ARC Vets, 224 Albany Highway, Schnapper Rock, Auckland (2026)

01/06/2026

🐾 Breed Spotlight: Bernese Mountain Dog 🐾

Gentle giants with hearts as big as their paws 💛 The Bernese Mountain Dog is a beloved breed known for their affectionate nature, loyalty, and calm temperament. Originally bred as working dogs in the Swiss Alps, these beautiful dogs thrive on companionship and are happiest when part of the family.

✨ Personality Traits:

🔹Friendly and affectionate with their people
🔹Patient and gentle, especially with children
🔹Intelligent and eager to please
🔹Thrive on human interaction (they don’t love being left alone for long!)
🔹Moderate energy—enjoy daily walks but also love a good lounge session

🩺 Common Health Conditions:
While Berners are wonderful companions, they are unfortunately predisposed to several health concerns, including:

🔹Hip and elbow dysplasia – developmental joint conditions that can lead to arthritis
🔹Cruciate ligament disease – causing hindlimb lameness
🔹Bloat (GDV) – a life-threatening emergency requiring urgent treatment
🔹Cancer – sadly common in the breed, particularly histiocytic sarcoma and lymphoma
🔹Degenerative myelopathy – a progressive neurological condition affecting mobility

💡 Did you know?
Bernese Mountain Dogs have a relatively shorter lifespan compared to many other breeds, making preventative care and early intervention especially important.

At our clinic, our specialist-led team—including surgeons, internal medicine specialists, oncologists, and neurologists—can support Bernese Mountain Dogs through every stage of life, from early screening to advanced diagnostics and treatment.

🐶 Thinking of welcoming a Berner into your family, or already have one? We’re here to help keep them happy and healthy every step of the way.

Have a Bernese? Share a pic of your gentle giant 📷

31/05/2026

👑 Happy King's birthday! 🎉

We wish you all a wonderful day with your family and friends!

Should you need any assistance with your furry friends, know that our emergency team are there on hand at both clinic locations, should you need us!

27/05/2026

What is fluoroscopy – and why might your pet need it?

At our specialist veterinary hospital, we use advanced imaging tools to help diagnose and treat complex conditions. One of these is fluoroscopy – a type of imaging that uses continuous X-rays to create a real-time video of what’s happening inside your pet’s body.

Unlike a standard X-ray, fluoroscopy allows us to see movement — such as swallowing, breathing, or blood flow — as it happens. This can be incredibly helpful in diagnosing conditions like:
• Swallowing disorders or oesophageal problems
• Hiatal hernias and reflux
• Airway collapse or breathing issues
• Congenital heart and vascular abnormalities

Fluoroscopy also plays a key role in treatment. It allows our specialists to guide procedures with precision, including:
• Stent placements (airway or urinary)
• Minimally invasive procedures like balloon dilation of strictures
• Surgical planning and real-time guidance during operations

Because the equipment (called a C-arm) can move around your pet, it reduces the need for repositioning and improves accuracy—making many procedures safer and less invasive.

Your pet’s safety—and ours—is always a priority. We follow strict radiation safety protocols to minimise exposure for both patients and staff.

✨ Advanced imaging means more accurate diagnoses, better treatment options, and improved outcomes for your pet.

If your vet has recommended further imaging or referral, our team is here to help guide you every step of the way.

25/05/2026

🎉 Business North article- Celebrating our first decade! 🎉

We’re incredibly proud to share the publication of a recent feature article celebrating 10 years of ARC Vets — and reflecting on the remarkable journey since our very first hospital opened on Auckland’s North Shore in 2016.

Founded by specialist veterinarians Dr Karl Mathis and Dr Fiona Park, ARC Vets was built on a simple but powerful vision:
💙 “We wanted to ensure that specialist-level care for pets is available to those who need and want it.”

A decade later, that vision has grown into a team of around 170 dedicated professionals across multiple hospitals, with 18 specialists spanning seven disciplines including surgery, oncology, neurology, internal medicine, dermatology, critical care and diagnostic imaging.

The article highlights some exciting milestones, including:
✨ Opening our Freemans Bay hospital in 2023
✨ New Zealand’s only veterinary-specific MRI
✨ 24/7 emergency and critical care services
✨ Advanced minimally invasive surgical techniques
✨ Training and mentoring the next generation of veterinarians and specialists through Massey University partnerships and residency programmes
✨ Plans underway for a Wellington hospital opening in 2027

Most importantly, the article reflects something we feel every day — the genuine need for accessible, high-quality specialist and emergency veterinary care for pets and their families across New Zealand.

