74 | nzdairy New purpose-built clinic in Marton Kristina Dykes, one of the business owners at SRVS. Karen Phelps Southern Rangitikei Veterinary Services (SRVS) has expanded its presence in the region with the opening of a new purpose-built clinic in Marton, which opened its doors in early June. Boasting two surgical suites, a dental suite, and a fully lead-lined X-ray room, the clinic is set to provide enhanced services to the local community and represents a signi cant upgrade from the previous smaller facility in the town. “It’s quite invigorating for the town to have businesses investing here and servicing their needs. We are really showing our commitment to the area,” says Kristina Dykes, one of the business owners at SRVS. This expansion aligns with SRVS’s long-standing dedication to the Southern Rangitikei region, where the practice has been operating since 1980. The new clinic complements SRVS’s existing headquarters in Bulls, which was completed in the year 2003. Together, these clinics enable SRVS to offer a comprehensive range of veterinary services for both large and small animals, says Kristina. Its increased local presence is also important as SRVS is focusing on a pressing issue affecting local farmers: the increasing prevalence of facial eczema. This condition, which affects sheep, cattle, goats, deer, and alpacas, is becoming more common in the region due to warming temperatures. “We are probably getting to where the northern end of the country was a few years ago. With warming temperatures, we are now getting more cases, so farmers are a bit behind the eight ball here in preparing for facial eczema.” The veterinary practice is taking a proactive approach to help farmers combat this challenge. SRVS offers a spore count service, where technicians collect weekly samples from various sites around the area, covering different soil types and climates. This data is then emailed to clients, allowing them to monitor the risk trends in their area. “As soon as levels go up, farmers need to instigate their prevention plan,” Kristina advises. “Once they see clinical signs, it’s too late to stop the disease progressing.” She notes that facial eczema often presents sub clinically, meaning visible signs like puffy faces or peeling skin are just the tip of the iceberg.” Prevention strategies vary depending on the farm’s grazing regime and crops. Many prevention methods involve administering zinc, either through DAIRY SERVICES » Southern Rangitikei Veterinary Services water for dairy cows or via boluses for younger cattle and sheep. Grazing management is also crucial, with farmers needing to identify and manage high-risk paddocks, typically warm or north-facing areas with shelter. “It’s an awful disease, and there is no cure, so early prevention is critical,” says Kristina. “In severe cases, we have to put the animal down. The effect on following season can also be profound as animals without visible symptoms may suffer liver damage, leading to production losses.” The practice offers a wide range of services for farm animals, including hoof trimming, reproductive management, pregnancy scanning, mastitis prevention programmes, animal health plans, and nutritional advice. For companion animals, SRVS provides services such as vaccinations, micro chipping, diagnostic work-ups, dentistry, and surgery. The practice also operates a retail store, offering a comprehensive range of animal health products for both farm and companion animals. As Southern Rangitikei Veterinary Services continues to grow and adapt to the changing needs of the community, Kristina says the new Marton clinic stands as a testament to its commitment to providing high-quality veterinary care to both local farmers and pet owners.
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