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New Zealand’s first dedicated animal MRI clinic has opened in Christchurch as a growing number of Kiwis are willing to invest in their pets’ care, including one man who spent $75,000 flying his cat to Auckland to be operated on by a top animal surgeon.
Pacific Radiology has teamed up with … View moreNew Zealand’s first dedicated animal MRI clinic has opened in Christchurch as a growing number of Kiwis are willing to invest in their pets’ care, including one man who spent $75,000 flying his cat to Auckland to be operated on by a top animal surgeon.
Pacific Radiology has teamed up with McMaster & Heap veterinary practice in Hoon Hay to offer the service using the same technology currently used to treat human patients.
Able to scan animals less than 180 centimetres in circumference, the wide bore MRI technology can be used on household pets, farm animals and some zoo animals, including tigers.
Costing upwards of $3500, MRI is considered the gold standard of veterinary diagnostic treatment according to McMaster & Heap veterinarian Michelle McMaster, but they have not been widely used on animals.
Used to look inside a body, Magnetic Resonance Imaging utilises magnetic fields and radio waves to create a three-dimensional image, providing accurate high resolution images of an animal’s brains, spine, limbs and joints.
For the past four years McMaster has been taking pets that needed an MRI to Forté Health, but the scans had to be fitted around human patients and were often undertaken at night.
With clients prepared to spend more money on their pets, McMasters, who has been working as a vet for over 30 years, has been helping scan up to nine animals a month alongside Pacific Radiology MRI Animal Imaging Lead Gareth Leeper using Forté Health.
Christchurch pet owner Justin, who did not want his last name used, knows all too well how important having an MRI facility close at hand is after Sashenka (pictured), his 14-year-old Norwegian Forest cat, became ill in 2019.
After many tests and with no diagnosis a CT scan eventually showed Sashenka had a meningioma tumour.
Considered to be his fur daughter, Justin, whose partner is expecting their first child, had no hesitation in making an appointment and flying her to Auckland to be operated on by a top animal surgeon.
There Sashenka could get an MRI scan that would enable the surgery to take place – without it she would not have survived.
“It was critical,” Justin says.
Sashenka made a miraculous recovery from the operation but required a further five scans, two CT scans and three rounds of chemotherapy before she died two years later.
Town and Country vet Roger Bay and his team euthanise a growing number of animals at home, where the pet’s last memory is of its happy place.
Although Justin estimates he spent around $75,000 on Sashenka’s care, he has no regrets and is part of a growing number of Kiwis willing to invest in their pet’s care.
“She was my everything…my fur daughter and my best friend.”
McMaster said most pet owners that come to her clinic will try and fix “everything”.
“We very rarely put anything down.”
PD Insurance NZ chief operating officer Michelle Le Long said year-on-year they have seen growth in the pet insurance market, although she thinks the market is still under-insured with less than 25% of the estimated 1.7 companion pets not insured.
Le Long said it wasn’t unusual to have pet owners in their early 20s signing on as the value of pets have increased.
A lot of insurers covered diagnostic MRI scans, she said.
A roof on Christchurch’s planned stadium is being described as key to making the venue competitive, despite its cost.
Following recently revealed cost blowouts, public feedback has been pouring in on whether Te Kaha stadium should be built as planned.
Rising construction costs have hiked the … View moreA roof on Christchurch’s planned stadium is being described as key to making the venue competitive, despite its cost.
Following recently revealed cost blowouts, public feedback has been pouring in on whether Te Kaha stadium should be built as planned.
Rising construction costs have hiked the forecast cost to build the 30,000-seat venue, described as a multi-use arena, from $533 million to $673m. Further escalations are possible.
City councillors will decide on July 14 whether to top up the budget, pause and redesign the project, or scrap it all together. Paying the extra would boost the average rates bill by $144 a year, or about $2.75 a week.
Read more here and tell us what you think of the stadium plan - and whether it should have a roof, or whether it should go ahead at all - in the comments below.
Come on out of the cold and warm up with some laughs tonight at 5 stags Rangioria. A brand new show with new comics you have not seen before. Come on out and grab a glass of mulled wine and have a laugh. See these guys before they get too famous to see in small pubs. Show starts at 7:00.
Have you read our June Seniors newsletter? In this issue we discuss the Older Workers Employment Action Plan, Budget 2022 and hear from Equal Employment Commissioner Saunoamaali'i Karanina Sumeo. Read it here now: bit.ly...
The chilly, gum boot wearing, kettle on, soup season has moved into town! Don’t get stung by your winter power bill neighbours, start shopping around now - even if you’re on a contract.
We asked neighbours why they’re not switching power providers and found out for many it feels a bit … View moreThe chilly, gum boot wearing, kettle on, soup season has moved into town! Don’t get stung by your winter power bill neighbours, start shopping around now - even if you’re on a contract.
We asked neighbours why they’re not switching power providers and found out for many it feels a bit baffling with so many options and not enough help. Read why Kiwis aren’t switching and the easy steps to get your power sorted before bill shock hits.
Need to keep it stress free? Call our NZ based team on 0508 226 672, it’s free!
We’re here to help you compare, save and smile!
