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March 2016
Issue 24
Newsletter
PNEUMONIA
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO VACCINATE!!
With the weather being so mild and wet this winter we are visiting more and more calves and
older cattle with pneumonia. Despite treatment some of these animals are not ‘picking up’ as
quickly as we would all like to see.
Pneumonia can be caused by viruses and / or bacteria. In most cases we find the animals are
infected by a virus initially causing pyrexia (high temperature), an increased respiratory rate,
runny noses & eyes and their feed intake drops rapidly. The bacteria then takes advantage of
the damaged tissue within the respiratory tract and creates secondary pneumonia.
There are various vaccines available to reduce the severity and impact of pneumonia. The
vaccinations can be started in some cases as young as 9 days. Vaccination increases the
calves immunity so they are better protected & reduces the amount of virus circulating within
the building.
Please pop in or give us a call to discuss with one of us the appropriate vaccination protocol
for your farm and stock.
FREEBIE ALERT!!
Do you know the status of your herd with BVD (Bovine Viral Diarrhoea), IBR (Infectious
Bovine Rhinotracheitis) & Leptospirosis?
BVD mainly causes immunosuppression in youngstock and fertility problems in adult cattle.
IBR can cause milk drop and respiratory signs – runny eyes, coughing, a high temperature.
Leptospirosis is a common infection in dairy and beef herds causing infertility, abortion and
poor milk yield.
Dairy check involves taking a bulk milk sample to check for the above diseases. Beef check
involves taking blood samples from a selection of youngstock.
The laboratory fees are currently being funded so take advantage of this
opportunity when you next have a vet out on your farm or at your TB test.
TWIN LAMB DISEASE - PREGNANCY KETOSIS
Twin lamb disease is a metabolic disease of late gestation ewes. The condition exists when
the nutrient requirements of the growing lambs in the uterus exceed the nutrient intake of the
ewe.
Symptoms

the ewe may stand away from the flock

Not eating or not coming to the trough at feeding time

Blindness

Foamy mouth & nostrils

Grinding teeth

Facial or body twitching

Sweet smelling breath
If you see any of these symptoms with your pregnant ewes then this is an emergency and a
vet will be required to examine the sheep & treat accordingly. The ewe will need a high
glucose drench to rapidly increase her energy levels. She may also need antibiotics and
calcium, but this will need to be assessed by a vet.
BOVOCYCLINE
We are now stocking an intrauterine antibiotic pessary. It is licensed for both the prevention
and treatment for post calving infections. It can be used immediately post calving, especially
if the calving has been difficult, twins, still born calves or in the cases of retained foetal
membranes. It has a milk withdrawal period of 4 days.
If you have any questions regarding this product please speak to one of us.