Veterinary Services

• Twenty cases of Johnes disease confirmed in cattle by one centre
• Review of clostridial and metabolic diseases in sheep
• Disease in pigs due to various serotypes of Streptococcus suis
• Spironucleosis in game birds in Great Britain 1996 to 2008

Disease alerts

The following conditions featured in the SAC VS report for March 2008. Given similar climatic and management circumstances, they could also be important this year.

• A seasonal increase in navel ill cases in spring calving suckler herds
• Fasciolosis associated with hypocalcaemia in dairy cows
• Outbreaks of pregnancy toxaemia in sheep flocks
• Pig submissions dominated by respiratory disease outbreaks

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Scotland experienced the coldest December since 1999. Rainfall was below average except for parts of the east coast. Sunshine hours were above the thirty year average.
An independent report on the Scottish Monitor Farm Programme was published. Monitor farms are based on a New Zealand model. Participating farmers are encouraged to open their business to the local community, including farmers, veterinary surgeons and bank managers in order to share knowledge on best practice. Funding for the initiative comes primarily from the Scottish Government and Quality Meat Scotland (QMS). SAC acts as the facilitator on many of the 17 farms which have so far participated.