Help Kiwis in need this winter by giving through the Trade Me Kindness Store. Trade Me has teamed up with three awesome Kiwi charities - KidsCan, RainbowYOUTH and Women’s Refuge. The Kindness Store’s virtual shelves are stocked with small things that make a big difference to the Kiwis these … View moreHelp Kiwis in need this winter by giving through the Trade Me Kindness Store. Trade Me has teamed up with three awesome Kiwi charities - KidsCan, RainbowYOUTH and Women’s Refuge. The Kindness Store’s virtual shelves are stocked with small things that make a big difference to the Kiwis these charities help.
Giving is easy – just pick, click and ‘Give Now’. Trade Me takes care of the rest. 100% of the donations go to the charities – Trade Me doesn’t take a cut.
Hi, we have about a dozen pallets, free for anyone that wants them. Message me if you're interested and how many you'd like. We're in the Burwood area. Cheers :-)
Are you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a … View moreAre you overdue a getaway? You could win a 13-day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer South Island Rail & Coach tour by participating in Neighbourly’s 8th birthday celebration.
To enter the competition, just tell us what you love about your neighbourhood. It could be your favourite spot, a beautiful view, or something that makes you smile. You could be in for a once-in-a-lifetime getaway!
A shopping centre in Christchurch’s northeast will more than double in size after the city council agreed to rezone a block of land next door.
The bulk-retail Homebase shopping centre, on Marshland Rd in Shirley, has about 15 stores including a Bunnings hardware barn, a car park, and a new … View moreA shopping centre in Christchurch’s northeast will more than double in size after the city council agreed to rezone a block of land next door.
The bulk-retail Homebase shopping centre, on Marshland Rd in Shirley, has about 15 stores including a Bunnings hardware barn, a car park, and a new supermarket about to be built.
Homebase owner Reefville Properties Ltd asked the council in mid-2020 to allow a plan change rezoning the 4.8 hectares next door, on the corner of Marshland Rd and QEII Drive (State Highway 74).
The company is owned by Christchurch brothers Glen and Max Percasky. The pair developed The Palms mall nearby in the 1990s, before selling it and building Homebase.
The Homebase expansion site is larger than the existing shopping centre and is now zoned for residential use. It is mostly vacant except for two houses.
The councillors’ decision agreed with a recommendation from its independent hearings panel, made following public submissions in 2020 and 2021.
It could still be appealed to the Environment Court.
Glen Percasky said they were very pleased with the approval, but it was too soon to say what shops would go on the corner block.
“We’ve got lots of ideas. We’ve put so much time and energy into this plan change, it would’ve been presumptuous to do anything until we knew we’d got it.”
Percasky confirmed large stores would be included, “along the same lines as Homebase”. He did not know when construction would begin.
He declined to say which operator would occupy the previously-approved supermarket, which will cover 4000 square metres and will be accessed by new traffic lights recently installed on Marshland Rd.
In a written submission as part of the rezoning application, Percasky said “the current size of Homebase is not large enough to attract the national and international retail tenants that are necessary for the long term”.
“In my opinion, the current zoning of the site does not appropriately reflect the commercial status of the area as a whole,” the submission said.
The hearings panel said it accepted there was an under-supply of large format retail in the north and east of Christchurch, compared to the south and central areas.
Housing expansion in the area has included the large Prestons subdivision just to the north.
In line with the hearing panel’s recommendation, the council attached conditions to the rezoning approval intended to reduce the effect of the expansion on The Palms.
They say the development must be staged, cannot add more than 20,000sqm of new retail floorspace, and cannot include clothing and footwear stores before 2031.
The Homebase expansion also must include a pedestrian and cycling link to the housing area to the west, and to Marshland Rd.
They bought up the land for expansion progressively, paying $3.6 million for the supermarket site, and $6.8m for the corner block.
Brighten up your life and home with these fun party cup dolls, beads of joy and blooming plant pots with your favourite Resene testpot colours.
Find out how to create your own.
Unleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so don't be afraid to go … View moreUnleash the artist within you, showcase your DIY creative skills and spruce up an old item or completely repurpose it! Resene and Neighbourly are challenging everyday Kiwis like YOU to take part in the Resene Upcycling Awards.
We want to see your amazing creations so don't be afraid to go all out! Check out some of the previous entires here.
Take part in the 2022 Resene Upcycling Awards. There are four great prizes worth $500 up for grabs: a $200 Resene voucher and a $300 Prezzy® card!
A pair of black suede like high heels.
Heel is approx 4 1/2 inches high.
Purchased in the UK from New Look.
Size UK 5 Euro 38.
From smoke free home.
Pick up from New Brighton.
Money goes to animal welfare charities.
New condition Dorothy Perkins pretty maxi dress.
Size 18.
Colour is more off a orange shade. Looks like a mustard colour in the photo!!
Money goes to animal welfare charities.
Pick up is in New Brighton.
Smoke free home.
Brand new with labels Tu Woman pretty maxi dress.
Size 16.
Money goes to animal welfare charities.
Pick up is in New Brighton.
Smoke free home.
Brand new with labels Ty Woman pretty dress.
Size 18.
Money goes to animal welfare charities.
Pick up is in New Brighton.
Smoke free home.
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