Vet watch

• Martin Peat, Cain Vet Centre, Llansantffraid, Powys

At this time of year, it is important to watch out for summer mastitis and lungworm.

Summer mastitis is spread by flies to dry udders in cows and heifers. Initially seen as a hot, swollen udder, this can progress to a sick cow if not spotted and treated promptly.

Control is based on reducing exposure to flies by either insecticide tags or pour-ons.

The use of dry cow tubes and teat sealants can also reduce infection rates. Also, avoid grazing dry cows and in-calf heifers on fly-prone pastures. Lungworm is a problem in previously unexposed stock at grass. Although associated with young stock, we have seen a few cases in adult cattle this year.

Signs vary from a slight cough to severe pneumonia. Growth rates will also be affected. Prevention involves live vaccine or strategic use of wormers.

• Steve Trickey, Chapelfield Vet Partnership, Long Stratton, Norfolk

Poor fertility seems to be an ongoing battle. We have seen a number of farms install reproductive management systems to help pick up bulling – generally with good results.

But total reliance on the system is not recommended – you still need to observe cows.

We often see cows presented because they have not been picked up as bulling by the collar. But on examination they have a bulling string and a follicle ready to ovulate. We also see cows that have registered on the system, but are mid-cycle and not ready to serve.

You must remember, this is an aid to help detect bulling, it may help pick out cows you are not too sure about. But take care – pregnant cows do show signs of bulling sometimes and there is always risk of abortion if you inseminate an already pregnant cow.

• Andrew Schofield, The Minster Vet Practice, York

Our practice has been covering the Great Yorkshire Show since before World War II. This year was no different, with three vets in attendance as soon as stock started to arrive.

Every animal is inspected on arrival – entries this year included more than 4000 stock.

There is usually an array of health issues. Many are mild conditions associated with transportation and mixing of stock, such as respiratory infections and scours, simply requiring a course of antibiotics or electrolytes. Most cases can be treated in their pens. Animals requiring closer attention can be brought into a hospitalisation area in a quiet backwater on the showground.

• Andy Adler Southfields Vet Centre, Dorchester

I visited one of our Purbeck dairy farms recently. With mastitis, high cell counts and sub-optimal fertility issues, the farm has consistently produced just more than 700,000 litres a year.

The new dairyman is determined to improve cow health. Working together, most of the issues have improved; cows are in calf allowing the herd to expand. The farm owner hopes to get more than 1m litres from the herd this year and I expect they will achieve this.

However hard vets try to give advice about animal management and welfare, it comes down to the quality of decision making and staff on the farm.

The question is, how can vets help farms improve the quality of decision making? Training and skills development will help and then it comes down to the conscientiousness of the stockman.

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