Animal Health News

After a very wet winter and one of the warmest Februarys on record, parasite experts at the Sustainable Control of Parasites in Sheep (SCOPS) group say the threat of nematodirus will be “extremely variable” in 2024.

Dog owners have been warned to be careful during walks and look out for the symptoms of Alabama rot after a spike of the deadly disease has been confirmed across the country.

At the beginning of this week (19th February), a ship from Brazil anchored in the port of Cape Town, with 19,000 distressed cattle aboard. The animals have been kept in appalling conditions for weeks. 

Avian influenza has been confirmed on a Yorkshire free-range farm consisting of 48,000 birds. It is the UK’s first case in months. 

With lameness being common across a range of dairy systems, causing welfare issues and financial losses, Dr James Wilson offers some guidance on prevention and control – and shares trial results from an effective alternative to formalin and copper sulphate footbath solutions.

With numerous reports of Schmallenberg appearing in early lambing flocks this season, Farmers Guide spoke to Georgina Rigby, farm vet from Cross Counties Farm Vets – part of the VetPartners group. Mrs Rigby chairs the VetPartners Sheep Clinical Interest Group and runs the Cross Counties Flock Health Club. She also has a small flock of sheep at home.

Defra is contacting individual premises under restriction to inform them of the development.

Watery mouth is one of the biggest killers of newborn lambs, and since the primary treatment was delisted, there is a need to find alternative methods. Dr Tom Barragry, vet, veterinary pharmacologist and advisor to Provita Animal Health offers advice and outlines a range of products described by one farmer as a must-have in the lambing shed.

Defra has announced the loosening of bluetongue virus measures due to the drop of midge activity during colder months.

The latest lamb energy and gut development supplement has been launched to give newborn lambs a strong start.

Vets are urging farmers to be vigilant for Schmallenberg virus (SBV) – which can mimic other diseases including bluetongue – as a rising number of early lambing flocks are hit with deadly SBV this season.

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death in dairy and beef calves and costs the industry around £50 million a year. In its most recent GB Calf Week, AHDB hosted a range of expert panels to offer top tips on how to tackle the disease. Sarah Kidby reports on improvements made on two farms.