What are the opening hours?

Monday 8am - 5:30pm Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm Thursday 8am - 5:30pm Friday 8am - 5:30pm Saturday 9am - 12:30pm

First Vets

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First Vets

First Vets Whanganui - Veterinarian professionals with a passion for small & companion animal health

First Vets Whanganui - Veterinarian professionals with a passion for small & companion animal health and care.

21/08/2025

🐾 Out and About with Our Team 🐾

Yesterday, Vet Nurse Olivia and Vet Tech Emma had a fantastic evening at UCOL Palmerston North, connecting with Animal Care (Level 3) through to Vet Nursing (Level 6) students.

✨ They joined the Student Speedmeet, answering questions about life in practice.

✨ An information evening gave the in-clinic student placement coordinators a closer look at the courses UCOL offers.

✨ They toured the impressive Vet Nursing teaching facilities, where final-year students demonstrated their skills – including anaesthetic monitoring on a mannequin, dental cleaning, IV catheter placement, intubation on model heads, and blood smears.

To make it interactive, we brought along:
📂 A folder of real X-rays for students to guess “what’s wrong?”
📂 A showcase of photos of how cool our clinic is!
🍫 And of course, a dog bowl filled with purple chocolates – a big hit with everyone!

It was inspiring to see the passion of the next generation of vet nurses, and we loved showing a little of what makes our clinic special 💜🐾

13/08/2025

🚫Network Outage🚫

Tomorrow, Thursday 14th of August 2025, we have a planned network outage - from around 12:00pm for approximately 30 minutes - while upgrades and changes take place.

This means we will not have access to the internet, or our practice software, and likely the telephones as well. During this time we will not be able to take payments, receive emails, or calls.

If you have an URGENT matter during this time, one of our members of staff will have access to this page on her mobile device, or please pop in to see the front desk team.

11/08/2025

🕷️🐾 Mite-y Monday! 🐾🕷️

We’re shining a spotlight on a microscopic menace that’s more common than you might think: Demodex mites! 😱

🔬 What are Demodex mites?
Demodex are tiny mites that naturally live in small numbers in the hair follicles of dogs (and even humans!).
In healthy pets, they usually don't cause a problem.
BUT… when the immune system is compromised - especially in puppies, elderly dogs, or pets under stress; these mites can multiply and cause demodectic mange.

🐶 What are the signs of Demodex infestation?
🕷️ Patches of hair loss
🕷️ Red, scaly or crusty skin
🕷️ Itching (especially in generalised cases)
🕷️ Secondary skin infections

👩‍⚕️ Can it be treated?
Yes! With proper diagnosis (skin scrapings under the microscope), we can configure a treatment plan that often includes medicated baths, and oral/topical medications. Early treatment makes a big difference.

🎯 That’s why we recommend regular parasite prevention for all pets - fleas, ticks, and mites included! In store, we have Simparica Chews and Bravecto Chews which cover your dogs against these pesky mites!

08/08/2025

🐀🕷️ Freaky Friday - The Unexpected Hitchhiker 🕷️🐀

Today, we discovered an unexpected hitchhiker on our lovely rat patient 😰

Tiny, clingy, and definitely not invited - it was a louse (Polyplax spinulosa)! 🕷️

🩺 Lice in rats are more common than you might think, and while they don’t spread to humans or other animals, they can cause serious irritation for your small pets.

💊 Treatment to evict the tiny intruder:
✔️ Vet-prescribed anti-parasitic medication
✔️ Full cage clean and bedding wash
✔️ Treating all cage mates (because lice love company)

🎥 Check out the video - yes, that’s the louse digesting its blood meal.
You’re watching it in action, nature is wild… and just a bit gross sometimes 😂

01/08/2025

🐾 Big cheers for brave little Elle! 🐾

Elle the Saint Bernard puppy came in today for her vaccinations and was an absolute superstar! 🌟

She stole hearts with those big puppy eyes, and was so brave with a little help from her new favourite treat... peanut butter, of course! 🥜💉💕

See you next time, Elle! 🐶❤️

22/07/2025

‼️ Owner Needed Urgently - Injured Kitten‼️

An injured black and white, female kitten approx. 12 weeks old has been presented to us from the Castlecliff area🐈‍⬛
She is NOT microchipped!

