Hip scoring, dysplasia and osteoarthritis are terms that you may come across frequently when thinking about getting a new puppy, researching new breeds or simply wondering why your own dog is a little bit slower to get up or has an unusual hindlimb gait.  Hip dysplasia is the abnormal development of the coxofemoral (hip) joints. It is a condition seen mostly in larger dog breeds, most commonly German Shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Labradors. However, the condition can occur in any breed and infrequently occurs in cats too. Hip Dysplasia is not immediately evident at birth. This synd ..read more

Parvovirus - what every dog owner should know We generally see an increase in cases of parvovirus over the summer months, but this year has seen an especially high number of cases. This is partly because of the weather conditions being so favourable for virus survival, but also likely due to lower than normal vaccination rates over the lockdown last year. If you are a dog or puppy owner, it is important to know about canine parvovirus, how to protect your puppy from getting it and what to do if you suspect your pet may have the virus. What is Parvovirus? Parvovirus is a highly contagio ..read more

Did you know that Karaka Berries are highly toxic for dogs? The New Zealand native evergreen Karaka tree (Corynocarpus laevigatus) is a common sight in coastal regions, particularly in the North Island. Each year during the Summer to Autumn months it produces a fleshy orange berry which can be highly toxic to our canine companions. Karaka trees are more common than you may think and are found frequently in backyards and parks, hence being able to recognise them is essential for dog owners. The Karaka tree is a large tree than can grow up to 15 metres tall. They can be identified by their d ..read more

With the signs of summer heat well on the way, now is a good time to start thinking about some important health implications that frequently affect our furry friends  Limit Exercise on hot days Adjusting your routine to suit the cooler mornings and evenings or simply reducing the duration of exercise on a hot day can help prevent any adverse effects such as dehydration or heat stroke. During these periods of exercise it is important to have access to shade and water. Heatstroke Heatstroke results from exposure to excessive temperatures. Typical signs that we see with heatst ..read more