ...
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4 Signs that your pet may have a seasonal allergy

Friday, 1st September 2017While human symptoms of seasonal allergies often include sneezing or watery eyes, dogs show seasonal allergies differently. They absorb airborne allergens mainly through their ...
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Which Shampoo is best?

Friday, 1st September 2017When it comes to bathing dogs (and sometimes even cats) it can be confusing trying to choose the best wash/shampoo for your pet’s specific needs. For starters, it is a good idea ...
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How healthy is your pet's mouth?

Thursday, 6th July 2017Dental disease is one of the most common diseases in dogs and cats, and involves the buildup of tartar causing gum and tooth irritation. If left untreated, the gums will ...
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Community Focus

Wednesday, 5th July 2017Anexa FVC not only raises funds for it’s own Stray Animal and Wildlife fund, but works with other charities in the community. We are proud to support the PAWs trust and their ...
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When is the last time you looked in your pet’s mouth?

Tuesday, 6th June 2017I mean, really looked. The vast majority of animals don’t brush their teeth every night, and therefore usually develop similar problems as people who don’t brush their ...
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Keep your pet warm and well this winter

Thursday, 11th May 2017Good nutrition - keep feeding your cat or dog with quality pet food over the winter. Theoretically, energy requirements increase over the colder winter months, however pets often ...
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Paris gets the spring back in her step

Thursday, 11th May 2017Meet Paris, an 11 year old British bulldog. Her owner brought her into the Te Aroha clinic 4 weeks ago because she was slowing down, seemed sore in her hips and struggled to get ...
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Rabbit Calicivirus (RCD)

Tuesday, 9th May 2017A new strain of this virus is soon to be released by pest control companies in the South Island to control the rabbit problem in certain rural areas. We are unsure as to whether ...
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Could your pet have arthritis?

Tuesday, 9th May 2017Have you noticed?A change in behaviour or a decreased exercise level in your pet recently as the colder months are creeping closer? Your pet may be suffering from a condition ...
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Product Review: PetKit Fit P2

Tuesday, 9th May 2017Ever thought that someone should make a FITBIT FOR PETS? Well, here it is. I am a mixed animal veterinarian in Ngaruawahia, and I offered to trial this product on my retired ...
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Keep your dog well this winter with these 5 tips

Tuesday, 9th May 2017Cold weather will worsen arthritisIf your dog is more than 10 years old (small breed) or 8 years old (large breed), consider making life more comfortable. Arthritis is worse in ...
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Gun Dog Ready?

Monday, 10th April 2017Whether you think you have a great gun dog, or you have a gun dog who just thinks he/she is great… there’s a few tips that may ensure your gun dog can work for as long as ...
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Bear finds her waistline

Wednesday, 15th March 2017Some of us are guilty of over feeding our companions, but never do anything about it when told by our Vet or clinic staff. So, here is an ongoing story about one special cat ...
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Fuel for Performance - Working Dog Nutrition

Wednesday, 1st March 2017Did you know that feeding your working dogs like athletes could result in fewer injuries and keep them working for longer? Working dogs are running up to a marathon a day and ...
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Not all foods are created equal

Wednesday, 1st March 2017Not all foods are created equal so make sure your pet gets the best diet possible! As vets we cannot emphasise enough the importance of good nutrition for your pet, to ensure ...
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Weight Management – Fighting Obesity

Wednesday, 1st March 2017By Wendy Jarnet, Veterinary Nurse - Anexa FVC Thames & Coromandel Why is it so important? It is estimated that between a third and half of all companion animal pets in New ...
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Hi, I am a very lucky puppy.

Tuesday, 6th December 2016I was found by a lady out walking her dog; she picked me up out of the roadside gutter and brought me into the Ngaruawahia Vet Clinic. On examination, I was found to be about ...
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Dogs come in all shapes and sizes, and like people, some do struggle to swim.

Wednesday, 30th November 2016Dogs being taken out on boats or hanging around water that aren’t the best swimmers may benefit from having a Life Jacket. George (pictured) often gets taken out on the kayak ...
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Taming the furry beasts!

Sunday, 20th November 20162 years ago, 2 approximately 14 week old kittens (siblings) who had been waiting around in clinic for weeks trying to find their forever home finally managed to attract the ...
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Suzie Jones and her bladder stones

Saturday, 12th November 2016For a few weeks Suzie, a twelve and a half year old Shih Tzu cross, was having a little trouble passing urine and was wanting to go out to the toilet at all hours of the ...
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Thomas the cat… turned into a poodle!

Friday, 16th September 2016Thomas is a 13 year old Domestic Medium hair male cat. Over the past year or so, Thomas’s owners have noticed that he has been grooming himself much less than usual, for what ...
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Break the Flea Cycle

Tuesday, 6th September 2016Over the winter months many pet owners may become complacent, with lapses in their pet’s flea control. In the North Island the climate is too mild to kill off all fleas over ...
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Flea treatment all up- to-date and your dog is STILL itchy?

Tuesday, 6th September 2016Occasional itching is a normal protective mechanism. But when itching causes your dog to damage its skin, causes your pet distress, or disrupts the household, it can be a problem. ...
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Pet hair everywhere?

Tuesday, 6th September 2016Now that it is officially Spring, our pets will be soon shedding their winter coats. Before you start pulling your hair out, here are a few tips to help deal with all of that ...
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Essential steps for bathing your dog

Tuesday, 6th September 2016• Brush out the dogs coat to remove knots and loosen dirt • With warm water, use a small washcloth to wet face, carefully avoiding the eyes and ears • Lather and rinse ...
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Max and her smooch worthy recovery

Sunday, 31st July 2016Max is a sweet little female, 1 year old domestic short hair cat who was brought to our clinic walking on three legs only. Upon examination, the Veterinarian discovered that ...
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Miracles do happen!

Monday, 11th July 2016Just out of Raglan town, a concerned citizen came across a dog wandering across the main road; the local lady was worried for the dogs safety so took the dog home with her for the ...
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Do you love your dog or cat too much?

Monday, 6th June 2016We all love food, and so do our pets. So what better way to show our pets that we love them than to give them yummy food? Unfortunately, this “love” often makes our pets ...
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Is Ant-Bait Toxic To Your Pet?

Sunday, 13th March 2016We often get after hours calls from owners whose dogs have eaten some ant bait. The good news is that most ant-baits in New Zealand contain Boric acid, and this ingredient is ...
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Feline House Soiling

Wednesday, 16th September 2015By Wendy Jarnet – Veterinary Nurse, Anexa FVC Thames Did you know that feline house soiling can often be attributed to aggression between cats, even when they are not ...
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Pets benefit from faster digital x-ray machines

Tuesday, 18th August 2015Anexa FVC Raglan and Morrinsville are delighted with their new digital x-ray developers. Gone are the days of developing x-rays in a time consuming film bath; we now have digital ...
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