FAQ’s

We are a companion animal clinic. We do not perform any farm animal or equine work. We see dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, birds, and wildlife. We have even seen the occasional lizard!

Yes! We run by appointments only. Please click here to book online.

Most of our appointments are 30 minutes. Routine vaccinations and shorter revisits are 15 minutes. If your pet is due its annual vaccination and you have other concerns you also wish to discuss in the same appointment, you are given the opportunity for a 30-minute vaccination consult. Other concerns may include lumps to check, nails trimmed, or concerns over any aspect of your pet’s health that’s not 100% normal. These longer 30 minutes consults are not standard across the veterinary industry, but we have chosen to prioritise our time with you and your pet. They allow you to discuss your pet’s care at greater length, and for your pet to relax. Building trust with your pet allows us to perform more thorough and calm physical examinations.

Yes! We welcome you to come and see us whether that is with a new family pet, because you have recently moved to the area, or are just on the lookout for a new vet or a second opinion. We do ask that if your pet has been seen by another clinic that you request for their records to be transferred to us at kaiapoi@petmed.co.nz BEFORE your first visit. Our reception team can also request your pet’s records from your previous vet, with your permission, when you register your pet.

We offer Afterpay and Q card credit services. We do not give credit or offer payment plans except in exceptional circumstances on a case-by-case basis. We strongly advise having pet insurance to cover unexpected bills.

During clinic hours phone us on 03-327-8455 and we will accommodate you and your pet immediately in an emergency and within 24 hours with an urgent care need.

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If we are closed, please call The Afterhours Veterinary Clinic on 03-366-1052

Firstly, talk to us for advice. Planning ahead is an important aspect of limiting stress and anxiety for both you and your pet. We may be able to prescribe some short acting anti-anxiety medication or a light sedation for your pet. We can also prescribe travel sickness pills for those that are going on longer journeys. We must have seen your pet within the last 6 months to prescribe medications. We have some over-the-counter options such as Calmex, or you can try products such as Rescue Remedy drops which are safe for use in dogs.

For cats, having the basket in their home environment as a safe hidey hole and feeding treats in there can make it less stressful for them when it’s time for a vet visit, as they are less likely to have negative associations with it. When travelling in the car it’s best to turn down the radio and fans, talk softly to them and drive calmly. Some cats prefer to have a view, and some feel safer with their cages covered with a towel. An item of clothing or bedding that smells of home in the basket can also help.

For dogs, taking short trips regularly or using the car parked up at home as a game to find treats in can help too. If they are crate trained and associate their crates with a safe space, then transporting them securely in that is a safe option.

For both dogs and cats there are pheromone sprays with calming hormones, such as Adaptil and Feliway. These can be used in their basket or crate, or sprayed onto a bandana around a dog’s neck, so it is directly present for them to smell.

Yes. We offer a home euthanasia service within our local area for registered clients.

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Because we approach every pet as an individual and plan their healthcare according to their own specific needs, we do not have fixed prices that can be quoted. We believe that each pet requires individualised care. For instance, did you know that short-faced breeds like the Pug or French Bulldog are prone to painful acid reflux during anaesthesia, so we give them preoperative and postoperative antacids to reduce this? This will affect the cost for their routine desexing procedures, just as one example. Even though a procedure is called ‘routine’ there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach; they are all different and there are aspects to “just a neuter” that you may never have realised were considered. Your pet’s age, breed, health status and individual needs are all taken into account.

Even our vaccination protocols vary according to the pet’s age, risk factors and travel history. We follow the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) guidelines for vaccination protocols. This means that your pet only gets what it needs and is not “over-vaccinated”. Some core vaccines only need to be given every 3 years for example. Therefore, prices vary according to which vaccine your pet is due.

Absolutely! Pet insurance is invaluable when your pet is unwell, especially if that is unexpected. Having pet insurance can be a literal life saver and can lessen the financial aspect of decision-making during times of difficulty for your pet. We offer 3 weeks free pet insurance for all puppies and kittens at their first visit to the clinic.

Every insurance policy is different, and no single one can be recommended by vets. Carefully consider what premiums, excess, and level of cover are appropriate for you and your pet. For example, if your policy has a $1000 limit for accidental injury, this may only cover an initial consultation and stabilisation, blood work and x-rays under anaesthesia. Should further surgery be required to repair something like a broken bone, you would have to fund the rest. An orthopaedic surgery e.g. referral cruciate repair can cost $6000, so a surgical-only policy may need to be at least that upper limit.

It is also important to read the fine print every time. Is there a long stand-down period before you can claim? Will the policy only pay for a pet’s medication for the first year after which you must fund it, or does the value roll over year after year? Some insurance providers also place various exclusions on breeds and conditions, so check exactly what is or isn’t covered very carefully. Be thorough and prudent when considering your needs and the policy. Generally speaking, the better the cover, the more it will cost.

Yes! We have a lovely lady called Karen, who is a vet and a dog trainer, run socialisation and training classes on a Wednesday evening. The groups of puppies are similarly aged and have had their first vaccinations.

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If the cat looks injured or unwell then you should contact the SPCA for advice and care.

It is important to first determine if it really is a stray cat, or if it just a wandering inquisitive cat that is owned by someone else. The best thing to do in the initial instance is advertise it on the local community page or on a Facebook Lost and Found Page e.g. ‘Canterbury Lost and Found Pets’ or ‘Lost and Found Pets for Rangiora and Surrounding Area’.

We do not advise feeding the cat as if it is owned by someone else this just encourages it to keep coming back to the wrong property. If it has been present for more than a week and is able to be handled, you can present it to a veterinary clinic for a microchip check and a paper collar to advise possible owners that it has been wandering. We will always advise a healthy cat to be returned to where it was found to avoid the risk of someone’s cat being uplifted incorrectly by a well-meaning member of the public.

For feral cats we advise you contact Rangiora Cat Care for advice and trapping.

We will support you and your pet with our whole hearts and guide you through one of the most difficult decisions you may have to make. We will be there for you and treat you and your pet with the utmost care and respect. We provide guidance on when it is right to let them go with peace and dignity, and ensure both they and you remain calm and comfortable up to and during this time. We will come to your home and allow them to pass away peacefully in their own environment should you wish. If the need arises outside of our opening hours or abilities to attend, then we advise you see The Afterhours Vet Clinic (03-366-1052) or you can also try Our Pet’s Goodbye 027 466 3293 for another at home service.

Please call the clinic on 03-327-8455 to discuss your options.