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NFUS Urges Co-operation With SAC Appeal For Help Over Mystery Calf Disease (Archived Content)

SAC News Release Ref. No: 09N63
Published: 24 Sep 2009

Calves at risk (opens in new window)

NFU Scotland Vice President Nigel Miller has urged farmers to co-operate with SAC Vets as they investigate an unexplained upsurge in of a little known, but fatal disease of calves.

The scientists at SAC, together with colleagues at the Royal (Dick) Veterinary School and the Veterinary Laboratories Agency, are currently trying to discover what lies behind ‘Bleeding Calf Syndrome’, which affects calves aged less than one month old.  In order to learn more they are offering a free-of-charge post-mortem service to farmers and their vets who have suspected cases.  

"Beef and dairy farmers must play their part by keeping an eye out for any young calves that display the symptoms,” said Nigel Miller. "The offer from SAC to carry out free post-mortem examinations and blood testing on such animals shows a real commitment to solving this worrying condition.  I would urge any producer who has a young calf showing signs of persistent bleeding to contact their own vet or their local Veterinary Investigation lab and make use of these free services.   It is in the interests of all livestock farmers that we assist the vets and researchers in tackling this syndrome now."

Up to the end of August there were more than 25 confirmed cases from 18 farms in Scotland, with nearly 90% of these being seen in traditional beef suckler herds.  Cases have been seen in the south-east and south-west of the country as well as in Fife, Perthshire and around Inverness and Aberdeen.  In England and Wales a similar number of cases have been identified but these have been almost exclusively in dairy herds.  Again there has been a wide geographical spread. 

Affected calves can have a persistent fever with bleeding from the nose, gums, ear-tag holes and injection sites.  There may even be intestinal bleeding with calves passing dark, tarry dung.  What causes this bleeding syndrome is unknown but poisoning, genetic abnormality and even drug reactions are being considered.
 
Most calves were growing well before showing clinical signs, with no history of previous problems.  However the limited studies carried out so far suggest that they were abnormal from birth.  While some calves involved can recover many succumb and some die suddenly, before bleeding is seen.

In order to help their investigations, SAC are carrying out free-of-charge post-mortem examinations of calves under one month of age that show unexplained bleeding SAC is also keen to receive blood samples from suspected live clinical cases and again the analysis would be carried out free-of-charge.
 
It is a move welcomed by Nigel Miller.

"While the development of this condition in calves is a worry for farmers, the reaction of the Scottish industry highlights some of the great strengths that we have here in Scotland.  At an early stage, we have the involvement of SAC, veterinary investigation labs, vet schools and leading research institutes, leaving Scotland well placed to shed light on Bleeding Calf Syndrome, its causes and its potential solutions.

The advice to all stock-keepers is to be vigilant during the approaching autumn and spring calving periods and to investigate any cases of unexplained bleeding or sudden deaths in calves aged less than one month old. They can contact their vet or their local Disease Surveillance Centre for more information. 

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News Release Issued By

Mr Ken Rundle
Senior Communications Officer
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4196

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