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Team work makes the dream work

Dougal presented inappetent, unsettled and not himself. On clinical exam a very large bladder was found suggesting that he had become ‘blocked’ which is a life-threatening emergency. Dougal was admitted immediately and radiographs revealed that he had stones (aka uroliths) in his urethra and bladder. Uroliths in male dogs are especially risky because they have a narrow urethra (the tube via which urine exits the bladder) and a bone within the penis known as the os penis – this can cause uroliths to get stuck.

Dougal had a procedure to unblock the bladder and then surgery to remove the stones, known as a cystotomy. The uroliths were sent to Minnesota Urolith Centre to determine their mineral composition. Dougal’s uroliths were comprised of ammonium urate which only occurs in ~5% of cases and are usually the result of one of two main underlying causes – genetics or abnormalities with the liver vessels.

A bile acid stimulation (BAS) test was performed to test liver function, and the result suggested an abnormality in his liver. Dougal was then referred to the internal medicine specialists at Auckland Referral Centre (ARC) where he underwent a CT scan which identified a liver shunt – this is an abnormal vessel causing blood to bypass the liver. The liver is very important for detoxification of the blood; because toxins were not being eliminated appropriately this lead to a build-up of ammonia and consequently the uroliths. Other clinical signs include stunted growth, gastrointestinal signs and in worst cases seizures.

The specialist soft tissue surgeons at ARC then performed an intricate surgery to tie-off the abnormal vessel. We recently repeated the BAS test which showed that Dougal’s liver is now functioning normally. Dougal has been a star patient and loves coming to the practice and getting lots of attention from our wonderful staff.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the amazing team at Auckland Referral Centre for their assistance and support with this case; and also to thank Dougal’s owners for entrusting us with his care.

Fireworks tips for your pets

While Guy Fawkes night, and the week leading up to and following, can bring joy to many children and adults alike, unfortunately the same cannot be said for many of our pets.

Every year we speak to concerned pet owners about ways in which we can help our pets through this challenging time, and we do have some helpful tips and products at our disposal.

1. Keep your pets indoors for the evenings with cat and dog doors closed for the night, or as much of the night as your pet will allow. Pulling all curtains early on so pets cannot see the fireworks can also help.
2. Make sure dogs are wearing their collars (with registration tag attached) and all contact details are up to date if pets are microchipped, in case they should escape. If your pets are not microchipped and you are on the fence about it, it is a good time to get in and get it done.
3. Putting on the TV or radio early in the evening can help to muffle the noise of the fireworks however don’t have it so loud as to unsettle your pets if they aren’t used to it.
4. Providing a covered crate, igloo, cardboard boxes or a safe hiding spot for pets to retreat to can help.
5. Providing a new toy or treats as a distraction.

For some pets, the above preparations are not enough to help and that’s where shop products and/or medication can be of assistance.

1. Calmex – This is an oral calming supplement that can be purchased in the shop for both cats and dogs. It is safe for long-term use and we recommend purchasing and trialing for a couple of days prior to the first lot of fireworks so dose rates can be altered if needed. More information can also be found – https://www.vetplus.co.uk/products/calmex-2/
2. Feliway and Adaptil – These are pheromone sprays, infusers and collars that assist in creating a calming, secure environment for your pet. Our nurses are always happy to discuss these in depth to help choose the right product for your animal. More information can also be found – https://www.ceva.com.au/Products/Companion-animals/Behaviour
3. Thundershirts – These are tight shirts worn by your pet in periods of stress. They provide gentle, constant pressure to calm all types of anxiety, fear, and over-excitement, much like swaddling a baby. More information can be found – https://thundershirt.co.nz/
4. Medication – Our vets are always more than happy to see any pets who struggle through Guy Fawkes each year or those which have a nervous disposition, to see if medication is a suitable option. Please do not hesitate to call the clinic to discuss this option with one of our nurses.

Farewell TB

Something in the water at the MVS Small Animal Clinic?

The time has come again for us to farewell Vet Nurse Toni as she heads off to welcome a second little one to the family. Toni and Chris are incredibly excited to be adding to their family and we are sure Amelia is going to make the best big sister. We wish them all the best and can’t wait for some newborn cuddles soon.

