Here’s what has happened in the last six months!
Dear Valued Clients,
We hope this newsletter finds you and your family well, and enjoying the summer! Our team have loved the holidays, and we’re back to serve you for another year.
Summer is great fun, but can bring a lot of challenges, from heatstroke, to an increase in fleas, allergies and cyanobacteria blooms in lakes and rivers! In this issue find tips and tricks for navigating the summer months.
Most excitingly, we have a new product: BRAVECTO QUANTUM! This is the FIRST year-long flea and tick treatment in New Zealand!
We’re also going to shine a spotlight on two of our amazing patients who have recently received bravery awards: Ted and Gizmo.
Have you ever wondered what it costs to feed your pet a veterinary diet?
Read on to see how cost effective it can be to choose a Royal Canin diet as a daily food for your cat or dog!
Lastly, we have some updates from our team: Bree is going on maternity leave again, and we are celebrating the birth of Tatanya’s son!
Ashley and Chris have joined our team since you last heard from us – make sure you say hi next time you’re in.
Follow us on Facebook & Instagram for regular updates, health tips, and adorable photos – and occasionally a giveaway!
Summer Tips: Allergies, Heat Stroke, Bacteria & Bath Time
How to bath your dog
If your pup is going for lots of walks on the beach, finding mud puddles or swimming, you may find yourself needing to give baths! Dechra have some awesome tips and products for us!
Extra tips: In a bottle, mix 4 parts water to 1 part shampoo. Diluted shampoo cuts through the coat easier, and is easier to rinse out! Make sure to avoid their ears, eyes, nose and mouth.
Heatstroke Warning
Now that the weather is warmer, this is a timely reminder to not leave your pets in cars! Even a quick trip to the supermarket can be deadly on a hot day. Dogs and cats can overheat very quickly and get into trouble. Leave them at home or take them with you!
Seasonal Allergies? Try Cytopoint!
Does your dog have seasonal allergies? Is their skin itchy after running around in the grass? Consider Cytopoint! This injection works works like your dog’s own immune system. It is specifically designed to target and neutralize one of the main proteins that send itch signals to your dog’s brain, which triggers scratching, licking and chewing.
Give us a call if you think Cytpoint might be right for your pup!
Cyanobacteria Warning
Toxic algae (also called cyanobacteria) is a naturally occurring algae with the potential to bloom, producing toxins that can harm or even kill dogs, people and other animals.
Even a small amount (the size of a 50 cent piece) of toxic algae can be harmful if ingested.
Unfortunately, dogs love the musty smell of toxic algae and are naturally drawn to investigating it – usually by licking or ingesting the material when out enjoying rivers and lakes across the country.
Water containing toxic algae can pose a risk to health through recreational contact, drinking and gathering shellfish and mahinga kai resources.
Learn what to look for when visiting freshwater sites to keep your whānau and dogs safe.
Visit www.ecan.govt.nz for more information!
BRAVEVTO QUANTUM
BRAVECTO QUANTUM has landed in New Zealand!
BRAVECTO QUANTUM is administered as a single injection by a veterinarian using the trusted ingredient, fluralaner. With just one dose, it delivers year-long flea and tick protection!
Whether they live in cities or suburbs, forests or near the beach, dogs of all lifestyles can be exposed to fleas. Fleas live and multiply in shady areas with leaves and debris as well as inside homes where they can hide in carpets and under furniture.
Fleas are more than just a nuisance – they can trigger flea allergy dermatitis causing intense itching and hair loss, transmit bacteria such as Bartonella henselae (cause of cat scratch fever) and Yersinia pestis (cause of Black Plague) and transmit flea tapeworm.
If you are interested in BRAVECTO QUANTUM, give us a call!!!
Bravery Awards
In the last few months, we presented some beautiful patients with well-deserved bravery awards! Ted and Gizmo both recently had some pretty big surgeries, and both were amazingly brave the entire time! Read their stories below.
To follow along with more amazing successes like these, follow us on Facebook at Northlands Animal Care Hospital, or Instagram @northlands_animal_care.
Ted
At the tender age of 4 months old, sweet Ted had already had a major surgery!
He had been quite sick for a while, and needed an ex-lap to rule out a foreign body, in case he had eaten something he shouldn’t!
Ted recovered from his surgery beautifully, and was very brave throughout. He still loves to visit the vet for love and cuddles, and we love to see him!
Well done, Ted, you are the bravest boy!
Gizmo
Gizmo came to us extremely constipated and feeling very miserable. X-rays were suspicious for a foreign body, so our veterinary team decided to do an exploratory laparotomy, to see what we could find. Dr Keryn found a section of intussuscepted intestine! This is a painful condition where a section of the intestine folds inside the next section, and must be treated with surgery. The surgery went well, and Gizmo is now feeling much better!
His family is so pleased to have him back to himself. Well done, Gizmo!
Clinic & Staff Updates
Baby Atlas
Nurse Tatanya is currently on maternity leave after the birth of her beautiful baby boy Atlas in July 2024! She is loving the mum life, and Atlas is growing fast! Congratulations, Tatanya!
Bree’s 2nd Baby
Bree has gone on maternity leave again! She has just had her second son, and we are so excited and proud of her. Keryn and the rest of the team will miss you!
New Nurses
Ashley and Chris recently joined our team as new nurses! Have you met them?
Ashley graduated from her Vet Nursing Diploma in 2024. She plays a lot of football in her spare time, and is passionate about client education.
Chris completed his studies in 2023 and comes to us from another clinic. He loves gaming, going on his motorbike and is slowly learning guitar!
Student Training
Three of our team, Courtney, Cjay and Erica, work together to train the next generation of veterinary professionals!
We have several lucky veterinary and vet nursing students in a year who shadow our team to learn how we operate and practice the practical skills they’ve been learning in their studies.
Thanks, Erica, Courtney & Cjay! You guys are awesome.
Royal Canin Prices
Have you ever wondered what it would cost to feed your pet a premium veterinary diet?
Royal Canin has an incredible range of foods for dogs and cats of all life stages that start as cheap as $1.33/day for an adult cat or $2.45/day for an adult dog!
A premium diet doesn’t have to cost the earth, and will have amazing benefits for your furry friend. Pop in today to check out the variety of foods we sell and ask our nurses which one is right for your family.
