Veterinary Services

• Lack of efficacy of triclabendazole against liver fluke in cattle suspected
• Abortion in sheep due to salmonellosis, listeriosis and tick borne fever
• BVD virus infection in piglets
• Outbreaks of Streptococcus suis serotype 2 in pigs

Disease alerts

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

• Coccidiosis in spring born suckled calves and lambs
• Ostertagiasis in suckler cows
• Nematodirosis, PGE and other causes of scour in lambs
• PMWS leading to ill thrift, scour and piglet deaths
• Rotavirus in pheasant chicks and coccidiosis in older pheasants and partridges

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

March in Scotland came in like a lamb and went out like a lion. The first ten days were dry and fine but the rest of the month was unsettled with rain and wind. Snow falls reappeared at the end of the month to coincide with upland and hill lambing periods. Overall, mean temperatures were close to the 30 year average, rainfall was lower than average, particularly in the west.  PAW (The Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime) published maps showing the number and location of confirmed incidents of poisoning involving birds of prey. Twenty two incidents were confirmed in 2009 resulting in the deaths of 27 birds including 19 buzzards, four red kites and two golden eagles.

SAC organised a series of regional meetings for farmers and crofters interested in signing up to the Animal Welfare Management Programme which forms part of the Scottish Government’s Land Management programme.