Kulnura Veterinary Clinic

20/04/2026

16/04/2026

What a great free education opportunity. There is a lot of misinformation about looking after goats and sheep - if you own some of these lovely animals see if you can make it along to this LLS event.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1364203975743569&set=a.154392563391389

Are you a small producer, hobby farmer, or proud owner of pet sheep and goats? 🐑 🐐

Join us for our free workshop for simple, practical tips to keep them thriving – covering identification, worm control, and more!

📅 2 May | Tuggerah

Register for this NSW Government workshop 👉 https://bit.ly/4rP0Z6d

03/04/2026

***Dr Tom is her on Tuesday morning 14/4. Contact vet on the road direct for bookings *****.

Great news!!! Dr Tom from Vet on the Road will be seeing my old clients at Kulnura Vet Clinic for vaccinations and non hospital cases.
This saves you the time and hassle of heading down to the flat lands. He is doing limited days/times but trying to co-ordinate it for when Sonya is here so you can get your preventative meds and food at the same time.
Please get in touch with Dr Tom if you are interested.

02/04/2026

Beware of Pasture-Associated Stringhalt in Horses 🐴

Recent dry conditions across southern Australia have triggered a spike in cases of pasture-associated stringhalt (PAS) in horses. This seasonal neurological condition, caused by ingestion of flatweed (Hypochaeris radicata), poses significant risks to equine health. Early detection and immediate pasture management are critical for recovery.
Pasture-associated stringhalt is a debilitating neuromuscular disorder in horses, characterized by abnormal hindlimb movement. Outbreaks are most commonly observed during periods of drought when forage is scarce, leading horses to consume normally unpalatable weeds like flatweed.

Flatweed, which survives dry conditions due to its deep taproot, contains a neurotoxin that targets the peripheral nervous system—especially the long sciatic nerves of the hind limbs in horses. This toxin is not a mycotoxin, nor is it associated with dandelions (Taraxacum officinale), which have been mistakenly implicated due to their similar appearance. Drought and frost conditions appear to amplify the concentration or potency of this neurotoxin in the flatweed plants.
Symptoms of Stringhalt typically develop within 7–21 days of ingestion. Early signs include difficulty walking backward and mild incoordination. Without intervention, the condition can rapidly worsen. Routine checks are recommended for early detection, we recommend a twice weekly check that your horse can walk a few steps backwards during ‘flatweed season’. Diagnosis by your veterinarian is supported by dietary history and pasture inspection.

Immediate removal from affected pasture is crucial. Horses should be provided with hay (2% of body weight/day), ideally with a mix of lucerne and grass hay. We find that quick recovery is often linked to keeping a horse calm and steady during the recovery period, which reduces the misfiring of the nervous system and the incoordination of the legs, which would normally agitate a horse and lead to further nerve aggravation or even injury.

We have had many successful outcomes after pasture-associated Stringhalt with Kohnke’s Own Mag-E, as a daily supplement to provide essential nutrients required by the nervous system for proper nerve and muscle function. Mag-E® provides a special source of highly absorbable organic magnesium chelate and high potency antioxidant vitamin E. A higher initial dose of double or triple the normal dose for the first 7-10 days has found to be helpful in many cases.

Kohnke’s Own Tox Target can also be helpful for horses during recovery. Tox Target is a broad-spectrum mycotoxin binder, with multiple binders that facilitate the binding of mycotoxins, especially those that originate from pasture and hay. Tox Target does not bind flatweed’s specific toxin (it’s not a mycotoxin), but it can bind many environmental mycotoxins that may otherwise exacerbate nerve damage and prolong recovery time.

Recovery ranges from 6 weeks to 18 months, influenced by the original amount of toxin intake, timing of intervention, and management. Cold weather can slow healing, thus stabling and rugging during winter is advised.

Eradicating flatweed from paddocks remains the only sure prevention. Horse owners should act immediately upon noticing symptoms and consult veterinarians for diagnosis and management. Nutritional advice is available through Kohnke’s Own support channels.

📧 [email protected]
📞 1800 112 227
💬 Message us on Facebook
https://kohnkesown.com.au/products/mag-e
https://kohnkesown.com.au/products/tox-target

23/02/2026

Due to injuries I am no longe able to do any vet work. It is something I have dreaded, not the injuries but but being able to deliver vet services to my clients, those who need house calls and the farm animals. Us mixed and large animal vets are getting fwere on the ground and I hate hearing about an animal suffering because there is no vet to see them. Luckily around the time my body fell apart 😝 Dr Tom moved over to the coast and and has gratefully agreed to see my clients and continue the standard of care they are used to. I have heard nothing but praise from those that I have referred to him and we are all grateful for him servicing the mountain and surrounding valleys.
There is still a vet nurse here once a week to dispense script meds to those who have recently been put on long term medication , as well as organising orders for RoyalCanin dog food, wormers, tick prevention etc, she is also a dab hand at nail trims 🙂
Just send a msg if you want to book in with Sonya, otherwise Dr Tom at Vet on the Road is your best call for all things vet wise.
Thank you for your understanding and for the amazing long term and new clients I have had. I'm always here for a cuppa!

