Equine Latest News Archives - Matamata Veterinary Services

September 20, 2023

Exciting News! 🐴✨

We are thrilled to announce that MVS Equine has purchased EquiBreed NZ, and from the 1st October 2023 it will now be known as MVS EquiBreed!

🌟 This development is the brainchild of Drs Dave Keenan, Andrea Ritmeester and Lee Morris. The team at MVS EquiBreed will include Drs Lee Morris, Ria Harteveld and includes the support of the equine repro team from MVS Equine.

A new company formed by Dr Lee Morris, called EquiBreed ART will provide ICSI, embryo shipping, freezing and research breakthroughs to MVS EquiBreed.

This partnership marks a new chapter in our journey, combining the expertise and passion of two incredible equine organizations. Our commitment to providing the best choices in equine reproduction, exceptional equine care, and cutting-edge technology remains unwavering.

Stay tuned for updates on all the exciting developments and advancements coming your way. We can’t wait to continue serving our loyal customers and equine enthusiasts with even more excellence in equine breeding and reproduction. MVS EquiBreed will provide “all things in equine reproduction” for you!

Thank you for your continued support, and here’s to the future of MVS EquiBreed!

MVS Equine (07) 888 8193

EquiBreed ART (07) 870 1845

MVS Equine’s new purpose-built NICU for foals

December 7, 2022

The MVS Equine NICU is a fantastic new, purpose-built edition to the clinic’s facilities for the 2022 season, housing neo-natal foals and their dams requiring 24/7 care. Take a virtual tour below.

MVS Equine

December 7, 2022

Some of our 2022 season team enjoying a bit of sunshine!

COVID19 – Level 2

September 7, 2021

On Wednesday, 8th September when the Waikato region drops to Alert Level 2 we will continue to provide all of our usual services in a way that is safe for both our clients and our staff.

As outlined by the Government we must continue to maintain social distancing and follow strict hygiene protocols to keep everyone safe, and we must also maintain a system for contact tracing recording. This means every visitor or client to the clinic will be asked to scan the clinic QR code or sign in and out to ensure we are meeting our contact tracing obligations. Please maintain a 2m distance from others when visiting the clinic.

The clinic building will be open to clients however this will be on a restricted basis. This means only one client at a time will be permitted in reception and we continue to encourage you to phone ahead of time to coordinate the collection of supplies and dropping off of samples outside the clinic. Clients are required to wear a face covering whilst on site. We ask that clients accompanying horses to remain in their vehicles during treatment unless required to be present.

If you have recently traveled, have had contact with a known infected person, are exhibiting cold or flu-like symptoms or are currently in self isolation for any reason (confirmed COVID or COVID household) please stay home! If your horse must be seen please let us know – it must be brought in by someone else and will be taken off that person by a nurse and handled with PPE. Please be aware that providing veterinary care under these conditions takes more time and effort than normal.

We understand how difficult and challenging this period has been for so many and we want to say a heartfelt thank you to you all for your positivity and continued support.

COVID19 – Level 3

August 31, 2021

On Tuesday, 31 August 2021 when the Waikato region drops to alert level 3 at midnight, we move from being able to provide emergency veterinary services only to being able to provide all of our usual essential services for your horses and businesses. This means we can start booking in work that we routinely perform this time of year, including yearling screening radiographs, castrations, lameness work-ups and surgeries.

However, the Government is very clear that we must provide these services in a way that safe for both our clients and our staff. We must maintain social distancing and our services will remain contactless to keep everyone safe. This means our hospital building will continue to be a staff-only zone like it was in Level 4, and there will be no physical interaction between staff and clients. Mask-wearing is mandatory. There is a strict no-hand-shake policy in force and hands must be sanitized frequently. All horses will be taken from you on arrival at the hospital and held by a nurse for the exam. Please remain in your vehicle for the duration of the exam/procedure.

If you need to collect supplies or drop off samples please phone the office ahead of time in order to coordinate a collection time – all supplies will be collected from outside the building.