Mycoplasma Haemofelis

Albie was presented to MVS Small Animals as he wasn’t eating as many biscuits as normal, wasn’t hunting like usual and was sleeping a lot.  When we examined him, we found he had lost weight, had pale gums, and had an increased heart and breathing rate.

We decided that we needed more information to try and pinpoint exactly what was going on with Albie.  This uncovered that he was anaemic (had less red blood cells than normal) and had a blood parasite called Mycoplasma Haemofelis.  This parasite attaches to the red blood cells and the body destroys the cells as it fights the infection.

Albie was a very sick cat but once we knew what was wrong with him we could start treatment.  He was started on a long course of the antibiotic Doxycycline to directly kill the parasite, and the steroid prednisolone to stop the body from attacking its own red blood cells.  Albie was given intravenous fluid therapy, and was syringe fed by both the MVS nurses, and then his committed parents over the next 2 weeks as he slowly recovered.

Mycoplasma Haemofelis is thought to be spread by fleas, mosquitos or ticks, or can be spread by infected cats fighting and biting each other. So, the best thing you can do to try and prevent Mycoplasma infection is to be vigilant with flea treatment and try and prevent cat fights.

Unusual skin condition – in the words of Baz Lurhmann ‘wear sunscreen’

Handsome man Mac came to us for a second opinion for a non-healing sore nose. Dr Charlie took some samples to look at in house and started him on a course of antibiotics to see how well he responded and also prepare him for biopsies of the nose to be taken under general anaesthetic.

With the help of our wonderful SVS laboratory pathologists and some extra help from dermatologists overseas, a working diagnosis of Discoid Lupus Erythematosus was made. This condition is caused by the body attacking its own cells (immune mediated) and exposure to sunlight is thought to be a possible trigger.  Most commonly it effects middle aged long-nose breeds such as Collies, German Shepherds and Huskies; and can affect a few different areas including the nose, eyes and lips. With the nose in particular the main clinical signs are changes in pigment colour, scaling and ulceration which can be quite painful.

Fortunately for Mac his owners were very keen to try the best treatment options for him and he was started on a topical immune modulating cream as well as daily pet sunscreen.

One month after treatment Mac is showing a vast improvement and although it may take a long time for the colour to return to normal (if ever) the ulceration is all but gone and he is a very good boy for his daily cream applications.

We love seeing Mac for his check-ups and he always seems happy to see us too!

Farewell Sophie

It is with great sadness that we are farewelling our wonderful vet Sophie. Sophie has been a much-loved member of our team for the last year and a half and has made special bonds with many of our clients and their pets in that time.

Sophie’s highlights from her time with us have been some of the more complex cases and surgeries she has been involved with, but she has also found it rewarding working more routine care cases as well. She has loved the small-town community feel of Matamata and meeting all the wonderful clients that call it home. Sophie came to MVS Small Animals as a new graduate and has appreciated the support of the entire team in finding her feet in this challenging but exciting profession.

We would like to wish Sophie all the best in her new role, we know she is going to achieve great things.

Temporary Closure of Late Nights

From the 24th of June, MVS Small Animals will not be running the late-night Thursday clinic (5-7pm) for a couple of months.

We apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.  Saturday morning consults will still run as per normal (8.30am – 12.00pm).

Summer safety for our pets

With the arrival of long sunny days, it’s a good time to touch upon some points to help our 4-legged family members stay comfortable and safe this summer.

Unfortunately, we tend to see an increase in heat stroke cases over the summer months. There can be a few contributing factors but the main causes we see are pets being left in vehicles and pets exercising in the heat of the day. Heat stroke can progress very quickly and is, in some cases, fatal.

By following some simple guidelines, we can decrease our pets’ chances of overheating.

• NEVER leave your pet alone in a parked car, even if temperatures feel tolerable to you. Temperatures rise in parked cars incredibly quickly and our pets have minimal abilities to sweat and cool themselves down, resulting in increased panting and subsequently, overheating.
• Exercise pets in the morning or evening when temperatures are cooler and if possible, stick to shaded areas.
• Always provide clean, fresh water both inside and outside and if possible, take water on walks.
• Provide access to as much shade as possible if dogs are outside – trees, kennels, garage, porch etc.
• Provision of a paddling pool. The clam shell pools are great, even for larger dogs that cannot lie in them. Dogs can cool down quickly via cooling their paws so many large dogs also enjoy simply standing in cold water.

