Farm First Newsletter April 2012.
Schmallenburg Update
Schmallenberg virus (SBV) infection has been identified on 235 farms in GB. Twenty five of the positive cases have been diagnosed in cattle, 210 in sheep, and none to date in other species such as goats, camelids or deer. Currently, SBV infection has only been identified in areas predicted to be at risk of midge incursion from Northern Europe during summer / autumn 2011. The possibility that domestic (local) midges may have transmitted SBV within the affected areas cannot be ruled out according to AHVLA. The figures are correct as of 30 March 2012. The virus causes stillbirths and deformities of foetuses. It is almost certainly transmitted by biting insects, so control is problematic. A stringent fly control policy will be the best way (though by no means foolproof) to try to reduce transmission via the insect population. The main fly control products have an 8-week period of persistency, and ideally they should be applied earlier than normal this year and reapplied at the 8-week intervals throughout the spring and summer.
We would urge all producers where a suspicious case arises, to take advantage of the confidential reporting service offered by AHVLA. Information on the current disease situation in Great Britain is published on the AHVLA website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/ahvla/news Please contact us at the surgery for more advice.
Milk Fever Prevention and Bovikalk Offer
Clinical milk fever is thought to affect between 4-9% of the UK’s dairy cows, while evidence suggests the subclinical form (hypocalcaemia) can affect up to 39%. It is also seen regularly in beef cows, especially in older cows originating from a dairy herd. This need not be the case however as milk fever is preventable. Clinical cases serve as an indicator that other cows in the herd could be suffering at a sub-clinical level. Hypocalcaemia has numerous links to health and productivity post-calving e.g. milk fever increases the risk of dystocia by three times and increases the risk of mastitis in the following lactation by eight times.
Clinical and subclinical milk fever can, to a large extent, be prevented through dietary management and nutrition. However there are situations or cases where the risk of milk fever is increased. High yielding multiparous dairy cows and those with a previous history of milk fever are counted amongst this at risk group. For these individuals oral calcium can be supplied prior to the risk period. Bovikalc® is an oral calcium supplement bolus containing calcium chloride and calcium sulphate. Each bolus provides 42g of available calcium, in rapid release and slow release forms, as well as having an acidifying effect to help the cow to mobilise her own calcium reserves.
How to use Bovikalc to reduce the risk of milk fever in “at risk” cows: Around the time of calving: Give the first bolus immediately prior to calving, give the second bolus immediately after calving and follow up with 2 further boluses at 12-15 hour intervals as necessary .
Following treatment of a clinical case: Give the first bolus 2-3 hours after calcium injection, give the second bolus 12-15 hours later.
Bovicalk boluses should be given with the Bovikalk metal applicator, and there is currently an offer on Bovikalc Farmer Spring Pack. These contain 6 packs of 4 boluses and a FREE METAL BOLUS GUN. Cost for one of these Bovikalc Farmer Packs is £110.81+VAT (pay at time or contract price).These packs are limited in number, so reply quickly to take advantage of the offer.
Fluid Therapy in Lambs
Unlike scouring calves, lambs are rarely given oral rehydration therapy (ORT). The benefits of ORT are replacement of electrolytes lost in diarrhoea and reversal of acidosis, both of which contribute to deaths in these lambs. There is now a product, REHYDION, which can be added to milk fed to lambs and the milk will still clot. Adding 2ml per 100 ml of milk (20 ml/litre) helps maintain electrolytes and acid-base balance, whilst the milk provides the fluid and energy requirements. One bottle contains 320 ml, enough for 160 administrations. It is easy to use and costs less than 10p per dose. As well as for scouring lambs the product can also be used in the treatment of watery mouth.
Risk of Staggers
Just a reminder that we're coming up to the peak risk period for Staggers, and that cows should have a constant, daily supply of magnesium at turnout. It is also useful to have a couple of bottles of magnesium sulphate to hand in case any cows are affected, as rapid deaths can occur. A bottle should be given under the skin in several sites to allow for faster absorption, whilst you are awaiting the arrival of a vet.
Dates for Your Diary
There will be a talk on IBR for our dairy clients at 12.30 pm on Thursday 26th April, at the King of Prussia. Please contact the surgery to book your place.
Rob and Jane will be doing a talk for Farming Connect on “The Responsible Use of Medicines”at The Huntsman, Shirenewton 7.30 pm on the 19th of April.
Rob will be doing a talk for Farming Connect at the Hogshead Pub on the 13th June on Worming Strategies for Beef and Sheep(7.30pm start).
For any goat owners there will be Health and Welfare Workshop at the Royal Welsh Showground on Wednesday 2nd May .Please contact Sian Lloyd on 01970 617309 or Lynne Holmes on 01522 751374 or email sian.lloyd@adas.co.uk
***************************Newsflash ***************************
Free coccidiosis testing for dairy calves and lambs. Please contact the surgery for details.
Practice Organisation
I would like to inform all our clients that from the beginning of April Jane will become a shareholder and director of Farm First Veterinary Services Ltd. Jane and I have worked on and off together for several years now and I hope that together we will continue to grow and improve the business. You may notice over the coming months that Jane becomes more and more grumpy, though I hope (for her sake) that the stress doesn’t make her as bald as me! As part of her preparation for management, she has also recently attended an assertiveness course, so watch out you lot!
Rob
