Equine & Feline Articles
Weāre passionate about keeping your cats and horses happy and healthy. Our blog shares expert advice, tips, and insights to help you navigate common concerns, prevent issues before they arise, and better understand your feline and equine companions. Whether itās wellness, behavior, or care, weāre here to support you and your animals.
Snip and Chip is a simple, affordable service available across New Zealand that combines cat desexing (the āsnipā) with microchipping (the āchipā). Desexing helps prevent unwanted litters, reduces roaming and spraying, and supports healthier, happier cats. Microchipping provides your pet Read more
Changes in a mare's ovaries can lead to a variety of physical and behavioral issues. While some changes are a normal part of the reproductive cycle, abnormal growths like cysts can cause problems ranging from poor performance to significant behavioral Read more
Pancreatitis, the inflammation of the pancreas, is a significant and surprisingly common disease in cats. It can range from a mild, almost unnoticeable illness to a severe, life-threatening crisis. Understanding this complex condition is key for any cat owner, as Read more
Recent detections of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI H5N1), commonly known as bird flu, in wild birds in New Zealand have raised concerns for animal health. In July 2026, the H5N1 strain was confirmed in a brown skua and Read more
With a recent Strangles outbreak reported in the North Island (June / July 2026), we are urging all our equine clients in the Wairarapa area to be vigilant. Is your horse at risk? The risk of exposure is significantly higher Read more
Protect Your Cat: Understanding Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV) and Our New Vaccination Protocol We are pleased to offer an enhanced vaccination protocol to protect your cat against Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV), a significant cause of illness in cats. Our goal Read more
What is feline diabetes? Diabetes mellitus in cats occurs when the body doesnāt produce enough insulin, or the cells canāt use insulin effectively. Insulin is the hormone that moves glucose from the blood into cells for energy. When that system Read more
A Progressive Dental Disease in Older Horses Equine Odontoclastic Tooth Resorption and Hypercementosis, commonly known as EOTRH, is a painful and progressive dental condition that primarily affects the incisor and canine teeth of older horses, typically those over the age Read more
You may have been told that your cat needs a dental - understandable! but why do they cost so much? Surely it can't be that hard, right? We thought we'd put together some information to help you understand what happens, Read more
Understanding Feline Stomatitis: A Guide for Cat Owners This handout provides an overview of Feline Chronic Gingivo-Stomatitis (FCGS), a painful oral condition, to help you understand its diagnosis, treatment, and management. What Is Stomatitis? Stomatitis is a severe, painful, and Read more
A seizure, which you might also hear called a fit or convulsion, is a sign of abnormal electrical activity in the brain, rather than a disease in itself. In cats, seizures often happen when they are quiet and resting. While Read more
A cat's eyes are not only beautiful but also crucial to their inquisitive nature. When you notice changes like cloudiness or redness, it can be concerning. Two conditions that can affect your cat's eyes are uveitis and cataracts. While distinct, Read more
Summary of Gabapentin for Feline Anxiety This is an article discussing the use of gabapentin as a tool to manage anxiety and stress in cats, particularly concerning veterinary visits. Studies & Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29099247/ This study evaluated the impact of administering Read more
Feline hypertension, or high blood pressure, is a common health issue in cats, particularly in older age. It's often linked to underlying conditions, and if left untreated, can lead to severe consequences. As a responsible cat owner, it's good to Read more
Struvite bladder stones are a common issue in cats. These stones are made of a mineral called struvite, which is a combination of ammonium, phosphate, and magnesium. Normally, struvite crystals are present in urine at low levels, but in some Read more
The lovely team are putting on a big event at the Solway Showgrounds on the 2nd August 2025 - we'll be there from 10am till 1ish. They have 40 odd stalls coming, with everything equestrian right through to lifestyle and Read more