Farewell Kylie

As of next Friday our wonderful Vet Kylie will be hanging up her scrubs for the last time and leaving us to go on maternity leave.

We know clients and staff alike are going to miss Kylie’s enthusiasm, knowledge, dedication and bubbliness around the clinic but we cannot wait for her to come back and visit us with her little one in the not too distant future.

We wish Kylie, Tom, and the boys all the best for the arrival of their wee baby girl.

Preventative Gastropexy

Are your pets vaccinations up to date for the summer holidays?

This is just a timely reminder that if you are planning to put your pets into kennels or catteries over the summer holidays, it is a good idea to check their vaccination books now to make sure their vaccinations are up to date. In some instances, if the vaccination has lapsed by more than a few weeks, we may need to give 2 lots of vaccinations 1 month apart. We would hate to see this left too late and potentially interfere with your pet’s ability to go to the kennels or cattery.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us at the clinic if you do not have your vaccination book but need to check your pet’s vaccination status.

Farewell Kayla

It is with great Sadness that we bid Kayla farewell after 2.5 years with our team.

Kayla is the glue that has held our retail team together, making sure we always have products on our shelves, medications out back and the many other jobs that go along with stocking a vet clinic that no one sees.
Some of you may have met Kayla at reception when she has helped cover the desk or answer phones when we have been flat tack.
Kayla has also been found from time to time snuggled up in a kennel with a pet recovering from anaesthetic or with that special patient who just needs a little extra love.

We wish Kayla all the best on her next endeavour but know she will absolutely flourish in her new role.

Welcome Kim

MVS Small Animals are thrilled to welcome Kim to our team.

Kim is our new Veterinary Receptionist and will be your first point of contact on arrival.

Kim has previously worked at MVS equine in an Equine Technician role.  She also has experience in retail, banking, customer services, office administration, has been a business owner and is a personal trainer.  So, she will keep us all on our toes.

Outside of work Kim enjoys chilling with her 2 sons Xavier and Zach, as well as her dog Kova.  She loves to bake (but tends to eat it all, so baking isn’t too often!) Kim also enjoys upcycling furniture when she has the time.

Farewell Paris

The time has fast approached for us to wish our wonderful Vet Nurse Paris all the best as she heads off on maternity leave. Paris started her journey with us as a student, became a much loved member of our team in 2020 and we are so excited to see her head off on this new adventure of motherhood. Paris is an incredibly hard worker, huge advocate for patients under her care and a bubbly force within our team. We know she will be missed by staff, patients and clients alike and we wish her and her partner all the best.

Patient: Polly

Polly is a 4 month old “Polydactyl” kitten. Polydactyl meaning she has extra toes (4 extra toes in total).

Polly was brought into MVS for a routine spey surgery (desexing).

She was weighed and health checked before being placed into a warm cage with a catnip mouse (the catnip can help calm our feline patients).

Polly was first given a small injection under the skin to relax her and provide some pain relief for her surgery. She was then anaesthetised with an injection into her vein by Dr Susan and nurse Paris.

Polly was kept anaesthetised via an endotracheal tube that was placed down the back of her throat into her trachea. This was attached to the anaesthetic machine and enabled the anaesthetic and oxygen to pass into her lungs.

Her tummy was then clipped in preparation for surgery. Dr Susan prepped herself for surgery by scrubbing her hands and arms with special chlorhexidine scrub, she also had a surgical cap, mask and gown – this is to ensure sterility in surgery. Nurse Paris cleaned the shaved area of Polly’s tummy, then transferred her to the surgical suite where she had a sterile surgical clean.

Once all the preparations were completed a sterilised drape (with a hole in the middle of it) was placed over Polly’s abdomen. Sterilised instruments were opened and laid out by Dr Susan who then performed the spey surgery. Nurse Paris monitored Polly’s anaesthetic during surgery. Once surgery was completed, Polly was woken up and transferred to recovery where she was continued to be kept warm and monitored. Polly was given an injection of pain relief and discharged later in the day with some more pain relief to go home with for the next 3 days.

