Thursday, 26 August 2021 14:58

Non-urgent veterinary appointments on hold until alert levels reduce

Written by  Staff Reporters
Non-urgent veterinary care will have to be postponed until after Covid-19 alert levels reduce, say NZVA and VCNZ. Non-urgent veterinary care will have to be postponed until after Covid-19 alert levels reduce, say NZVA and VCNZ.

While veterinarians are still providing providing care and treatment for animals during lockdown, it’s far from business as usual.

According to the Veterinary Council of New Zealand (VCNZ) and the New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA), Covid-19 restrictions have changed how animals, as well as people, receive healthcare.

“Under Alert Level 4 restrictions, veterinarians can only provide care that can’t be postponed,” says VCNZ’s veterinary advisor Dr Seton Butler. “As a result, non-urgent healthcare, routine vaccinations and regular checks need to be postponed until the situation changes.”

Butler says that if people follow Covid-19 rules and stay home, there should be no serious effects on their animal’s health by having routine procedures postponed by a few weeks.

“If you are concerned about delaying an appointment or unsure if your animal needs urgent veterinary care, you should always call your veterinary practice for advice.”

VCNZ and NZVA say they will review their advice as alert levels shift and will keep vets updated.

More like this

Every exhibitor with something valuable to offer for farmers

OPINION: Welcome to the second annual NZ Dairy Expo at Matamata – an event created to bring together the best of the New Zealand dairy industry in a focused, grassroots environment where dairy farmers and rural professionals can meet, talk, compare products, and make smart decisions for their farms.

Red meat sector battles on

It's a bloody tough year for sheep farmers, but the worst may be over, and the future looks optimistic.

Locally grown fruits, veg in full supply

One of the country’s two largest supermarket chains is reporting that for the first time since the disruption of Covid, they have largely full supply on almost all fruit and vegetables grown locally.

Featured

DairyNZ supports vocational education reforms

DairyNZ is supporting a proposed new learning model for apprenticeships and traineeships that would see training, education, and pastoral care delivered together to provide the best chance of success.

The Cook Islands squabble

The recent squabble between the Cook Islands and NZ over their deal with China has added a new element of tension in the relationship between China and NZ.

Wyeth to head Synlait

Former Westland Milk boss Richard Wyeth is taking over as chief executive of Canterbury milk processor Synlait from May 19.

National

Chilled cow cuts enter China

Alliance Group has secured greater access for chilled beef exports into China following approval of its Levin and Mataura plants…

New CEO for Safer Farms

Safer Farms, the industry-led organisation dedicated to fostering a safer farming culture, has appointed Brett Barnham as its new chief…

Machinery & Products

AGCO and SDF join hands

Tractor and machinery manufacturer AGCO has signed a supply agreement with the European-based SDF Group, best known for its SAME,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Sacrificed?

OPINION: Henry Dimbleby, author of the UK's Food Strategy, recently told the BBC: "Meat production is about 85% of our…

Entitled much?

OPINION: For the last few weeks, we've witnessed a parade of complaints about New Zealand's school lunch program: 'It's arriving…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter