Donaldson's Farm and Equine

14/11/2024

🔹 OUR NEXT GASTROSCOPE CLINIC - TUESDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2024🔹

Our last gastroscope clinic of 2024 at Woodnook, will be on Tuesday 3rd December . 🐎
We will be releasing the 2025 dates VERY SOON! 😁

Could your horse be suffering as a result of gastric ulcers?
If you have noticed any of the symptoms below, then the answer is quite possibly:
🐴 Poor condition/ weight loss
🐴 Poor performance/ reluctance to train
🐴 Reduced appetite
🐴 Attitude changes
🐴 Changes in coat quality
🐴 Repeated, low grade colic episodes

The cost of the session is the discounted price £150 which includes sedation.

Spaces will be limited and are on a first come first serve basis.

All horses must be starved for a minimum of 16 hours before their appointment. We do offer overnight livery before the scoping day for an extra fee if you will struggle to starve your horse at home.

To book your horse in for gastroscopy, please phone 01484 421512 Mon-Fri between 8am and 4.30pm and speak to our Farm and Equine team. 😊

12/11/2024

BLUE TONGUE UPDATE NOV 2024

The bluetongue virus (BTV), particularly the BTV-3 serotype, has emerged as a significant threat to livestock in the UK, affecting both sheep and cattle. The virus, which is spread by biting midges, leads to severe illness and even death in affected animals. The area covered by Donaldson’s Farm and Equine Ltd. at the time of writing (12/11/2024) is not classed as a ‘high-risk’ area, however Defra’s Secretary of State has permitted the use of 3 unauthorised bluetongue serotype 3 (BTV-3) vaccines within the United Kingdom.

Although these vaccines are not authorised, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has assessed them. They consider the vaccines to be of a consistent quality and safety, and efficacy has been demonstrated. Therefore, they meet the administration criteria under Schedule 4 of the Veterinary Medicine Regulations 2013 (VMR 2013).

Unlike the authorised vaccines for other BTV serotypes, the BTV-3 vaccines claim to reduce viraemia rather than prevent it. This means they may not prevent your animals from being infected or infectious, but (depending on the vaccine) their claims include reduction or prevention of clinical signs experienced or mortality (death).

▪️ The Current Situation

The bluetongue outbreak has escalated across various parts of the UK, with multiple control zones being enforced. Notably, in early September 2024, cases were confirmed in East Riding of Yorkshire, leading to the establishment of a 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) near Withernsea. This area has since seen additional detections in nearby North East Lincolnshire, prompting a review and extension of the restricted zones. Movement restrictions are in place for ruminants within these areas, including cattle and sheep, to help contain the spread of the virus.

In other parts of the country, BTV-3 has been confirmed in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, with vaccination efforts underway to protect livestock. The UK government has permitted the use of three BTV-3 vaccines aimed at high-risk counties as part of a phased approach.

▪️ Vaccination Guidelines for Bluetongue

As part of the UK’s response to the outbreak, a general licence for vaccination against bluetongue has been issued. Farmers should consult their vet to identify the right vaccine for their herds, as vaccination typically requires two doses with a three-week interval, providing full immunity after six weeks.

For full details on vaccination guidelines, visit the Gov.uk page.

▪️ What You Can Do?

Farmers are encouraged to stay informed and proactive. Key actions include:
1. Monitor Animals for Symptoms: The symptoms of bluetongue include high fever, swelling of the face and tongue, and lameness. Immediate reporting of suspected cases to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is crucial, as bluetongue is a
notifiable disease.
2. Follow Movement Restrictions: Adhering to movement restrictions within designated control zones is essential to prevent the virus from spreading further.
3. Consider Vaccination: Speak with your vet about the availability of BTV-3 vaccines, especially if you are in or near a restricted zone. Vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of an outbreak on your farm.
4. Stay Updated: As the situation evolves, it is important to regularly check updates from Defra and the NFU regarding changes to control zones and other regulations affecting livestock movement.

