Veterinary Services

• Neonatal calf deaths due to colisepticaemia, rotavirus and cryptosporidium infections
• Scedosporium species implicated as a cause of mycotic abortion in a cow
• Outbreaks of polyarthritis in lambs due to Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp dysgalactiae
• Neonatal disease and reduced absorption of colostral immunoglobulin associated with an excessive supply of iodine to ewes in late pregnancy. Louping ill confirmed in hoggs in Argyllshire
• Suspected predation of common toads (Bufo bufo)

Disease alerts

The following conditions featured in the SAC C VS report for July 2009. Given similar climatic and management conditions, they could also be important this year.

• Clostridial diseases affecting spring born calves
• High mortality in suckled calves due to omphalophlebitis
• Cobalt deficiency in lambs
• Pulpy kidney disease in lambs
• Gamebird deaths due to protozoal infections

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

High pressure over the UK brought mainly fine, dry weather in April. The mean temperature for Scotland was one degree Celsius above the thirty year average. Eastern Scotland was particularly dry and sunny with 81 per cent of average rainfall and 119 per cent of average sunshine hours respectively.

Although the weather improved, lying snow which fell in late March continued to threaten the health and welfare of livestock, particularly in the hills and uplands. The Scottish Government announced that the sheep sector would receive emergency aid to help dispose of fallen livestock resulting from severe weather conditions. The National Farmers Union of Scotland issued a survey to its members in an attempt to better quantify the losses sustained.