23/02/2026

⚠️ Kikuyu poisoning warning - Lower Hunter and Great Lakes

🌱🐄 Recent rainfall following prolonged dry conditions has created a higher risk of kikuyu poisoning in cattle.

Kikuyu pasture can become toxic when rapidly growing in late summer and autumn. Affected cattle may drool, appear dehydrated, “sham drink” at troughs or dams, and in severe cases may stagger or die.

Important points for producers:
🌱 affected kikuyu looks no different to safe pasture
⚠️ cattle deaths occur when no alternative feed is available
➡️ risk reduces once cattle are moved or provided with alternative feed
🕒 the risk usually subsides after 3–4 weeks.

The NSW Government Local Land Services District Veterinarians advise that if you have high-risk kikuyu paddocks, move cattle to safer pasture or provide alternative feed.

Silage and pasture hay are safer choices than oaten, sorghum, millet or liverseed hay if the cattle are not already accustomed to high nitrate levels in their feed. It would be a shame to kill them with nitrate poisoning when trying to protect them against kikuyu poisoning.

📞 Please report suspect kikuyu poisoning deaths to your local LLS office on 1300 795 299 to support ongoing research.

🔗 Visit the animal health section of our website for more information about managing the health of your livestock https://www.nsw.gov.au/regional-and-primary-industries/livestock

20/02/2026

Blue-tongue mums and babies are being attacked this week 💔🦎

In just this week alone, we have received numerous calls about blue-tongue lizards being attacked by dogs. Many of them have been pregnant or tiny newborn babies.

Right now is baby season for our beautiful Eastern blue-tongued lizard. Unlike most reptiles blue-tongues give birth to live young in late summer, which means vulnerable little babies are currently moving through our gardens, lawns, backyards and across roads.

They are harmless.
They are slow.
They are defenceless.

When scared, they stick out their bright blue tongue to try and look intimidating but it’s only a bluff. They cannot outrun a dog, and even a small bite can cause horrific injuries or death.
These lizards are protected native wildlife and play an important role in our ecosystem by controlling snails, slugs and other garden pests.
They belong here.

We are asking our community to please:
💙 Supervise dogs when outside
💙 Check your yard before letting pets out
💙 Be especially vigilant in the early morning and late afternoon
💙 Call a wildlife rescue immediately if a lizard has been injured
Although we are always greatfull for anyone reporting injured wildlife many of the calls we receive are heartbreaking and could have been prevented with a quick yard check.

Please help us protect these beautiful native mums and their babies during this critical time. A few seconds of awareness can save a life. 🦎💙

If you’re unsure what to do, contact your local wildlife rescue for advice.

19/12/2025

Keep an eye out fir ‘sleepy’ cows - bills get hit especially hard

⚠️ Bovine Ephemeral Fever (Three Day Sickness) alert ⚠️

The NSW Government has advised that Bovine Ephemeral Fever (BEF), also known as Three Day Sickness, has been confirmed in cattle in the Hunter region. This detection is unusually early for our area and highlights that BEF can overwinter locally and reappear before moving down the coast.

The Hunter and Mid Coast experienced widespread BEF outbreaks in 2022 and 2024, with a smaller outbreak in early 2025, meaning most older cattle are likely to be immune. This season, cases are expected mainly in cattle born since around April 2024 or cattle recently introduced from other regions, particularly inland areas where prior exposure is unlikely.

Producers are advised to closely monitor cattle for signs including:
• high fever
• drooling
• severe lameness
• reluctance to move or recumbency.

Affected animals should be carefully managed, especially in hot weather, by providing adequate water, shade and supportive care. While younger cattle may also be affected, disease severity is generally milder due to their lighter body weight.

💻 More information is on our website https://bit.ly/4q2txsV

☎️ If you are concerned about cattle health, contact your private veterinarian or call Local Land Services on 1300 794 299 for advice.

29/10/2025

I say it every year. Please people don’t use fake cobwebs in your Halloween decorations. There are thousands of other things you can do that won’t hurt or kill the bird’s.

A distressing photo of a kookaburra trapped in fake spiderwebs has served as a poignant Halloween warning t...

14/09/2025

A lot of ruminants live in paddocks with old car bits. Lead poisoning is a real concern. Over the years I have treated dogs with lead poisoning from the most bizarre things. You can never keep the place where your animals live tidy enough!

11/09/2025

Please keep an eye out for one small pony.