30/10/2024

WORMING WEDNESDAY 🪱🗓

🍂Autumn worming advice for your horses 🍁

Below is our advice on how to approach worm control this Autumn. It is more important than ever to test where possible, rather than going down the old fashioned route of worming your horse blindly.

If you have any queries regarding worming and testing, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team! ☎️

28/10/2024

Team effort this afternoon! Vets Shona and Laura attended this lovely girl who was having trouble calving. Lovely chunky bull calf safely delivered in the late Autumn sunshine! Perfect 🍂☀️🐮

25/10/2024

💥BONFIRE NIGHT & HORSES 💥

Fireworks can cause a lot of stress for horses and their owners and hence it can be a difficult period of the year to manage. Below are a few tips put together by our equine team. If you know your horse gets stressed, give us a call to discuss sedation options.

🐴 Keep the same management wherever possible if safe to do so. If they are usually stabled, keep horses in. If they are usually out in the field, keep them out in the field, if secure.
🐴 Check stables for protruding objects they could get caught on and if they are out in the field make sure the fencing is safe and secure with no machinery or other objects that could possibly injure your horse.
🐴 Find out if there are planned events nearby and speak with neighbours who may have private displays. Contacting the organisers and explain your concerns and ask about timings can be helpful to prepare. Ideally advise the use of silent fireworks where possible.
🐴 If possible stay with your horse during the scheduled times of local displays and if you cannot, see if someone experienced can check on them. Leave clear instructions of who to contact and the vet should anything happen.
🐴 Calming supplements may be helpful for nervous horses. Hestevard ProSetol powder and Magnequin liquid contain magnesium and L-Tryptophan which is associated with serotonin production and support the central nervous system.

Most importantly remain calm and be aware of your own safety. Stressed horses are unpredictable and are at risk of injuring people.

You will always be able to speak to one of our vets on call 24/7 should you need anyone day or night. Please do not hesitate to contact us on 01484 421512 option 2. ☎️

24/10/2024

We are pleased to announce the trial of a new Tuesday Market Service Holmfirth Attested Auction Market Ltd with a Farm Vet from Donaldson’s Farm and Equine Ltd. being on site during the auction. The aim of this is to provide free livestock health advice to all, and registered clients can book appointments, order and collect medicines if they wish.
This Tuesday 29th October Vet David will be found around the Cafe area from 11.30-2. You may wish to use this as an opportunity to discuss the Bluetongue outbreak, Animal Health and Welfare Pathway Funding available to farmers or anything else.
On Tuesday 5th November Shona will be present and happy to discuss the fully funded TB Advisory Service (TBAS) visits which are completely free to cattle farmers.

17/10/2024

Understanding the Bluetongue Virus Outbreak and Vaccination: What Farmers Need to Know

The bluetongue virus (BTV), particularly the BTV-3 serotype, has emerged as a significant threat to livestock in the UK, affecting both sheep and cattle. The virus, which is spread by biting midges, leads to severe illness and even death in affected animals. The area covered by Donaldson’s Farm and Equine Ltd. at the time of writing (16/10/2024) is not classed as a ‘high-risk’ area and so vaccines are not currently available under a general licence, but could be under a specific licence; read on for more information.

Bluetongue Outbreak in the UK - Interactive Map 16/10/2024
(https://defra.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=514ec88edec74575958d860f0196d2ea)

The Current Situation

The bluetongue outbreak has escalated across various parts of the UK, with multiple control zones being enforced. Notably, in early September 2024, cases were confirmed in East Riding of Yorkshire, leading to the establishment of a 20km Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) near Withernsea. This area has since seen additional detections in nearby North East Lincolnshire, prompting a review and extension of the restricted zones. Movement restrictions are in place for ruminants within these areas, including cattle and sheep, to help contain the spread of the virus.
In other parts of the country, BTV-3 has been confirmed in Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, with vaccination efforts underway to protect livestock. The UK government has permitted the use of three BTV-3 vaccines under specific licensing, aimed at high-risk counties as part of a phased approach.

