Vetlife Temuka is a veterinary clinic at 1 Waitohi Temuka Road in Temuka, in the heart of South Canterbury dairy country, and it has treated both pets and farm animals since the clinic was built in 2015. It has vets for cats and dogs, supported by vet nurses, and a production animal team that works on farms for dairy, sheep and beef. Services for pets include consultations, surgery, dental work, spaying and castration, vaccination, grooming, puppy preschool, wellness programmes, and euthanasia and cremation. The clinic has x-ray, in-house blood analysis and an in-house laboratory for tests such as faecal egg counts and milk bacteriology. The shop stocks pet food, toys and beds, along with drenches, dips and vaccines for livestock.
Customers praise the caring staff, and one said the nurse looking after their kittens was friendly and explained everything. A first visit for a puppy's spaying went well, and the front desk was welcoming and efficient. A pet owner who had a dog put to sleep said the staff were caring and sensitive. The clinic asks people to phone before bringing in any sick or dead bird or wildlife, because H5N1 bird flu has been detected in New Zealand. Our pick in Temuka for a local vet who will also visit the farm.