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After a hugely successful, albeit Covid-affected, inaugural event in February 2021, Dogs Day out is back on November 26/27th 2022, bigger and better! 

Sometimes when we undertake a study, we don’t find what we’re looking for. That’s a really good thing when the bug under investigation is methicillin-resistant S. pseudointermedius and could be very difficult to treat!

Kerikeri artist Tessa Brown kindly donated two original artworks for our silent auction at the recent NZVA Conference, the proceeds of which have raised over $500 for Healthy Pets - thanks Tessa!

The New Zealand Veterinary Association (NZVA) Conference was held at the Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton from 20-22nd June, 2022 and it proved to be a great opportunity for the Healthy Pets Trustees to meet and greet both delegates and other exhibitors.

Healthy Pets NZ is excited to announce the successful recipient of the second study to be completed under the Human-Animal Bond category with appreciation by our Human-Animal Bond Partner, and premium pet health nutrition company ROYAL CANIN®.

Sometimes new and unexpected diseases crop up in breeds they’ve not been seen in previously. Determining the underlying cause can help breeders avoid problems in future, and hopefully quickly stamp out any ongoing issues.

The biggest take home message is how little we really know and understand about the gut microbiome and its metabolic and physiologic effects in carnivores such as cats and dogs; so there is significant scope to better understand how we feed our carnivorous companion animals.

The New Zealand Veterinary Journal has recently published an excellent review article, written by Kat Crosse and funded by HPNZ, on pre-surgical hand preparation in veterinary practice. The conclusion was clear: alcohol-based rubs are effective in eliminating transient flora, reducing resident flora, safe for repeated use, have high compliance with appropriate training, can be used in or out of clinic facilities, are cost effective and water saving. Even if an alcohol-based rub is only as effective as traditional scrubbing in terms of bacterial load reduction, the other benefits should be enough to sway our practice in favour of their preferred use.

Research is what allows us to make advancements in veterinary medicine and improve our care of our furry companions. Healthy Pets New Zealand has funded over 30 studies which have benefited the NZ veterinary community and the animals we treat.

Recently published research funded by Healthy Pets New Zealand has shown that the Fel-O-Vax FIV vaccine against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) does not prevent infection with the virus in NZ. Given the lack of significant protection against FIV infection and the uncertainty regarding whether or not FIV infection causes disease, there is currently little scientific evidence supporting the use of this vaccine in New Zealand.