Whitford Vet Clinic

05/06/2026

Sadly, we have had a deseased male tabby cat brought into us this afternoon. He isn't neutered or chipped.

He was found outside 400 Whitford Park Road.

Please get in touch for more information or if you know who he may belong to.

29/05/2026

We will be closed on Monday the 1st of June for the King's Birthday public holiday.

Pakuranga Vet Clinic will be open on Saturday 30th of June from 8.30am until 1pm.

To contact us at our Pakuranga branch please phone 5764108.

For cases of accident and emergency outside of our opening hours please contact:

Manukau After Hours Veterinary Clinic in Manukau - 09 277 8383
Or
Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa in Mount Wellington - 09 320 5645.

04/05/2026

Horse nutrition!

Which chaff should you use?

A great tip is to feed a mix of different chaff types as variety helps support the gut microbiome, which improves digestion and energy production.

Chaff Types

🍀 Lucerne

• Higher in protein and energy than most grass or cereal chaffs
• Very fibrous → encourages chewing and saliva production, helping buffer stomach acid
• Lower in starch and sugars than many grass hays
• High in calcium, which supports gut health and may help reduce ulcer risk (great before riding or travel)
• Rich in calcium and magnesium, plus vitamins A and E when fresh
• Typically low in phosphorus; mineral levels vary by growing conditions
• Ideal for performance horses, young/growing horses, seniors needing condition, and those recovering from injury
• Can suit laminitic horses needing quality protein for hoof repair

Not ideal for easy keepers or ponies already meeting protein needs on pasture

Use: Fibre, protein, energy

⸻

🌿 Meadow Chaff

• Usually a mix of grass species, so nutrient levels can vary
• Later-cut (more mature) grass = lower protein and energy
• Generally lower in protein and energy than lucerne
• Quality depends on leaf-to-stem ratio (more leaf = better nutrition)

Use: Fibre, energy

⸻

🌾 Oaten Chaff

• Made from the hay or stubble of oat crops
• Good fibre source, typically low in protein
• Often higher in sugars and starch; mineral levels can be poor
• Early-cut oaten chaff can be sweeter and more energy-dense

Use: Fibre

⸻

🌱 Timothy Chaff

• A horse-friendly grass commonly grown in NZ and Australia
• Lower in protein and sugar than lucerne
• Usually low in non-structural carbohydrates—great for horses prone to laminitis or insulin resistance
• Note: stress before harvest can increase sugar/starch levels

Use: Fibre, moderate protein, energy

02/05/2026

Our winter opening hours will take effect from Friday the 1st of May

We have had to suspended Vet consults temporarily due to extended staff sickness but can still offer some non urgent appointments.

We can offer full service to all our Whitford clients at our Pakuranga clinic.

We always have a Veterinary Nurse on site and will continue to offer Nurse consults and medications prescribed by our Vets alongside horse feed and retail.

We do apologise for the inconvenience but are doing our best under unexpected circumstances.

24/04/2026

Today we remember and honour all the brave heroes who served and sacrificed, for our tomorrow they gave thier today.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Lest we forget

24/04/2026

Familiar faces at Whitford Vet Clinic too!

It's Veterinary Receptionist Week and here at Pakuranga Vet Clinic we are very lucky to have Adrienne and Caitlin!

They are the first faces you see when you enter the clinic and the last ones to see before you leave.

You can be sure that the dog treats are always close by and the pats and cuddles are aplenty

This week (and every week) we want to show our appreciation and celebrate them for all that they do.

When they aren't answering calls or greeting patients there is a huge amount of work that goes on behind the scenes and we couldn't function day to day without them!

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

The Front Desk Heart

The phones ring loud, the waiting room fills,
With anxious hearts and sudden ills.
A nervous pug, a sleeping cat,
And she is at the helm of that.

She checks them in with gentle grace,
A soothing voice, a smiling face.
With one hand answering the call,
She manages to greet them all.

She knows the fearful and the frail,
The worried owner's frantic tale.
With typing fingers, swift and light,
She keeps the schedule running right.

She offers snacks to pets that wait,
And helps the crew, both soon and late.
The steady anchor in the storm,
Keeping the front desk safe and warm.

So here’s to those who lead the way,
And make the clinic bright each day.
The voice, the hand, the calming soul,
The crucial, caring, vital role.

~Author Unknown

23/04/2026

We will be closed on Monday the 27th of April to observe Anzac Day.

For cases of accident and emergency outside of our opening hours please contact:

Manukau After Hours Veterinary Clinic in Manukau - 09 277 8383
Or
Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa in Mount Wellington - 09 320 5645.

14/04/2026

Due to extended staff sickness we will not be able to offer our usual veterinary consultation hours at Whitford for a wee while. We can still offer some non urgent appointments. But we can offer full service to all our Whitford clients at the Pakuranga clinic.

Our clinic hours will change just very slightly but we always have a veterinary nurse on site. So we can continue to offer nurse consults and medications prescribed by our vets alongside horse feeds and retail.

We do apologise for the inconvenience but are doing our best under unexpected circumstances. We will start new opening hours next month for the winter.

10/04/2026

🌪️ Cyclone Coming? Don’t Forget Your Animals 🐾

With severe weather on the way, now’s the time to make a plan to keep your animals safe.

🐶 Pets
• Bring them indoors early — don’t wait until the storm hits
• Set up a safe, quiet space away from windows
• Make sure they have ID (collar + microchip details up to date)
• Have enough food, water, and any medications for several days

🐴 Horses & Livestock
• Move stock to higher ground if flooding is possible
• Provide shelter or access to natural windbreaks
• Secure loose objects in paddocks (flying debris can be deadly)
• Ensure water sources are clean and won’t become contaminated

🐔 Small Animals & Poultry
• Check coops/hutches are secure and waterproof
• Elevate housing if flooding is a risk
• Bring them into a garage/shed if conditions become extreme

🚨 Be Prepared
• Have a basic animal emergency kit ready
• Keep carriers/leads accessible
• Know where you can take animals if you need to evacuate

Animals rely on us to keep them safe — a little preparation now can make a huge difference.

Stay safe everyone 💙