Polly recovered well and was back home hanging out with her best 4-legged canine friend in no time

Welcome Vet Nurse Liz

Patient : Max

Patient : Murphy

Murphy is a 7-month-old Labrador who was playing chicken with the ute and got clipped by a wheel. He was brought into MVS and on examination was full of energy with nothing abnormal detected. He presented again 4 days later with heavy breathing.

When Murphy walked through the door, his energy levels were so high (picture whole body wagging and wanting a pat from everyone) that it was very difficult to see that he was struggling to breathe. When we observed him from a distance (getting too close lead to excitement “pat me” “love me” Labrador behaviour) the heavy breathing was confirmed.  Murphy was then sedated and taken straight into radiology for chest x rays.

On X-ray, it was evident that something was very wrong. The line where his diaphragm should have been (the thin muscle that divides the abdominal contents from the heart and lungs) was absent and it appeared that his stomach was in his chest.

We assumed at the time that he had a diaphragmatic hernia which was likely caused by the trauma from being clipped by the ute earlier in the week.  Murphy’s owners were keen to proceed with surgery.

Murphy was prepped for surgery and when his abdomen was opened, it was clear the diaphragm had indeed ruptured. His stomach, liver and a portion of his small intestine were in his chest.   Dr. Alex and Dr. Kylie got to work quickly to repair the diaphragm and remove the abdominal contents from his chest.  This allowed Murphy to breathe a lot easier!!!!

We are very pleased to share that Murphy has made a full recovery and everyone is hoping he won’t ever play chicken with the farm vehicle again.

We thank Murphy’s family for allowing us to share this story.

Proud to again pass our recent BEST PRACTICE audit

MVS Small Animals has been a BESTPRACTICE Accredited Practice since 2012.

The NZ Veterinary Association BESTPRACTICE Scheme is a voluntary accreditation programme for Vet Clinics in NZ and promotes a high standard of professionalism and service.

Our practice is audited by an independent auditor every 2 years.  This programme focuses on ongoing evaluation of practice protocols for maintaining a high level of excellence in surgical, medical, diagnostic and nursing fields.

Thanks to our great team, for achieving and being part of this fantastic recognition from the NZ Veterinary Association.

Farewell Dr Alex

WELCOME SOPHIE

Sophie joined MVS in January 2023 and works with both MVS Small Animals and MVS Farm teams.

Sophie was a Massey University graduate and spent time with MVS on her university placements and loves being part of our team!

Sophie grew up with an array of her own animals over the hill in rural Tauranga and has wanted to be a Vet since day one!

Outside of work Sophie enjoys going to the beach and local waterholes with her dog, adventuring outside and exploring the beautiful walks in NZ, going to the gym, and socialising with her friends and family.

Patient: Augustus

Patient: Oscar

Patient Pablo

Cute little Pablo came into the clinic for a checkup as he had suddenly started a hacking cough and clearing his throat.

These symptoms can be due to many different things. Pablo had not responded to anti-inflammatory medication prescribed, so we decided to do a little more investigation and gave Pablo a short general anesthetic. This allowed us to have a close look at the back of the throat and a little way into the nasopharynx (where the back of the nasal passages joins to the back of the throat). Using a retractor, we could look a little way behind the soft palate and noticed a tip of a grass blade peeking out!

We were able to remove the grass blade gently – it was much larger than expected. Such a long blade of grass hiding in the nasopharynx of a tiny puppy- no wonder he was coughing and snorting!

Foreign material becoming stuck in the nasopharynx can sometimes happen- a pet may eat then vomit grass or insects, which then get stuck behind the soft palate rather than coming out of the mouth. Symptoms can include retching, gagging, or coughing. Sometimes the symptoms are more noticeable when the pet is eating and swallowing.

We can often find the foreign material by having a look right at the back of the mouth under general anesthesia. Sometimes more advanced imaging such as endoscopy (using a little camera) or a CT scan to look deeper into the nasopharynx is required.

