Veterinary Services

• Scour and weight loss in North American Bison due to gastrointestinal parasitism.
• Lungworm in growing and adult cattle.
• Botulism in fattening cattle
• Osteoporosis in hill lambs secondary to Nematodirus infection

General Introduction

Unsettled weather conditions prevailed throughout most of August, with rain showers common. Sunshine hours were average in the south but a northerly component to the wind on many days kept northern areas dull. These weather conditions resulted in improved grass growth after the period of drought, but also slowed the progress of the main cereal harvest. Heavy rain showers promoted parasite larval development and spread on pastures and in particular provided optimum conditions for the spread of Dictyocaulus viviparus larvae.

Problems due to flies were particularly severe this month with anecdotal reports from farmers and veterinary practitioners that fly strike in sheep and summer mastitis in lactating cattle were particular problems.

The outbreaks of Bluetoungue in the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium prompted an audit of imports of susceptible stock to Scotland from these countries. One direct movement into Scotland from the Netherlands was identified, the consignment was inspected and as a precautionary measure tested for Bluetongue virus with negative results.