Eltham Vet Service

04/09/2026

𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴
We are continuing to see an increasing number of farms in our area being diagnosed with 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴. Given the rise in cases locally, it's important that farmers are aware of this disease and its potential impact on their herds.

In cattle, 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗯𝘂𝗿𝗴 can cause late-term abortions (particularly in first-calving heifers), fever, diarrhoea, reduced milk production, and, in severe cases, death. Prior to 2025, most reported cases were in the South Island, with only occasional cases in the North Island. However, the distribution changed significantly in 2025, with a notable increase in cases in the Taranaki region, particularly around Kaponga, Manaia, and Opunake.

In herds recently affected within our practice area, we have seen a range of signs including:
• Slipped calves/abortions
• Scouring cows
• Reduced milk production
• Cows that recover clinically but fail to return to previous production levels
• Deaths in severe cases
• Scouring and unwell calves

Salmonella Brandenburg is also a 𝘇𝗼𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to people, where it may cause diarrhoea, lethargy, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.

A vaccine is available to help reduce the risk of Salmonella infection and can also be used during an outbreak to help limit the spread and severity of disease within a herd.

If you would like to discuss Salmonella Brandenburg or develop the best prevention strategy for your herd, please contact the clinic.

02/09/2026

🌼 Spring Photo Competition! 🌼

We want to see your cutest lamb and/or calf photos! 🐑🐄

Share your photos in the comments for your chance to go in the draw to win a fantastic winter prize pack, including: Woolover small calf cover, winter treats and a stylish Eltham Vets beanie

📅 Competition closes 11 September at 12:00pm

We can't wait to see all your adorable photos! ❤️

20/08/2026

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗳 𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 🐄💩

We’re seeing plenty of calf scours. 𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗿𝘆𝗽𝘁𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺 (𝗖𝗿𝘆𝗽𝘁𝗼) are the most common causes, but we’ve also seen some 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗮.

If calves are starting to scour, get 𝗽𝗼𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗵𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 tested. Knowing what you’re dealing with makes it much easier to give the right advice on 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

It’s also a good time to go back to basics:

🐄 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗺 𝗶𝘀 𝗸𝗲𝘆. Test your gold colostrum with a 𝗕𝗿𝗶𝘅 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿 to check quality.

🍼 𝗣𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝘂𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗱𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘆 so the best-quality gold colostrum gets into calves within the first 𝟭𝟮–𝟮𝟰 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀. Ideally aim for 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 𝘁𝗼𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝟭𝟬% 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗳’𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 during this window.

🦠 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻. Don’t have a dedicated teaching pen where infection can build up and spread from calf to calf. Clean feeding equipment thoroughly and use 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝘆𝗽𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗿𝘂𝘀.

If scours are becoming a problem on your farm, 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝘂𝗰𝗵 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗲𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆. We can help with testing, treatment advice and putting together a practical prevention plan for your system.

17/08/2026

🐦 H5 Bird Flu – What Pet & Bird Owners Need to Know

H5 bird flu has now been detected in wild birds in New Zealand. At this stage there have been no detections in poultry, and the risk to human health remains very low.

There are some simple things we can all do to help protect our pets, poultry and wildlife.

🐔 Bird & poultry owners
Keep wild birds away from your birds’ food and water where possible. Watch for sudden deaths, unusual lethargy, breathing difficulties, neurological signs or several birds becoming unwell at the same time.

🐱 Cat owners
Try to prevent cats from hunting or eating wild birds and keep them away from sick or dead birds. If your cat becomes unwell after catching or eating a bird, please phone us and mention the bird contact before bringing your cat into the clinic.

🐕 Dog owners
Don’t allow dogs to investigate, mouth or eat sick or dead birds. Keep dogs under control around wildlife.

🦆 Found sick or dead wild birds?
Don’t touch or move them, and keep children and pets away.

If you find 3 or more sick or dead wild birds together, report them to MPI’s Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

If your pet or birds become unwell following contact with sick or dead wildlife, please phone us before coming into the clinic so we can advise you on the safest next steps.

Being alert and taking sensible precautions helps protect our animals, wildlife and community

31/07/2026

Sponsoring local clubs, community groups, and charities is about supporting the people who make our communities stronger. It’s been a privilege to play a small part over the past year, and we look forward to continuing our support in the years ahead. 💙

26/07/2026

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WNNER JADE ZUPPICICH WITH THOMAS

🐱𝗖𝗔𝗧 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡!🐱

Want to win this awesome prize pack?

Simply share a photo of your cat in the comments below for your chance to win!

📸 How to enter: ✅ Add a photo of your cat in the comments on this post.

🏆 Prize: Cat Prize Pack (Pictured)

📅 Competition closes: 7 August 2026, 12:00pm

📍 Prize collection: Winner must be able to pick up their prize from Eltham Vet Service.

Terms & Conditions
• One entry per cat photo posted in the comments.
• Competition closes at 12:00pm on 7 August 2026.
• Winner will be contacted via Facebook and announced on our page.
• Prize is not transferable or redeemable for cash.
• This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook.

🐾 We can't wait to see your feline friends! Share your best cat photo below! 😻🎉

16/07/2026

Are you new to wearable technology or thinking about buying it.
Do you want to get the most out of your investment.
Come along to our 𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗘 Wearables chat on Monday.
Topics will include transition and premating management.

15/07/2026

09/07/2026

𝗦𝗖𝗛𝗢𝗢𝗟 𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣
Pop into the clinic & grab some colouring in (or print off from here)
Return by the 1st of August and be into win some prizes.

09/07/2026

🐾𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿🐾
New pet beds are now in stock and ready to keep your furry friends cozy during the colder months! ❄️🐶🐱

✅ Soft and comfortable
✅ Perfect for keeping pets warm in winter
✅ Various sizes available to suit all breeds
✅ Great for dogs, cats, and other small animals
Give your pet the comfort they deserve with a warm, snug bed this season. Pop in and check out our range while stocks last!

Your pet's new favourite place to sleep awaits!