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) is a viral disease that affects cats worldwide. It's a complex and potentially life-threatening condition that can impact any system in your cat's body. What are the symptoms of FIV? FIV can cause a wide range Read more
Juvenile gingivitis and periodontitis are two painful oral conditions that affect young cats, particularly those of oriental breeds. These conditions can lead to severe periodontal disease if left untreated or not managed properly. Understanding Juvenile Gingivitis Juvenile gingivitis refers to Read more
Cats with CKD require special care to manage their condition and slow disease progression. One crucial aspect is providing an unlimited supply of fresh, clean water to compensate for the kidneys' reduced ability to concentrate urine. As the kidneys lose Read more
Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV) is a viral disease that affects cats worldwide. It's a retrovirus that can integrate into a cat's DNA, making it difficult to eliminate. The virus is shed through saliva, feces, urine, and milk, and can be Read more
Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP) is a complex and potentially fatal viral disease affecting cats worldwide. Until recently, FIP was considered a death sentence, but advancements in treatment have offered new hope. Understanding this disease is crucial for cat owners to Read more
Hoof balance is a critical aspect of equine health, as it directly affects a horse's performance, comfort, and overall well-being. One of the most effective ways to evaluate hoof balance is through radiography, commonly known as X-rays. In this article, Read more
Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID), also known as Equine Cushing's Syndrome, is a common endocrine disorder affecting horses and ponies. It's estimated that one in seven horses over 15 years old are affected, although it can also occur in younger Read more
Hyperthyroidism is a common disease affecting middle-aged and senior cats. It occurs when the thyroid glands produce excessive amounts of thyroid hormone, leading to various health issues. What Causes Hyperthyroidism in Cats? Most cases of hyperthyroidism are caused by a Read more
Regular dental check-ups are vital for maintaining your horseās overall health. Read more
Protect Your Cat with Vaccines At Horse and Cat Vet, we strongly recommend vaccinating your cat to safeguard them against contagious and potentially fatal diseases. Why Vaccinate? Even well-cared-for cats can contract diseases through direct contact with other animals or Read more
Feline osteoarthritis (OA) is a common yet often underdiagnosed condition that can significantly impact a cat's quality of life. The pain associated with OA can manifest as reduced mobility, difficulty jumping, or changes in behavior. Fortunately, Solensia, a once-monthly injectable Read more
What Causes Lameness in Horses? Lameness in horses can stem from a variety of issues, ranging from minor injuries to serious conditions. Common causes include hoof abscesses, bruises, laminitis, tendon or ligament injuries, arthritis, fractures, or even poor hoof care. Read more
I'm writing this on a cold and miserable day, but Spring is in fact upon us. Do you have a mare due to foal? If so, have a wee read to make sure you are as ready as you can be Read more
We hope you've had a reasonable winter and are excited about the season ahead. We've put together some interesting articles below for you to have a read, plus we have some specials and information to mention.Dressage WairarapaLouisa came along to Read more
Hi All! It's that time of the year to be thinking about worming again.. Everyone that owns horses knows the importance of worming to keep their pride and joy in the best of health but it can be difficult to Read more
Vaccination provides your horse with important protection against some serious and potentially life-threatening diseases. Vaccines act to stimulate the bodyās natural response to a disease, allowing a rapid and effective response if that disease is encountered later in life. This Read more
Conjunctivitis is inflammation of the conjunctiva; the clear thin membrane coating the sclera (white part of the eye) and the underside of the eyelids. The conjunctiva has many important roles including: lubrication, protection, and the supply of nutrients to the eye. Failure Read more
Wolf teeth are technically known as the first premolar teeth in horses. They usually erupt into the mouth at between five and twelve months of age, but do not continue to grow or erupt into the mouth as do the Read more
This is the name given not to "affectionate backs" but to over-riding or impinging of the dorsal spinous processes of the vertebrae commonly in thoracic [chest] or lumbar [lower back] region of the horse. Often it is in the region Read more
