Inside The Book
A must-have resource for cattle vets, packed with real-world techniques, case studies and over 1000 photos from 30+ years of hands-on experience.
Designed for quick reference in the field, this book covers 50+ common cattle conditions, with step-by-step guidance on calvings, prolapses, lameness and more. Presenting symptoms and possible causes help vets quickly assess cases, while practical tips on restraint, facilities, and safety ensure effective handling.
Alongside practical advice, Cathy shares memorable anecdotes—funny, unusual and insightful stories from years in large animal practice—to give a real-world perspective on the unexpected challenges of the job.
With a focus on pasture-fed cattle, this book is also a valuable resource for overseas vets coming to work in New Zealand, helping them adapt to local farming systems. A must-have for experienced vets, new graduates and clinics welcoming international vets.
No rural vet should be without it! Order now.
The Vet Behind the Book
Cathy Thompson BVSc
Raised on a Canterbury NZ sheep farm, Cathy developed an affinity for livestock early on. She graduated from Massey University in 1975 when female veterinarians were a minority and began her career as a locum in Dargaville, where she was the district’s first female vet. In those days veterinarians didn’t specialise so had to deal with all species.
After taking time out to travel and start a family she returned to large animal practice in 1987 at the Hawera clinic of South Taranaki Animal Health Services, a forerunner of Taranaki Veterinary Centre where she spent the next 31 years servicing dairy and beef cattle clients.
Here she developed methods to handle large animals which rely on technique rather than strength. She also amassed a library of photos, practical experience and anecdotes which form the contents of this book.
She is a recipient of the Dairy Cattle Veterinarians Golden Glove award for Outstanding Contribution and the Shepherd’s Shovel award for Best Practitioner case presentation to the Sheep and Beef Cattle Veterinarians branch of the NZVA.
Now retired, Cathy is passionate about sharing her knowledge with the next generation of veterinarians, or in her words, ‘sharing the things I had to learn the hard way’ so that they have the skills and confidence to thrive in cattle practice.
IMAGE: Cathy successfully removes a melanoma tumor from a beef heifer.