Nelson Vets

15/10/2026

Remi's Story 💖 🦊

This gorgeous Fox Terrier Cross is Remi. She had luxating patellas, a condition where the kneecap slips out of its normal position, which was causing her discomfort and difficulty walking.

Six weeks ago, she underwent a procedure called a Tibial Tuberosity Transposition (TTT), performed by one of our wonderful surgeons - Dr Grace Miller, to get her kneecap sitting where it should, and give her the best chance of getting back to doing all the things she loves!

(Of course, being this adorable, Remi couldn't leave without receiving our very special Certificate of Awesomeness for being the cutest patient of the day!) 🏆

Fast forward to 6 weeks post-op, and Remi is doing wonderfully! She's almost back to her normal activities and is already enjoying a good game of tug-of-war with her friend Georgia, one of our lovely nurses. 💪

Remi is absolutely loving her new Nike Grind Maxfusion Twisted Toy! It's incredibly durable and perfect for all those enthusiastic games of tug-of-war. A much-deserved prezzie after a difficult few weeks. Want one for your own four-legged friend? Pop into either our Victory or Saxton clinic to grab one of these fantastic toys!

A huge well done to Remi on her recovery so far – we think you'll agree she's one very special patient! 🐾

02/10/2026

When your vet recommends a blood test, it’s not always because we think something is wrong. Sometimes, we want to check what’s happening inside your pet’s body — and a normal result is something worth celebrating!

So, what can a blood test tell us?

🩸 Red and white blood cells - tell us about things like anaemia, infection and how your pet’s immune system is responding.

🧪 Liver function - changes that may indicate liver disease or other conditions affecting the liver.

🫘 Kidney function - how well are the kidneys working?

⚡ Electrolytes and hydration - assessing fluid balance can be particularly important when they are unwell.

🍬 Blood glucose - provides useful information about your pet’s metabolism and help us investigate certain conditions.

💊 A baseline for the future - if we know what “normal” looks like for them, it can make changes easier to spot in the future.

Our pets can’t tell us how they’re feeling, and sometimes they can appear perfectly healthy even when something is beginning to change. Routine blood tests can give us another piece of the puzzle and help us detect problems earlier.

🩺 PRE-ANAESTHETIC BLOOD TESTS
If your pet is having a procedure with us that requires anaesthesia, we may recommend pre-anaesthetic bloodwork to check their health before they undergo their procedure. We offer these pre-anaesthetic blood tests at a reduced rate, and it's a simple way to get some extra information about your pet’s health before anaesthesia and can help us tailor their care to them.

Of course, blood tests are only one part of the picture. Your pet’s history, physical examination and any other tests your vet recommends all help us build a complete picture of their health.

So next time your pet has a blood test, remember: “normal” is great news!

29/09/2026

Rainy week? Indoor cat? Or a pet recovering from surgery? Being stuck inside doesn’t have to mean being bored! A little mental enrichment can go a long way, especially when exercise needs to be limited.

Try:

👃 Sniffing games – hide a few treats and let them sniff them out (keep it gentle for post-op pets).

🍽️ Making meals fun – try a puzzle feeder, snuffle mat or food toy.

📦 DIY fun – boxes, paper bags and scrunched-up paper can keep curious cats entertained.

🐱 Creating a cosy space – a window perch, hiding spot or cardboard fort can provide plenty to explore.

🎓 Learning something new – practise tricks, cues or calm behaviours with treats and praise.

👀 Watching the world – a comfy spot by a window can provide hours of entertainment.

If your pet is recovering from surgery, always stick to your vet’s recommendations and choose enrichment that won’t involve jumping, twisting or too much movement.

Remember, you don’t need fancy toys. Rotating a few simple activities can keep things interesting. And don’t underestimate attention – gentle grooming, cuddles and time together count too!

A busy brain can be just as satisfying as a busy body 🐾

25/09/2026

Worms are more than just an unpleasant nuisance — they can make our pets feel pretty unwell and, in some cases, they can pose a risk for you and your family too. ❤️

Pets can pick up worms from contaminated soil, other animals, fleas and their environment. Some may show no signs, while others can have:

• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Weight loss or poor growth
• A bloated belly
• A dull coat
• Scooting or irritation around the bottom
• Coughing (sometimes)

Worming treatments flush worms that are present at the time of treatment, rather than preventing future infestations – that’s why regular treatments are advised. Not all worming schedules suit every pet. Their age, lifestyle and environment all affect their risk.

As a general guide, worming is often recommended every three months, but pets that spend a lot of time outdoors or hunt may need more frequent treatment. Puppies and kittens also need particular care, as worms can affect young animals more seriously.

