Vets News
We should treat our dairy cows as if they are Olympic athletes
Published 9 September 2008
We have just come to the end of Team GB’s best Olympics for 100 years. Hasn’t it been great? We can all admire the athletes and their dedication, skill and fitness.
Regular fertility visits will help dairy units cut calving intervals
Published 15 July 2008
Over a cup of coffee last week, after a routine herd fertility visit to a 160-cow dairy farm, the farmer and I started chatting about the spiralling costs of fertiliser, fuel and feeds – to name but a few.
Why do some older cows end up skinny?
Published 17 June 2008
At last the winter housing period has come to an end and we are now noticing lots of cows in poorer condition.
‘Failing to plan is planning to fail’
Published 17 June 2008
When we visit farms, we often get into discussions with our clients about one or two health issues that are relevant to their own enterprise.
Should we lose sleep over these emerging diseases?
Published 17 June 2008
We’ve all read about the emergence of the bluetongue virus in the south of England.
40,000 gather for centuries-old fair
Published 17 June 2008
Tens of thousands of people made the most of the fine weather to witness this year’s Appleby Horse Fair. More than 40,000 visitors flooded the town over the weekend alone to see and take part in the largest annual gypsy and traveller gathering in Europe.
It’s a risky business!
Published 17 June 2008
Farmers frequently have to take risks that have an impact on the health and wellbeing of livestock.
We must watch for signs of bluetongue
Published 13 May 2008
During March, we investigated a case where housed sheep had been found dull, going off their legs and developing swollen lips.
Sheep abortions pose serious risk to humans too
Published 15 April 2008
Abortion is still one of the major causes of economic loss to the sheep industry in the UK. It causes concerns for animal welfare and, in some cases, poses a risk to the health of shepherds and others who come into contact with sheep at lambing time.
Is there any way that farmers can avoid a bluetongue outbreak?
Published 4 March 2008
Defra has ordered 22.5 million doses of a killed bluetongue vaccine, out of which 20 million doses have been reserved for use in England.
Winter chill is one of biggest lamb killers
Published 12 February 2008
Cold is one of the biggest killers of young lambs – accounting for about 40 per cent of all lamb deaths in the UK.
Blood glucose is the key to ketosis
Published 12 February 2008
WE always see quite a few cases of ketosis (also known as acetonaemia or sweetbreath) at this time of year.