As Karl shared in the article:
🐾 “This approach ensures pets receive the highest quality treatment while keeping owners informed and supported throughout the process.”

To every referring veterinarian, pet owner, colleague and patient who has been part of our first decade — thank you. Your trust and support have helped shape ARC Vets into what it is today, and we are so excited for what comes next.

Thank you all for your support and entrusting us with your pets! It is truly a privilege.

Here’s to the next chapter. 🐶🐱🇳🇿

24/05/2026

Meet Moose and Douglas 🐾🥰

Pictured are two dogs at ARC’s dermatology clinic. An odd couple, both pictured with gloriously beautiful coats. Which one is the patient, and which is the side-kick along for the ride (and moral support)? 🤔

Moose, the German Shepherd, was referred to Dr Leslie Sauber for intensely itchy skin due to airborne allergies. We performed intradermal (“prick”) testing to identify his specific triggers and used this information to formulate “allergy hyposensitization therapy”. After one year on allergen therapy, Moose’s skin is MUCH improved! Douglas the pug doesn’t like to be left out of anything and comes along to Moose’s appointments too.

And to make life even more fun, while Moose was getting his allergies under control, not only did his and Douglas’s “parents” get married, they also acquired another Pug puppy called Spencer. What a gorgeous doggie family! 🐶❤️

22/05/2026

🐾 Skin health = whole dog health 🐾

When we think about skin disease in dogs, it’s easy to focus on what we can see—redness, hair loss, infections, scratching. But the reality is much deeper: skin disease can affect a dog’s mood, sleep, energy levels, and overall quality of life.

💡 Did you know?
Skin disease is one of the most common reasons dogs visit the vet, with itching (pruritus) being the hallmark sign.

That itch isn’t just a minor annoyance. It’s a constant, uncomfortable sensation that drives behaviours like scratching, licking, chewing, and biting.

🧠 More than skin deep: the science behind it

Research into conditions like canine atopic dermatitis shows that chronic itch can have significant behavioural and emotional impacts:

Dogs with ongoing skin disease show increased stress-related behaviours and signs of anxiety
The severity of itching is linked to more problem behaviours and reduced trainability
Persistent itch can lead to poor sleep, low energy, and reduced quality of life

Just like in humans with eczema, chronic skin disease in dogs isn’t just physical—it’s mentally exhausting.

😔 What this can look like at home

Dogs dealing with skin disease may:

Be more restless or irritable
Sleep poorly (scratching through the night)
Seem less playful or energetic
Struggle to settle or relax
Lose interest in normal activities

Over time, this can create a cycle of itch → stress → more itching.

💬 From one of our dermatology clients:

“I’m so grateful for Dr Leslie as now my dog is not only visibly looking better but you can tell he is feeling better, sleeping better and is back to his energetic self.”

This is such a powerful reminder that when we treat skin disease effectively, we’re not just improving how a dog looks—we’re helping them feel like themselves again 💙

🩺 Why early intervention matters

Skin disease is often chronic and multifactorial (allergies, infections, parasites, immune responses), and without treatment it can worsen over time.

With the right plan—often involving dermatology expertise—we can:
✔ Reduce itch and inflammation
✔ Restore sleep and comfort
✔ Improve behaviour and wellbeing
✔ Get your dog back to enjoying life

✨ If your dog is itchy, uncomfortable, or just “not themselves,” it’s worth investigating.
Because healthy skin isn’t just about appearance—it’s about a happier, healthier dog.

21/05/2026

📢Pet parents: Are you signed up to receive our newsletter?

We are starting up a newsletter to keep pet owners updated about what's happening at ARC vets, and to share stories of some of our very special, brave patients! 🐾📢

Scan the QR code, or click the link below to sign up to receive:

https://arcvets.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=9dfff2558dd1abc00fe762ab2&id=fc8f507877

📍NOTE: There is a different newsletter we send out for Veterinary Professionals! If you work in a vet clinic and would like to be added to the veterinary professional newsletter database, reach out to our Relationships Manager, Dr Rachel Gebbie, at [email protected]

19/05/2026

🐾 Breed Spotlight: Rottweiler 🐾

Strong, loyal, and incredibly devoted — the Rottweiler is a powerful breed with a big heart. Known for their confidence and protective instincts, Rottweilers thrive as loving family companions when well-trained and socialised from an early age. They’re intelligent, eager to work, and form deep bonds with their people, often acting as both gentle guardians and affectionate couch companions.

