Vet Watch

Jonathan Statham

Bishopton Vet Group, Ripon

• Neospora caninum is diagnosed in 35% of bovine abortions submitted for investigation. It is a protozoan parasite with similarities to toxoplasma infections in sheep. Although relatively newly diagnosed, it is probably not new in the UK.

Neospora causes abortion commonly around drying-off time for dairy cows. It may be spread sporadically from dogs in horizontal transmission. But perhaps of more significance is vertical transmission from infected dam to calf.

Where this does not result in abortion, a chronically infected heifer calf may be born. This heifer calf will, in turn, transmit neospora to her calf when she becomes pregnant. In this way, unseen by farmer and vet alike, neospora infection in a herd can steadily increase to frightening levels.

Graeme McPherson

Larkmead Vet Group

• With the start of spring calving upon us here in south Oxfordshire we must remember that for the farmer’s future profit, we need to get cows back in calf again. This necessitates a healthy, fertile and virile bull.

Disease or stress can affect sperm production and quality for more than six weeks after the event. Now is the time to check the bull’s condition score and feet.

Also, think about his nutrition: Bulls perform better when on a rising plane of nutrition for six weeks before mating.

An infertile bull can devastate next year’s calf crop, so it is worth considering having his sperm quality analysed by electro-ejaculation by your vet.

If you have questions about how to get the most out of your bulls, speak to your vet.

Toby Kemble

Wensum Valley Vets, Fakenham

• Farmers throughout the country are wondering how bluetongue will affect them in the next few months. In East Anglia the restrictions are affecting everyone already and talk is now of vaccination.

If it is sold at, say, 50p a dose, with one dose needed for sheep, a sheep farmer with 1000 ewes (and hence up to 3000 animals when vaccine is available) will be asked to spend £1500, both to save his livelihood and to prevent spread to others.

With the sheep industry as it is, many farmers are not in a position to pay this. While they will want to protect their own flock and help stop the disease, if they cannot afford it, they will not do it.

Tim O’Sullivan

Mcpherson O’Sullivan, Hanwood, Shrewsbury

• Spring normally sees an increase in the number of left-displaced abomasums. Vets often debate the best treatments, but the farmer’s best option is prevention. Nine in 10 LDAs occur within the first four weeks after calving.

The key to prevention is maintaining good rumen function and fill in the late dry period and early post-calving period. Blood sampling late-pregnancy cows for signs of fatty breakdown can help spot problems before they begin.

Meanwhile, heifers are much less likely to suffer when they have had adequate time in the dry cow group to adjust to new diets and the new social group.

* All participating vets are members of XLVets, a group of farm animal committed practices who work together, alongside commercial research and manufacturing companies. They aim to share best practice on advice and disease prevention initiatives.