Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa

Home
New Zealand
Auckland
Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa

VSA brings you the very best in an animal hospital providing advanced veterinary care for cats & dogs

01/09/2025

🌟 Meet Daisy, the star of the village AND our ultrasound table! 🌟

Daisy was referred by her family vet to our Auckland West Hospital for an abdominal ultrasound to check on her elevated liver enzymes which were found during routine bloodwork.

She was such a good girl throughout the whole procedure!

After her scan, Daisy and her mum Colleen met with Dr. Mike Coleman, one of our internal medicine specialists to go over the results. Together, they've made a plan to keep a close eye on things with a follow-up ultrasound in a few weeks.

28/08/2025

Meet Marco 😺

Marco is a 10-month-old cat who was referred to our Sylvia Park Hospital with persistent left forelimb lameness following a suspected cat fight in June. Despite initial treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatories, his condition hadn't improved.

Our surgical resident Dr. Ryan Philips conducted a thorough examination, noting severe lameness and pain in Marco’s left shoulder. Advanced diagnostic imaging (computed tomography and musculoskeletal ultrasound) revealed the culprit: minute foreign bodies near the left shoulder with an associated abscess.

Surgical intervention was indicated. Dr. Philips and our small animal surgical specialist, Dr. Richard Jerram, successfully removed the foreign material and debrided the infected tissue. The foreign bodies? Small tooth fragments from his opponent! 🦷

Post-operative recovery was excellent. Marco was immediately affectionate with the team and was discharged the following day with significantly improved mobility.

We’re hopeful that Marco has learned to avoid future cat fights, and we will certainly miss his sweet purrs and cuddles around the clinic! 💙

24/08/2025

Staff Pet Sunday 💫

Meet Dennis - the menace! 🐾

Dennis belongs to Hazel, one of our amazing Emergency Nurses! This handsome boy was brought into the clinic where Hazel was working, and it was love at first sight – she knew he was coming home with her! 💕

Dennis is the CHATTIEST cat you'll ever meet 🗣️ His meow could wake the neighbors, and he insists on giving Hazel a full rundown of his day every time she walks through the door. One swish of that gorgeous bushy tail and he gets whatever he wants.

His royal highness only drinks running water from the sink – still water is unacceptable for him 💧

But despite his diva tendencies, he's the ultimate cuddle bug who loves movie nights curled up in bed.

He is Hazel's absolute pride and joy! 🥰

21/08/2025

🦴 Meet Yogurt ⁠

⁠ This brave little warrior came to see Dr. Josie Beck at our Animal Emergency department at Auckland West after he was found injured from a suspected car accident.

Dr. Beck stabilised Yogurt before transferring him to one of our small animal surgery registrars, Dr. Greg Lukaszewicz.⁠

Yogurt was diagnosed with multiple pelvic fractures, bilateral sacroiliac luxation (this means the joints that connect the spine to the pelvis were dislocated on both sides), and a left hock fracture/luxation. ⁠

After extensive surgery to repair the fractures of the pelvis and stabilisation of the hock with an external skeletal fixator (, we are pleased to say that Yogurt is doing incredibly well!⁠

This charming guy quickly won over our cat-loving crew, and he was easily bribed with treats during bandage changes for his external skeletal fixator (check out his adorable Batman bandage! 🦇)

18/08/2025

🐾 Meet Libby! 🐾⁠

This sweet girl came to visit us at our Sylvia Park Hospital to have a TPLO (Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy) surgery, after having an initial consultation with our small animal surgery specialist Dr. Richard Jerram in Hamilton. ⁠

A TPLO is a surgical procedure to treat a damaged cranial cruciate ligament in a dog's knee. The cranial cruciate ligament is similar to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the human knee. It is a critical stabilising structure of the joint, and when it is damaged, which is common in dogs, the knee becomes unstable and painful. Most dogs with this condition will have a persistent lameness.⁠

TPLO surgery is considered the gold standard for treating this cranial cruciate ligament injury in dogs, particularly in large, active dogs. The procedure is also well-recognised as being successful in any size dog. The technique is performed by cutting the top of the tibia bone and changing its angle relative to the joint. This alters the biomechanics of the knee so that walking no longer relies on this ligament being fully functional. This leads to more robust joint stability, a faster recovery, and improved long-term comfort with a slower progression of osteoarthritis compared to other cranial cruciate ligament fixation techniques. During hospitalisation, all of our patients are treated with 24-hour veterinary care and high-level pain relief management.⁠

The recovery from this procedure is typically takes 6 weeks, followed by a further 8 to 12 weeks of rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Most dogs return to normal function afterwards, and long-term complications are rare. Our surgeons are very experienced and skilled at this procedure, and we utilise our in-house physiotherapy team as an important adjunct treatment to improve the outcome for patients in the VSA hospital situation.⁠

We are pleased to report that Libby's procedure when very smoothly and despite her sore leg, Libby was all smiles and tail wags for everyone she met in the hospital 💛

After a comfy overnight stay, she headed home to recover — and she’s doing great!⁠

14/08/2025

Te Tihi - South Island 🩺⁠
⁠
Join us for a full day of learning and inspiration at Te Tihi - South Island! ⁠
⁠
This continuing education event for veterinary professionals hosted by us is coming up quickly on the 13th of September, featuring incredible speakers covering a wide variety of topics.⁠
⁠
Don't miss this opportunity to advance your professional development and connect with fellow veterinary professionals.⁠
⁠
Link to register: https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/vsa-te-tihi-2025-south-island-tickets-1511274385369
⁠
*Please note, this event is for veterinary professionals only*

