Keep up to date with all our latest news, articles and case studies from the veterinary world around Hawke’s Bay, Dannevirke, and the Wairarapa.
We are excited to share some big news! Our VS Equine facilities in Hastings have moved and are now located at the Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds. You will now have the option to bring your horse to 75 Elwood Road (Gate 13, Hawke’s Bay Showgrounds) for vet consultations. The facilities is well equipped for equines…
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Hot of the press!! Vet Services are very excited to have just purchased a gastro-scope! We are looking forward to now being able to offer this service on a day to day basis A few things have changed since we last spoke – keep reading to find out what the up to date research is…
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Selenium supplementation is a very topical issue for all horse owners. An essential component in all diets, Selenium plays a vital role in a horse’s metabolism. Together with Vitamin E it is a powerful antioxidant, protecting their cells from damage. The soil in NZ is naturally very low in Selenium, as a result, so are…
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A pre-purchase exam is a fact-finding session which can be a useful for both a buyer and the individual selling the horse. Your vet will examine the horse head to tail following the five stages (listed below) and provide a report with their unbiased, professional findings. The purpose of the pre-purchase examination is not to…
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Colic is abdominal pain normally caused by a gastrointestinal disorder; however, horses may also exhibit signs of colic with non-intestinal disorders (e.g. shipping fever, ruptured bladder, ruptured uterine artery in mares). It can be very difficult in the early stages to distinguish the mild from the potentially fatal. Therefore, colic should always be considered to…
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Horses and ponies can get a variety of problems that affect their nasolacrimal duct system, which can result in some discomfort for them. What is the nasolacrimal duct system? The system copes with the normal cycle of tear application to the eyeball, plus any excess – it’s in essence a tube that runs from the…
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Vaccination provides your horse important protection against some of the more serious and potentially life-threatening diseases that can occur. They act to stimulate the body’s natural response to a disease, allowing a rapid and effective response if that disease is encountered later in life. This can be the difference between severe clinical disease and a…
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Travelling with Horses: Tips for a Safe and Healthy Journey Travelling with horses can present its challenges, but keeping your horses healthy before, during, and after transport is key to ensuring a successful event. Richard McKenzie, an equine vet and horse owner with over 35 years of experience, shares his expert tips on how to…
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Is your horse moving like its drunk, trembling, falling over, behaving abnormally, or easily spooked? If any of these symptoms sound familiar, your horse may have rye-grass staggers. Rye-grass staggers is a neurological condition caused by toxins in rye grass affecting the central nervous system. Symptoms – Horses with staggers can show a wide array…
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