It’s moving day! Traditionally known as Gypsy Day, 1 June marks the beginning of a new dairy season which brings a lot of movement around the country. On or around 1 June, we might see the following activity around the country, particularly in rural communities: Sharemilkers pack cows into stock trucks and move their families and equipment to new farms around the country. Dairy farmers, contract milkers and employees move to new farms to start their jobs for the...
With so many different cleaning, sanitising, and disinfection products on the market these days, we thought we’d clarify what a disinfectant actually is. What the differences are between cleaners, sanitisers, and disinfectants, they’re not the same and shouldn’t be used interchangeably. We also explore how a disinfectant is best used, and what a good disinfectant is, because they’re not all created equal. What is a disinfectant? A disinfectant is a substance used primarily on non-living objects to kill viruses, bacteria, and other...
This ANZAC Day, we’d like to commemorate the veterinarians who served, transporting, treating, and caring for the animals of war. The New Zealand Veterinary Corps (NZVC) was part of the New Zealand Division during the First World War (WWI), formed in 1907. During WWI, NZVC comprised a small number of qualified veterinarians as commissioned officers, along with blacksmiths and farriers, groomers, teamsters and wagoners, and were essential for military operations. They were first required to oversee the purchase of suitable horses, and...
As Easter approaches, you’re probably planning how you’re going to spend the time with your friends and family. Don’t forget to think about how you’ll keep your pets safe from the many toxins that lurk through this holiday period, even in foods that are perfectly safe for us humans to consume. Chocolate Keep chocolate well away from your pets! Chocolate contains caffeine and a chemical called theobromine, which is toxic for our furry friends. While it’s not often fatal, it can still...
Facial Eczema is a common disease in New Zealand caused by the spores of the fungus Pithomyces chartarum. It is especially common during the humid, warm months – December to May. It costs the industry an estimated $200m annually. Infection can lead to reduced fertility as well as reduced milk and meat production. Pithomyces chartarum is a toxin that causes severe liver damage in pasture-fed animals. The toxin makes its way to the animal’s liver, causing severe damage, which presents as...
There are many examples in the past of the old adage “the cure is worse than the disease”. There are some horrendous stories of remedies, many composed of simple quackery, which did more harm than good, or some harm and no good at all. As well as some of the old human beliefs veterinary science has also had its share of questionable practices. Firing of horses’ tendons was rife before and into the 20th century. This thankfully faded into history but...
Dog dental care is an essential practice that, unfortunately, often falls by the wayside! In fact, bad breath is so rampant in dogs that most canine owners think gag-worthy breath is normal! According to the American Kennel Club, most dogs will experience canine periodontal disease by three years old simply because their owners don’t know how to prevent it. CPD goes far beyond bad breath, posing an actual risk to the dog’s longevity, but many canine owners don’t know the...
The variety of animal wound care products and instruments in a veterinarian’s arsenal is almost endless, and from that there are a few that they must take with them wherever they go. Diagnosing and treating animals is a complex business often carried out in the patient’s home, and the tools needed by these vets must be present to get the best possible picture of the animal’s health. If you’re feeling curious about what vets are carrying around in their begs,...
Electrolytes for animals are a crucial component of any veterinarian’s arsenal. Now that New Zealand is heading into summer, our pets and animals—from the racehorse to the humble domestic canine—will experience the stress that comes with over-sweating and dehydration. So, there’s no better time to brush up on your electrolyte knowledge: what are they, what do they do, and what happens if animals don’t have enough? What are electrolytes? In essence, electrolytes are salts and minerals we take into our bodies. We...
In the realm of veterinary surgery products, knowing your way around sutures is crucial. Knowing which suture to use in a particular situation and how to store them to preserve their quality are both essential. Here at Ethical Agents, we’re proud providers of a wide range of Serag Weissner sutures. Our selection contains sutures of every kind, enabling our customers to access high-quality supplies that work for their practice. If you’re ordering a resupply for your clinic or simply brushing...
