SMALL ANIMAL SERVICES
Healthcare Services
Welcome to our Small Animal Healthcare, Surgical & Wellbeing area where we provide a range of services to cover all your needs. Browse around and if you can't find what you need, give us a call, we're here to help.
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HEALTH CHECKS / CONSULTATIONS
By Appointment
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Call to make an appointment - BALCLUTHA (03) 418 1280, MILTON (03) 417 8032
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VACCINATIONS
Vaccinations protect against the common infectious diseases that cause serious illness and even death. We make an individual vaccination programme for each animal according to their age, life style and risk level.
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WORM & FLEA TREATMENTS
We have many different flea and worm treatments in store. This can make it difficult to choose so it pays to speak to the experts. Worm and flea products are available over the counter. Some flea products now last 3, 6 or even 8 months.
Clutha Vets run a mail out worming programme. Worming tablets are sent out either 3 monthly or monthly for those on Sheep Measles control. Please call the clinic if you would like to go on the programme. BALCLUTHA (03) 418 1280 MILTON (03) 417 8032 |
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MICROCHIPPING
Microchipping is a quick, easy and cheap way of permanently identifying your dog or cat. Each microchip contains a unique number read by a scanner. The numbers need recorded along with your details on the local district council dog register and can also be put on the New Zealand Companion Animal Register. A microchip is only effective when your pets number is recorded along with your contact details. This allows lost pets to be re-united with their owners quickly and easily.
By law all puppies should be registered and microchipped by 12 weeks of age. Only working farm dogs are exempt from microchipping but it’s still worth doing considering their value and the benefits if they are ever lost, stolen or stray.
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CLIPPING We offer a limited clipping service for cats and dogs. We do ‘practical’ haircuts to prevent health problems i.e barley grass between toes and thick coats becoming matted or overheating. If your pet gets very stressed having their hair cut we offer sedation. This makes it a more pleasant experience for them.
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RADIOGRAPHY
Our x-ray suite is equipped with modern digital x-ray facilities. This allows us to take high quality x-rays with instant images.
It is also capable of taking dental x-rays to allow us to accurately identify any diseased teeth that need removed. |
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LABORATORY
Our modern lab facilities allow us to have full blood results within minutes of taking the sample. Our machines are capable of running complete blood counts, full biochemistry panels and thyroid levels. This aids in the diagnosis of a large range of diseases and conditions such as liver and kidney disease, sugar diabetes, hyperthyroidism, anaemia (low red blood cells) and infections.
The range of tests we can run in our laboratory continues to increase. SDMA, an early marker for kidney disease has just become available and more are in the development stage. |
We also carry out urine testing and microscopy for skin and ear disease. We can take fine needle samples from lumps and bumps and screen these so we can advise you on the best course of treatment.
Along with x-rays and ultrasound scans our laboratory allows us to perform a full diagnostic work up for each patient with immediate access to results. This allows treatment to begin at the soonest opportunity for our patients
Along with x-rays and ultrasound scans our laboratory allows us to perform a full diagnostic work up for each patient with immediate access to results. This allows treatment to begin at the soonest opportunity for our patients
Surgical Services
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DESEXING
Cat, dog and rabbit desexing are available. Desexing is very important to control the number of unwanted animals and to prevent health and behaviour problems.
Desexing female dogs is best done before their first heat or between the first and second heat. This gives good protection against mammary tumours (breast cancers) later in life. It is important to do it when the hormone cycle is in the resting phase between heats so 2-3 months after the last heat. It also prevents uterine infections which become very common as dogs age and are life threatening. Desexing male dogs prevents testicular tumours and prostate problems later in life. It also reduces unwanted sexual behavior eg wandering, aggression with other male dogs, mounting behavior and urine marking. The best time to do this can depend on the breed, other dogs in the household and the dog’s personality. |
Desexing male cats helps reduce urine marking, fighting and the incidence of FIV (Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, spread by fighting). Tom cat urine is very strong smelling and desexing takes away this strong odour.
