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Animal Health and Welfare Pathway
The much-anticipated Animal Health & Welfare Pathway (AHWP) launched in the Spring. Applications are now being approved and the number of visits our practice has been carrying out is picking up momentum. If you haven’t yet applied, it isn’t too late to get involved!
The funding is available for all Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) eligible farms with at least 11 cattle or 21 sheep. Initially the funding will be for a single species: £436 for sheep, £522 for beef or £372 for dairy herds.
Parasite Forecast - headlines April 2023
Nematodirus risk is developing - this is almost entirely a threat for lambs aged 6-12 weeks old. Watch for sudden onset diarrhoea and weight loss, and do not delay treatment (with white drench) should these symptoms start to be seen in young lambs.
Other gut roundworms may start being an issue as soon as many larvae will have successfully overwintered this year. Start monitoring with worm egg counts once lambs are 6-7wks old - test before clinical signs are seen, as growth rates will start to suffer before classic signs of worms are seen.
Animal Health and Welfare Pathway
Update March 2023
As you will likely be aware, the Animal Health & Welfare Pathway (AHWP) has now launched. Following our Q&A session we thought you might find the following information useful.
Who is eligible?
Important update- insurance processing
We would like to inform all our clients that as of the 1st September 2022, all insurance claims processed via a claim form or electronic portal will be subject to an insurance administration fee.
The fees will be £5 for an indirect claim and £20 for a direct claim. This will be invoiced each time a claim is processed, including for each continuation claim for ongoing conditions. This will not affect your excess payments or your insurance policy.
Avian Influenza August 2022
Avian influenza, or bird flu as it is commonly known, has recently raised its ugly head again in several places in the South West (SW) region this August and is presenting a significant problem in Mid Devon.
There are 3 outbreaks in the Cullompton/Tiverton area. It is important that all bird keepers follow the rules governing their birds as set out in the following link:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu.
Lamb survival
Some helping hands to improve lamb survival!
Colostrum substitutes
We are able to supply Immucol colostrum. Unlike many colostrum replacers this contains immune complexes, so is head and shoulders above other products. Current cost is £55+vat for 40 feeds (top up) or 20 (replacement feeds). Whichever product you use, ensure you give 50ml per kg (200ml for a 4kg lamb) within the first 6 hours of life.
Navel dipping
Avian Influenza update April 2021
Poultry housing measures have now been lifted but the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone remains in place.
Ensure you follow the enhanced mandatory biosecurity guidance as the risk of avian influenza continues.
For more information visit GOV.UK: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu
COVID - Update 11/02/2021
In line with current Government guidelines as to the control of coronavirus, we are continuing to adapt our working practices.
For patients of all species we continue to request that clients do not enter the building unless this is unavoidable.
FARM
Abortion in Ewes
This year we have been called on to do abortion investigations for a number of our flocks.
It is normal to experience a few problems right at the beginning and towards the end of lambing, and a few abortions are perhaps to be expected. It is however vital to deal with any such losses with great caution, as the potential cause may be an infectious abortion, which puts the rest of the lambing flock at risk. Therefore the minimum action you must take is as follows: