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VET CORNER
Milk fever in cattle
MILK fever or hypocalcaemia is a disease that is caused by low levels of calcium in the body.
Cattle will commonly get this after or just before calving because they are creating large amounts of milk which requires large amounts of calcium.
This will occur very commonly if cattle are grazing lush green pasture that has rapidly grown as this has poor levels of calcium available.
Clinical signs of milk fever can vary but in the early stages they include staggery or wobbly cattle who are nervous or aggressive and can be slightly off their feed.
As the disease develops and gets worse the clinical signs progress to cows going down and sitting on their sternum, being depressed, having tremors in their muscles and an S bend in the neck.
with Dr Keely, Ovens and Kiewa Veterinary Hospital
When the disease becomes very serious, they will be laying on their side, unresponsive and sometimes bloated.
These clinical signs can develop rapidly, and cows can deteriorate very quickly which can be fatal.
Treatment of this disease includes supplementing calcium as well as other minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium and glucose under the guidance or by a veterinarian.
If any cows in your herd show signs similar to this then contact your local veterinarian for advice on treatment, management and prevention of milk fever.
Each case is individual and as such there is no ‘one’ treatment.
PET CORNER
WANGARATTA RSPCA has many lovable creatures waiting for the perfect family to take them home. If you want to add a furry friend to your home, contact the RSPCA on (03) 5722 2874. Wangaratta RSPCA’s animal adoption source code is BR100934.
LONER: Boxing can be such a solitary pursuit and though this Rocky (pictured) will be happy in a one-dog home, he’ll want to be with you while you run or train. Rocky’s microchip number is 900079000688627.
PHOTO: Leah Anderson-Byrne
YOUR GARDEN
◆ ALLURING: Shrubs such as this Grevillea are perfect for attracting birds and insects to your garden.
Nectar giving shrubs
SHRUBS are an important element of any good garden and provide food, shelter and nesting sites for many diff erent kinds of birds, insects, butterfl ies and other creatures.
Shrubs are particularly important if you want to see small birds in your garden, as these tiny creatures need somewhere to hide from predators such as cats and bigger birds.
They also provide a crucial food source and encourage a healthy ecosystem in your backyard.
Some great nectar giving shrubs include:
Kangaroo Paw - Anigozanthos spp. These plants have lovely, bright fl owers in shades of yellow, orange, red, green and pink, which attract honeyeaters and nectar eating birds such as the Superb Fairy-wren and Eastern Spinebill.
Twiggy Heath Myrtle - Baeckea virgata. This plant will attract and feed nectar-feeding butterfl ies, beetles and tree-frogs.
Banksias - Banksia spp. There are many diff erent kinds of Banksias and they grow to diff erent heights and sizes, so do a bit of research to get a local native one of an appropriate size for your garden. Banksias provide larval with The Foundation of National Parks and Wildlife food for butterfl ies. Birds love to hide in these dense shrubs and they help protect smaller birds from predators. Honeyeaters take nectar and insects from Banksias. Some Banksias also provide seeds for Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos.
Common Appleberry - Billardiera scandens. This climber will feed birds such as the Lewins Oriole, Olive-backed Oriole, and Satin Bowerbird. Butterfl ies love to drink its nectar, and skinks eat its soft fruits.
Sunset Serenade - Boronia muelleri. This plant attracts several diff erent kinds of butterfl ies, particularly Painted Lady Butterfl ies and Common Brown Butterfl ies.
Callistemons, also known as
Bottlebrushes - Callistemon spp. Callistemons are famous for their brushy, showy fl owers, which are overfl owing with nectar and attract nectar eating birds and honeyeaters. They’re also good plants for birds to shelter and sometimes nest in, and they also attract insects which birds love to eat. Some Callistemon provide seeds for rosellas, and fruits for some parrots. Some Callistemons grow quite large, so make sure to get a local native one which will suit your garden.
Correas, also known as Na
tive Fuchsia - Correa spp. These plants with bell-shaped fl owers attract honeyeaters and nectar feeding birds. Some parrots eat the fl owers and some provide a haven for lizards.
Grevilleas - Grevillea spp. Provides nectar for birds such as honeyeaters like Wattlebirds, Eastern Spinebills, and Noisy Friarbirds, and insects. Parrots and rosellas feed on the seeds. Attracts insects which small birds like Scrub wrens will happily feed on.
Kunzeas - Kunzea spp. Attracts nectar-feeding birds and insects.
Leptospermum ‘Horizontalis’ -
Silky Tea-tree - Leptospermum lanigerum. Attracts nectar feeding and seed eating birds and nectar-feeding beetles.
Grass Tree - Xanthorrhoea australis. Honey eaters and numerous colourful beetles and insects are attracted to the nectar rich fl owers. Insectivorous birds are attracted to the insects. Lorikeets feed on the soft seeds and Rosellas on the seed capsules. Antechinus feed on attracted insects.
Controlled Entry Scanning Device
'Many of our clients, especially in the Medical profession are struggling to ensure no one, including staff members enters the ʸȫɡǼɱɖőžƜʸǠʀǗȫʗʀ˛ɡɱʀȂˁ being temperature checked and more often now the requirement is for a mask to be worn inside of the building.
As a result of our client’s queries, we have developed a two-stage building entry checking process.
This Controlled Entry Scanning device is a portable waterproof and dustproof unit, has an 8-inch HD video screen, with dual cameras and most important is contactless to use.
This specialised unit ensures that any person wishing to enter your ʸȫɡǼɖȂőžƜ˛ɡɱʀȂˁʀőǼƜɱő temperature test and if that person has a higher than normal temperature reading, or not wearing a mask (optional) then this device will inhibit them from entering your workplace.' &ƜȚƜ˛ʀɱǠȚžȂʗƉƜࡉ ROSTERING PROTECTION FOR YOUR STAFF MASKS REQUIRED ON ENTRY VOICE PROMPTS
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