Not sure what your pet needs? Chat to our team at Nelson Vets, and we can help you choose an appropriate parasite prevention plan for your pet. 🐾

22/09/2026

A pet going missing is incredibly stressful, but acting quickly can make all the difference…

• Make sure your pet is microchipped, and your details are current - a microchip isn’t a tracking device, but it can help vets and shelters identify your pet and contact you if they’re found.
• Contact Nelson Vets and SPCA - let us know your pet is missing so we can update their records on our system (covering both our Saxton and Victory Clinics), and check whether SPCA have had any similar animals brought in.
• Put a post on Facebook and put posters up locally - share a clear photo, where and when they were last seen, and your contact details.
• Check nearby - ask neighbours to check garages, sheds and gardens. Search quiet areas early in the morning or evening, and check your pet’s usual spots and walking routes.

Most importantly, don’t give up. Keep checking local lost-and-found pages, vets and shelters. If your pet isn’t microchipped, now is a great time to get it done. A microchip gives your pet the best chance of being identified and reunited with you, if they ever go missing.

🐾 Nelson Vets

17/09/2026

TICK SEASON IS HERE, NELSON! We’ve had reports of lots of ticks being spotted around the Maitai River, a favourite local dog-walking spot. If you’re heading out with your four-legged friend, now’s a great time to be extra vigilant.

After every walk or outside excursion:

- Check your pet thoroughly, especially around the ears, neck, face and between the toes.
- Run your hands over their coat and look closely for small, attached ticks.
- And of course, keep up to date with your pet’s tick prevention — chat with our team if you’re unsure what’s right for your cat or dog.

⚠️ Found a tick? Don’t panic. If you’re unsure how to remove it safely, or you notice your pet seems unwell after a tick bite, give us a call.

Let’s keep enjoying our beautiful walking spots while keeping our pets safe. 🐾

16/09/2026

New puppy? Don't miss the chance to sign up for puppy preschool with the lovely Cat at Canine Know How! 🐶

🐶 **GOT A NEW PUPPY? LET’S SET THEM UP FOR SUCCESS!** 🐾
✨ **Puppy Preschool starts Monday 28th September at Neldon Vets - Saxton Clinic!**

Our 4-week Puppy Preschool is packed with practical training to help your puppy become a happy, confident and well-mannered companion. ❤️

We’ll cover:
🐾 Socialisation & confidence
🐾 Settling & calm behaviour
🐾 Bite inhibition
🐾 Basic training & manners
🐾 Handling & grooming
🐾 Enrichment

📍 **Saxton Clinic**
📅 **Monday 28th September**
⏰ **6pm**

Spaces are limited!
📩 **Message Canine Know How to book your puppy in.**

🐾

09/09/2026

Just 9 more weeks to enter the prize draw and win some of these amazing Bravecto prizes! If you treat your animals with Bravecto flea and/or worm treatment then don't forget to enter at either of our clinics😍

21/08/2026

CUTENESS OVERLOAD: This gorgeous little girl visited us at our Victory Clinic today, and it's safe to say she's a double-award winner 🏆

😍 Firstly, she definitely takes the title of 'Tiniest Patient'. Just look at how snug she is inside mum's hoodie!

Secondly, with a name like Dolly Pawton, she's also going home with the 'Punniest Pet Name' of the day too 🤣🐾

19/08/2026

⚠️ A blocked bladder is a life-threatening emergency in cats. Do you know the signs?

Straining in the litter tray? Frequent trips with little or no urine? Yowling, restlessness, hiding, or just seeming 'out of sorts'?

Don’t wait and see. A blocked bladder (urinary obstruction) can become fatal very quickly. When a cat can't pass urine, toxins and potassium build up in the bloodstream, which can cause severe illness, dangerous heart problems and, without treatment, death.

Male cats are much more at risk because their urethra is narrower, but any cat showing signs of urinary obstruction needs urgent veterinary attention. We've seen an increase in these cases recently, and it's partly seasonal... when it's cold, cats don't want to go outside to urinate. They hold it, which can lead to a blockage!

Seek emergency veterinary care immediately if your cat:
🔴 Is repeatedly trying to urinate but producing little or no urine
🔴 Is straining or crying in the litter tray
🔴 Has blood in their urine
🔴 Is weak, hiding or very unsettled
🔴 Has a painful or tense abdomen

📞 If your cat is showing these signs, please give us a call on 03 546 9646 (Victory) 03 544 5678 (Saxton).

If you’re unsure whether your cat is blocked, don’t take the risk! It's much safer to have them checked promptly. A blocked bladder isn't something you can treat at home.

If you're wondering if there's anything you can do to prevent your cat from blocking, the main things are...
✅ Weight loss
✅ Quality diet
✅ Stress prevention