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We relish Nelson’s high sunshine hours but some of our pets pay a high price for their UV exposure. UV light overexposure causes a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in our pets, rather than melanoma. It is almost exclusively areas of white skin...

  We are now in the season that many Nelson pet owners dread because of a common weed – barley grass. It is common in most dog walking areas around Nelson so it is important to be vigilant over the summer and autumn period. There are six species of barley grass in New...

    Our smallest Caesarian yet! Gemini is a pygmy marmoset, normally well under 200g but now 230g at full term. Meg Selby at Natureland zoo called me over for a visit two weeks ago when she noticed some fresh blood smeared on the edge of Gemini’s nesting box. Gemini...

“I could throttle him!” The young woman dragged her Border Collie into the clinic. “He just pulled my daughter onto the road. If a car had been coming she would be dead! I want one of those Halti’s that controls your dog when he is on the lead.” My veterinary nurse...

We are fast approaching fireworks season and for many dogs and cats this can be a terrifying time of year. The noise of fireworks can generate severe anxiety and distress for pets and owners. Many dogs can even progress to a point where they end up hurting themselves...

Have you seen that TV ad where the chemist compares an asthma attack to breathing through a straw? Did you try it yourself? It is really hard! Here's another thing to try. Breathe in through your nose. Now gently pinch your nostrils together slightly. Notice how much...

We all have friends and relations who are alive today because vigilance with a skin lump or screening tests picked up melanoma, cervical, prostate or other cancer at an early stage when they could be cured. Here is your opportunity to take action to benefit your pet....

Jenny Fenwick thought she was going to die when she was repeatedly attacked by a raging bull while out on a forest walk with her dog Ben. Ben had other ideas. Laying his life on the line he defended Jenny for hours. Jenny's partner Terry Win tells the story..... Ben...

  Kennel cough, also called canine cough, is becoming more common in the Nelson area and all Nelson veterinarians are seeing more cases. There are several viral and bacterial causes of kennel cough. The most common cause in New Zealand is a bacterium called Bordetella...

Cats so often miss out. There are over 2100 cats in our practice that we didn’t see at all last year. Some will be perfectly healthy and had no need to come. Many have a range of health problems that just aren’t recognised at home. We know this because when cats are...