Veterinary Services

• Review of BVD virus related disease from 1996 to 2002
• Diverse range of respiratory diseases diagnosed in cattle
• Caseous lymphadenitis confirmed in a Suffolk ram lamb aged only four months.
• Coccidiosis diagnosed frequently in pheasants and partridges.

Disease alerts

The following conditions featured in the SAC C VS report for October 2009. Given similar climatic and production conditions, they could also be important in October 2010.

• Black disease in cattle
• Parasitic bronchitis in cattle
• Ruminal acidosis in sheep introduced to high carbohydrate concentrate rations for the first time.
• Systemic pasteurellosis in unvaccinated, or partially vaccinated lambs 
• Erysipelas in growing turkeys and laying hens

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

July in Scotland was a very wet and rather dull month. Rainfall totals were over twice the 30 year average in much of the Borders, eastern Scotland and in Shetland. Mean temperatures were near the average.

American Foulbrood was confirmed in West Lothian in honeybees. The disease was discovered by a Scottish Government Bee Inspector and appropriate control measures were put in place. The Scottish Government also announced the establishment of a short-term working group to develop a new partnership approach to the management of animal health and welfare in Scotland. The Expert Forum will look at ways to take forward responsibility and cost sharing in animal health, focusing on exotic disease.