ISSUE 58 Winter 2016
Livestock www.paragonvet.com
NEWS
Inside this issue: Christmas drinks! Schmallenberg latest Footrot update SARA review Christmas opening hrs ACHIEVING EXCELLENCE IN HEALTH AND PRODUCTIVITY
Winter 2016
LIVESTOCK NEWS
Winter 2016
Re-Emergence of Schmallenberg Virus By Bruce Richards Schmallenberg virus (SBV) has resurfaced in Holland and Belgium with clinical presentations of milk drop and diarrhoea in dairy cows and abortion with foetal deformities. Domestically recently SBV virus has been isolated from a deformed calf in Cornwall and in Cheshire routine screening has shown evidence of seroconversion (exposure). Locally we have seen evidence of SBV in deformed calves and seroconversion via milk testing, albeit in 2013. So whilst the risk is low, we know SBV has occurred in Cumbria. Transmission of the virus by biting midges is followed by viraemia lasting around 6 days. In cattle this can be accompanied by high temperatures, diarrhoea and milk drop with recovery after a few days. Sheep are generally asymptomatic. Foetal deformities can occur if pregnant cattle are infected during months three and four of gestation and the danger period for ewes is month two of pregnancy. Signs include fused and deformed limbs and spine (arthrogryposis), swollen heads (hydrancephaly) and deformed spines. With a warm autumn /early winter midges could still have been about. If SBV virus is circulating locally, cows served through the late summer and ewes tupped in August/September are most at risk of foetal abnormalities. There is also a potential risk associated with the purchase of dairy heifer replacements from Northern Europe.
New Flukicide for sheep SolantelÂŽ is a new oral drench for the treatment and prevention of chronic and subacute fasciolosis in sheep and lambs. It is effective against adult and late immature fluke, including triclabendazole-resistant fluke. It can also be used to treat Haemonchus contortus. Solantel kills fluke from 5 weeks of age. It is available in three different pack sizes (1L; 2.5L and 5L) and is recommended for use mainly during winter and early spring.
LIVESTOCK NEWS
Winter 2016
Footrot in Sheep By Diether Prins What is footrot? Footrot in sheep is an acute to chronic infectious condition of the interdigital skin of the claws. It is caused by 2 bacteria (Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides Nodosus) which can be commonly found in the environment and the intestines of sheep. Once infection has been established, severe soft tissue damage will occur and eventually the horn growth will be affected. Sheep will often be severely lame and might graze on their knees. Some sheep are more robust to footrot and breeding of sheep that have not have had footrot will reduce footrot problems in the future. When does footrot occur? Unfortunately footrot can occur year round and both outside and inside. However spring and autumn are the main seasons for footrot to occur. Warm (> 8°) and moist environments can easily spread the infection from sheep to sheep both outside and inside. How does it spread? Infected sheep and goats are the main source of infection and claws affected by footrot will deposit large quantities of bacteria on the land and bedding and thus spreading it to other sheep. Footrot is flock disease and acute outbreaks can occur during periods of risk.
Grazing on knees due to pain from footrot (source: NADIS)
Symptoms of footrot
lameness in multiple animals in the flock (the “yes-nodders”) walking with a stiff gait or reluctant to walk at all grazing or walking on the front “knees” painful, warm claws
interdigital claw skin problems ultimately leading to degloving of claw unpleasant smell coming from claws Hidden costs of footrot When footrot is affecting a sheep flock not only the costs for treatment should be considered but also costs related to reduced growth, loss of body condition and loss of milk production (dairy goats and sheep). Individual treatment of footrot Treatment of footrot consists of trimming of the affected claws ensuring that all abnormal horn is being trimmed. This should be done with sharp trimmers. If no abnormal horn is present, don’t trim. Antibiotic spray (blue-spray) should be applied and allowed to dry on the feet. Systemic antibiotic and painkillers can be considered in bad cases. The vaccine “Footvax” does not only work preventative but also curative and Footrot infection spreading under horn. Except for sharp horn, this hoof should not be trimmed. will speed up the healing process. The vaccine should be
administered at the first signs of the disease in combination (Source: NADIS) with foottrimming, footbaths and appropriate antibiotic treatment. LIVESTOCK NEWS
Winter 2016 Flock treatment plan of footrot At time of outbreaks or severe problems the following treatment protocol is recommended: 1. Check the feet of all animals and trim when necessary; divide the animals in an affected and nonaffected group. Affected animals should be treated with an appropriate antibiotic and their feet sprayed with antibiotic containing spray (and allowed to dry). A footvax injection can be considered at this stage (remember: this vaccine works also curative). 2. All animals, both affected and non-affected animals, should be left in a footbath for 5-10 minutes. The footbath should contain cupper-sulphate or possibly an antibiotic (on veterinary advice), formalin will be too irritating and counter effective. After the footbath, both groups (affected and non-affected) should be placed in separate fields that have not contained any sheep for at least 2 weeks. In this situation you create a system where feet are disinfected and are a placed in clean fields with very low infection pressure. 3. After 2 weeks check all feet of the affected group (keep a close eye on lameness in the non-affected group). Animals still affected should be treated with appropriate antibiotics, their feet sprayed and separated from the animals that have changed from affected to nonaffected animals. Both groups of animals (still affected and affectedto-non-affected animals) should be left in an appropriate footbath Neglected case of footrot. This should not happen! (preferably copper-sulphate) for 5-10 minutes after which the Healing will take a long time if it happens at animals that moved from affected-to-non-affected status at this all. second inspection can move into the field of the non-affected (Source: NADIS) animals from the first inspection 2 weeks earlier. Animals still affected should yet again move into a clean field that has not been occupied by sheep for at least 2 weeks. 4. This 2 week interval should be repeated for the group of affected animals. Over time, this group will become smaller and smaller. Animals that remain affected should eventually be culled as these animals are most likely carriers of the disease. 5. Other measurements: Vaccination: vaccination with Footvax not only works curative but also preventative. An initial dose should be given under the skin. If, after 6 weeks significant levels of lameness persists in the flock or footrot favourable climatic conditions arise, administer a further dose. Otherwise delay this dose until conditions favour re-emergence of the disease. Subsequent doses should be administered according to conditions; with constant severe disease challenge requiring 2 injections per year before adverse conditions (normally March -May and October – December) or during low infectious pressure 1 dose per year. Housing: during the summer months, all straw should be removed from the housing facility and the housing area disinfected. No sheep should be allowed in the housing area during summer. Before housing, check the feet and treat if necessary. A standing footbath just before housing ensures disinfected feet entering the housing facility.
