The Vet Chat NZ

In this episode, Kristina Mueller, Associate Professor in Dairy Cattle Health and Production at Massey University, joins Matt to discuss how to do a caesarean in cattle. They work through the procedure from start to finish, covering patient selection (8:12), equipment and suture material (24:26), anaesthesia and pre-op medications (37:20), incision and calf removal (49:12), closure (1:01:30), and calf revival (1:13:10). Additional Resources: Paravertebral Nerve Block Video 1 Paravertebral Nerve Block Video 2 Paper 1: Karvountzis, S. Factors affecting outcomes of bovine cesarean sections, with a focus on maternal survival to 14 d after surgery. Paper 2: Clinical Tips: C-section. Paper 3: Mueller, K. C-section Technique and Abdominal Surgery.

On this episode of The Vet Chat NZ your host Sue Campbell, is joined by Angela McEwan to discuss how to Never Waste a Good Crisis- considering where we find ourselves with cattle parasite resistance in New Zealand. Angela openly discusses her experience and challenges of helping PAMU farms address triple drench resistance in cattle. From how we can reframe the thought process from one of fear to one of opportunity in how we can grow cattle better and faster, Ange shares her experience and her approach for why addressing drench resistance is a must. With practical considerations to take away, and discussion around how vets and other experts can help, there is something for everyone in this episode. The opportunity for improving how we grow our young stock is immense, so come and have a listen to Ange's experience with how people's attitude, monitoring and farm management practices changed over time to improve parasite resistance.

This episode of The Vet Chat NZ features a new host, Sue Campbell, who is covering for Ellen while she is on maternity leave. Sue talks with Mike Shallcrass, Fonterra's Veterinary Programme Manager, about why efficiency is so critical for New Zealand's dairy industry. From improving reproductive performance and reducing disease, to harnessing accurate data and improving genetic merit, Mike shares practical ways vets can help farmers to improve efficiency and concurrently reduce emissions. Learn how market demands, greenhouse gas targets, and the “co-operative difference” are shaping the future of dairy — and why vets are perfectly placed to lead the change on farm. Packed with actionable insights, this is a must-listen for veterinary professionals wanting to stay ahead in an evolving industry.

In this episode, host Ellen Eyre sits down with Dr Anne Ridler (Massey University) to explore her recently published study of ewe culling and mortality across 34 commercial sheep flocks in New Zealand. During this chat, Anne highlights the various reasons why, on average, nearly 11 percent of ewes put to the ram never make it to docking—and why another 4 percent present wet-dry. Possibly one of the most eye‑opening observations is the variation between farms, indicating that flock-specific insights and interventions are required in order to reduce ewe culling and mortality. Drawing on first‑hand interviews with farmers and on‑farm culling observations, Anne shares practical advice on culling and who should be making these decisions. You’ll learn why consistent body condition scoring (even by eye after shearing), drafting light ewes early and focusing on nutrition can reduce mortality and improve your flock's efficiency. Whether you’re a vet passionate about productivity or a sheep farmer keen to lift efficiency, this episode gives you the tools to answer one big question: where do all the ewes go? Udder palpation video mentioned during the episode: https://beeflambnz.com/knowledge-hub/video/examining-ewes-udders-identify-possible-problems

In this episode of The Vet Chat NZ, we’re joined by Dr. Krispin Kannan, a leader in cow wearable technology and data integration, based in Waikato NZ. Together with host Ellen Eyre, they explore how wearable technology is revolutionising veterinary practice at every level—from individual cow health monitoring to herd-wide insights and high-level consultancy. Dr. Kannan shares practical tips and real-world examples to help veterinarians leverage this technology to improve animal health, boost farm productivity, and build stronger client relationships. Whether you’re new to wearables or looking to deepen your expertise, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you stay at the forefront of bovine care.

Matt and Greg have both been back at the World Buiatrics Congress, this time in Cancun, Mexico. There are more interesting and sometimes quirky studies to share, and even a few unique Mexican experiences! Find out what a vampiricide is, how best to detect Johne's in a barn system or how much copper injections elevate liver levels, among other things. ACVM Registration Nos. A010028 and A009374.

