Veterinary Services

• Analysis of outbreaks of salmonellosis in cattle 1998 to 2008
• Bracken poisoning in beef heifers on hill ground
• Toxocara vitulorum recorded in a suckler herd
• Trends in parasitic gastroenteritis in sheep over the last 14 years
• High MV seroprevalence detected in a commercial flock
• Cerebellar abscesses in lambs associated with Peptostreptococcus infection
• Aspergillosis and histomonosis (blackhead) confirmed in turkeys

Disease alerts

The following conditions featured in the SAC VS monthly report for December 2007.

Given similar climatic and management conditions, they could also be of importance this year.

 Seasonal increase in outbreaks of bovine respiratory disease
 Increased number of outbreaks of chronic fasciolosis in sheep
 An upward trend in cases of louping ill in sheep
 Abortions and ewe deaths due to Salmonella Derby infection

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

September was a rather dry, mild and dull month. However, there was much regional
variation, with the north of the country being driest, the south-east wettest and the
south-west dullest.

The Scottish Government launched the Honey Bee Health Strategy. This will monitor
and improve the health of Scotland’s honey bees. They are currently under threat
from a number of different pests and diseases, including the Varroa mite.

Evidence of the continuing decline in livestock numbers in Scotland was published.
The provisional results from the June 2008 Agricultural Census showed that cattle
numbers fell by 2.1 per cent, sheep by 4.9 per cent and pigs by 6.6 per cent. Only
poultry showed an increase (+ 3.0 per cent).

A compulsory bluetongue vaccination programme will be launched in early November,  was confirmed.