LIVESTOCK NEWS
Winter 2016
Update on SARA By Phil Wilkinson Clinical acidosis is rarely seen in dairy herds, but the less severe sub-acute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is common among early- and mid-lactation cows. SARA is caused by a drop in rumen pH, which is the result of feeding a ration with a high acidic load. Often the result of adding high starch, rapidly fermentable feeds to compensate for poor quality silage. The symptoms can often go unnoticed, but estimates are that SARA could be costing the UK dairy industry as much as £25m each year. Wet, acidic and poorer quality silages being fed on many units this year means that producers should be particularly vigilant for signs of SARA this winter. Because silage quality (energy) is low this year, it can be tempting to add more starchy feeds to rations in a bid to maintain and improve milk yields. But feeding a ‘hot’ ration is not without risk. Rapidly fermentable ingredients will increase the risk of SARA, as will ‘slug’ feeding concentrates in the parlour or out-of-parlour feeders. Little and often is the key here and never more than 2kg of concentrate per feed. Depressed milk yields and/or low milk butterfats, below 3%, are often the first sign of a problem. The cows themselves may exhibit poor cudding, loose dung, tail swishing (resulting in dirty flanks), variable and low feed intakes, and poor fibre and grain digestion (indicated by quantities of either in the dung). The total cost of the condition is undoubtedly much higher once treatment costs and the impact on cow health and fertility. SARA is implicated in reduced fertility and a higher incidence of lameness, along with an increased susceptibility to mycotoxins and pathogenic bacteria as a result of the acidic rumen environment. Cows suffering from SARA are also more prone to production diseases such as mastitis, LDA and endometritis as well as risk of developing liver abscesses. To rule out SARA, we could take a tiny sample (just 2 or 3ml) of rumen liquor from a dozen cows in your herd, and check pH and microbe population. A healthy rumen pH should be above 6 and, viewed under a microscope, microbes should be lively and ‘swirl’ around. Formulating rations to produce the right balance of energy release in the rumen is the first step in keeping SARA under control. The second is accurate and thorough ration mixing to ensure that cows actually eat the planned ration – and can’t sort through it. LIVESTOCK NEWS
Winter 2016 Pay close attention to the chop length of straw to minimise sorting (aim for 5cm), and include a moist feed or liquid feed if rations are dry or unpalatable. Both will help mask unpalatable feed ingredients, bind finer particles to the forage and promote consistent intakes. And make sure the ration contains enough structural fibre to stimulate rumen function and promote cudding. Watch your cows and aim for at least 60 chews per cud. It is essential to ensure good production of saliva, which is the cow’s best natural rumen buffer. If you think that your cows may be showing signs of SARA, getting on top of it sooner rather than later will benefit your cows in the long run.
New Pneumonia Vaccine HIPRABOVIS® SOMNI/Lkt is a vaccine that focuses on preventing pneumonia in the first place, and therefore reducing lost income. It contains a unique formulation which offers protection against the dreaded Pasteurella pneumonia bacteria known as Mannheimia haemolytica and Histophilus somni. These bacteria are known to cause severe and fatal pneumonia, and in doing so compromise animal welfare. There is also increasing awareness of Histophilus somni as a cause of infertility in breeding heifers/cows. HIPRABOVIS® SOMNI/ Lkt is the only licensed vaccine in Europe offering combined protection against these two bacteria and which can lead to a reduction up to 80% in antibiotic treatments needed. The vaccine comes in easy 10 and 50 dose vials, and involves a simple 2ml subcutaneous injection. If you are having problems this autumn speak to one of the vets, we may be able to do some diagnostics as this is another weapon in our armoury against calf pneumonia and may help reduce cases on your farm.
LA Drugs Orders Please can we ask for as much notice as possible is given when requesting drug orders. For cash account orders 24hrs notice is preferred. This will ensure that we can order from the wholesaler and have all of your order ready when you collect it. We do understand on occasion you may need certain items sooner. We can provide you with a form listing the majority of your drugs so that you can fax or email it through to save time. If you have any queries regarding this then please ask at dispensary. LIVESTOCK NEWS
CHRISTMAS OPENING HOURS Saturday
24th
December (Xmas Eve)
8.30am-12.30pm
Sunday 25th December (Xmas Day)
EMERGENCIES ONLY, ON CALL VET AVAILABLE
Monday 26th December
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Tuesday 27th December
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Wednesday 28th December
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Thursday 29th December
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Friday 30th December
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Saturday 31st December (New Year’s Eve)
8.30am-12.30pm
Sunday 1st January
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Monday 2nd January
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Tuesday 3rd January
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SEASON’S GREETINGS FROM PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP
Contact us: Paragon Veterinary Group
Townhead Veterinary Centre
Carlisle House, Townhead Road Dalston, Carlisle, CA5 7JF Tel: (01228) 710208 vets@paragonvet.com
Newbiggin, Stainton, Penrith, CA11 0HT Tel: (01768) 483789 townhead@paragonvet.com