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.
Colic, a word that strikes fear into the heart of every horse owner! But what is it and what can we do? In the simplest sense, colic is a broad term used to describe abdominal pain and the behaviour that we see associated with that pain. This is most commonly associated with the gastrointestinal tract,…
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Wow, how satisfying is that tartar removal! Some horses get a buildup of dental calculus (tartar), especially on the canine teeth. It often builds up on the lower canine teeth (and in some equines also on their incisors). It’s important to check your horses mouth for these yellow-brown deposits between your routine dentals as it…
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Travelling with horses can have its complications and keeping your horses healthy before, during and after transport can be key to event success. Richard Mckenzie has been an equine vet and horse owner for over 32 years and shares his tips on ensuring your horse has a safe journey and arrives at your big event…
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Dave Kruger, Vet Services Napier We see beestings in horses and dogs quite frequently. Like humans some animals appear to be more sensitive to the effects of bee sting toxin than others. Our 15 year old Anglo-Arab Rushi recently suffered a severe reaction to a bee sting. We were about a kilometre from the end…
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To celebrate the launch of VS Equine we are giving away a whopping $500 voucher to spend at your local saddlery supplier. For your chance to win follow our Facebook Page, like the competition post, and comment where you would spend your $500 gift voucher. For a bonus entry tag a friend in your comment. Terms…
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So, you want to breed a champion horse? Richard McKenzie outlines the factors you will need to consider when exploring artificial insemination. Finding the right stallion First of all, read the contract thoroughly! They all differ and offer a number of terms and conditions that you will need to familiarise yourself with. For example, do…
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Alfie is a 22-year-old Kaimanawa gelding who had the misfortune of getting the wrong end of a stick during a wind-storm. He presented with acute right eye pain – eyelids tightly closed with profuse tearing. Once local anaesthetic and sedation was administered a full thickness perforating wound was evident through the cornea of his right eye. Bleeding…
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Renae Griffin, Vet Services Hastings Late last year we were called out to check on Miracle Boi after his owner noticed a gunky discharge from his left eye, which he was squinting shut. Upon examination of the eye, our veterinary team diagnosed a descemetocele and needed to act quickly to save his eye. …
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This is the name given not to “affectionate backs” but to over-riding or impinging of the dorsal spinous processes of the vertebrae commonly in thoracic (chest) or lumbar (lower back) region of the horse. Often it is in the region of wither or saddle and can be associated with a poor saddle fit or trauma/damage…
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