The Vet Clinic Wairarapa Production Animal

The Vet Clinic Wairarapa Production Animal Some of our large animal clients prefer to contact us through Facebook - this page is to make it easier for you to do that!

You can contact our large animal vets to discuss cases, book an appointment, or order products.

Wairarapa region sitting at under 200000 spore count 🧬.Keep bringing those grass samples in for testing!Staying vigilant...
29/01/2026

Wairarapa region sitting at under 200000 spore count 🧬.
Keep bringing those grass samples in for testing!
Staying vigilant helps protect your animals.

29/01/2026

Today Dr Sara is talking about PINKEYE in sheep 🐑. Grab a cold one 🍺 and have a listen as she talks through what to look out for and how to manage it.
As always, if you have any concerns or questions get in touch with The Vet Clinic 📞 06 378 2662 - we're here to help.

28/01/2026

🌿🐑 Facial Eczema Spore Counting – Know Your Risk

Facial eczema is caused by a fungus that grows on dead pasture at the base of the sward. In warm, humid conditions it produces a toxin that damages the liver and can lead to photosensitivity in stock.

The best way to know your risk level? Bring in a pasture sample for a spore count.

Spore numbers are often higher:
• On north & west facing slopes
• In sheltered paddocks
• Where there’s a lot of pasture litter at ground level

✂️ How to collect a pasture sample

✔ Cut pasture 1 cm above ground level
✔ Take samples from at least 5 spots in the paddock (10 m apart)
✔ Include slopes and flats
✔ Avoid soil in the sample
✔ Avoid areas heavily sheltered by hedges or trees
✔ We need about a bread bag full of grass

Bring your sample to the clinic the same day if possible. If not, keep it in the fridge overnight.

📞 Questions? Call The Vet Clinic on 06 378 2662 — we’re here to help protect your stock.

🐛 Drench resistance — the silent profit killerThis is the #1 animal health issue facing sheep & beef farmers right now ...
27/01/2026

🐛 Drench resistance — the silent profit killer

This is the #1 animal health issue facing sheep & beef farmers right now — and we don’t have new drench families coming to save us. We have to make what we’ve got work.

Here’s the worrying part:
Only a small number of farmers know their drench status, yet about half of the FECRTs we run show resistance. Most people don’t realise there’s a problem until stock stop growing and FECs blow out — usually in a wet summer/autumn.

Even 5 g/day lost growth across 2000 lambs over 90 days = $3,000+ gone. At 25 g/day, the losses are huge.

💡 The good news? You can farm successfully with drench resistance — if you know what you’re dealing with.

That starts with a Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) to see which drenches still work on your farm. Best time locally is Dec-Feb when worm pressure is high.
There a number of different options for testing so have a chat with Dr Sara to find the best one for your farm.

📞 Want to protect performance and profits?
Call The Vet Clinic on 06 378 2662 to book a FECRT and build a parasite plan that suits your farm.

A story told to me by a farmer who shall remain nameless - but something I'm sure we can all relate to!!"I knew the day ...
26/01/2026

A story told to me by a farmer who shall remain nameless - but something I'm sure we can all relate to!!

"I knew the day was going too well.
The sun was out, the dogs 🐕 were actually listening, and the bike started first go. Those should’ve been my first warnings.
All I had to do was shift a small mob of ewes through to the back paddock. Easy job. “Won’t take long,” I said. Out loud. Like an idiot.

Got them lined up nicely, dogs doing a textbook job. I’m feeling like a stock-handling legend. Might even write a book 🤣.
Then one ewe 🐑 stops. Just… stops. Looks at me. Looks at the gap. Decides she absolutely does not, under any circumstances, believe in gates.
She turns. The one behind her turns. Then 60 sheep perform a coordinated manoeuvre NASA would be proud of and head straight for the one bit of fencing held together by hope and an old piece of baling twine .

Down it goes ⬇️.

Sheep everywhere. Dogs lose their minds. I lose my dignity. The neighbour appears. Of course he does! Front row seat. Arms folded. Not helping.
I do that fast-but-casual walk farmers do when everything is absolutely not under control!
Twenty minutes later, sheep are back, fence is “fixed”, and I’m covered in sweat, dust, and poor decisions.
Neighbour goes, “Bit lively today?”

