Veterinary Services

• Escherichia fergusonii as a cause of diarrhoea in lambs
• CAE confirmed in a goat
• Hepatic lesions in finishing pigs associated with Dicrocoelium dendriticum infection
• Lasalocid poisoning in a Labrador Retriever

Disease alerts

• Listeriosis in cattle and sheep
• Abortion in ewes associated with Salmonella species
• Sheep scab confirmed in more flocks following the introduction of the Sheep Scab (Scotland) Order
• Spread of fowl cholera from wild birds to domestic poultry

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

October was a typically autumnal month characterised by rain or showers and strong winds. Rainfall in south-west Scotland was over 150% of the average, however the rest of the country fared better with rainfall totals closer to normal. SAC C VS suspects that the wet conditions may result in an increase in cases of acute and sub-acute fasciolosis in sheep, and may play a part in seasonal outbreaks of pasteurellosis.

AHVLA announced adjustments to routine herd testing for bovine tuberculosis (TB) in Scotland as the second anniversary of official TB freedom (OTF) was reached. Herds that meet certain risk criteria are now exempt from four yearly routine herd testing for bovine TB. The changes, which aim to reduce the burden on industry, were backed by recent research by Glasgow University into long-term options for more effective TB surveillance in Scotland.