APRIL 2012
Farm News
01260 291037
(FARM)
Charter Vets
FLUKE IN SHEEP!
At the time of writing this,
temperatures across the area
have been established at above
10 degrees C, providing good
conditions for the development
of fluke and snails on pasture.
Chronic fluke is the type most
commonly seen in Spring, and
we see cases of weight loss and
poor body condition.
Fluke eggs passed onto pasture
in spring will develop over the
summer inside snails and lead
to infective stages on pasture
from August, causing acute
disease from September
onwards
Stock on known fluke infected
farms should already have been
dosed in Autumn/early winter
and will need dosing again in
March/April. This will help to
reduce the excretion of fluke
eggs to contaminate the
pasture, and reduce the risk of
acute symptoms of fluke
(including death!) later on in the
year.
If you are worried about chronic
fluke in a ewe, bring a faecal
sample into the practice for an
egg count to be done, or speak
to one of the farm vets for more
information on treatment.
Best to be on the look out now for Staggers (Magnesium
deficiency) now that we have better weather and the grass is
finally growing (more so now it is bloody freezing)!
Grass Staggers (Magnesium deficiency) can set on quickly –
causing symptoms of shaking, nervousness, twitching and can
progress to collapse, violent convulsions and paralysis! Early
symptoms can even be loss of appetite and reduction in milk
yield before the animal starts to appear a bit ‘drunk’!
Some farmers have reported that a large number of the cows
are ‘more jumpy’ or ‘sharper’ and generally less easy to deal
with. This could mean there is a generalized lower level of
magnesium across the herd than is optimum.
It is vital to supplement Magnesium in the diet via minerals in
feed or dissolved in water. Magnesium boluses which lodge in
the rumen and slowly release magnesium are a useful
alternative.
In the event of an attack of staggers please call the vet asap to
administer iv magnesium or give some yourself under the skin.
It is important that you don’t give Magnesium on its own into
the vein as if given quickly it can cause a heart attack.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON
SHEEP OR CATTLE PARASITES,
CONSULT THE NADIS WEBSITE
FOR THE 2012 PARASITE
FORECAST
ALL ABOUT KETOSIS!
What is ketosis?
• Ketosis is a metabolic disorder that occurs in dairy cattle when energy demands (e.g. high milk
production) exceed energy intake and result in a negative energy balance. This most commonly
occurs in cows with poor appetites or fresh cows at a high level of production. Ketotic cows
often have low blood glucose (blood sugar) concentrations.
• When large amounts of body fat are utilized as an energy source to support milk production, fat
is sometimes mobilized faster than the liver can properly metabolize it. If this situation occurs,
ketone production exceeds ketone utilization by the cow, and ketosis results.
• Dairy cattle normally produce ketones at low levels for use as energy substrates. It is only when
ketone production exceeds demand that a problem arises.
Why is ketosis important?
• Ketosis is important because it decreases feed intake in affected cows and greatly increases
the risk of other diseases. Ketosis results in almost a nine-fold increase in the risk of a cow
getting a displaced abomasum (twisted stomach)!
• It is a cost to the dairy producer as milk production drops and cost of treatments rise.
What are the risk factors?
• Anything that causes a cow to experience a significant negative energy balance can result in
ketosis.
• Cows that freshen with poor appetites (for whatever reason).
• Fresh cow diseases (DAs, metritis, lameness, etc.) greatly increase the risk of ketosis. Ketosis
can therefore be either the cause of other fresh cow problems or the result of them.
• Watch out for fat cows! Over-conditioned cows have poorer appetites than properly
conditioned cows both before and after calving. Since fat cows eat less before and after calving,
their risk for ketosis is increased because their negative energy balance is greater.
Nervous Ketosis (An uncommon form of ketosis)
Cows suffering from nervous ketosis tend to be twitchy and jumpy, they often show licking and
chewing and may compulsively lick/chew pipes or other objects. Inco-ordination and gait
abnormalities may be seen, as can be aggression or bellowing. These cows need veterinary
attention.
How do we treat it?
Steroids given in the vein (provided a cow is not pregnant) will increase her glucose levels for 1-2
hours after treatment, make her feel better and encourage her to eat (which is vital!). Then it is
important to give her oral glucose precursors i.e. propylene glycol or glycerol.
It is important to establish if ketosis is her only problem or if another disease is causing her not to
eat. Has she got metritis? Is she lame? Has she got a twisted stomach? If so these need
treating too. Don’t be tempted to give repeat doses of steroid without having had a vet check her
over, as repeat doses could impair her immune system which won’t be OK if she is fighting
another problem.
Make sure your cows have maximum opportunity to eat in the 2 weeks close to calving and 3
weeks post calving. This is the most critical time. Ensure food is highly palatable, high in energy
and easy to access away from the risk of bully cows and without too much effort for a tired cow
who has been through the trauma of calving recently. TLC!
PHIL ROBINSON