Download Farm Animal Spring Newsletter 2013

Spring 2013
Brackla Hospital
Church Acre,
Brackla
Bridgend
CF31 2JT
Llantrisant
Cefn Mabley
Newbridge
Road
CF72 8EX
Barry
62 Salisbury
Road
Barry
CF62 6PU
Porthcawl
126 West Road
Nottage
CF36 3RY
01656 782345
Pencoed
13 Penprsyg Road
Pencoed
CF35 6SS
01656 862490
FARM ANIMAL AND EQUINE
NEWSLETTER
Vaccination Amnesty
for Horses
During the months of April
and May 2013 we are holding
a vaccination amnesty for
horses. If you have a horse
whose vaccinations have
lapsed, we are offering to
give the 2nd vaccination for
free to help you get back on
track. This offer applies to
both flu and tetanus vaccinations or tetanus alone, whichever you prefer.
Visit charges will still apply
but we will happily see your
horse at one of our surgeries
if you prefer.
Your horse is precious to
you, so why put him at
risk?
Thank you to those
farmers who attended
our footrot in sheep
information day sponsored by MSD animal
health at Rhiwceiliog
last month. We hope
you found it useful.
Thanks must also go to
the Morgans who hosted the event and Mrs
Matthews who provided a sumptuous spread.
Keep your eyes open
for future events and
offers on our website
www.maesglasvets.co.uk
Welcome to the first edition of the Maes Glas Veterinary Group farm animal and equine
newsletter. We aim to tell you all about our upcoming promotions and client events and to
provide interesting and useful articles. Please let us know what you think of it and if there
are any topics you want to see covered.
For the latest Maes Glas news please visit our website www.maesglasvets.co.uk
Do I Need To Vaccinate My Horse?
Unusually, we have recently
seen several cases of tetanus in
horses in the Bridgend area.
Tetanus is a disease caused by
toxin producing bacteria, Clostridium tetani. This is found in
much of the environment including soil and droppings. The
bacteria thrives in low oxygen
conditions such as at the base
of puncture wounds and produces its powerful toxin which
affects the muscles and nerves
causing progressively worsening muscular stiffness and
spasm.
The horse will
often develop
an
anxious
expression,
flared nostrils
and may have difficulty chewing and swallowing food and
saliva hence the old name of
“lockjaw”. The horse will often
overreact to normal stimuli
such as noise and light and may
have difficulty in moving
around and a tendency to hold
the tail straight and stiff behind
when walking. If the muzzle is
Johnes disease in
dairy cattle
A Farming Connect talk for
dairy farmers
raised to the same height as the
ears then you may see the third
eyelid flash over the eye surface.
In advanced cases the horse may
be completely unable to feed and
collapse and fits are frequently
seen. Death will normally follow
soon after this point is reached.
Unfortunately tetanus, once developed is difficult to treat, the
majority of cases are euthanased.
On the other hand, the vaccine is
extremely effective at preventing
the condition from developing.
We recommend that your horse is
vaccinated for tetanus, or if this is
not done then anti-toxin is given
each time a wound is found or
suspected.
When vaccinating, the initial
course is two doses given 4 -6
weeks apart followed by a
subsequent dose one year
after.
After this the requirement is
for a single vaccine given
every 2 years. Foals can be
vaccinated from 3 months
old. If the mare has been vaccinated in the last few weeks
of pregnancy (the primary
course should have been given before the mare became
pregnant) then a degree of
immunity will be acquired by
the foal. Nevertheless, we
recommend an injection of
tetanus anti-toxin be given to
foals soon after birth to provide protection for their first
few months of life.
Why not share a visit with a
friend and book a vaccination
for your horse?
Prevention is better than
cure.
Cows not milking like they should? Find out if Johnes could be affectToo many culls? High cell counts? ing the health and productivity of
Lame cows?
your herd and how to manage it
effectively.
It may be Johnes disease and you
don’t know it.
Thursday 21st March, 11.30am - 2.30pm at Ty Tanglwst farm, Pyle. CF33 4SA
www.maesglasvets.co.uk
FARM ANIMAL AND EQUINE NEWSLETTER
Liver Fluke
Liver fluke is a parasite that causes
damage to the liver in cattle and
sheep. It causes diarrhoea, reduced
weight gain, decreased milk yields,
reduced fertility and can result in
death as well as downgrading of carcases. The parasite requires wet habitat as it must pass through mud snails
to complete its life cycle and it is
particularly prevalent in Wales.
