http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.wcvets.co.nz en-us Fri, 01 May 2026 00:45:34 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/post/161425/managing-high-cell-counts-ahead-of-dry-off/ One issue that we are seeing on quite a few farms is elevated cell counts, and an increase in clinical and sub-clinical mastitis. If this is happening to you, you are not alone!  Below are a few ideas to help deal with the wind down of this season and a safe transition into the dry period:Herd testing One of the key things we want to be able to do is identify those high cell count, sub-clinical mastitis cows. Herd testing gives us&... Thu, 05 Mar 2026 10:17:55 +1300 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/#post161425 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/post/161418/cows-getting-ticked-off-this-season/ We’re seeing a noticeable increase in reports of ticks this season, particularly on locally grazed cattle around the top of the Grey Valley, in the generally warmer and drier microclimate.  Historically, ticks haven’t been common in our region. When we did see them, they were typically associated with stock recently brought in from other areas.  ... Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:32:14 +1300 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/#post161418 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/post/160841/seeing-more-with-ultrasound/ Ultrasound is a safe, radiation-free imaging tool that uses sound waves to create live images of your pet’s soft tissues and organs. It’s commonly used to investigate concerns such as vomiting or diarrhoea, loss of appetite, weight loss, difficulty urinating, to assess organ health, or to check trauma-related issues like internal bleeding or fluid build up in the chest or abdomen.Because ultrasound shows movement as it happens, it helps our vets understand not just w... Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:38:36 +1300 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/#post160841 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/post/160840/clear-answers-with-x-rays/ X-rays are a fast, non-invasive way for our vets to look inside your pet’s body and understand what might be causing pain, illness, or changes in behaviour. They’re commonly used to investigate things like internal injuries, tumours, fractures, dental disease, and swallowed foreign objects - especially when time matters. Because many problems can’t be seen or felt during a physical exam alone, X-rays help us get clearer answers sooner, so we can make the right deci... Tue, 24 Feb 2026 12:29:44 +1300 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/#post160840 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/post/160836/why-an-in-house-laboratory-matters/ Our in-house labs allow us to run a wide range of tests without sending samples away. This includes blood, urine testing and cytology. Because these tests are done in-clinic, results are often available within minutes, not days. External labs can take from 24-72 hours. That speed really matters. In emergency situations, such as toxic ingestion, sudden collapse or serious injury, fast results help our vets make informed decisions and begin targeted, potentially life-saving tre... Tue, 24 Feb 2026 11:16:29 +1300 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/#post160836 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/post/130855/arthritis-in-pets-how-we-can-help/ Arthritis is a degenerative joint disease that causes chronic pain. It affects one in five adult dogs and is more common in older dogs. Cats can also develop arthritis as they get older, with around 90% of cats over 10 years of age developing arthritis in at least one joint!Many cases go undiagnosed because the gradual, initially subtle changes in their pet are often misinterpreted as "slowing down" or "getting old".Unfortunately, arthritis is a progressive condition with no cure. However, ... Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/#post130855 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/post/127266/keep-your-furry-friend-smiling/ Nothing warms your heart more than your happy, smiling dog welcoming you home at the end of the day. Just like us, to keep that happy smile, cats and dogs rely on healthy teeth and gums for their overall health and wellbeing.The build-up of dental plaque (a sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on the teeth) can lead to oral health issues in your pet, such as gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth loss.... Fri, 09 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/#post127266 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/post/134950/preparing-your-pet-for-stress-free-vet-visits/ Getting any sort of treatment can be stressful for your pets, no matter how great our vets are!Travelling to the clinic and being exposed to a new environment can be challenging for some of our animal companions. While we work hard to ensure your pets are at ease in the clinic, there are also several things that you can do to prepare them and make vet visits a more positive experience.... Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/#post134950 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/post/110319/a-healthy-guide-to-feeding-pets/ When feeding your beloved pet, whether it be a new puppy or kitten, or an older cat or dog, there is such a thing as ‘loving them too much’. Overindulging your pet can lead to health problems if they become overweight, so knowing how much, how often, and what to feed them is important.Also, spayed or neutered pets are more likely to feel hungry more often and gain weight more easily. This quite commonly leads to overfeeding. Pet food bags have feeding guides on the back which help you w... Wed, 24 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +1300 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/#post110319 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/post/158135/emergency-vet-visit-or-not/ We always have on-call vets available to provide your pet with urgent/emergency care outside of our clinics' normal business hours – even in the middle of the night or on days like Christmas Day.But how do you tell when your pet needs emergency attention?... Mon, 15 Dec 2025 16:42:32 +1300 http://www.wcvets.co.nz/blog/#post158135