Veterinary Services

• Increasing diagnoses of coccidiosis in cattle over last 16 years
• 2008 had highest numbers of fasciolosis incidents in cattle and sheep
• Deaths in sheep due to nitroxynil overdose
• Continuing problems of neonatal anaemia in a pig unit

Disease alerts

The following conditions were highlighted by SAC in the April 2008 monthly report. Given similar climatic conditions, they may be relevant this year.

• Abortions in dairy cows due to Campylobacter fetus fetus. Infection probably introduced with bought-in cows.
• Cystitis and pyelonephritis caused cow deaths on two dairy farms.
• Colisepticaemia and associated hypogammaglobulinaemia in lambs.
• Abortion and deaths in ewes associated with verotoxin positive E coli O174

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Ambient temperatures in Scotland were below the 1971 to 2000 average. It was the coldest January since 2001. Rainfall was close to average and sunshine was above normal virtually everywhere.

The presence of Infectious Salmon Anaemia (ISA) virus was confirmed on two salmon farms in Shetland during the month. In line with the Scottish Government’s objective of eradication of the disease, the farms were depopulated  and other controls were put in place to provide protection for other fish farms in the area.