Achieving Excellence in Health and Productivity
PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP
ISSUE 35
Livestock NEWS Liver Fluke Update Sheep
Robovet ...New Practice Computer System This month see the first invoices generated by our new computer system and we hope you will agree they are a little less cluttered and simpler to understand. They no longer include the clinical notes although these are still recorded and you are welcome to a print out if you would like. The balance brought forward is that off your last invoice dated 31st January 2013. Transactions from the 1st February are itemised and will account for this month’s balance. If you have any queries or need any assistance please do not hesitate to call the practice.
Price Rise Regrettably and out with our control a number of major pharmaceutical companies sprung a 3-6% price rise on some key products on the 1st February. We have absorbed or forward bought those that we can but unfortunately some will have a price change. We continue to seek the best products with the best value whilst maintaining the quality you expect and continue to fight to maintain competitive prices.
There've been more reports of liver fluke resistance to Tricalbendazole this month - ie sheep treated with Tricalbendazole (the active ingredient in Fasinex and Endofluke) and still dying of Fluke infestation. Tricalbendazole is the only drug that will kill immature fluke, so it's important we avoid allowing resistance to build through over-use, and reserve it for when it's really needed in late summer and autumn. At this time of year, any product can be used, as fluke are by now all mature, so use something that doesn't contain Tricalbendazole. Closantel is a powerful flukicide offering effective treatment (>95%) of late immature and adult fluke. Unlike triclabendazole, closantel is administered in the active form and does not require metabolism in the liver. Studies have also shown closantel to be effective against fluke which are resistant to triclabendazole. Closamectin Injection for Sheep contains a unique combination of 12.5% closantel and 0.5% w/v ivermectin. This means that, as well as having an efficacy of greater than 95% against fluke aged seven weeks and older, it is also effective against a wide range of gastrointestinal worms, lungworms, and nasal bots. Although adult sheep develop some immunity to worm infection, ewes should be treated for stomach worms around lambing to prevent pasture contamination. Pregnant and lactating ewes suffer a temporary loss in
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immunity as a result of hormonal changes around the time of lambing allowing an increase in worm egg shedding. Deworming with Closamectin Sheep Injection will help the ewe expel worms and reduce the exposure of new-born lambs to infective worm larvae on contaminated pasture. Closamectin Sheep Inj 1ml per 25kg, 250ml £49 SCOPS advice should always be considered - discuss treatment with a vet if you are unsure.
Dairy Cows Unfortunately with dairy cows we're restricted with what's licensed for milk producing animals. Recent changes to licenses mean that currently the only products that are licensed for dairy cows in the UK are Fasinex 240 (only for use at drying off) or Albendazole (60hrs milk withhold). FASINEX 240, 5ml per 100kg, 2.2 litre = £140, 5 litre = £262
Beef Cattle Beef cows and youngstock that have been grazing last season can be treated with a product that controls adult fluke such as Trodax®, or if a worming treatment is also required, a combined product such as Ivomec Super® or Bimectin Plus®. Trodax 1.5ml per 50kg, 2 x 500ml = £139 Bimectin Plus 1ml per 50kg, 500ml = £85
MARCH 2013
Contact us: PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP CALDEW VETERINARY HOSPITAL Carlisle House, Townhead Road, Dalston, Carlisle
Tel: (01228) 710208 vets@paragonvet.com TOWNHEAD VETERINARY CENTRE Townhead Veterinary Centre, Newbiggin, Stainton, Penrith, Cumbria CA11 0HT
Tel: (01768) 483789 townhead@paragonvet.com PARAGON ET The Mart, Tyne Green, Hexham, Northumberland NE46 3SG
Tel: (01434) 600566 et@paragonvet.com
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LIVESTOCK NEWS
Cumbria Milk Records Competition 2012 Congratulations to all out clients who performed so well in the recent Cumbria Milk Records competition. Far too many to mention but over 15 featured across pretty much all the categories. Well done to the winners of the ‘Paragon Cup’ - Heifer Highest on Yield (kg), Messrs H Thompson of Springfield. Special mention for Messrs Hayton of Peastree Farm Ltd and Messrs H R Henderson & son who have the oldest (6927 days 10/1993) and second oldest (6667 days 6/1994) recorded cows in Cumbria… and still both going strong, well done!
