Vetlife

21/10/2026

Just a friendly reminder: Our clinics will be closed on Labour Day.

If you require urgent care, our emergency vet services are available - please contact your local clinic: https://hubs.la/Q03PZx040

20/10/2026

Nine adorable puppies graduated from September’s Puppy Pre School class with Dr Dog in Wanaka! 🐶

A big congratulations to our clever little graduates and their families.

20/10/2026

Cool, calm, and collected. Star patient Tiny was more than happy to trot into the clinic for a pre dental weigh-in!

18/10/2026

🎉A special milestone for Roxy! 🎉

Roxy recently had her last round of chemotherapy and headed home from Vetlife proudly wearing her beautiful string of chemo beads. 💜

14/10/2026

Did you know? Skin and ear issues are among the most common reasons pets visit the vet. If your pet is scratching, licking paws or shaking their head regularly, it may be time for a skin check.

Request your appointment online at https://hubs.la/Q04wFWFD0

14/10/2026

Did you know? Skin and ear issues are among the most common reasons pets visit the vet. If your pet is scratching, licking paws or shaking their head regularly, it may be time for a skin check.

Request your appointment online at https://hubs.la/Q04wFWFF0

11/10/2026

Did you know that Vetlife has catteries in Timaru, Ashburton and Wānaka?

We love making sure our feline guests feel comfortable, happy and cared for while they’re staying with us. Here’s a peek at a few of our recent residents at our Timaru cattery:

🐾 Patch is making the most of our outdoor area, complete with a birdbath - the perfect spot for some birdwatching!

🐾 Ned is keeping himself entertained with his enrichment toys. You’re also welcome to bring your cat’s own favourite toys from home to help keep them happy and settled during their stay.

🐾 Crystal has found the perfect cosy spot, all snuggled up in her bed. You can also bring your own blankets, beds or other familiar items from home to help your cat feel more comfortable in their new surroundings.

Our catteries are designed with your pets’ comfort and wellbeing in mind. One of the biggest benefits of staying with Vetlife is having experienced veterinary staff right on site if your pets need us.

And, of course, our wonderful cattery assistants are there every day to care for your pets, keep them comfortable and give them plenty of love, attention and cuddles.

Whether your cat is an outdoor explorer like Patch, an enrichment enthusiast like Ned, or a professional snuggler like Crystal, we’ll do our best to make their stay a happy one!

Planning a trip and need somewhere safe and caring for your cat to stay? Get in touch with your local Vetlife clinic or visit https://vetlife.co.nz/pet-vet/cattery/ to find out more about our cattery services.

08/10/2026

Happy Vet Nurse & Vet Tech Week! 🐾🐄

This week, we've been celebrating the incredible people who care for animals every day.

Whether they're supporting pets and their owners in the clinic or working alongside farmers to keep livestock healthy and productive, vet nurses and vet techs play a vital role in animal health and welfare.

Their skill, dedication, and compassion make a difference behind the scenes and on the front line, every single day.

💬 We'd love to hear from you: Is there a vet nurse or vet tech you'd like to thank? Tag them or give them a shout-out in the comments and tell us why they're appreciated.

Let's recognise the amazing work they do for our pets, our farms, and our communities. 💙

08/10/2026

Meet Fig 🐾
A few weeks ago, Fig came into Vetlife Timaru heavily pregnant. She is now in the care of Street Cats South Canterbury and has welcomed her beautiful kittens into the world!

Fig’s story is a timely reminder that kitten season is here - and with it comes an influx of unexpected and unwanted litters.

Desexing your cats is one of the most important things you can do to help prevent unwanted kittens and reduce the number of cats and kittens needing rescue and rehoming.

If you find yourself in the situation of having a pregnant cat or an unexpected litter of kittens, reach out to your local Vetlife clinic for advice. We can help point you in the direction of local rescue organisations and discuss what options may be available for you and your cat.

A big thank you to Street Cats South Canterbury for stepping in to help Fig and her little family.

02/10/2026

Bathing an itchy dog? The biggest mistake pet owners make is rinsing medicated shampoo off too soon. Our article explains the critical "10-minute rule" and why it matters.
👉 Read more:

Our top tips for helping ease your dog's allergies through regular bathing, including the beneifits of choosing the right shampp and more.

18/09/2026

Do supplements really help itchy dogs? Not all omega oils are created equal. Our article explains why marine oils can support skin health and why flaxseed may not provide the same benefits.