Host turns guest as Matt Wells, Technical Services Manager at Virbac NZ, joins the Vet Chat this week and shares his wisdom on the diagnosis and closed reduction of dislocated hips in cattle. During his 13 years in clinical practice, he was able to develop his skills in this area and has presented at the NZVA conference, and still regularly talks on dislocated hips to recent graduates at the Supergrad Day. Matt shares tips and tricks that have helped him in the past, as well as resources he has created that have helped others be successful in their attempts. Closed reduction of dislocated hips: Getting the clunk Dislocated hips: Open reduction Dislocated Hips - Diagnosis & Reduction

Laurinda Oliver is a specialist equine surgeon and intern coordinator at Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre. She and Matt discuss how a non-equine vet can improve the care of horses and reduce their stress levels by having clear plans for treatment, referral and even euthanasia. They focus on colic and wounds, but also cover foalings, eye conditions, acute lameness and sick foals. Equine Emergencies Textbook Haygard Mobile Formulary Liphook Equine Hospital Lab BEVA Apps

Katie Denholm's research on colostrum and calf health during her time in NZ will be familiar to many vets. She is now completing her PhD while teaching at Glasgow University, and joins Matt to discuss what we now know about the full effects of getting colostrum wrong, and what to focus on to improve calf health. They cover the best practice of ideal timing and volumes, storage, and assessing passive transfer, and include the latest research and updates.

In this episode of The Vet Chat, Sumari Potgieter talks to Jordana Whyte, manager of the trust that runs the Wildlife Hospital Dunedin. They discuss the responsibilities of the veterinarian, the public, and the Department of Conservation (DOC), and how various roles work together to ensure the best outcome for the patient. Helpful resources for vets for bird and bat care are provided by the New Zealand Vet Association and are referenced in this talk. Vets can access the full documents on the NZVA website. For anyone interested in further reading, training and support, this list of references will be useful: Available to all NZVA members, the Avian and Wildlife health guidelines, policy, and resources can be found here. This includes bat care advice for first responders and vets, as well as advice for managing emaciated seabirds. Contact DOC (0800 DOC HOT) or rehabilitation facilities identified through the Wildlife Rehabilitation Network — WReNNZ — to arrange for transfer to longer-term care as soon as the patient is stabilised, or to seek additional advice/guidance. Find out which NZ birds are threatened, listen to bird song, and learn about birds on the DOC website. A digital encyclopaedia of NZ birds can be found here. Call the Department of Conservation emergency hotline 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468) immediately if you see anyone catching, harming, or killing native wildlife. DOC resources on bats. Information on lead poisoning, psittacine beak and feather disease, and avian influenza. The Wildlife Hospital Dunedin can be contacted through Jordana Whyte at 021735211 or info@wildlifehospitaldunedin.org.nz

Greg Chambers, an Epidemiologist at EpiVets, and Matt Wells were two of the thousands of attendees at the recent World Buiatrics Congress in Madrid. They share some of their highlights of the week from a New Zealand perspective, covering everything from phantom cow treatment, to applying Toyota's car manufacturing methods to calf rearing, and treating ketosis with red wine.

In this Special Edition, Matt is joined by Mary van Andel, MPI's Chief Veterinary Officer. They discuss how the FMD outbreak in Bali has changed the risk to NZ, and how MPI are responding. They cover vet-specific topics like what happens when you call the 0800 80 99 66 exotic disease hotline, how a response to an incursion would play out, and what to tell farmers about questions on vaccination and PKE. Click the links for more information on Surveillance for Veterinary Professionals and an FMD factsheet.

Matt is joined by Emma Cuttance, Research Manager and Epidemiologist for the newly formed company EpiVets Ltd. They discuss how consumer pressure is beginning to change farming practices, and how we now need good science to support these changes. This means a move towards research about how happy animals are, rather than just how productive they are. Emma uses a couple of studies that she has been involved with as examples to frame the discussion.