Posts by Rebecca Anstee
Your Guide to After-Hours Vet Care in Canterbury
Pet emergencies have a habit of happening outside business hours. Whether it’s a dog that’s eaten something it shouldn’t have, a cat that’s come home injured, or a cow calving with complications in the early hours, knowing in advance what to do and who to call makes a stressful moment a lot more manageable. How…
Read MoreGetting Your Cows Ready for Calving Season – A Vet’s Checklist
Calving season is the most demanding time of the year, and how well it goes often comes down to what you did in the eight to twelve weeks beforehand. The preparation you put in now directly affects cow health, calf survival rates, and how hard your team has to work when the season hits. Here’s…
Read MoreDairy Newsletter Autumn 2026
Managing Risk as we Head into Autumn As we move through another busy summer on farm, it’s a good time to reflect on the season so far and look ahead to the key focus areas for the remainder of lactation. Summer Round-Up Across much of New Zealand, summer has brought its usual challenges variable pasture…
Read MoreLeptospirosis: Protect Your Herd & Family
Leptospirosis can affect people, livestock, and pets on your farm, with serious health consequences. Protecting your team and animals now helps keep your farm safe and productive. The article below from Zoetis New Zealand outlines practical tips for controlling Lepto, including vaccination, pest management, and hygiene… It’s never been a better time to check that…
Read MoreWorm Control in Sheep: Why FEC Testing Matters
Managing internal parasites in sheep is essential for maintaining flock health, growth, and overall productivity. At Aorangi Vets, we use faecal egg count (FEC) testing to guide smarter worm control on Canterbury farms, helping you treat sheep only when necessary and with the right drench products. Why FEC Testing MattersTreating sheep without understanding worm burdens…
Read MoreSheep, Beef, Deer Newsletter Summer 2025/26
Summer Stock Health: Planning Ahead for Peak Performance. As we close out 2025 and head into the New Year, spring proved to be characteristically variable across our region. Some areas experienced prolonged dry spells, while others saw useful rainfall, and Labour Weekend snow again affected a number of later lambing properties. Despite this, stock condition…
Read MoreDairy Newsletter Summer 2025/26
Keeping Your Herd on Track This Summer Spring is always a busy and critical time on farm, and as we move into the summer season, it’s a great moment to reflect on herd performance and plan for the months ahead. Across our client herds, benchmarking data shows that many farms are tracking well in terms…
Read MorePuppy and Kitten Care: How to Give Your New Pet the Best Start
Bringing home a puppy or kitten is one of life’s great joys and also one of the most important times for their long-term health. By laying the right foundations now, you’ll be giving your pet the best possible start. Vaccinate to Protect Young pets are vulnerable to serious infectious diseases like parvovirus, distemper, and feline…
Read MoreHow to Keep Your Pets Calm During Summer Travel
Stress-Free Summer Trips with Your Pets Summer holidays are just around the corner, which means road trips, beach visits, and adventures for your pets. While these trips can be exciting, they can also be stressful for dogs and cats. Fortunately, products like Adaptil, Calmex, and Feliway can help your pets stay calm, confident, and comfortable…
Read MoreA Vet Nurse’s Perspective: Caring for Animals and Our Community
By Heather Hellmrich, Veterinary Nurse and Clinic Manager, Aorangi Vets A Lifelong Love for Animals I really just have a deep love for animals. I grew up on a lifestyle block on the outskirts of Fairlie, so was able to have a bit of everything and I was always outside with my menagerie. I’ve always…
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