Challenges and Vaccination Efforts

Vaccination may be one of the most effective methods to prevent the spread of bluetongue, but uptake has been mixed among UK farmers. While farmers across Europe, including in the Netherlands and Belgium, have been quick to vaccinate due to severe outbreaks, there remains some hesitancy in the UK.
The virus continues to spread across northern Europe, with significant numbers of cases reported in the Netherlands and Germany. Since the virus re-emerged in Europe in 2023, Dutch farmers quickly adopted vaccination measures, which have helped to control the spread of the disease.
Vaccination Guidelines for Bluetongue
As part of the UK’s response to the outbreak, a general licence for vaccination against bluetongue has been issued. Farmers can now vaccinate livestock against several serotypes of BTV, including the BTV-3 strain. Even those outside restricted zones are allowed to vaccinate, with specific vaccines available for different serotypes. Farmers should consult their vet to identify the right vaccine for their herds, as vaccination typically requires two doses with a three-week interval, providing full immunity after six weeks.
For full details on vaccination guidelines, visit the Gov.uk page.

What You Can Do

Farmers are encouraged to stay informed and proactive. Key actions include:
Monitor Animals for Symptoms: The symptoms of bluetongue include high fever, swelling of the face and tongue, and lameness. Immediate reporting of suspected cases to the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is crucial, as bluetongue is a notifiable disease.
Follow Movement Restrictions: Adhering to movement restrictions within designated control zones is essential to prevent the virus from spreading further.
Consider Vaccination: Speak with your vet about the availability of BTV-3 vaccines, especially if you are in or near a restricted zone. Vaccination can significantly reduce the risk of an outbreak on your farm.
Stay Updated: As the situation evolves, it is important to regularly check updates from Defra and the NFU regarding changes to control zones and other regulations affecting livestock movement.
By working together and taking preventive measures, farmers can play a vital role in controlling the spread of bluetongue and protecting the future of British livestock.
For more information on the current outbreak and control measures, visit the official Defra website.

Obtaining a Vaccination Licence for BTV-3

Farmers can vaccinate their livestock against BTV-3 under either a general or specific licence, depending on their location:
General Licence: For animal keepers in high-risk counties, available for immediate use.
Specific Licence: Required for those outside high-risk zones, applied through the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).
You can check whether you are in a high-risk county using the interactive map. Ensure compliance with all movement and trade restrictions even after vaccination. Consult your vet for advice on vaccine usage.

09/10/2024

⚠️NOTICE FOR ALL CLIENTS ⚠️

⚡️⚡️

The electric in our offices at Woodnook will be turned off for up to an hour at some point during this morning. During this time, your calls will be diverted to either the small animal reception team or one of our vets.
Please bare with us and hopefully this will only be a very brief inconvenience.

Thank you
Donaldson’s Farm and Equine 🐄🐎🐏

⚡️⚡️

27/09/2024

🔹 OUR NEXT GASTROSCOPE CLINIC - TUESDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2024🔹

Our next gastroscope clinic at Woodnook Arena, Honley, will be on Tuesday 8th October. 🐎
We will be running our gastroscope clinics every 4 weeks going forward! 👍🏻👍🏻

REMAINING 2024 DATES

🔹TUESDAY 8TH OCTOBER
🔹TUESDAY 5TH NOVEMBER
🔹TUESDAY 3RD DECEMBER

Could your horse be suffering as a result of gastric ulcers?
If you have noticed any of the symptoms below, then the answer is quite possibly:
🐴 Poor condition/ weight loss
🐴 Poor performance/ reluctance to train
🐴 Reduced appetite
🐴 Attitude changes
🐴 Changes in coat quality
🐴 Repeated, low grade colic episodes

The cost of the session is £150 which includes sedation.