Itās a question thatās come up time and time again for me over the last year or two. Often, clients will explain that their horses or ponies are not worth very much money, and so they donāt think itās worthwhile. Read more
During April 2019, Louisa visited an interesting case in the Wairarapa. The ownerās 5 year old dressage mare had recently had treatment for an orthopaedic problem and was being returned to ridden work. The owner noticed that she was behaving Read more
Castration is a common surgical procedure performed by a vet. The purpose of a castration is to remove both of the testicles. The testicles are the source of sperm and testosterone, by removing them the horseās behaviour is changed and he is Read more
We're starting to see more and more resistance, including the start of Moxidectin resistance - our main tool against life threatening encysted cyathastomes. Please consider changing your worming schedule to one based around faecal egg counts as follows: Exceptions: Read more
This is a question that has come up time and time again for me over the last year or two. Often, clients will explain that their horses or ponies are not worth very much money, and so they donāt think Read more
In the wild, horses donāt get their teeth checked and rasped. Why do we need to? Power Float with Equivets system of mag floats Due to our improved care and knowledge of our equine friends, horses and ponies now live Read more
This year, more than others, weāve been dealing with more underweight animals than usual. There are some common problems and basic guidelines that can be helpful for getting your equine in a good order. Firstly, identifying when they are losing Read more
Why is my horse crying all the time? Horses and ponies can get a variety of problems that affect their nasolacrimal duct system, which can result in some discomfort for them. What is the nasolacrimal duct system? The system copes Read more
The old adage about feet being very important to horses is as true now, as it ever was. Whether you need your horse to be capable of galloping at your enemy across a battlefield, or to be able to get Read more
Selenium supplementation is a very topical issue for all horse owners. An essential component in all diets, Selenium plays a vital role in a horseās metabolism. Together with Vitamin E it is a powerful antioxidant, protecting their cells from damage. Read more
Foaling is divided into 3 stages. Stage 1 - Labour begins Womb contractions begin, and the birth canal opens ready for the foal to pass through. Signs you may observe are: This stage can last about an hour. Do not Read more
The useful links below have been listed to provide more information on the topics of sarcoids, shoeing, Cushings, saddlery and ageing horses by their teeth. Click on the links below: Sarcoids:http://www.liv.ac.uk/sarcoids Farriers in NZ:http://nzfarriers.co.nz Equine Cushings (PPID) and Pergolide treatment:http://www.prascend.com Read more
Every owner dreads that moment.. you go into the paddock to retrieve your trusty steed and you find something wrong. For one owner of a certain cheeky pony, the discovery was pretty drastic! 'Witchy', a 30 year old pony, was Read more
Why do foals become windswept? This filly foal was born at 364 days gestation and had been very well 'cooked' by her dam. The foaling was uneventful but it became apparent that the filly had an angular limb deformity (ALD) Read more
Here's a review on Equine Health Sunscreen, one of our summery products. I have been using Animal Health Sunblock for a number of years now and, after experimenting with many of the sunscreens options on the market, it is still my block Read more
Sedating to clip ā a hairy job in more ways than one! Hi there all ā I have been asked about sedating horses to clip them quite a lot lately, so I thought I would explain some of the drugs Read more
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Snip and Chip for Cats
Snip and Chip is a simple, affordable service available across New Zealand that combines cat desexing (the āsnipā) with microchipping (the āchipā). Desexing helps prevent unwanted litters, reduces roaming and spraying, and supports healthier, happier cats....
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General Enquiries
Booking & Registration
Broughton Vets Ltd | Trading as "Horse & Cat Vet"
Phone Number
CallĀ 027 599 0045
Clinic
Connollys Line, Carterton by appointment only & mobile in Wairarapa
Business Hours
Available 24/ 7 / 365
Living Wage
We are a proud to be a Living Wage Accredited business.
Cat Friendly Clinic
Achieving Cat Friendly Clinic standard as Silver level.
Snip and Chip
Supporting the SPCA initiative for microchipping & desexing of cats.