Female cats come on heat throughout the spring, summer and autumn every 3 weeks. They can have at least 2-3 litters a year of 3-4 kittens. Desexing is essential to control the unwanted and feral cat population.
Female rabbits have a risk of uterine cancers which desexing prevents. Also rabbits living in mixed sex groups need desexed to prevent unwanted breeding.
Ring the clinics on 03 4181280 or 03 4178032 to discuss the benefits, costs and best timing for desexing your cat, dog or rabbit.
Female cats come on heat throughout the spring, summer and autumn every 3 weeks. They can have at least 2-3 litters a year of 3-4 kittens. Desexing is essential to control the unwanted and feral cat population.
Female rabbits have a risk of uterine cancers which desexing prevents. Also rabbits living in mixed sex groups need desexed to prevent unwanted breeding.
Ring the clinics on 03 4181280 or 03 4178032 to discuss the benefits, costs and best timing for desexing your cat, dog or rabbit.
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SOFT TISSUE SURGERY + ORTHOPEDIC SURGERY
We perform a wide range of surgical procedures from the simple and routine to complex joint and fracture surgery.
Our modern anesthetic machines and monitoring equipment, operating theatre with positive pressure ventilation and dedicated surgical nurses keep our patients as safe as possible. We are full equipped for most bone and joint surgery. Some of the commonly performed surgical procedures are wound repair, tumour removal, intestinal surgery (it’s amazing what dogs will eat that then get stuck!), fracture repair and joint surgery to treat ligament injuries. |
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DENTISTRY
Our ultrasonic scaler, air driven drill and digital dental x-ray facilities make dental procedures safer and quicker for our patients. Dental disease is very common in cats and dogs. Traumatic damage to teeth and teeth not forming properly or aligning normally are the most common problem in young animals. After a few years of age periodontal disease becomes common with plaque and tartar build up and gingivitis eventually leading to the loss of teeth. The infection around the teeth can spread via the blood to the kidneys and heart valves leading to more serious disease as well as the pain and bad breath associated with dental disease. We advise on home dental care and perform dental procedures from simple scaling and polishing to major extractions for our patients. Prevention is better than cure and we advise on home dental care from your puppy or kittens first visit throughout their life.
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WELLBEING SERVICES & PUPPY OBEDIENCE
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PUPPY PRESCHOOL
We have classes running regularly so give us a call on (03) 418 1280 to book your spot Sign up using our online form or call to make an appointment - BALCLUTHA (03) 418 1280 MILTON (03) 417 8032 |
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NURSE CONSULTATIONS
Book a time to visit one of our Vet Nurses who provide the following services
Our team of dedicated staff are here to look after your special family member when you need us.
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KITTEN & CAT Rehoming Services
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There are many reasons why cats or kittens may need to be re-homed. Providing this service is very important to Clutha Vets to help support our community and ensure animals are helped into a new caring home.
We appreciate the hard work and dedication of all staff and clients involved in re-homing cats and kittens. If you or anyone you know, might be considering a new pet, please check with us first to see if we may have any animals needing re-homed. - Call (03) 418 1280
Meet Some Of The Special Animals We have RE-HOMED
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Meet Sharron West, our rehoming coordinator
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AcupunctureWHAT SHOULD I EXPECT AFTER TREATMENT?
When your pet or working dog goes home they may sleep soundly. They may be a little more euphoric than normal. If so it is important not to let them over exercise or strain themselves. Both are good signs but even if you see no change this does not mean they will not respond. You may see three responses to treatment:
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WHAT IS ACUPUNCTURE?
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles into the body for pain relief or in some cases, to help the body deal with disease. Acupuncture has been around since at least 3200 BC and became widely recognized in Western cultures in the 1970’s
HOW DOES ACPUNCTURE WORK?
Acupuncture needles stimulate the nervous system to block pain messages and encourage the brain and central nervous system to produce more of the body’s natural painkillers. These natural chemicals and hormones have wide ranging effects on many body systems. In conditions that are not painful, acupuncture may help to reset normal body function.
