In this issue
Caseous Lymphadenitis: An Emerging Problem
Pre breeding testing of bulls
End of OTMS
Calf Pneumonia

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Caseous Lymphadenitis: An Emerging Problem

This disease of sheep has been in the UK for about 15 years and although it is still most common in terminal sire breeds, it is spreading throughout the national flock. We have recently diagnosed it on one of our client’s farms.

It is a bacterial infection causing superficial and internal abscesses leading to weight loss, poor production and carcase condemnation.

Entry into the flock is usually with an infected animal that may show characteristic abscess but it may not. Clipping and dipping contractors can also spread infection between farms. Within a flock, close contact and use of contaminated equipment facilitates spread.
There is no vaccine licensed for use in the UK and no effective treatment. Affected animals should be culled. A blood test is available that can help in an infected flock to identify affected animals.

Be aware of the symptoms of the disease and do take note of any abscesses in your flock. Most of them will not be CLA, but a simple swab of the abscess contents can give a diagnosis. Be observant when purchasing sheep and avoid those with suspicious lumps (and other from the same flock). In heavy fleeced animals, these lumps are easily missed.

We now have the equipment to safely semen test bulls. A sample can be taken from a bull and assessed in about half an hour. It’s a simple and cost effective way to test bulls before they are used or before they are sold.
This test helps to identify the truly infertile bulls but more importantly, allows us to identify the sub fertile ones i.e. the ones which get the cows in calf eventually but not quite when you want. Several surveys have shown that approximately 10% of breeding bulls are sub fertile when they are put with the cows.
Protracted calving seasons make cow management difficult and lead to the overall average calf weight at point of sale lower – costing you money!
If you want your bulls testing, please give the surgery a ring.

All our cattle farmers will have now received a letter outlining the new rules regarding casualty slaughter. We were advised by the British Cattle Veterinary Association that the OTMS scheme would end by 7th November.

We have contacted the RPA who say that "as far as they know" the OTMS scheme will continue until the end of the year in parallel with animals going to slaughter for human consumption.

Apologies for any confusion this has caused. We will try to keep you up to date with any new developments.

The most effective way to deal with calf pneumonia is to prevent it in the first place. The use of vaccines as part of a prevention plan is important.
Last year we had outbreaks of RSV virus on units that had vaccinated with Bovipast. This year we are recommending the use of Rispoval 4 as we see it as the best vaccine on the market, providing longer protection than its rival Bovipast.
Although pneumonia vaccines appear expensive (up to £12 per calf), they are cost effective. They reduce the severity of clinical pneumonia and the use of antibiotics but they also improve the growth rates of calves, which do not appear ill but are mildly infected.
Please order your vaccine soon before an outbreak occurs.

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