Yeah mate … went pretty much to plan 🤔".

Here’s our first FE Level Indicator wheel for the season, showing an overview of the Wairarapa region.As always, this is...
23/01/2026

Here’s our first FE Level Indicator wheel for the season, showing an overview of the Wairarapa region.
As always, this is a regional snapshot only — if you’re worried about what’s happening on YOUR farm, with YOUR stock, it’s crucial to take samples from your own paddocks and bring them into THE VET CLINIC for testing.

The cost of a Facial Eczema spore count is small compared to the financial losses and animal health and welfare impacts if stock succumb to FE.
Remember: if you’re seeing the blisters or lesions, the liver damage has already occurred.

Stay ahead of it — testing early makes all the difference.

22/01/2026

🐈 "I think my cat has facial eczema - can I give it Zinc?"
This is not a silly question, but is it safe to use a treatment made for one species on another?
👂Take a listen to Dr Sara as she explains why using species-specific treatments matter - and why giving Zinc (or any animal remedy) to the wrong species is not recommended.
A good reminder that when it comes to animal health, one size definitely does not fit all!

We love sharing tips, tricks, and a bit of farm chaos with you — but now it’s your turn. What do YOU want to see on our ...
19/01/2026

We love sharing tips, tricks, and a bit of farm chaos with you — but now it’s your turn. What do YOU want to see on our page? Seasonal tips, animal health advice, farm humor, or even just some light-hearted rural laughs?

Drop your suggestions in the comments below⬇️ faster than a Huntaway spotting the biscuit bag open — we’re all ears! 👂😆

Your input helps us make our posts practical, fun, and relevant for the farmers and lifestyle block owners of Wairarapa - and not forgetting our followers further afield either. Thanks for being part of the The Vet Clinic Wairarapa community! 🌾🐑🐄

🌿 New Friday Feature – Facial Eczema Risk Level Update! 🌿Farmers and lifestyle block owners — we know keeping on top of ...
16/01/2026

🌿 New Friday Feature – Facial Eczema Risk Level Update! 🌿

Farmers and lifestyle block owners — we know keeping on top of facial eczema (FE) risk is crucial for your stock’s health. That’s why we’re launching a weekly Friday update, giving you the latest FE risk level in the Wairarapa region.

💬 Why it matters: High FE levels can damage livers and cause painful sunburns in sheep and cattle — and you often don’t see the signs until it’s too late.

📅 When: Every Friday - starting 23 January
📍 Where: Right here on our page

📌 Get involved: Bring your grass samples into The Vet Clinic for testing — the more samples we test, the more accurate and useful our information will be for everyone in the region. The cost is minimal, and the information could save your stock a lot of stress and damage.

Stay ahead of the season, plan your prevention, and keep your stock safe. Make Fridays your FE check-in day! 🐑🐄

15/01/2026

New form, same test, correct result 🧪
Today Dr Sara is beaming out of the Lab again - this time talking about poo samples 💩 and whether you should be selecting 'composite' or 'individual' on the form.
Which one's right for your samples and how does it affect your results?
Have a watch and find out, and as always, give us a ti**le 📞 06 378 2662 if you have any question - we're always happy to help!

🐑 Stock Heading Off Alone? Here’s Why 🐄If your sheep, cattle, or goats are separating from the mob, it’s usually a warni...
14/01/2026

🐑 Stock Heading Off Alone? Here’s Why 🐄

If your sheep, cattle, or goats are separating from the mob, it’s usually a warning sign. Common reasons include:

Feeling unwell or in pain
Stress or fear from dogs, noise, or new animals
Seeking shade, water, or cooler areas
Pregnancy or birthing behaviour

💬 Keep an eye on them: early detection can prevent bigger problems. If an animal seems off or refuses to eat/drink, call your vet — catching issues early saves health, productivity, and stress.

Address

24 Lincoln Road
Masterton
5810

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 5:30pm
Thursday 8am - 5:30pm
Friday 8am - 5:30pm
Saturday 9am - 1pm

Telephone

+6463782662

Website

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