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.

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. 💜

16/10/2026

🌸 October lambs & double the trouble! 🌸

Lambing beat this morning, with two new arrivals enjoying the beautiful spring sunshine! 🌿🐑🐑 There’s something so nice about this time of year on the farm - fresh little lambs, sunshine and the promise of warmer days ahead! ☀️💛

15/10/2026

14/10/2026

🐱🏆 PHOTO COMPETITION WINNER – CAT EDITION! 🏆🐱

A huge congratulations to Tracey & Loki, who took out the cat section of our photo competition! 🎉📸

We hope you enjoy your goodies, Loki! 😻🎁

A big thank you to everyone who sent in photos of their adorable pets. We loved seeing all your furry friends. 🐾

📸 A little reminder: You can send us updated photos of your pets for their patient files anytime! We love being able to put a face to a name and personalise our service to make your experience with us even more special.

Simply email your photos to your local clinic:

📧 Richmond: [email protected]
📧 Mapua: [email protected]
📧 Motueka: [email protected]

🐶 DOG WINNER COMING SOON! 🐾
Keep an eye on our page to find out which gorgeous pup takes the crown! 🏆

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/Q04wFWGv0

13/10/2026

Viggo’s Big Day Out! 🐱✨

Viggo popped into our Mapua clinic in full style, strolling in on his lead like he owned the place! 🐈

He was such a well-behaved boy, absolutely lapped up all the attention, and is such a character. What a little superstar! 🌟

We love seeing our feline friends out and about, showing off their purr-sonalities! 🐾

See you again soon, Viggo! 💙

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.

09/10/2026

Those beautiful eyes! 😍

Toby was such a brave boy today when he came into Vetlife Richmond for his second vaccination with Dr Chris Welland. 🐶
He was on his very best behaviour, and our whole team loved having this handsome boy visit!

We love watching our younger patients grow in confidence with each visit. Well done, Toby - you were an absolute star. ⭐️

See you again soon, Toby! 💙 🐾

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.

07/10/2026

A very special welcome back to Dr Megan! 🩺

We’re so pleased to have Megan back in action, after her time away on maternity leave.

When she’s not busy being a super mum, you’ll find Megan back in our Mapua clinic every Thursday from 9am–3pm. 🥳

Megan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our team, and we just love having her back in clinic - sharing her knowledge and, of course, looking after our wonderful patients. 🐶🐱 We know her clients will be just as thrilled! 🤍

05/10/2026

Getting cows back in calf - every day counts! 🐄 🥛

As we head towards mating, it’s a good time to start thinking about reproductive performance and getting cows back in calf efficiently.

A cow that doesn’t get back in calf has a significant impact on farm productivity and profitability. The goal isn’t just getting cows pregnant - it’s getting the right cows in calf, as early as possible, and maintaining a tight calving pattern.

There are plenty of factors that can influence reproductive performance, including:

🌱 Body condition and nutrition
🐄 Cow health and previous reproductive history
🩺 Uterine health following calving
🐂 Bull soundness and fertility
📅 Timing of mating and cycling activity
🧬 Genetics and individual cow performance

Pre-mating checks can be a valuable opportunity to identify issues before mating begins, particularly in cows with a history of emptying, difficult calvings or other reproductive problems.

If you’re concerned about your herd’s reproductive performance or want to discuss a plan for the upcoming mating period, talk to John Mace, our Large Animal Vet. A little preparation now can make a big difference later in the season.

Healthy cows. Better conception. A more productive herd. 🐮 🤍

02/10/2026

Meet Goldie – Mapua’s newest fill-in receptionist! 🐾 🐶

As all our wonderful Mapua clients will know, our superstar receptionist Jeannie is currently enjoying a very well-deserved holiday! 🌴☀️

In the meantime, we’re improvising and doing our very best to hold down the fort… and Goldie has some BIG boots to fill! 😂
Don’t worry, Jeannie -we’ve got everything under control here. Nothing to worry about😉

Business is running as usual at Mapua, and don’t forget you can book online through our portal or give us a call to book your appointment today! 📞 03 540 2329

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!