Spaces will be limited and are on a first come first serve basis.

All horses must be starved for a minimum of 16 hours before their appointment. We do offer overnight livery before the scoping day for an extra fee if you will struggle to starve your horse at home.

To book your horse in for gastroscopy, please phone 01484 421512 Mon-Fri between 8am and 4.30pm and speak to our Farm and Equine team. 😊

19/09/2024

REMEMBER…… FREE VISIT FOR FOUR OR MORE HORSES! 🐎🐎🐎🐎

We won’t charge a visit fee if there are four or more horses to see at the same time. Ideal for vaccinations, dentals, health checks etc.

Call us to book a visit on 01484 421512 (option 2) 📞

14/09/2024

Are you exploring Pen*stone Show today?
We are on site and sharing a stand with Donaldson’s Vets. Why not drop by to say hello ?
👋 😊 🐄🐐🐖🐏🐎🚜

11/09/2024

Our very own Yorkshire Vets have joined Peter and Julian on the red carpet at the National Television awards this evening! 🎥🏆🎬
Who knew farm vets scrub up so well! 😜👍🏻
Good luck to all the The Yorkshire Vet crew!

10/09/2024

Are you confident your tups are fertile? 🐏

🔬Fertility testing is the most efficient way of finding out if your tups are fit to work this season. Identifying problems now will give you time to find replacements.

Contact the office now on 01484 421512 (option 2) to book a test. 📞

09/09/2024

LAST MINUTE SPACES AVAILABLE - Gastroscope clinic tomorrow 10th September

Hurry and call us today to book a space!

We run our Gastroscope clinic from our headquarters at Honley Livery Stables, Woodnook.

Could your horse be suffering as a result of gastric ulcers?
If you have noticed any of the symptoms below, then the answer is quite possibly:
🐴 Poor condition/ weight loss
🐴 Poor performance/ reluctance to train
🐴 Reduced appetite
🐴 Attitude changes
🐴 Changes in coat quality
🐴 Repeated, low grade colic episodes

The cost of the session is £150 which includes sedation.

All horses must be starved for a minimum of 16 hours before their appointment. We do offer overnight livery before the scoping day for an extra fee if you will struggle to starve your horse at home.

To book your horse in for gastroscopy, please phone 01484 421512 (option 2) 8am and 4.30pm and speak to our Farm and Equine team. 😊

03/09/2024

⚠️BLUETONGUE CASES 2024⚠️

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has confirmed Bluetongue
(BTV-3), a notifiable disease, in 4 animals in Norfolk during August
2024.

The affected animals have been culled to reduce the risk of onward
disease transmission and a temporary control zone has been set-up
around the affected areas, which restricts the movement of cattle,
sheep and other ruminants.

The virus does not affect people or food safety. BTV is transmitted by
midge bites and affects cows, goats, sheep, camelids and other
ruminants. The midges are most active between April and November.

You can view an official AHDB webinar on Bluetongue if you follow this link https://ahdb.org.uk/events/bluetongue-virus-september-update?utm_source=cross_event_20240903&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=cross+Sector+-+bluetongue+-+2024&utm_term=events&utm_content=button&_cldee=lUpNk06ZXMeCMx8z6K-uXbUMKV42_THZfzKP3HfqNd4zp5jXo4mrsiYzp8JRcKJ5kxxGh8whfkFQZMj2XiIrXQ&recipientid=contact-7bb1b34a2608e81180c9005056b864bf-126679948d9b4ab59babebe0c23353c5&esid=8c1ab291-3569-ef11-a671-000d3a0ce728
The webinar will be held live on Wednesday 4th September 3pm-4pm.

UK farmers working with these types of animals should remain vigilant
for any signs of Bluetongue. If you have any concerns or suspect BTV
contact APHA on 03000 200 301 (England). More information can be found
here:

The signs of bluetongue virus and how you must report it in sheep, cattle and other livestock.

