Bleeding Calf Syndrome (Bovine Neonatal Pancytopenia)
This is a new disease which is characterised by uncontrollable bleeding from the skin, nose and other areas, typically affecting young calves less than 4 weeks of age. Often the first sign seen is at tagging when the calf will not stop bleeding from the insertion hole. Almost all affected animals will die. The disease is due to damage to the bone marrow, which is responsible for producing the platelets in the blood which are essential for clotting.
The reason for the bone marrow damage is not known, however a possible link between vaccination of dams with Pregsure BVD and the birth of affected calves has been identified in Germany. Pfizer has voluntarily withdrawn the product from the market, but it should be stressed that no link between the vaccine and the disease has been proven, and other BVD vaccines such as Bovilis BVD are not under suspicion. The VLA would like all suspected cases to be reported, as there are ongoing investigations into the possible cause. If you are suspicious that you have a case please contact the surgery.
Emergency on Farm Slaughter
There are strict limits as to which animals fit the criteria for an emergency on-farm slaughter, the guidelines state: ‘An otherwise healthy animal must have suffered an accident that prevented its transport to the slaughterhouse for welfare reasons’.
Basically this really limits the injury to a fracture or dislocation, which requires immediate veterinary attention for welfare reasons. For this reason we must see the animal as soon as possible after injury. Animals which have been injured for several days, or suffering from chronic conditions such as lameness are not eligible.
The statutory withdrawal periods for any veterinary medicine administered must be observed for any animal slaughtered for human consumption. A declaration is required stating that all withdrawal periods for the animal have been observed. A veterinary surgeon must be present before slaughter to perform an inspection. The vet is required to declare the animal is fit for consumption, the reason for slaughter, and any treatment administered. The vet is also required to declare the date and time of slaughter, therefore he/she must be in attendance at the time of slaughter.
The farmer must contact the abattoir to confirm they will accept an emergency slaughter; however they are under no obligation to do so. The carcase must be clean, transported hygienically and arrive at the abattoir within 2 hours of slaughter.
Fly control
One of the drawbacks of the fine weather we’re currently enjoying has been a surge in the number of flies. As well as being a nuisance through biting, flies also act as a source of infection, most notably in summer mastitis but also for other diseases such as New Forest eye.
Butox Swish is probably the best product available to control flies in cows, giving protection for 8-10 weeks. For dairy cows it has a zero milk withdrawal. Stockholm tar also works well when applied directly to the udder but is very messy and needs to be reapplied every 2 weeks.
A new option available is the use biological fly control using fly parasites which are native to this country. These parasites are distributed in fly breeding areas around the farm-yard such as loose housing areas and slurry lagoons. The parasites hatch and kill the adult flies, then lay further eggs which repeat the cycle. More details on biological fly control are available on the Clover website at www.flymanagement.co.uk or www.clovergroup.eu or telephone the Clover Group at 0800 612 5289.
Identification of Cheques
A request from the girls in the office: please ensure when posting in a cheque to pay a bill that you identify it by writing your name and the farm name on the back. Otherwise the girls have to trawl though a long list of surnames to try and identify who it’s from - quite a list if your surname is Jones! The girls would also like the cheque made out to Nat, Tracy or Deb, not sure how Rob will feel about that one though. (Do they think I’m that dull-Rob)
New Streamline Machine
Farm First are slowly moving into the modern age and have invested in a Streamline machine. We should have it up and running in the next few weeks (as soon as Nat has read the instructions) and so soon will be able to take payments via card. Please note that there will be a small charge for the use of credit card(1% of invoice), debit card use will be free of charge.
Enzootic Abortion Vaccine
For those of you that have had enzootic abortion problems diagnosed in your sheep in the past, remember that vaccination is a very good method of controlling losses from this disease. Despite recent reports that the vaccinal strain has been found in some abortion samples, we would still strongly recommend that farmers with this problem vaccinate. Sheep owners in this area with the problem who have vaccinated in the past have repeatedly confirmed that the vaccine works very well. Ewe lambs kept for breeding can be given the vaccine from 5 months of age. For shearlings and older ewes the vaccine should be given from 4 months prior to mating. Do not vaccinate less than 4 weeks prior to mating-early lambing flocks need to be thinking about it now. Do not vaccinate pregnant ewes (the vaccine that we used to be able to give to pregnant ewes is now no longer available). Most ewes are vaccinated once as ewe lambs or shearlings, the vaccine then covers them for life in most circumstances. Often people slowly build up a vaccinated flock by just doing their replacements every year. Cost is about £2.00/ewe, discounts will be given for large orders. Please contact the surgery if you wish to discuss
Toxovax Vaccine
Please note there are supply problems with this vaccine this year. The practice has only been allocated 100 doses for the remainder of the year. If you normally use this vaccine for your ewes please contact us as soon as possible, the available vaccine will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
From Rob and his team at Farm First Vets.
