Nelson Vets

26/04/2025

Thanks Rachel Boyack MP for taking the time to celebrate World Veterinary day with us.
🥳 🐶🐾😻🐈🐇
The team enjoyed showing you laparoscopic surgery, SPCA animal care and many other inpatients.

We thank you for your support for and in the animal welfare space at government level 🙂

New Zealand Veterinary Association

24/04/2025

Nelson Vets (both clinics - Saxton and Victory) will be closed tomorrow to observe ANZAC day🪖

We will remember them 💗

A 24-hour emergency vet will be available by calling (03) 5445678 or (03) 5469646 🩺

23/04/2025

📞🐾 Veterinary Receptionist Week: April 20–26! 🎉

This week, we're rolling out the red carpet for the absolute legends who keep our front desk running like a well-oiled (but very friendly) machine — our amazing team of receptionists! 💚

🌟 Ivy, Laya, Elaine, Zara, Grace O, and Amy 🌟
(plus occasional heroic backup from our equally wonderful vet nurses!)

From translating pet names through crackly phone lines (“Was that Mr Snuffles or Mr Truffles?”), to juggling appointments, handing out treats, ressuring concerned owners, AND keeping our vets in line — they do it all with a smile, compassion, and an impressive amount of multitasking magic. 🧙‍♀️✨

They’re the first friendly face you see, the voice on the other end of the phone, and the calm in the occasional chaos.

💬 Have they ever gone above and beyond for you and your pet? Tell us below! We'd love to hear your stories — whether it was a warm welcome, a last-minute squeeze-in, or a treat stash rescue mission.

👏 A huge THANK YOU to our reception team — we truly couldn’t do it without you!

22/04/2025

🌿 Beyond the Clinic: Adventures Await! 🏃‍♂️🚴‍♀️🏞️

At Nelson Vets, we’re passionate about caring for your pets and we’re also big believers in living life to the fullest outside of work!

A number of our team members take part in adventure racing at all levels — from single-day events to multi-day challenges like Godzone and Spring Challenge. Recently, our very own Brendan Hickman appeared on Breakfast to chat about his experience with Godzone — check it out below! 👇

We love celebrating our team's adventures and encourage a healthy work-life balance. Whether it's exploring the backcountry, taking on a new physical challenge, or just enjoying the great outdoors, it all helps us stay energized and ready to care for your furry family members. 🐾💚

Thanks for being part of our community — we’re proud to have a team that lives with passion, both in and out of the clinic!

20/04/2025

What to do if your dog eats chocolate? Call us asap and speak to the vet or nurse, we can work out if it is a toxic amount and whether you need to see us. The quicker we get onto it the better. We’ve seen three dogs today who snuck into the household chocolate supply when noone was looking! They did all sorts of tricks to get to the chocolate as it was so tempting. I recommend you keep it in the fridge to be extra safe…or even better don’t save it, just eat it all up yourself asap…yum!

18/04/2025

⚡️Your Pet Deserves the Best – And That’s Exactly What We Offer

Did you know? Nelson Vets Saxton is the only vet clinic in the South Island offering laparoscopic surgery – and we’ve been doing it for over two years!

This advanced, minimally invasive technique – just like what you’d find in human hospitals – is used for:
🔹 Desexing (dog speys)
🔹 Gastropexy (a preventative procedure to stop deadly bloat in large-breed dogs)
🔹 and other specialised procedures.

💛 Why choose laparoscopic surgery?
✅ Smaller incisions
✅ Less pain
✅ Much faster recovery – most pets are back to normal within 48 hours!

Our talented surgical team uses top-of-the-line equipment and gentle techniques to give your pet the best possible experience.

📍 Available exclusively at Nelson Vets Saxton
📞 Get in touch if you’d like to learn more – we’re always happy to talk about how we can help your pet live their best life. Call us on 03 544 5678, or drop us a line - [email protected]

17/04/2025

🐰🥚🐥Wishing all our clients and their pets a fun & happy Easter, please see below for our opening hours 🐥🥚🐰

P.S. to our lovely patients - remember, the chocolate is only for your humans!! 🐶🐈🍫❤️

Opening hours (for both Victory & Saxton branches):
Friday 18th April CLOSED
Saturday 19th April OPEN 8.30am - 4pm
Sunday 20th April OPEN 10am - 4pm
Monday 21st April CLOSED

A 24-hour emergency vet will be available by calling (03) 5445678 or (03) 5469646 🩺

07/04/2025

A nationwide search is on... 🔍

Southern Cross Pet Insurance is currently running the "Pawsies Awards" in their search to find the Vet Clinic of the Year - and we are hoping you think that's us! If so, please throw us a bone....and nominate us!! 🏆

While you're doing that...why don't you nominate your charismatic cat or your dependable dog in the Pet of the Year categories?🐾

Pop over and check it out at this link....entries close 16th April! 🗓️

https://www.southerncrosspet.co.nz/pawsies?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwzMi_BhACEiwAX4YZUIxvH7ULY_YSUG-ZDneQ1wSqES8PUqd7-RcCrbi5t6o6_4lrI0SbnhoCe4IQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

15/03/2025

Meet Marianne and her beloved Doug! 💙 Their trust in us means the world, and we’re so grateful for the connections we build with our clients and their pets. Every wag, purr, and cuddle reminds us why we do what we do.