👉 Read more:

If you are a dog parent dealing with a pup with skin allergies, you’ve probably scrolled through endless advice and product recommendations. From cod liver oil to fancy probiotics, the world of supplements can be overwhelming – and, unfortunately, full of hype and misconceptions. Let’s break d...

16/09/2026

Beautiful Harley (mum) and Chop (son) stopped by Vetlife Methven for a quick weigh-in and to cool off after a big walk and play in the domain opposite. Thanks for brightening up our day!

13/09/2026

Your pet scratching more than usual? During spring, we often notice an increase in unexplained itching, scratching, licking and chewing as allergens, parasites and other environmental triggers become more active.

Don't worry, we're here to help unravel the mystery.

Some skin issues are relatively straightforward, while others can take a little more investigation. Whatever the cause, our team can help identify what's going on and create a plan to keep your pet comfortable and thriving.

Talk to our team about a skin health consultation https://hubs.la/Q04wFWQs0

11/09/2026

Get your paws on an easier way to pay🐾

Did you know we offer GapOnly® a new pet insurance payment service?

If your pet is insured with a GapOnly® pet insurance partner, you can access your eligible pet insurance benefit on the spot - no waiting for reimbursement!

You only pay the gap between the invoice and your eligible claim benefit.

Check if your pet insurance is eligible here: https://hubs.ly/Q04xcwsY0

*The gap means the difference between the vet’s invoice and the eligible claim benefit under your policy. GapOnly® is available on eligible claims at participating Vets with a pet insurance policy administered by PetSure (Australia) Pty Ltd ABN 95 075 949 923, NZBN 9429049378085 (PetSure) and underwritten by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd (NZBN 9429042129851, FSP 480747) (Hollard). GapOnly® is a trademark owned by PetSure.

11/09/2026

Much interest was generated at our recent scoping and performance health day held at the clinic on Alabama Road. Visitors were able to see several clinical cases undergoing gastroscopy with visiting Randlab vet Tim Montgomery. While some cases had significant gastric ulceration associated with clinical signs, other horses that might have been predicted to be affected based on behaviour had perfectly healthy stomachs, highlighting one of the benefits of gastroscopy. Negative findings save unnecessary and expensive prescription treatment and quickly move diagnostic investigations on to other possible causes of undesirable behaviour.

Between cases, visitors were also able to watch our own vet David Howes demonstrate pre-season performance health checks on two horses and discuss observations and the benefits of elective examinations both before and during the riding season. Health checks can help identify and mitigate against predisposing factors like conformation and foot balance that add to the risk of injury, and early signs of joint pain that, left untreated can lead to lameness, permanent damage and significant time off.

A big thank you to clients Georgia Reid and Elisa Cowan for bringing two of their horses in for demonstration and our other fabulous clients for allowing us to scope and discuss their horses in front of a crowd! For enquiries of future scoping days, please contact Louise or Kelly at the clinic 03 578 6965 (press 2 for Large Animal Reception!)

08/09/2026

Why is my dog so itchy? Fleas, allergies, infections and more can all trigger persistent itching. Read our article on exploring the five most common causes of itchy dogs and when it's time to seek help.

👉 Read more:

Has your dog turned into a relentless scratching machine? Learn about the top five causes of itciness and how to help stop the itch!

04/09/2026

Your pet scratching more than usual? During spring, we often notice an increase in unexplained itching, scratching, licking and chewing as allergens, parasites and other environmental triggers become more active.

Don't worry, we're here to help unravel the mystery.

Some skin issues are relatively straightforward, while others can take a little more investigation. Whatever the cause, our team can help identify what's going on and create a plan to keep your pet comfortable and thriving.

Talk to our team about a skin health consultation - request your appointment online https://hubs.la/Q04wFVZ20

04/09/2026

Constant scratching, licking, chewing or ear shaking isn't normal.

With spring on the way, we're spending September and October focusing on skin health and helping pets find relief from itchy, uncomfortable dermatological issues.

✅ 50% off skin consultations*
✅ Special offers on selected skin diets, shampoos and supplements*

Talk to our team today about how we can help keep your pet comfortable this season and tame their flare-ups!

*Terms and conditions apply – see in clinic

04/09/2026

Friday puppy spam!!
12 week old Australian Shepherd x Border collie pups in for their vaccines and vet check.
Too cute 😍