She has pain relief on board, but we need her owner(s) to come forward as soon as possible.

Please call us on 06 281 3157 📞

21/07/2025

🐾 PUPPY PRESCHOOL 🐶

Julz from Julz's Canine Aftercare has a new Puppy Preschool starting soon! 🤩🐾

🐾 The new class will begin on Wednesday 30th of July 6:00pm-7:00pm.
🐾 There is a maximum of 6 puppies per class.
🐾 The course is 6 weeks long.
🐾 The puppy must be aged between 8-16wks at the beginning of the course
🐾 The puppy must also have had at LEAST one DHP 'Parvo' Vaccination
🐾 The course cost is $100.00 per puppy.
🐾 Course is run by a qualified Dog Trainer.
🐾 Class is open to for enrolments now!

If this sounds like something you'd like to do with your new puppy, then contact the clinic, or Julz at [email protected] to register your interest! 🤩🐾🎓

17/07/2025

🐾 Animal Osteopathy Treatments with Karen Lithgow! 🐶

Introducing Karen Lithgow – a local Vet Nurse who has completed her studies in osteopathy through the London College of Animal Osteopathy.

Animal osteopathy is a complementary therapy that works alongside veterinary care to support your pet’s overall health and well-being.

Osteopathy takes a holistic approach, treating the whole body, not just a specific problem area. Every session is individualised based on your pet’s age, build, temperament, and health status.

Karen uses techniques such as the following:
🔹 Joint articulation & manipulation
🔹 Soft tissue work
🔹 Cranial and functional techniques

It can help manage and improve a wide range of conditions, including:
✔️ Muscular & gait problems
✔️ Age-related issues
✔️ Joint, neck, back & hip pain
✔️ Poor or reduced performance
✔️ Circulatory challenges
✔️ Post-operative recovery
✔️ And more...

For more information contact Karen on 021 117 7456, or email her at [email protected]

15/07/2025

Meet Makayla! ✨

Makayla joined our nursing team in May 2025 after completing her Diploma in Veterinary Nursing.

Raised on a lifestyle block, Makayla’s love for animals began early - particularly enjoying the hands-on experience of hand-rearing lambs and calves 🐑🐄 Today, her favourite aspects of veterinary nursing include caring for hospitalised patients and closely monitoring surgical patients under anaesthesia.

Outside of work, Makayla enjoys baking delicious treats and volunteers her time fostering puppies for the SPCA. At home, she has two beloved dogs - both adopted from the SPCA. Nikita, an 8-year-old Pitbull x Terrier, is highly food motivated, while Amber, an 11-year-old Huntaway cross, is known for her charmingly bossy personality. Whether she's asking for a walk, dinner, or bedtime, Amber isn’t shy about voicing her opinions!

Makayla can’t wait to meet you and your pets!

29/06/2025

📣REMINDER - STOCK TAKE📣

Today we are doing our stock take!
The business will be CLOSED from 4:00pm this afternoon.

This means there will be no retail sales after closing to allow for stock taking.

‼️We will still be available for emergency cases!‼️

27/06/2025

📣STOCK TAKE📣

On Monday the 30th of June we will be doing our stock take.
The business will be CLOSED from 4:00pm on Monday afternoon.

This means there will be no retail sales after closing to allow for stock taking.

‼️We will still be available for emergency cases!‼️

18/06/2025

✨Matariki Hours✨

Another long weekend has come, and as usual; here are our hours for the weekend.
Totally Vets Accident and Medical Centre will cover the after-hours emergencies for the entire weekend 🩺🏥

To contact them:
📞 Call them directly on 06 324 0812
📞 Call us and push 5 when prompted

Address

172 Glasgow Street
Whanganui
4500

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	8am - 5:30pm
Thursday	8am - 5:30pm
Friday	8am - 5:30pm
Saturday	9am - 12:30pm

Telephone

+6462813157

Website

http://www.firstvets.co.nz/

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