In this issue
Westmorland Show
New Calf Pneumonia Vaccine
Tupping Time
Farm Information Sheets

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Westmorland Show
Our stand this year is to be near the cattle ring. It would be great to see you there. We promise no hard selling but a chat and refreshments (tea/coffee or something stronger!) Its always a great day out, whatever the weather.

Westmorland Show Web Site

Pictures from the 2005 show

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New Calf Pneumonia Vaccine
Pfizer launched a new vaccine against RSV and PI3 last spring. We haven’t mentioned it up to now because it seemed the wrong time of year. This vaccine is given up the nose and is licensed to be used from 3 weeks of age although it can be used earlier. It starts to give protection in 4-5 days after application but only lasts for 9 weeks.

We can see this vaccine being useful for those calves that are born in winter and often go down with pneumonia before the full course of Rispoval 4 can be given. It may also be useful for dairy bull calves to keep them healthy before they are sold for export. Although its use in the face of an outbreak of pneumonia is not recommended because it takes 4-5 days to start working, it may be better than doing nothing to protect vulnerable calves.

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Tupping Time

For most, tupping time is just around the corner. Ewes should be vaccinated against abortion before tupping and be on a rising plane of nutrition.

Don’t forget the rams, they’re going to have their work cut out in the next few weeks. Take the opportunity to get the tups in, make sure their feet are OK and that they’re not too fat or thin. While you’re at it, check the scrotum, testicles and penis.

Horned Tups

Medics recommend that men should check themselves regularly so the least we can do for the poor tup is to check him annually. Look for odd shaped and sized balls, heat or swelling. If you’re in any doubt, bring them into the surgery for us to examine and take semen samples to check their fertility.

Lambing time can be made shorter by getting the ewes to come into season closer together. This can be done by sponging sheep but one way which is cheaper in the long run is to use vasectomised rams. If you are interested in getting a ram vasectomised or want to know how you would use him, please contact the surgery - or see the new information sheet.

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Departing

This month Hannah Sinclair is leaving the practice to work closer to home in Scotland.
We wish her well for the future.

To date, we have not chosen a replacement but we are employing a locum called Gareth Steele for a month by
which time the permanent post should have been filled.

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Farm Information Sheets

We have added a new section to our website - Information sheets for our farm clients.
Currently we have sheets on:

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