Control of fluke can be difficult but
effective use of available grazing is
very important. If possible avoid
grazing around water margins by
fencing off ponds, streams and boggy
ground. This is particularly important
in dairy cattle as treatment is difficult
due to the long milk withdrawal on
many flukicides.
We tend to see three peaks of fluke
related disease during the year. In
July to December we see very sick
animals as the pasture burdens are
highest, and large numbers of larvae
migrate through the liver resulting in
massive acute damage. From October through to January a milder form
with marked weight loss can occur
and in the spring we see chronic disease as overwintered larvae emerge
causing weight loss, diarrhoea, swollen bellies and sometimes swelling
under the jaw.
Different flukicides have different
actions. Only Trichlabendazole containing products have an effect on
immature fluke. Control programs
using flukicides will vary from farm
to farm depending on the risk of infection. Resistance to certain
flukicides has been seen in the area
and we recommend they should be
used in conjunction with veterinary
advice
Flukicides should be used at the time
of winter housing to kill adult fluke
that would otherwise result in chronic fasciolosis in spring, and again in
the spring to reduce pasture contamination and keep levels lower through
the year. Treatments may also be
required during the warmer months.
Mild, wet winters such as the one we
have just had lead to a higher risk of
clinical disease. If you want to discuss a potential fluke problem, give
us a ring and ask to speak to a member of the farm animal team.
Free blood tests for Cushings in Horses
Pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID),
commonly known as
Equine Cushing’s Disease causes the horse’s
pituitary gland, which
secretes hormones to
control body functions,
to work too hard. This
can lead to a variety of
signs in your horse or
pony including a tendency to recurrent laminitis, obesity and recur-
rent infections. Often
marked fat deposits
above the eyes are seen
as well as a long haircoat which may not be
shed properly in the
Summer.
where laminitis develops secondary to Cushings disease, it is much
harder to control the
laminitis without taking
steps to control the
Cushings as well. Contact the surgery to book
Controlling the disease a consultation and a
with medication helps free blood test for
to reduce the tendency Cushings courtesy of
of your horse to suffer Boerhinger Ingelheim
from the above prob- during April, May and
lems. In particular, June 2013.
AHVLA services
After opposition to proposed government cuts, Carmarthen AHVLA services are to remain
open to Welsh farmers for 2013. Carcass submission for post-mortem examination
should be arranged through your normal veterinary surgeon. Services are no longer
available on weekends.
Abortion in ewes
Many infectious causes of abortion can also infect humans
bedding must be removed and
destroyed to prevent spread of
- Consider vaccinating all flock
replacements against EAE and
(zoonotic infection)
disease on your farm
Toxoplasmosis
- An abortion rate in excess of
two per cent is suggestive of an
- Maintain a closed flock wherever possible
- All feed must be stored in
vermin-proof bins
- Purchase all flock replacements
as maiden sheep whether ewe
- Sheep should be managed in
clean environments
infectious cause and veterinary
investigation is essential
- All aborted ewes must be isolated immediately and kept
away from in lamb sheep for at
least 1 month
- Aborted material and infected
lambs or gimmers
- Try not to buy old pregnant
- Water should be supplied from
a mains supply with ponds and
ewes - they are seldom a bar-
surface water fenced off
gain and always a great disease
risk
To submit samples for abortion diagnosis we need the foetus(es), a piece of placenta, and ideally a blood sample from the ewe. While the first submission may identify a recognised cause, it
is important to continue collecting aborted material during the outbreak as more than one agent
may be present within the flock and such knowledge is essential when formulating treatment,
control and prevention strategies.
Some infectious agents which cause abortion in ewes can infect humans (zoonotic infection).
Pregnant women are especially vulnerable, as are very young children, the elderly and people
who are immunosuppressed. Contact with the animals themselves and any discharges or abortion products should be avoided, as should contact with persons dealing with such animals,
their clothing and equipment.
Farmers with unvaccinated flocks can request blood samples for Toxoplasmosis and
Chlamydia (the organism which causes Enzootic abortion) — both major causes of
abortion in ewes. MSD animal health will cover the lab fees for up to 6 samples from
each farm.