About Riverside Veterinary Clinic

Riverside Veterinary Clinic is a small independent companion-animal practice in Marlow Bend, in the Rangitīkei district. The clinic opened in 2009 and has been under current ownership since 2018. It is staffed by two veterinarians and one veterinary nurse, and sees roughly 40 to 60 patients each week.

Because Marlow Bend is a rural town of around 1,000 people, the clinic also serves surrounding districts including Tarnwell, Coolagh Creek, Bently Flat, Dunbar Downs and Kerrigan Flat. Some clients travel up to 45 minutes to attend.

Where we are

• Street address: 18 Riverside Road, Marlow Bend 4788, New Zealand
• Region: Rangitīkei, Manawatū-Whanganui
• Nearest larger town: Ellisford, approximately 45 minutes south-west
• Parking: Free off-street parking for six vehicles at the rear, accessed from Weir Lane
• Access: Ground-floor entry, step-free, with a separate cat waiting area to the left of reception

Opening hours

Surgery and dental procedures are scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Consultations on those days begin from 11:00 am.

The clinic closes for a short break between Christmas Day and 2 January each year. Dates are confirmed on the website and by SMS to clients in early December.

After-hours and emergencies

For emergencies outside opening hours, call the after-hours mobile on 021 550 4470. One of our veterinarians is on call most nights. If nobody is available locally, the recorded message directs callers to the nearest 24-hour emergency centre in Palmerston North, approximately two hours away.

After-hours attendance attracts an emergency call-out fee in addition to treatment costs. See 03-appointments-and-pricing.md.

Call immediately, do not wait for an appointment, if a pet:

• Is struggling to breathe, or has blue or pale gums
• Has eaten 1080, brodifacoum or pindone bait, or has collapsed suddenly
• Is a male cat straining in the litter tray without producing urine
• Has a bloated, hard abdomen and is retching without vomiting
• Has had a seizure lasting more than two minutes, or repeated seizures
• Has been hit by a vehicle, or has significant bleeding
• Has eaten snail bait, rat bait, antifreeze, or chocolate in quantity

What we do

Routine and preventative care

• Consultations for illness and injury
• Annual health checks and vaccinations, including leptospirosis
• Puppy and kitten courses, including microchipping
• Parasite prevention advice and products
• Weight and nutrition consultations
• Senior pet checks, including blood pressure and blood screening

Procedures

• Desexing of dogs, cats and rabbits
• Dental scaling, polishing and extractions
• Lump removals and wound repairs
• In-house blood, urine and faecal testing
• Digital radiography and ultrasound
• Microchipping, NZ Companion Animal Register lodgement and council registration paperwork

Other services

• End-of-life consultations, home euthanasia within 30 minutes' drive, and cremation arrangements
• Prescription diet and medication supply
• Health certificates for travel, including MPI export certification

What we do not do

• Large animals and livestock. We do not attend horses, cattle, sheep, deer or goats. These are referred to a mixed practice in Ellisford.
• Reptiles and native wildlife. Injured wildlife should go to a licensed rescue group. We will provide first aid and pain relief at no charge while transfer is arranged.
• 24-hour hospitalisation. Patients needing overnight monitoring are referred to Palmerston North.
• Advanced imaging and specialist surgery. CT, MRI and orthopaedic referrals go to Massey University in Palmerston North.

Contact

• Phone: (06) 550 4470 — answered during opening hours
• After-hours mobile: 021 550 4470
• Email: hello@riversidevet.example.com — checked twice each business day
• Post: PO Box 214, Marlow Bend 4788

Repeat prescriptions and food orders require two business days' notice. Prescription medication cannot be dispensed without a consultation in the previous six months.

Payment

Payment is due at the time of the consultation. We accept EFTPOS, Visa, Mastercard and cash. We do not offer accounts or payment plans, but we can quote in advance for any procedure and will always discuss costs before proceeding. Pet insurance claim forms are completed free of charge, usually within two business days.

Plain-text source for this page: content/01-clinic-overview.md