Articles
Stay informed with our topical articles, all written by our farm vets.Border Disease
Border disease or hairy shaker disease is a virus which causes birth defects, barren ewes and abortion. It is from the same family of viruses as BVD in cattle. If a ewe is infected during pregnancy the virus passes through the placenta to the lamb, in some cases this causes embryonic loss or abortion. Some lambs survive […]
Read MoreOvine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma – OPA
Ovine Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma is caused by a virus leading to a progressive and fatal infectious lung cancer of sheep. The virus is spread from infected sheep by aerosol and nasal discharge. It is often seen in older thin sheep. There is no treatment. The signs are very similar to chronic pneumonia: Once signs are evident the […]
Read More
Coughing cattle
Lungworm larvae may survive drier periods of weather within faecal pats to be dispersed onto pasture en masse following periods of rainfall, such as those recently experienced. Cases across the UK have been recently detected. In naïve animals such as unvaccinated calves in their first grazing season or bought-in dairy cattle on farms with a […]
Read More
Johne’s Deadline
The deadline for completion of phase 2 of the National Johne’s Management Plan will soon be here – 31st October 2018. Any clients that have been asked by their dairy to comply will need to confirm that: Please let us know as soon as possible if this applies to you, so that we […]
Read MoreBVD -STAMP IT OUT
A new initiative has been launched to help farmers in England tackle BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea). It is currently estimated that BVD costs British farmers up to £60million/year, reducing productivity and profitability as a result of poor growth rates, poor health with increased pneumonia and diarrhoea, reduced fertility with higher rates of foetal death. Rigorous testing of the herd is vital […]
Read More
Brexit – a ‘no deal’ scenario?
A scenario in which the UK leaves the EU without agreement (a ‘no deal’ scenario) remains unlikely, however, it’s important to prepare for all eventualities, including ‘no deal’, until we can be certain of the outcome of negotiations. Below is some information about what is needed in a ‘no deal’ scenario, so informed plans and preparations […]
Read More