Vetlife Pets

04/09/2026

📸🐾 Happy 1st Birthday, Dom & Pol! 🐾📸
A big happy birthday to these handsome German Shorthaired Pointers, Dom and Pol, who recently celebrated their first trip around the sun! 🎉

It's been a pleasure watching these two grow from energetic puppies in our Vetlife Wanaka Puppy School to the wonderful young dogs they are today. This week, they visited the clinic for their neutering procedures, marking another important milestone in their journey.

Thank you to their human for sharing these beautiful photos with us. We love seeing our puppy school graduates thriving and enjoying life to the fullest. 💚

Join us in wishing Dom and Pol a happy birthday in the comments! 🎂🐶🐶

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

03/09/2026

🐣 Spring is on its way – a reminder about ducklings and baby birds 🐦

As the weather warms up, you may start to see ducklings and baby birds that appear to be alone or separated from their parents.

While it's natural to want to help, please do not pick up or handle baby birds. In many cases, their parent is nearby, keeping watch and waiting for the right moment to reunite with them. Handling or moving young birds can cause unnecessary stress and may interfere with this natural process.

With the recent detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in New Zealand, it's more important than ever to avoid unnecessary contact with wild birds and take extra care around wildlife.

If you are concerned that a bird is sick, injured, or in distress:
✅ Keep your distance
✅ Do not touch or handle the bird
✅ Follow current MPI guidance and contact MPI for advice.

Our Vetlife team is also happy to provide guidance over the phone, but please do not bring wild birds into the clinic. To protect our staff, clients, and animals, we are following additional safety measures when dealing with potential avian influenza cases.

Thank you for helping keep our wildlife, our communities, and yourselves safe this spring. 💚

For advice or to report concerns about sick or dead wild birds, follow the latest guidance from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

20/08/2026

🐶❗Canine Parvovirus Alert❗🐾
We have been made aware of parvo cases in Christchurch and Tasman. This nasty disease can affect dogs of all ages, although puppies are more susceptible. Stay vigilant and remember, it's best to wait at least ten days after the final vaccination as protection takes a while to kick in - longer for some breeds, such as Dobermanns and Rottweilers.

➡️If your puppy or dog develops signs such as vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, or loss of appetite, please contact your local Vetlife.

➡️If your puppy attends puppy preschool and they are either unwell or have been in contact with an exposed or sick dog, please avoid bringing them to class. If you have any concerns about attending puppy preschool, please check out the link below and contact your clinic for advice.

🐕💉https://vetlife.co.nz/parvovirus/

19/08/2026

Many of our Diamond Harbour clients will recognise Mak's story, a much-loved patient who has been visiting Vetlife Diamond Harbour since he was a puppy.

Mak lives with a rare condition called Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Ankylosis, which has prevented him from fully opening his jaw throughout his life. Despite this challenge, he has spent years bringing comfort and joy to others as a therapy dog.

Mak's story was recently featured in the Diamond Harbour Herald, highlighting his journey, the impact he has had on his community, and the opportunity he now has to undergo surgery that could significantly improve his quality of life.

We're proud to share Mak's story and encourage you to take a moment to read the article (link in comments) and join us in wishing Mak and his owner, Kaye, all the very best for the future.

18/08/2026

Puppy Preschool complete!

Buffy spent the past few weeks attending Puppy Preschool with Dr Dog through Vetlife Pets, Wānaka and we've absolutely loved it!

It's been such a great way to build her confidence, safely socialise, learn more about puppy behaviour and, importantly, teach us how to help her navigate this big new world.

A huge thank you to the team at Vetlife Wanaka and Dr Dog for giving our little adventure pup such a great start.

18/08/2026

We took a behind the scenes tour of the Vetlife Pets clinic in Wānaka and what a place!!

16/08/2026

14/08/2026

Meet Louise 🐱

This sweet girl came to the Vetlife Timaru clinic a few weeks ago, rescued by Street Cats South Canterbury.

At just 6 months old, she was underweight, dehydrated and not wanting to eat, with old fractures in her femurs.

Since then, Louise has undergone FHO surgery. She also surprised us with a foreign body - a large chunk of bark - which had to be surgically removed.

Despite everything this little girl has been through, she has remained incredibly sweet and gentle. She loves attention and cuddles and has been an absolute star throughout her treatment.