Have a look through the photos to see the blade of grass in the mouth and its size when removed.

For those interested, Pablo’s breed is a Griffon.

Visiting us under Level Red of the COVID protection framework:

We are doing our very best to continue to provide excellent care and services to you and your pets.

It is however becoming increasingly important that we do everything we can to limit potential exposure of COVID to our clients and within our staff.

If a Covid case should occur within our staff, we run the risk of being unable to open and therefore being unable to offer any of our services (including emergencies) for an ongoing period of time.

It is for this reason we ask you to please understand why we are so strict with our rules.

Please remember:

• Scan in on arrival.
• Always wear a mask.
• Phone or email ahead to order medications to minimise time in the clinic.
• Vaccine pass required to enter consultation rooms.
• Only one client per consultation (unless exceptional circumstances).
• If there are too many people in the clinic, we may ask you to wait outside.
• Please be aware how close you are to others and staff.
• If you are feeling unwell, coughing, sneezing or fever – please reschedule your appointment.

Thank you for supporting us as we navigate through these difficult times, we understand this can all seem very impersonal but please trust we are doing our very best to protect everyone and ensure we can continue to operate.

Take care

The MVS Small Animal Team

Hot Weather

With the hot weather approaching, humans are not the only ones that are likely to be feeling the heat. Our furry friends are at risk of overheating just as much if not more than we are. Dogs, especially those with thick fur and brachycephalics (short nosed breeds) can find it hard to regulate their temperature which can lead to heat stroke. Signs of this include panting, drooling, collapse and coma. Heat stroke is an emergency and most animals who get hyperthermia need to be seen by a vet to help reduce their core temperature back to normal.
If you are worried about overheating visit your Veterinarian ASAP and remember to start cooling your pet before arriving at the vet clinic as heatstroke can be very serious and rapidly fatal.
Photo cred: istock

Traffic Light Covid-19 Management

Under the orange level of the COVID protection framework.

We can provide all of our services, but as we are a close contact service in some areas in the clinic, some of our systems will be different.

We understand this is confusing so we will guide you through your visit but please be patient.

Retail Shop and Reception

• No entry if any cold or flu symptoms
• Contact tracing required
• Masks compulsory
• You must stay over 1m from other clients and staff

Consultations and Surgical Bookings

If you feel comfortable advising us of your vaccination status when making a booking, we will verify your vaccination certificate on arrival at the clinic.

If you prefer not to disclose your vaccination status, we are happy to offer a contactless service (like in COVID level 3 and 4).  Your pet will be examined with a vet and nurse in the consult room while you remain in the reception area, or outside in your car.  We will then communicate findings and make a treatment plan.

We ask you please be patient with our protocols and understand this is a business necessity to protect clients and staff and allow us to continue to provide our services under the new government legal framework.

Look after each other

Take care

The MVS Small Animal Team

Pet Safe Summer

The start of summer is the perfect time to get a refresh on pet safety to protect your pets, your children and yourself whilst out in public.

Kids’ and dogs’ often meet at the park, out walking or at friends’ houses. To help reduce the likelihood of a dog snapping at or harming a child here are some dog safety tips to tell the kids:

• Check it’s sweet before you meet!
• To understand – they sniff your hand!
• To meet a pup – ask a grown-up!
• If a dog has a snack – keep well back!
• Keep your face – out of their space!
• Don’t run and shout – it freaks us out!
• A dog is not a toy – don’t tease and annoy!
• Quiet and slow – is the way to go!

Farewell Alice

Alice has been part of the Small Animal team for over 5 years.  She has been an integral team member, using her invaluable ultrasound skills to help many patients.

Alice is taking a position closer to her home in Tauranga and will continue following her passion in Veterinary Ultrasound.

We would like to thank Alice for all her hard work and dedication to her patients and we wish her all the best in her new adventures.

Pet Insurance

Pet Insurance is more popular now than ever in New Zealand with many choices for insurance, these include:

• Southern Cross
• Pet Plan
• Pet-n-sur
• AA Pet Insurance
• PD Insurance
• Pet insurance companies all structure their policies in different ways, so it is very important to read the policy and assess what they cover and their payment terms and conditions.