Please be aware that providing veterinary care under these conditions takes more time and effort than normal. There are many procedures, bookings and services that we haven’t been able to provide during the lock- down and we are now going to be pushed to provide all these services at once. We will make every effort to book you in as soon as possible and ask for your patience as we do our best to get up and running again swiftly.

COVID19 – Level 4

August 17, 2021

Veterinary Care has been listed as an essential service during the COVID-19 Alert level 4 lockdown period over the next 3 days. Currently, until further notice, we are working under the guidance of the New Zealand Veterinary Association.

Effective from midnight Tuesday 17/08/21 for 3 days:

• All non urgent consults will be cancelled

• Services currently ‘permitted’ include

o Emergencies: including colic, foalings, severe respiratory distress, fractures, severe or non-weight bearing lameness, choke, severe haemorrhage, acute illness, major injuries/wounds (especially near vital structures/joints), eye injuries, euthanasia.

o Non-emergency services where an absence of veterinary care would compromise animal welfare: including severe respiratory conditions, non-routine dentistry involving inability to eat and weight loss, severe weight loss, neurological conditions, severe skin conditions, wounds and injuries, abortion, ongoing case management, post op checks.

o Access to veterinary medicines (vaccines, anti-parasitics, antibiotics, pain relief, mineral supplements etc.)

o Animal health and welfare consultancy (conducted by phone)

We are going to minimum staffing levels to enable us to provide essential services while managing exposure of staff to COVID-19. A veterinarian will be available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency services as per our usual out-of-hours service; however, the equine hospital will be shut during this time.

We ask that all enquiries relating to emergencies and medication requirements to be made over the phone 07 888 8193 where further guidance will be provided based on the nature of your call. If you need a visit from a vet, please don’t be upset if we ask if you have been in close contact with someone who has/or you have had flu/cold symptoms. Please remember to stay over 2m distance from veterinary staff during any visit.

If you need veterinary supplies please phone us ahead of time. A pick up time will be organised for these – please do not drop into the clinic as we will not be open. Please remember that the services we are able to provide may well change over the coming days/weeks. We will continue to update you as we work on the details of these services. We ask for your patience and trust we have the wellbeing of your horses as our top priority. If you have any queries please do not hesitate to call us.

Dry July

July 8, 2021

Its July already and time to put your dry mares “under lights” to advance the breeding season.

Mares are long day, seasonal breeders. Meaning their regular oestrous cycle occurs in response to increasing day length.

Over the winter (shortened day length) the pineal gland in the brain releases the hormone melatonin. At the same time the mare secretes less gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinising hormone (LH). The change in these hormones results in a period of anoestrus (stops cycling). As days lengthen, melatonin production decreases and GnRH secretion increases causing the anterior pituitary gland to release LH. These changes allow the mare to transition back to normal cyclicity.

The transitional period (between winter anoestrus and oestrus) can last 60-80 days. It is characterized by multiple waves of follicular growth and regression and can be associated with erratic oestrus behaviour. These transitional heats are not fertile and can be frustrating for broodmare managers and vets.

Factors other than day length, that affect duration of anestrous and onset of spring transition include; latitude, climate, age, body condition and nutrition. Mares in good body condition begin cycling on average a month earlier than mares in poor condition. Similarly, an increasing plane of nutrition or grazing green pasture is associated with earlier returns to cycling. Younger mares cycle earlier than older mares. Ambient temperature is also a factor.

A New Zealand study looking at reproductive performance of Thoroughbred mares in the Waikato region, showed light exposure significantly increased the odds of dry mares conceiving by the end of the season. This occurred due to a combination of an increased first cycle pregnancy rate and increased number of service opportunities in a season. The start of mating to conception interval was also shorter in dry mares under lights.

Light protocol

An artificial light protocol should begin 60 days prior to the start of the mating as mares still need to transition. It is generally agreed that a minimum of 14.5 hours of continuous light, at an intensity of 107 lux (100-watt bulb) is required.

A common regime is to extend light exposure at the end of the day giving 15-16 hours of light followed by 8-9 hours of dark. This is easily implemented by housing or yarding mares

in the evening with lights coming on before dusk and with a timer to turn them off a few hours later.

