| 71 T T Ange Davidson Top advice to each client King Country Vets caters for a diverse range of species and their associated medical and surgical requirements. King Country Vets CONTRACTING Operating between clinics in Te Kuiti and Piopio, King Country Vets is a mixed animal practice that covers much of Northern King Country. In what is largely sheep and beef country with some dairy, the six- vet team provide large and small animal veterinary services and advice that’s specific to each client and farm. Michael Catley, co-director and vet, says King Country Vets will tailor their advice and care to a person or farm. “Farming businesses work in all sorts of ways, and we try to work with people to promote farm productivity and animal welfare.” “Vets have always been integral to rural communities, and we see ourselves as support to the farming industry. “Our vets spend time getting to know our clients and are attuned to their needs. We realise that one size does not always fit all. We work alongside clients to help them achieve their goals”. How often people engage with veterinary services completely depends on the business, family or farmer and can range from the odd phone call once a year to getting in touch every two weeks. As a business spread over a large rural area, the vet team work out of both clinics, with a rostered working dog and companion animal vet at both Piopio and Te Kuiti, and caters for a diverse range of species and their associated medical and surgical requirements. Both clinics have extensive showrooms stocked with everything from drench, dips and dairy products to bird food and all pet accessories. Northern King Country’s wet and warm climate is a haven for bugs and diseases and creates challenges specific to the area for both farmers and vets. “Common animal health issues like round worms, fly strike, liver fluke, trace mineral deficiencies, yersiniosis and facial eczema occur regularly in these conditions and keep farmers on their toes,” sasy Michael. “The wet weather this year has also affected pasture quality which can keep animals from thriving,” he says. Staffing a rural veterinary practice also has its challenges but these are not just specific to the Waikato. Covid highlighted the difficulty in finding staff and in particular vets, as people worked out how to run a practice during lockdown restrictions and with people on sick leave. It was difficult to find temporary vet cover if someone left and clinics around New Zealand were left to manage with reduced staff. “We need to keep attracting and keeping people in the veterinary industry, not just vets but all staff. “We are fortunate to have a stable and strong base to our team who continue to work and develop any new staff members. We work with student vets, nurses, vet techs and new graduates to try and help secure their future in the rural workforce.” “Our team all live in the community and are involved with young kids, sports teams, and community events. We really care about the people we work for and with and try to give them a great service.” PROUDLY SUPPORTING KING COUNTRY VETS 07 8778 695 dcautorepairs2@gmail.com 11 Huia Street, Piopio 3912 “Totally Dependable” Proud to be the chosen Electrician for King Country Vets www.laserelectrical.co.nz | tekuiti@laserelectrical.co.nz Laser Electrical Te Kuiti M: 027 290 9916 | P: 07 878 8842 • Animal Health Consultancy and Reporting • Dairy, Beef & Heifer Cattle Pregnancy Testing • Sheep & Deer Pregnancy Testing • Companion Animal and Working Dog Medicine & Surgery, including Digital X-rays & Ultrasound • Farm & Companion Animal Health Products Piopio - 07 877 8106 Te Kuiti - 07 878 8137 admin@piopiovets.co.nz www.piopiovets.co.nz
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