Veterinary Services

• Review of bovine respiratory disease 1998 to 2008
• Clostridial diseases affect spring born calves across Scotland
• High mortality in suckled calves due to omphalophlebitis
• Unusual presentations of Streptococcus dysgalactiae infections in sheep
• Gamebird deaths due to protozoal infections

Disease alerts

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

• Lameness in cattle housed on slats
• Louping ill infection in sheep
• Piglet deaths due to clostridial enteritis

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

The weather in Scotland was unsettled during the month, with showers or longer periods of rain. In particular, southern and eastern Scotland was very wet with twice the 1971 to 2000 average rainfall. Northern Scotland was sunniest, with 122 per cent of the thirty year average sunshine hours.

The Scottish Government discussed applying to the European Commission for recognition of Officially Tuberculosis Free (OTF) regional status for Scotland with livestock industry stakeholders. They considered that gaining OTF status would enhance Scotland’s capacity to keep disease out and provide financial benefits related to access to export markets.

An outbreak of American Foulbrood, a disease affecting colonies of honeybees, was confirmed in Perthshire. The disease was discovered during ongoing investigations into European Foulbrood which was confirmed in June.