Food Scandal... The recent finding of horse meat in some supposed beef products seems to have resulted in a drop of 'cheap' meat sales through supermarkets and increased sales of beef through butchers with a rise in beef prices including cull cows. Before we all cheer perhaps there are a few points that we ought to think about; Consumers are swayed by things that we may not consider are valid or even scientifically important points. Eating horse is not of itself of any greater health risk than any other red meat but ethically people don't want to do it. Although one can't cover every eventuality it pays to double-check that you are doing every thing possible to produce safe food including observing withdrawal periods for meat and milk. Not all drugs are currently routinely tested for but, as the finding of minute traces of horse DNA in some samples has demonstrated, modern scientific methods can find very small traces of substances! Ultimately someone is eating or drinking your produce and any health risk is not worth taking. The last thing that British farming needs is to be pulled down by any further food scandals.
Milk progesterone Testing! Have you ever been unsure whether a cow is in heat or not? Ever served a cow and then found out that she was already pregnant? We all know that detecting heat in dairy cows is becoming harder and harder each year. This can mean that any cow that shows the slightest suggestion of being in heat is AI'd without any thought that she may be pregnant. It is estimated that up to 20% of artificial inseminations are given to cows that are actually pregnant which may cause abortion. This is further complicated by the fact that around 5% of pregnant cows will still show signs of bulling. Milk progesterone testing is a quick, cheap and effective way of confirming the bulling status of any cows that you are not sure about. In addition to your current heat detection aids this method can help avoid the unnecessary wasting of semen and time taken to inseminate them. All you need is a small amount of milk and you will get a result within 10 mins showing if they are in heat or not.
The funding we've been using to subsidise Farmskills courses in recent years comes to an end this summer. We'll continue to run courses after the funding comes to an end, but they're likely to be more expensive.
10th April 2013 in Holmes Chapel, Cheshire Call Louise on 01772 866014 for your free registration pack - Limited places available.
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detecting silent heats, detecting non pregnant cows at 19-24 days after serving and, investigation of non cycling cows.
Why not ask your routine vet about these tests at your next visit to see if they could help improve the fertility in your herd.
So - if you've been considering doing an AI or foot trimming course - or any other course - book now, before the funding stops!
Course: First Aid for Farmers Tuesday 12th March 2013
Cost: £70
This is a human first aid course - not cows! 10am till 4pm at Paragon Dalston.
Course: DIY AI 9th - 12th April 2013 (4 days)
Cost: £311 Become qualified to AI cows, and improve fertility. 10am till 3pm at Paragon Dalston and nearby farms.
Course: DIY AI 11th - 14th June 2013 (4 days)
Cost: £311 Become qualified to AI cows, and improve fertility. 10am till 3pm at Paragon Dalston and nearby farms.
Course: Cattle Foot Trimming date TBC (3 days)
Get the facts you need to determine whether automation in milking is the best way forward for your farm.
Visit the robot event
There are many other uses for these simple tests including;
Forthcoming Farmskills courses
The ROBOT EVENT... Automated Milking Workshop Everything you wish to know about AUTOMATED MILKING and more! Already have a robot? Thinking about investing in a robot?
MARCH 2013
Cost: £192 Trim feet correctly, treat lame cows and reduce lameness. 10am till 3.30pm at Paragon Dalston and a nearby farm.
Course: Cattle Practical Techniques date TBC (1 day)
Cost: £45
Stomach tubing, IV injections, calving techniques and more. Ideal for young farmers. 10am till 3.30pm at Paragon Dalston and a nearby farm.
Other courses can be run on demand - eg dairy cow nutrition, dry cow management, calf care - get in touch if there's a course you'd like to do.