Howick Village Vets

Meet Oakley 🐾 This gorgeous two-year-old retriever recently came in to see us for her spay and has recovered beautifully!

A spay is major surgery but is important for preventing unwanted pregnancy and reducing the risk of certain cancers later in life. Because it’s such a significant procedure, pain relief and anesthesia safety are top priorities for us every step of the way.

During surgery, Oakley received gold standard pain relief with a constant rate infusion of opioids. She then went home with a fentanyl patch in place for three days as well as anti inflammatories. This kept her comfortable through that critical post-op period.

And it worked. Just look at that smile! 😊

✨Booking your dog in for a spay?✨
Ask these important questions:
✅ Will my dog be on IV fluids throughout the procedure?
✅ What pain relief will my dog receive, during and after surgery?
✅ Can we do pre-anesthetic bloodwork to catch any hidden conditions before such a major operation?

Our vet team will be happy to walk you through all of it. 💙

❄️🐾 WINTER SMILES SPECIAL 🐾❄️

Your pet’s teeth deserve some love too! This winter, we’re making dental care easy on the wallet.

✨ Scale & Polish — just $350 ✨
(cats & dogs)

Because a healthy mouth = a happier, healthier pet — and nobody wants sneaky dental disease creeping up. 🦷💛

📋 The fine print:
🐶 Pets under 7 years
🩺 Breed safety guidelines apply
❤️ No pre-existing medical conditions

📅 July 21 – August 31 only
📞 Book now: 09 2424324
🔗 Or online: www.howickvillagevets.co.nz

👇 Tag a pet parent who needs to see this!

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🏇➡️🛋️ From the racetrack to the couch… and absolutely loving it! ❤️

Meet Harvey, a handsome retired racing Greyhound who visited us this week for his vaccination booster—and just look at him! 😍

Looking incredibly dapper in his stylish new coat, Harvey has settled beautifully into life with his wonderful new mum and dad, who are completely smitten with him. It’s been such a joy watching him embrace his second chance at life. 🐾💚

Many people are surprised to learn that Greyhounds are some of the gentlest, calmest, and most affectionate dogs you’ll ever meet. Despite their racing background, they’re often champion loungers who are happiest curled up on a comfy couch with their family. 🛋️💤

Harvey is proof that retirement looks pretty amazing! We loved seeing him looking so happy, healthy, and full of confidence.

If you’ve ever thought about welcoming a dog into your family, consider giving a retired racing Greyhound a forever home. You might just meet your very own Harvey. ❤️

Welcome to the Howick Village Vets family, Harvey—we can’t wait to watch you continue to thrive!

💬 Do you know someone who owns a Greyhound? Tag them below!

📍 Howick Village Vets

🐾 FROM FRACTURE TO FOUR PAWS STRONG AGAIN 🐾

Meet Lemmy! 💙🐶

We saw this gorgeous boy last week for his annual vaccinations — and what a special visit it was. Watching Lemmy trot in bright-eyed, happy, and confidently walking on all four legs (including that front left leg!) was one of those moments that reminds us why we love veterinary medicine. 🥹✨

Because it wasn’t always this way…

At just 7 months old, Lemmy suffered a serious medial condyle fracture of the humerus — an elbow fracture involving the growth plate. These fractures are notoriously challenging, especially in young, active dogs, because the elbow joint is complex and healing requires careful management and dedication.

Lemmy required orthopaedic surgery to repair the fracture, followed by a careful recovery period. His journey was supported by his incredible family, who put in the time, patience, and commitment needed to give him the best chance of a successful outcome. ❤️

Then watch the reel to see his before and after X-rays (the difference is amazing)🩻
and Lemmy today… happy, comfortable, and back to being his playful self. 🐾

Lemmy’s recovery is a beautiful reminder that with the right treatment, teamwork, and a little bit of patience, amazing outcomes are possible. 💙

Thank you to Lemmy and his family for trusting us with his care — we are so proud of you, little man! 🐶

🐾 MEET SKIPPER — OUR BRAVE LITTLE PATIENT TODAY 🐾

Skipper is a gorgeous 6-year-old girl who came to see us with a cough that just wouldn’t quit. 😮‍💨

Her cough had been slowly developing over several months, and her chest X-rays showed changes consistent with chronic bronchitis — long-term inflammation of the airways.

But the big question remained… why was this happening? 🤔
Was it allergies? Infection? Inflammation? Something else?

To get the answers, Skipper underwent a Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) — a specialised procedure that allows us to collect a sample from deep inside the lungs.

🔬 So how does a BAL work?
While safely under anaesthesia, a small tube is passed into the airways. Sterile saline is gently flushed into the lungs and then collected back again. This sample contains valuable information — including inflammatory cells, mucus, and other clues that help our laboratory identify what is driving the problem.

💨 Because the lungs are involved, this is a delicate procedure. Skipper was closely monitored throughout, with oxygen support and our team watching her every step of the way.

🛌 After the procedure, we helped clear any remaining fluid with careful positioning and gentle chest physiotherapy (“coupage”) to support her recovery.

🎉 The amazing news? Skipper was a superstar! 🎉

She recovered beautifully, was breathing comfortably on her own shortly after waking up, and was back home with her family just a couple of hours later. 🐶💕

Her samples are now at the laboratory for analysis. Once we know exactly what is causing her chronic bronchitis, we can create a targeted treatment plan to help her breathe easier and enjoy life to the fullest.

🎥 Watch our reel to see:
🐾 Skipper immediately after her procedure
🫁 How a BAL works
😴 Her safe recovery
🧪 The samples that will help guide her treatment

Well done Skipper — we’re all cheering for you! 💙🐾

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🎓✨ We have NEW graduates in the house!

Say hello to our latest puppy school superstars! 🐶💛 They worked SO hard, and we couldn’t be more proud. From sit and stay to walking like a champ — they nailed it all!

The next round of puppy school kicks off this Wednesday, and we are absolutely buzzing with excitement to meet our newest furry students. 🐾❤️

Is your pup ready to be our next graduate? Spots are filling up fast — don’t miss out! 🙌

📞 Call us on 0924 243 24
📧 [email protected]

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Meet Indie 🐕‍🦺❤️

We had the absolute joy of seeing this gorgeous girl back for her annual vaccinations and check-up — and thanks to the behaviour notes we made on her very first visit, we already knew exactly how to make it perfect for her.

Treats on the couch ✅ Full check-up done ✅ Vaccinations given ✅ Zero restraint ✅

Indie didn’t even know what hit her 🥹 and her mum left with a big smile on her face too. That’s what it’s all about.

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And Indie is just one of so many familiar faces we’ve been lucky enough to welcome back for their annual appointments lately! 🌸 Seeing our patients walk in calm, healthy and relaxed after a whole year is honestly one of the best parts of our job.

Our animal behaviour notes mean every returning patient gets care tailored exactly to them — from our elderly cats with sore backs who like to stay snug in their carriers a little longer, to our sensitive and cautious canines who need a quieter space. No two animals are the same, and we never forget that.

Here’s to happy, healthy patients all year round! 🐾

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