We use the Western approach to veterinary acupuncture which involves making a conventional diagnosis and using acupuncture as an adjunct to conventional medicine and surgery. It is based on neurophysiology, classical acupuncture points and careful examination to find trigger points and tender spots. Trigger points are knots or tight bands of muscle fibres which are painful and can cause distant or referred pain.
WHICH CONDITIONS CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP?
Acupuncture can be used to treat pain associated with arthritis, muscle strains, intervertebral disc disease, arthritis in the spine and other types of pain. It can be useful in geriatric patients with kidney disease which may not tolerate conventional anti-inflammatory medication. Acupuncture can also improve wound healing and may be beneficial in some functional conditions such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
WILL IT HURT MAY ANIMAL?
Acupuncture is usually well accepted by most animals, even cats and rabbits. It is very safe when done by a trained veterinary acupuncturist. Often the patient will become relaxed and some even become sleepy during treatment.
HOW OFTEN WOULD MY PET NEED TO BE TREATED?
The usual course is one treatment per week for four to six weeks. It can take up to 4 weeks to know if acupuncture is working but many animals respond much sooner. About 10% of animals will be non-responsive to acupuncture. Depending on the condition and how the patient has responded, treatment will gradually be tailed off so the effect is maintained for as long as possible.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING TREATMENT?
Your pet or working dog will be examined then acupuncture points selected. The needles are placed and may be moved or stimulated a few times then removed after about ten minutes. There is no set dose of acupuncture so we judge how much to do based on your pets response at the time and after treatment
CONTACT
Catherine Copland at Clutha Vets Balclutha on 03 418 1280 or by e-mail to ccopland@cluthavets.co.nz for an appointment or to discuss suitability of acupuncture for your pet or working dog.
Acupuncture is the practice of inserting fine needles into the body for pain relief or in some cases, to help the body deal with disease. Acupuncture has been around since at least 3200 BC and became widely recognized in Western cultures in the 1970’s
HOW DOES ACPUNCTURE WORK?
Acupuncture needles stimulate the nervous system to block pain messages and encourage the brain and central nervous system to produce more of the body’s natural painkillers. These natural chemicals and hormones have wide ranging effects on many body systems. In conditions that are not painful, acupuncture may help to reset normal body function.
We use the Western approach to veterinary acupuncture which involves making a conventional diagnosis and using acupuncture as an adjunct to conventional medicine and surgery. It is based on neurophysiology, classical acupuncture points and careful examination to find trigger points and tender spots. Trigger points are knots or tight bands of muscle fibres which are painful and can cause distant or referred pain.
WHICH CONDITIONS CAN ACUPUNCTURE HELP?
Acupuncture can be used to treat pain associated with arthritis, muscle strains, intervertebral disc disease, arthritis in the spine and other types of pain. It can be useful in geriatric patients with kidney disease which may not tolerate conventional anti-inflammatory medication. Acupuncture can also improve wound healing and may be beneficial in some functional conditions such as constipation and irritable bowel syndrome.
WILL IT HURT MAY ANIMAL?
Acupuncture is usually well accepted by most animals, even cats and rabbits. It is very safe when done by a trained veterinary acupuncturist. Often the patient will become relaxed and some even become sleepy during treatment.
HOW OFTEN WOULD MY PET NEED TO BE TREATED?
The usual course is one treatment per week for four to six weeks. It can take up to 4 weeks to know if acupuncture is working but many animals respond much sooner. About 10% of animals will be non-responsive to acupuncture. Depending on the condition and how the patient has responded, treatment will gradually be tailed off so the effect is maintained for as long as possible.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT DURING TREATMENT?
Your pet or working dog will be examined then acupuncture points selected. The needles are placed and may be moved or stimulated a few times then removed after about ten minutes. There is no set dose of acupuncture so we judge how much to do based on your pets response at the time and after treatment
CONTACT
Catherine Copland at Clutha Vets Balclutha on 03 418 1280 or by e-mail to ccopland@cluthavets.co.nz for an appointment or to discuss suitability of acupuncture for your pet or working dog.
Clutha Vets Handbooks - pdf files
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