💛 Personality Traits:
• Loyal and protective
• Intelligent and trainable
• Calm and confident
• Affectionate with family
• Naturally alert and watchful

Like all breeds, Rottweilers can be predisposed to certain health conditions. Being aware of these helps ensure early detection and the best possible care.

🩺 Common Health Conditions:
• Hip and elbow dysplasia
• Cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) injuries
• Osteosarcoma (bone cancer)
• Cardiac conditions (e.g. subaortic stenosis)
• Skin allergies and infections
• Neurological conditions

At our specialist hospital, we understand that some conditions require more than routine care. That’s where our collaborative, specialist-led team comes in.

👩‍⚕️ How we can help:
Our multidisciplinary team includes a veterinary dermatologist, internal medicine specialists, surgeons, neurologists, oncologist, radiologist, and an emergency & critical care specialist — all working together to provide seamless, advanced care tailored to your pet.

Whether it’s managing chronic skin disease, diagnosing complex neurological signs, performing advanced orthopaedic surgery, or guiding you through a cancer diagnosis, we’re here every step of the way with expertise and compassion.

🐶 Because your Rottweiler deserves the very best — from routine care to the most advanced treatment options.

Got a Rottie at home? We’d love to see them—share a photo in the comments! 📸

17/05/2026

Puppies! A Mother's Day weekend caesarian section 🐶😍

Our emergency team had the pleasure of helping deliver these precious bundles of joy over Mother’s Day weekend! Mum and pups are all doing well 🥰 And they are sooooo cute!

The mama was having a bit of trouble birthing, so her owners appropriately sought out our help. The team confirmed there were 5 pups to be expected (see if you can count them all in the x-ray!).

With some distress and fatigue seen in the mama, and one deceased puppy passed, the decision was made to perform a Caesarian section. The surgery went really well, and mum demonstrated excellent mothering soon after surgery with her 4 beautiful babies.

“Dystocia” is the term used when a mother is having difficulty giving birth, and it can quickly become an emergency for both mum and babies.

🚩 Signs your pet may need urgent veterinary attention during labour include:

• Straining for more than 20–30 minutes with no puppy or kitten produced
• More than 2 hours between babies when you know there are more to come
• Extreme pain, distress or exhaustion
• Green, black or foul-smelling discharge before any babies are born
• Heavy bleeding
• A puppy or kitten visibly stuck in the birth canal
• Weakness, collapse or difficulty breathing
• Labour continuing longer than expected with no progress

🐶 Certain dog breeds, especially brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and Boston Terriers, can be at higher risk of dystocia. Cats can also experience birthing difficulties, particularly with large litters or very young/older queens.

⏰ Prompt veterinary assessment is important. Some cases may require medical assistance, while others may need an emergency caesarean to safely deliver the babies and protect mum’s health.

We're thrilled to have been able to help this mama and her pups. Witnessing the miracle of birth over Mother's Day just felt especially special and fitting ❤️

13/05/2026

🎉 Happy Receptionist Day to the incredible front-of-house teams who help keep busy veterinary hospitals running every single day! 🐾💙

From answering worried late-night phone calls and comforting anxious pet owners, to coordinating emergencies, juggling appointments and somehow remembering everyone’s names (pets included!) — veterinary receptionists are truly the heartbeat of a clinic.

They are often the very first voice you hear in a stressful moment and the friendly face that welcomes you through the door. Their compassion, patience, organisation and calmness under pressure make an enormous difference to both pets and people every day.

At ARC Vets, we are so grateful for our amazing reception team and everything they do behind the scenes to support our patients, clients and veterinary staff. 💫

Today, we’d love your help celebrating them! 🎈

If one of our receptionists has helped you or your pet, leave a wee note in the comments sharing your appreciation or a memorable experience. Your kind words truly mean the world and help recognise the huge impact they have on our team and community. 🥰

Thank you to all veterinary receptionists — we see you, we appreciate you, and we couldn’t do it without you. 🐶🐱🐰

ARC Vets

01/06/2026

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