Guinea pigs and Vitamin C

Guinea pigs and Vitamin C

Guinea pigs and Vitamin C Guinea pigs, like humans but unlike all other domestic animals, cannot make their own vitamin C. Other mammals have an enzyme which helps the body produce vitamin C, but guinea pigs and humans lack this enzyme. Therefore, they must receive vitamin C from their diet, and as it cannot be […]

What’s parvo?

What’s parvo? Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious viral infection which causes depression and a sudden onset of profuse smelly bloody diarrhoea, vomiting and fever. Parvovirus infection in dogs can lead to severe dehydration and death and is prevalent throughout New Zealand. Dogs infected with parvovirus excrete infectious virus in their faeces from 10 days […]

Microchipping and registration for dogs

Microchipping and registration for dogs Did you know that all puppies must be registered with the local council by the time they are three months old? Registration All dogs must be registered with the local council. Puppies should first be registered by the time they are three months old, or if a dog is newly acquired […]

Rat bait poisoning

Rat bait poisoning Otaki Vets

Rat bait poisoning Beware when you put out the rat bait to get rid of those pesky vermin. Most rat baits have a characteristic green dye, but dogs and cats have poor colour vision and may mistake it for a change of food or a little treat. Most rat baits are anticoagulants. The good news […]

Top tips for car travel with anxious dogs

Top tips for car travel with anxious dogs Some dogs lose their mind with excitement when it comes to going for a ride in the car (car = dog park!), while others can lose their mind with fear or stress. Here are some top tips to help make car travel with an anxious dog a […]

Why feed your pet a premium food brand?

Otaki Vets Hills Science Diet

Why feed your pet a premium food brand? We all know that super-premium pet foods can appear expensive to buy – but are they really?  When daily feeding amounts for individual foods are calculated correctly there isn’t actually that much difference… for example, for a 5kg cat “X” brand premium food compared to “X” brand […]