Alternatively, breeders may choose to use a light mask such as an Equilume, which directs light to a single eye. These masks are programmed to turn on before dusk and off 5-6 hours later. The masks enable mares to be managed at pasture, reducing labour, bedding and feed costs associated with indoor housing. Under New Zealand conditions this can be a good alternative to housing and yarding mares for light exposure.

Providing artificial light to simulate increased day length before the start of breeding in dry mares is relatively easy and can significantly improve reproductive performance.

A filly that starts her breeding career under lights and is placed under lights when dry (not in foal) has on average 3 more foals over the span of her breeding career.

Rochelle Kerr BVS, BAgSci, DipAgSci CVA

June 10, 2020

Atypical Myopathy – June 2020

Atypical myopathy is a painful and potentially fatal muscle disease caused by a toxin found in the seeds of trees of the genus Acer, for example the sycamore tree and box elder tree. The disease is most commonly seen at this time of the year so it is important to take steps to prevent it!

Horses that develop AM are often kept on sparse pastures containing an accumulation of dead leaves, wood, and trees, and these animals often are not fed any supplementary hay or feed. The seeds are not palatable for horses but animals grazing on poor quality pasture may ingest sufficient amounts to result in signs of disease.

Prevention:

Horse owners are advised to identify these trees on or near grazing land and take steps to prevent the seeds falling where they are in reach of horses, including:

Restrict access to seeds by using temporary fencing
Ensure horses have access to good quality uncontaminated pasture
Move horses off pasture at times of risk
Provide supplementary feed in the field to minimize the risk of horses being tempted to ingest seeds
Be aware that a field without sycamore trees can still contain seeds spread by high winds or flood waters
Monitor horses closely to pick up any signs of a problem in the early stages

MVS Equine at COVID-19 Alert Level 2

May 13, 2020

On Thursday, 14th May when the country drops to alert level 2 we will continue to provide all of our usual essential services in a way that is safe for both our clients and our staff.

As outlined by the Government we must continue to maintain social distancing and follow strict hygiene protocols to keep everyone safe, and we must also maintain a system for contact tracing recording. This means every visitor or client to the clinic will be asked to sign in and out to ensure we are meeting our contact tracing obligations.

The clinic building will be open to clients however this will be on a restricted basis. This means only one client at a time will be permitted in reception and we continue to encourage you to phone ahead of time to coordinate the collection of supplies and dropping off of samples outside the clinic. We ask that clients accompanying horses to remain in their vehicles during treatment unless required to be present.

If you have recently travelled, have had contact with a known infected person, are exhibiting cold or flu-like symptoms or are currently in self isolation for any reason (confirmed COVID or COVID household) please stay home! If your horse must be seen please let us know – it must be brought in by someone else and will be taken off that person by a nurse and handled with PPE. Please be aware that providing veterinary care under these conditions takes more time and effort than normal.

We understand how difficult and challenging this period has been for so many and we want to say a heartfelt thank you to you all for your positivity and continued support.

MVS Equine at COVID-19 Alert Level 3

April 23, 2020

On Tuesday the 28^th April when the country drops to alert level 3 we move from being able to provide emergency veterinary services only to being able to provide all of our usual essential services for your horses and businesses. This means we can start booking in work that we routinely perform this time of year, including branding, castrations, lameness work-ups and surgeries.

However, the Government is very clear that we must provide these services in a way that safe for both our clients and our staff. We must maintain social distancing and our services will remain contactless to keep everyone safe. This means our hospital building will continue to be a staff-only zone like it was in Level 4, and there will be no physical interaction between staff and clients. There is a strict no-hand-shake policy in force and hands must be sanitized frequently. All horses will be taken from you on arrival at the hospital and held by a nurse for the exam. Please remain in your vehicle for the duration of the exam/procedure. If you need to collect supplies or drop off samples please phone ahead of time in order to coordinate a collection time – all supplies will be collected from outside the building.

BACK TO PREVIOUS PAGE