Thank you, Marianne, for sharing your experience – and for letting us be a part of Doug’s journey! 🐶💙

We love what we do because of you. ❤️

09/03/2025

Locally owned, community-focused, and dedicated to giving your pets the best care. From routine check-ups to complex surgeries, our passionate team is here for every stage of your pet’s journey.

Because they’re family. Because we care. ❤️🐶🐱

05/03/2025

🐾Such a beautiful tribute from Pic's Peanut Butter to Pic's one-in-a-million guide dog, Fido. 🥰

It has been our absolute honour to look after Fido over the years, and we will miss his friendly face popping in to Nelson Vets 🐕‍🦺

RIP Fido, you were the ultimate Good Boy❤️

Thinking of you, Pic! 😥

Sharp eyed peanut butter lovers have been spying the black dog icon on our jars and labels for years. The dog icon is in homage to Pic's trusty guide dog, Fido.

Pic and Fido have been a pair for over ten years. Pic has macular degeneration and his eyesight has been deteriorating for many years. When he started making peanut butter back in 2007 he was already legally blind, and a few years later as his eyesight became more challenging he thought a guide dog might be good idea.

Blessings come in many forms and Fido was one of them. A regular fixture in our office, delighting Nelsonians on the city streets and welcomed by the Air NZ crew all over the country, Fido was not only Pic's eyes but felt like everyone’s emotional support dog. The other blessing he brought was the confidence for Pic to accept his a disability and make it his superpower. As a guy full of good ideas, and having run several interesting businesses (like a sailing school, giftware company and laundromat), Pic was used to making everything happen himself.

As the peanut butter grew into an empire Pic had to learn to hand things over to other people. Not something that comes easily to any entrepreneur but his eyesight made it a mandatory. And when Fido arrived it really helped give Pic the permission to get other people to do the 'boring' business stuff, while he kept on being enthusiastic about great peanut butter and meeting kiwis who feel the same.

So here's to Fido, who made peanut butter and built a kiwi business empire. And was Pic's great mate.

RIP Fido, 2011-2024

04/03/2025

🦷✨ Healthy teeth, happy pets! ✨🦷

Did you know that dental disease is one of the most common (and most overlooked) health issues in pets? 😲 But the good news? Regular dental checkups can catch problems early—before they cause pain, infections, or that dreaded smelly breath! 🐶🐱💨

At Nelson Vets, we’re passionate about keeping pets healthy from nose to tail—including their teeth! A clean, pain-free mouth means:
✅ Better overall health 🩺
✅ No more bad breath 😁
✅ Happier, more comfortable pets 🐾💙

Watch our video to see why dental care is so important—and how we can help keep your pet’s smile shining! 🎥👇

27/02/2025

I spy a bargain! 🔍

Our Victory clinic has some Black Hawk food at clearance prices!💵

While stocks last, Victory clinic only 🛒

20/02/2025

💜 Purple Poppy Day is a day to acknowledge the animals that served (and still do serve) in war and conflict.

🐕🪖🐴Millions of animals have served (and died) in war - from transport animals such as horses and donkeys to dogs, cats, carrier pigeons - and many others! Animals were also taken to war as pets or mascots and to raise morale with their companionship. There are many amazing stories of the bravery and devotion shown by animals during wartime, and it has been said that these are proof of animals displaying qualities that aren't purely instinctive 💖

📖If you would like to read more, here are some interesting articles:

https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/news/2013/remembering-the-animals-that-fought-in-world-war-one

https://nzhistory.govt.nz/page/war-animals-and-purple-poppy #:~:text=While%20dogs%20were%20the%20most,Rifle%20Brigade%20left%20New%20Zealand.

🐕‍🦺If you would like to be part of a service honouring these animals, one will be held at the Marsden Cemetery, please see the below image for more details. Pets are welcome to attend! 🐾❤️

💜 Purple Poppy Day sunset service

The Nelson Returned and Services Association will be holding a sunset service to honour animal companions that have served in war.

The service will be held at Marsden Cemetery from 5pm, Sunday 23 February 2025.

All members of the public and pets are welcome to attend.