Eltham Vet Service

19/06/2026

𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗠𝗢𝗡𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝟮𝟵𝗧𝗛 𝗢𝗙 𝗝𝗨𝗡𝗘
FARMER EVENING
Please RSVP to 06 764 8196

16/06/2026

You may have seen reports of recent strangles cases in the upper North Island.
Recent lab surveillance has identified an increase in positive Streptococcus equi detections in the North Island. However, the overall prevalence is comparable to the same time last year, and there is 𝗻𝗼 𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲.

While there’s no cause for alarm, it’s a timely reminder for all horse owners to stay proactive by:
✅ 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀
✅ 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝘀, 𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀
✅ 𝗘𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲’𝘀 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸 𝗼𝗳 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗶𝘅𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀, 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲

It’s also important to remember that strangles is not a notifiable disease, and it can occur even in well-managed horses. By staying informed and following sensible biosecurity practices, we can continue to minimise the spread of disease and keep our horses healthy.

𝗡𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲’𝘀 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻. 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝘄𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗲𝘀.

11/06/2026

CAT FOUND

Found friendly female cat at the end of Lower Stuart Road, has been hanging around for a while. No Microchip found.
If yours please contact the clinic on 06 764 8196.

11/06/2026

📰NEW NEWSLETTER📰

https://www.elthamvetservices.co.nz/newsletter/may-2026

08/06/2026

A pyometra is a serious and potentially life-threatening infection of the uterus where it fills up with pus due to bacterial invasion. With pyometra’s the animal’s cervix may be open, where pus is visibly draining from the va**na, or closed, where the pus can not drain and the uterus can swell and burst. The earlier these are detected the better as they can quickly turn into a septic infection and result in death if not treated.

The cure for this is to spay the animal, removing her uterus and ovaries, along with the pus, and providing her with antibiotics.

Signs to look out for:
- Increased thirst, often resulting in peeing a lot also
- Loss of appetite
- Vomiting
- Swollen abdomen
- Discharge from the va**na
- Acting tired and slow

Often pyometras occur in older entire bi***es, with a recent heat in the last 4-6 weeks being a high-risk factor due to hormone changes. Pyometra’s are also possible in young bi***es or queens also.

Pyometra’s are a great example of why spaying your animal is important as these can be prevented through removal of the uterus and ovaries. If your animal is showing any of the above signs or you suspect they could have a pyometra please do not hesitate to contact us on 06 764 8196.

28/05/2026

24/05/2026

A surprising number of heifers pick up mastitis infections before they ever calve, often in the last few weeks before calving when teats are leaking and exposed to mud, manure, and bacteria.

Using an internal teat sealant 4–6 weeks before calving creates a physical barrier in the teat canal, helping stop bacteria entering the udder during this high-risk period.

At a $9/kg MS payout, teat sealing can become financially worthwhile surprisingly quickly. As a rule of thumb, if ~10% or more of heifers are affected at calving teat sealing stacks up economically.

Potential benefits include:
✅ Fewer mastitis cases around calving
✅ Lower SCC in first lactation
✅ Less antibiotic use after calving
✅ Better early milk production and lifetime performance

If you’re seeing more than 1 in 10 heifers calving with mastitis, it may be time to run the numbers and discuss whether heifer teat sealing could pay on your farm.

21/05/2026

Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus (GDV), commonly called “bloat”, is a life-threatening emergency seen most commonly in large, deep-chested dogs, including many working farm dogs.
GDV occurs when the stomach quickly fills with gas and then twists on itself. Once the stomach twists, blood supply is affected, and the condition can quickly become fatal without urgent veterinary treatment and surgery.

Dogs at higher risk include:
- Older dogs
- Large or giant breed dogs with deep, narrow chests
- Feeding once a day
- Large meal size
- Dogs that eat very quickly
- Nervous or anxious dogs

Things that may increase risk:
- Heavy exercise followed by eating straight away
- Drinking a large amount of water after work
- Gorging on food, including getting into a lamb carcass or afterbirth
Ways to help reduce risk:
- Delay feeding after a big day of work
- Avoid allowing dogs to drink a large amount of water at once after exercise
- Feed smaller meals where possible
- If your dog has scavenged something of a large quantity, monitor them closely and avoid working them that day.

Signs to look out for:
- Restlessness or distress
- Excessive drooling
- Retching without bringing anything up
- Bloated or tight-looking abdomen
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness, collapse, or struggling to stand
Time is critical. The earlier a dog with GDV is seen, the better the chance of survival. If you suspect bloat, contact your vet immediately. Early treatment and surgery is vital.

18/05/2026

Drying cows off isn’t just about stopping milking—it’s about doing it in a way that minimises stress, reduces mastitis risk, and sets cows up for a strong calving and lactation.

✅ Low producers (10 L/day):
These cows need a bit more planning. About a week before dry-off, gradually reduce the “milk-driving” part of the diet (lush pasture, PKE, high protein feeds) and replace it with more fibre such as hay or lower quality silage. The goal is to reduce milk volume while keeping cows full and settled—not hungry.

💡 Golden dry-off rules:
• Don’t use every-second-day milking—it greatly increases mastitis risk
• If moving to once-a-day milking, make changes at least 10–14 days before dry-off
• Keep cows in clean, dry paddocks for 1–2 weeks after dry-off
• Avoid muddy paddocks, effluent areas, or reverse grazing immediately after treatment
• Keep cows well fed, with plenty of clean water
• Have a wet-weather backup plan

A smooth dry-off means healthier udders, less stress, and cows better prepared for next season. If you’ve got high-producing cows heading toward dry-off, now’s a good time to chat with your vet about a plan.

15/05/2026

Flowchart for internal teat seal application