88 | Renowned expertise in animal care From routine check-ups to advanced diagnostics and pain management, the clinic provides comprehensive veterinary care. Alexia Johnston North Canterbury Veterinary Clinics, renowned for their expertise in livestock and companion animal care, also extend their exceptional services to working dogs. While the team cares for all animals, from companion animals, dairy cows, sheep and beef, equine and lifestyle block animals, they acknowledge the critical role working dogs play across the rural sector. With that in mind, a working dog’s health is vital, ensuring they are up to the task of their daily function of rounding up stock over what may be long distances and steep terrain. “These dogs are athletes,” North Canterbury Veterinary Clinics director Kate Anderson said. As a result, it was important they were well nourished and vaccinated to remain in peak condition. The organisation, which has branches in Amberley, Cheviot, Culverden and Waikari, has dedicated vets and nurses for each species of animal, which means ensuring they all get focused species specific care. Given the physical demands placed on working dogs, in particular, the team takes a proactive approach to their health, offering treatments and preventative care to ensure they can perform at their best. From routine check-ups to advanced diagnostics and pain management, the clinic provides comprehensive veterinary care tailored to the unique needs of working dogs, including a vaccination run. During those sessions, the dogs get a thorough overall health check, assisting farmers to keep their essential workers on top of their game. The team has also run evenings to help educate farmers on ways to avoid problems amongst their dogs. RURAL SERVICES » North Canterbury Veterinary Clinic Given the physical demands placed on working dogs, in particular, the team takes a proactive approach to their health. Kate said neutering and a well balanced diet are among the things that can help farmers ensure their dog’s overall health and wellbeing. The clinic plans to expand its working dog health services to offer more on-farm checks and ensure these essential animals receive the care they need. Although they are robust, Kate said working dogs have some unique health challenges, including the need to maintain good body condition and muscle mass. However, when out in the field, protecting them from some injuries can be a challenge, she added. “Just by the nature of the work they do, we see a lot of injuries in dogs that get caught in a fence, fallen off bluffs or injured by livestock.” Also the team sees a lot of orthopaedic injuries including carpal and tarsal injuries, hip dislocation and cruciate ligament ruptures. “It is really common, unfortunately. They cover a huge amount of ground, much like athletes, injury goes hand in hand with the level of work they do.” Kate, who leads the Small animal team at North Canterbury Vet Clinics recently advanced her skills through examination by the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists, sitting the membership exams in small animal surgery successfully. Also integral in the working dog surgery and medicine are veterinarians Tom Dunnett and Sara Bagheri who focus on orthopaedics, while Karen Wilson has further training in ultrasound. Gail Kenyon, one of the few canine rehabilitation veterinarians in the south, offers non-surgical canine rehabilitation, laser and acupuncture treatment. In addition, Brooke Ramsay and Rebekah Lundy head the working dog health service. They are just some of the veterinarians who provide services across the organisation’s clinical team, ensuring all animals across North Canterbury get top of the range care. North Canterbury Veterinary Clinics, which is part of The Vet Company, a collective of like-minded, independent practices, supports its staff through continuing education programmes. The group runs a conference each year in each species and administration group and North Canterbury Vet clinics runs in-house sessions, covering a wide range of topics from emergency care, anaesthesia and bandaging. Participants who attend off site continuing education are then expected to pass their learnings on to the rest of their team. “What we’ve been able to do is build teams that have a very good depth of knowledge in their area,” Kate said. Open seven days a week, North Canterbury Veterinary Clinics is dedicated to delivering exceptional care for every animal, so whether it’s a pampered pet or a hardworking farm dog that needs some attention, the team is here to help.
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