11/08/2025

✨ Lottie’s Road to Recovery ✨⁠

Lottie was referred to us after experiencing severe neck pain and some worrying neurological issues in her front leg.⁠

Lottie saw one of our specialists Dr. Yasmine Messiaen at our Auckland West Hospital, who recommended a CT scan which revealed a traumatic injury to her cervical spine (C6-C7), and she was taken into surgery for a dorsal laminectomy.⁠

A dorsal laminectomy is a significant spinal surgery and requires the skills of our specialist surgeons to relieve pressure on the spinal cord. ⁠

When a patient has a condition which compresses the spinal cord, such as a pr*****ed intervertebral disc, the surgeon removes part of the bone called the "lamina". This is why it's called a laminectomy). This approach is often used for disc problems in the middle or lower back, or when there are multiple discs involved.⁠

The main difference from a ventral slot procedure (see our post on cutie Romeo last week) is the location. A dorsal laminectomy approaches the spinal cord from the top of the spine and removes bone, while ventral slot approaches the spinal cord from the bottom of the spine and removes disc material through a small window.⁠

Recovery is similar - strict rest for weeks followed by gradual return to activity and support from our physiotherapy team.⁠

After 10 days of intensive hospital care with lots of pain management, rehabilitation, and plenty of cuddles from our nursing team, Lottie went home to her family. ⁠

We’re thrilled to report that at her two-week checkup, Lottie is walking beautifully and recovering really well. Go Lottie! 🐶💖

07/08/2025

Earlier this month, Dr. Rosemary Price, our A&E Director, had the opportunity to attend VetStart, a 3-day event for the newly-accepted first year veterinary students which is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of professionals in our field.

She found it genuinely inspiring to meet so many young minds eager to learn, connect, and grow, as well as fellow colleagues from a variety of areas in the veterinary industry who were equally motivated to support our next generation of veterinarians.

All of us in this profession have navigated amazing highs and also some real challenges, and it's our responsibility to guide, mentor, and empower those just starting their journey. Together, we can share our knowledge and experiences, helping to shape not just careers, but futures.

A big shoutout to the Massey University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for creating and hosting such a fantastic event. What an inspiring group of people to work alongside, creating an inclusive and supportive network to nurture our growing veterinarians where everyone feels valued and inspired to make their mark.

Here's to building a brighter veterinary future together! 🌱✨

31/07/2025

Physiotherapy 🐕

Our amazing veterinary physiotherapist Ashley ran a training session at Guide Dogs.

Our VSA Physiotherapy team have been involved with the Blind Foundation and their Guide Dogs to help keep them strong while they are growing and working through their training. In this session, Ashley was showing the handlers and trainers exercises that they can do with the guide dogs on a daily basis to help identify any issues but also to help build strength. This is important to keep working dogs strong, mobile and injury free.

Physiotherapy is essential for working dogs, it helps improve performance, prevent injuries, and support long, healthy careers supporting their handlers. 🐾

27/07/2025

Staff Pet Sunday 💫

Meet Keji (short for Kejimkujik) 🌿

A soft soul with a wild heart. This quirky little queen might be a bit wary of other cats, dogs—even the occasional bird—but once she's outside, it's all about fresh air and frolicking in the grass. (And yes, she’s got a serious obsession with sampling every type of grass she can find! 🌱)

At heart, she’s a total people’s girl—loyal, cuddly, and happiest when she’s curled up right next to her humans. And if you're willing to play, you are her new best friend.

Her mum, one of our Emergency Vets, Dr Bhavya, taught her to sit, stand, twirl, shake paws, and even meow on command! 🐾🎓

A graceful little mystery with a touch of magic. 🐱✨

20/07/2025

Te Tihi 🩺

Join us for a full day of learning and inspiration at Te Tihi - North Island!

This continuing education event for veterinary professionals hosted by us is just around the corner, on the 9th of August, featuring incredible speakers covering a wide variety of topics.

Don't miss this opportunity to advance your professional development and connect with fellow veterinary professionals.

For those in the South Island, keep your eyes peeled for Te Tihi coming your way!

Click here for more information, or to register - https://www.eventbrite.co.nz/e/vsa-te-tihi-2025-north-island-tickets-1405195470479?aff=ebdsoporgprofile

*Please note, this event is for veterinary professionals only*

16/07/2025

Meet Pici (pronounced Peachy)🍑

She presented to our Auckland West Hospital to see Dr Damian Chase, with a suspected foreign body in her right paw. 🐾

With a quick ultrasound by Dr Mike Coleman, a sneaky grass seed was spotted hiding inside! 😱

Thanks to some pain relief and a gentle procedure under anaesthesia, Dr Damian was able to remove it and give Pici some much-needed relief. 💉✨

She went home later that day — a little lighter, a lot happier, and sporting a cute bandage on his paw. 💛

Address

1 Te Apunga Place, Sylvia Park
Auckland
1060

Telephone

09 3205645

Website

http://www.vsahospital.co.nz/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Veterinary Specialists Aotearoa posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Auckland?

Our Story

Veterinary Specialists Auckland is proud to bring you the very best in an animal hospital, with a dedicated team providing advanced surgery, imaging and physiotherapy, together with excellent emergency and after-hours care. We offer clinical expertise with absolute quality of care and our high-tech facility allows us to lead from the front to deliver optimal outcomes for our patients.

Exceptional Care Together

Website https://www.vsahospital.co.nz/