http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz en-us Sun, 31 May 2026 00:08:57 +1200 Rocketspark http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/post/160185/fear-shock-trauma/ Don’t be without these crucial remedies!Two of the most commonly known homeopathic remedies also happen to be two of the most important when it comes to your pet’s First Aid kit.Arnica (Arnica montana) and Aconite (Aconitum napellus) are two of the most trusted homeopathic remedies in many households and animals can benefit from them in the same way as humans do.Arnica is often the first remedy reached for after physical trauma. Bumps, falls, knocks, bruising, muscle strain, or post-exertion... Wed, 11 Feb 2026 12:21:30 +1300 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/#post160185 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/post/156996/reiki-relieves-pain-in-dogs/ A new clinical study published by the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association shows that distant Reiki relieves pain in dogs.In this very first blinded, placebo-controlled, randomised clinical study it was demonstrated that dogs receiving distant Reiki showed significant pain reduction compared with the control group. After the third and sixth sessions, all dogs in the Reiki group showed some pain reduction ranging from an ‘excellent’ or ‘moderate’ degree of pain improvement.The... Fri, 28 Nov 2025 12:44:16 +1300 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/#post156996 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/post/145075/rabbits-rock-as-pets/ It’s estimated that over 100,000 rabbits are kept as pets in New Zealand. They are now the fourth most popular pet after dogs, cats, and fish. Rabbits make wonderful pets but need special care and attention and are not ‘entertainment’ for the kids. They’re highly intelligent, inquisitive animals with complex needs and each rabbit has its own unique personality. Rabbits require long term commit... Wed, 07 May 2025 13:34:49 +1200 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/#post145075 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/post/141573/plants-poisonous-to-your-pets/ We like to think that our pets will intuitively stay away from poisonous plants but that’s not the case. Chewing on some common garden flowers and shrubs or house plants can potentially make your pet very ill and even cause death. Below are some plants commonly found in New Zealand gardens and homes that you should avoid if you have a cat or dog. In the garden:Aloe Vera, Alyssum, Daffodils, Tulips, Crocus, Iris, Daphne, Monkshood (Wolfsbane), Bird of Paradise, Rhododendron, Azaleas, Oleander, ... Mon, 10 Feb 2025 14:35:00 +1300 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/#post141573 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/post/115937/what-to-do-if-your-pet-is-stung-by-a-bee/ Summer is here and so are the bees. While they can be fun to chase, the outcome can be painful and in some cases, life threatening. So what do you do if your cat or dog gets stung by a bee?Both cats and dogs get stung in the mouth, the throat, on their paws or their nose. Just like humans they will experience some localised pain, irritation and some swelling.  Signs that your cat or dog has been stung by a bee or wasp:Nibbling or licking the place they have been stungYowling or vocalising m... Thu, 21 Dec 2023 15:35:28 +1300 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/#post115937 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/post/108607/homeopathy-lessens-diarrhoea-in-piglets/ Diarrhoea is common in newborn calves, lambs, kids and piglets. The clinical presentation can range from mild diarrhoea to profuse, acute diarrhoea associated with rapid dehydration, severe disturbance of acid-base and electrolyte balance, and death, sometimes in as few as 12 hours. Diarrhoea in newborn piglets caused by E. coli is one of the most common diseases in pigs, leading to weight loss and increased mortality in the animals. Conventional antibiotics are used for treatment, which, in vie... Wed, 09 Aug 2023 22:49:21 +1200 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/#post108607 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/post/102142/beware-the-easter-bunny/ Easter is of course synonymous with chocolate and who doesn’t love an Easter egg!But it’s important to remember chocolate is toxic for dogs and cats. Unfortunately, no one has told them that and, in particular, dogs are drawn by the smell of chocolate. Chocolate is toxic because it contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine. Both chemicals are used medicinally as a diuretic, heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator, and a smooth muscle relaxant. Dogs and cats cannot metabo... Tue, 21 Mar 2023 17:30:20 +1300 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/#post102142 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/post/100029/a-podgy-puss-is-not-a-happy-puss/ While many pet owners may think they’re being kind treating their pet to extra goodies throughout the day, those extra treats may well contribute to obesity.  And obesity will likely undermine a cat’s quality of life and may contribute to serious health issues.A 2021 survey showed that one in four cats in New Zealand is overweight or obese.  Overweight is defined as being 10% over ideal weight and obese is 20% over ideal weight.Feline obesity has been linked to many health conditio... Tue, 07 Feb 2023 16:58:22 +1300 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/#post100029 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/post/75478/road-trips-and-pets/ The holidays are here and as families hit the road, below are some tips to make the trip as pleasurable as possible for your furry friend. Fortunately, most dogs travel reasonably well in the car but for some owners, it can be a stressful experience. On the other hand, it is unusual to find a cat that just loves taking a ride! My first piece of advice when travelling with a cat is – don’t, unless you absolutely have to. Cats are territorial and generally do not enjoy being exposed to new pla... Fri, 17 Dec 2021 12:16:48 +1300 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/#post75478 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/post/69003/passing-your-problems-onto-your-pets/ We all know that caring for a pet has many benefits - from helping to relieve depression and anxiety, easing loneliness and encouraging exercise and play, to lowering stress levels and improving your heart health. Not to mention, the pure unconditional love and joy a pet can bring. The human-animal bond is extremely strong and there is no doubt that pets are attuned to our behavior and emotions. Dogs are able to understand many of the words we use, but they also pick up on our tone of voice, bod... Wed, 21 Jul 2021 12:46:24 +1200 http://www.assisianimalhealth.co.nz/blog/#post69003