29/08/2024

ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE PATHWAY UPDATE 🐄🐏🚜🌾

For farmers who have already had a review on the government funded scheme, new funding is available for an ENDEMIC DISEASES follow-up and applications are now open!

This will include:
- Further assessment of diseases and conditions based on your review results to better understand and prevent disease spread.
- Further advice on improving animal health, welfare and productivity.

In beef cattle, the review will focus on Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) through a check test:
- If the check test is negative for BVD the review will focus on a BVD-focussed
Biosecurity Assessment with £215 of funding available.
- If the check test is positive, funding of £837 is available to hunt for the PI (persistently
infected animal(s) spreading the disease).

In sheep flocks, there are six health packages to select one from to claim £639 in funding: These are:
- Ewe condition
- Reproductive performance
- Lamb performance
- Neonatal lamb survival
- External parasites
- Lameness

For more information on the endemic diseases follow-up, please visit the gov.uk website at:
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/funding-to-improve-animal-health-and-welfare-gui dance-for-farmers-and-vets
To apply for the Endemic Diseases follow-up, please visit:
https://apply-for-an-annual-health-and-welfare-review.defra.gov.uk/apply/endemics/start
For clients who have not yet enrolled on the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, you can still apply to start on the scheme with initial funding available, differing on the species chosen.
Initial funding for the Animal Health and Welfare Review is as follows:
- Sheep - £436
- Beef Cattle - £522
- Dairy Cattle - £372

For more information on the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, please visit the gov.uk website at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/animal-health-and-welfare-pathway/animal-healt h-and-welfare-pathway

To apply for the initial Animal Health and Welfare Pathway, please visit:
https://apply-for-an-annual-health-and-welfare-review.defra.gov.uk/apply/start

To discuss this further or book a visit please call 01484 421512 and press option 2 for Farm and Equine.

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12/08/2024

⚠️EQUINE INFLUENZA ⚠️

Equine influenza is a contagious viral respiratory disease that is widespread and highly infectious within the UK. There has been a recent case in West Yorkshire.

So here’s a reminder of the clinical signs:

🌡️High temperature over 39.5°C
😷Husky dry cough (this develops early in the course of infection and may persist for several weeks)
👃🏼Clear, watery nasal discharge, which may turn thick and green in colour after four to five days
🌾Loss of appetite
💤Lethargy (tiredness)
🤒Swollen glands around the jaw
🦠Secondary bacterial infection can occur (e.g pneumonia).

💨Spread
Influenza is an airborne virus spread when a horse coughs or sneezes, which can travel up to 5km, where it is then inhaled by other horses. Contaminated grooming kit, feed buckets and personnel are also a vector for viral spread.

🫧GOOD BIOSECURITY IS KEY TO REDUCING SPREAD

The incubation period of influenza is ~1–3 days, with clinical signs developing (and classed as infectious) ~3–5 days after exposure.

💉Treatment & Vaccination
There is no specific treatment other than supportive care. NSAIDs can be used to reduce fever. Antibiotics will only be warranted if there is suspicion of a secondary bacterial infection.

We recommend vaccinating your horse routinely, which covers the most common strains of equine flu. Even if your horse does not leave their yard or field, they can still catch the virus from other horses. Vaccinating is the most effective way to decrease the risk of disease and vaccinated horses are also likely to recover quicker if they do succumb to clinical signs.

(Information sourced from MSD & Bluecross)

07/08/2024

‼️IMPORTANT NEWS REGARDING ENZOOTIC ABORTION VACCINE ‼️

We are sorry to pass on the news that the Chlamydia vaccine, expected to be back in stock in September, wont’t be available until October. We are phoning all clients who usually get Enzootic abortion vaccine for their sheep and advising re alternative options available.

Please phone us urgently if you require stock this year and we haven’t got in touch with you.

** Please note - the supply of the Toxoplasmosis vaccine remains unaffected.