June 2014
www.dalesidevets.co.uk
Daleside Newsletter
Main Road
Rhosrobin
Wrexham
LL11 4RL
01978 311444
February 2014
This Month
Dates for your Diary
it’s Show season 
Ketosis – Hidden Menace
Eye infections
Clinical Quiz
QUICK QUIZ
Here is a little quiz to see how much you know about a healthy cow.
(Some questions have more than one correct answer)
1. What is the normal temperature of a cow?
A = 37.5 Celsius, B = 38, C = 38.5, D = 39.5
2. What is the usual respiration rate per minute?
A = 15 breaths per minute, B = 25, C = 35, D = 40
3. What is the usual heart rate per minute?
A = 50 beats per minute, B = 60, C = 70, D = 80
4. How often does a healthy cow’s rumen contract (turn over) per minute?
A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, D = 4
5. How long does healthy skin remain tented for when pinched?
A = 0 seconds, B = 1 sec, C = 2 sec, D = remains tented
Eye Eye…
We are treating quite a few cases of IBK (Also known as New Forest
Eye in cattle and Pink-eye in sheep). There is also a condition called
silage eye. When advanced it is virtually impossible to tell them
apart, and at the end of the day treatment protocols are very similar.
New Forest Eye in cattle is caused by bacteria called MORAXELLA BOVIS. Pink-eye in
sheep is caused by CHLAMYDIA or MYCOPLASMA.
They are all highly contagious bacteria, that spread easily between individuals in close contact and whose
effects are exacerbated by flies, dust, sunlight and damage (e.g. stalky pasture) Control is based around
limiting these contributing factors. It is more commonly seen around summer and autumn when flies are in
high numbers, and usually large numbers of animals are affected at any one time.
Generally it affects cattle less than 2 years old, and sheep of any age, beginning with a mild conjunctivitis
causing the outside of the eye to appear pink – hence its nickname! The eyes water profusely, the animal
squints as it is very painful, and as it progresses a white spot develops on the cornea. Without treatment the
eye can ulcerate. We can dispense ointments to treat individuals, or come and give a long acting injection
into the eye. The best time to treat them is at the first sign of watering!
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Daleside Veterinary Group
October 2013
Daleside Veterinary Group
June 2014
The Kost of Ketosis – Hidden Menace
Ketosis and subclinical ketosis are a problem on many farms. When cows breakdown excess fat for energy
the by products cause a depression in appetite post calving and lower the cows’ resistance to diseases. It
can be very difficult to prevent dry and late lactation cows gaining excess condition in the summer – we can
advise on the best strategies for treatment and prevention.
Subclinical Ketotic VS Healthy cows
A 2012 UK study revealed an Fertility
Calving interval up 22d
average of 3 cows per 100 Yield
Down 411 litres
suffered with clinical & 30/100 LDA
Up 15%
with subclinical ketosis.
Metritis
Up 20%
Cystic ovaries
Up 46%
Retained cleansing
Up 5%
New FREE Ketosis Herd Severe mastitis
5% up from mild to severe
Monitoring Service
Culling up to 60 DIM
Up 3%
Culling end of lactation
Up 15%
Your testing service, your result
Extra fatalities
Up 2%
data!!
Estimated COST (2012)
£690
We have a technician, Melanie
Chapman, who will get on farm and take milk samples or test samples you have already taken. Melanie is
enrolled for Vet School at Liverpool in September but we intend to continue with this service beyond…if it
works for you.
When? Tests are conducted every 3 weeks
Who? Newly calved cows day 2 to 22 – routinely
What next? We will analyse the results with you and discuss prevention and treatment
It will be so valuable to know exactly what level ketosis is affecting your herd – get your vet to set you up!
Faecal Egg Count Vouchers
Rotation of drench families is very last century. Alternate
strategies are advised. Buy your wormer through us you get a
competitive price, up to date worming advice and two free worm
egg counts which we do in-house to check if your program is
effective. You can also use our weigh scales to ensure you are
giving the correct dose. Just ask for more details.
ANSWERS TO QUIZ!
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2.
3.
4.
5.
B & C – The normal temperature of a cow is 38–39 Celsius (101–102 Fahrenheit)
A & B – The resting respiratory rate of a cow is 15-25
B & C – The resting heart rate of a cow is 60-70 beats per minute
A & B – Cows rumen turns over 1 – 4 times per 2 minutes (0.5 – 2 times per minute)
A – Healthy & hydrated skin immediately falls back down when pinched
Summertime and Show Season is Here
We will be manning our stand & you are all most welcome to drop in, have a natter and some refreshment with us
at Oswestry Show – Saturday 3rd August and/or Denbeigh & Flint County Show – Thursday 21st August
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