Westpoint Farm Vets

04/03/2025

Have you applied for the animal health and welfare pathway?

Livestock farmers can now apply for funding for both the animal health and welfare review and the endemic disease follow-up for more than one species. Please phone our team at Ashford on 01306 628208 to book in your visit or to discuss further information with our vets! 🐄

16/02/2025

Contact your branch to discuss your BTV risk profile, and access vaccines before spring.

13/02/2025

In response to the significant increase in findings of avian influenza in kept and wild birds, in addition to the national avian influenza prevention zone (AIPZ), mandatory housing measures to protect poultry & captive birds will also apply in:

Cheshire – added
City of Kingston Upon Hull
Herefordshire – added
The East Riding of Yorkshire
Lancashire – added
Lincolnshire
Merseyside – added
Norfolk
North Yorkshire
An area in Shropshire
Suffolk
Worcestershire – added
York

These measures will come into force at 00:01 on Sunday 16 February.

All bird keepers in these areas must, from this date, house their birds in addition to following stringent biosecurity measures. If keepers fall into a Protection Zone outside of these areas, they also must house their birds. The GB wide AIPZ mandating enhanced biosecurity measures remains in place.

More information is available here: https://www.gov.uk/animal-disease-cases-england/bird-flu-regional-avian-influenza-prevention-zone-east-of-england

11/02/2025

Ami of our Chelmsford branch is the incoming President of The Society of Practicing Veterinary Surgeons. It is wonderful to see large animal vets represented here, and we wish her luck for her term!

07/02/2025

If you're planning to vaccinate for Bluetongue Virus to protect against any potential reemergence in the Spring, make sure you plan in advance to ensure onset of immunity after their primary course, which can be 1 to 2 doses depending on your vaccine.

04/02/2025

It's lovely to see a calf up and bonding with the dam immediately after a caesarean. Chelmsford's Katie did some excellent work bringing this big lad into the world.

31/01/2025

Chelmsford vet tech Abbie visited this lovely set of lambs to assist the owner with husbandry tasks - unbelievably, she left the farm without one tucked in her jacket - though it was tempting! Remember, our techs can help out with all manner of husbandry tasks to lighten the load for busy farmers and smallholders. Get in touch with us for more information.

28/01/2025

This little chap has been struggling with weepy eyes, and so came into the Coalyard Clinic at Chelmsford to have his tear ducts assessed and flushed. Luckily they're all present and correct, just in need of a good clearout by Ami.

The added bonus was a lovely nap, courtesy of some sedation.

27/01/2025

There will be a FREE meeting for sheep farmers looking to explore fluid therapy in ewes, courtesy of Selekt System on the 25th February at 6pm.

The talk will include:
• How, when & why to use oral fluid therapy
• How to manage twin-lamb disease & hypocalcaemia
• How to give your lambs the best start

Set yourself up for reduced stress this lambing season, and drop in! All details for registration are on the picture below.

24/01/2025

When you're nice and snug inside the womb and in absolutely no hurry to enter the world, it can feel like quite a rude awakening to be assisted!

23/01/2025

We love a proactive approach to parasite control!

Spent today with the brilliant taking bloods from some of my youngstock for BVD testing, as part of the government’s Animal Health and Welfare Pathway.

We also spoke biosecurity and took a few dung samples so that faecal egg counts could be done, which will inform whether I need to worm my cattle or not.

I try and avoid using wormers where I can because of their negative impacts on invertebrates like dung beetles, and instead try to make sure my cattle are moved regularly while grazing and have access to anthelminthic (anti-worm) plants like chicory, bird’s-foot trefoil and willow.

Thus far the FECs have come back good which means I haven’t had to worry about it, which has been great for the inverts and my bank balance!

23/01/2025

We have now entered into the Seasonally Vector Low Period, meaning there is low midge activity and the transmission risk for bluetongue is very low.

This kicks off some alterations for those in restriction zones:

• Animals moving out of the restriction zone no longer require a post movement test.
• There is no requirement for the use of insecticides.
• Animals from the restriction zone do not need to use a designated slaughterhouse.

Some restrictions remain in place -
• Pre-movement testing in the restriction zone is required
• Licences are required to move animals or germinal products out of the restriction zone.
• Any post movement testing requirements set out in the licence or restriction notice if animals were moved out of the restricted zone on or before 20 January 2025 must still be completed
• A licence is necessary to freeze germinal products in the restriction zone.

This link takes you to a bluetongue case map that shows the GB premises that have had one or more cases of BTV3 confirmed by PCR. https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/4867f4e1f680415898482df7aabb703d/page/Page/

Now that we are in calving and lambing season, you may encounter foetal deformities, stillbirths, abortions and neurological signs in calves and lambs, which could be related to BTV3, and therefore must be reported to 03000 200 301 (England), 0300 303 8268 (Wales) or your local Field service officer in Scotland. We must still remain vigilant for any signs of BTV3, and report any suspicion of disease immediately.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/seasonally-vector-low-period-for-bluetongue-begins

UK Chief Veterinary Officer announces we are now in the seasonally vector low period for bluetongue virus.

22/01/2025

A glorious day for some booster vaccines - we recommend clostridial vaccines for our camelid patients - as you can see, there were no objections from this herd after their visit from Ashford vet Tiff, and Tech Liv.

13/01/2025

Did you know that in the South East, our Tech Teams are able to scan sheep and goats for pregnancy? If you have small herds or flocks and want to be able to tailor your nutrition to their breeding status - get in touch with our techs!

09/01/2025

Clinical Director of Chelmsford, Ami has been nominated as Champion for Change by Veterinary Woman. Read her interview below!

Amy Sawran is Clinical Director at Westpoint Farm Vets in Chelmsford, a member of the Clinical and Farm Executive boards at VetPartners.

06/01/2025

Applications for our 2025 New Graduate Scheme are now OPEN.

If you want a supportive, tailored and welcoming new graduate experience in a dynamic and inclusive 100% farm practice, come and talk to us.

https://www.westpointfarmvets.co.uk/graduate-programme

We are 100% farm animal vets with practices nationwide. We aim to provide the highest level of farm veterinary service to keepers of food-producing animals.

03/01/2025

Our work would mean nothing if it wasn't completed with enthusiasm, compassion and great care for the animals we tend to and the clients we serve. Thank you for being with us - we appreciate each and every one of you.

02/01/2025

We are at the forefront of public health protection and infectious disease control on a national level.

31/12/2024

We stand with the farming community, and find ways to support agricultural charities and industry initiatives.

19/11/2024

Standing shoulder to shoulder with the farmers at the rally in London today. Fantastic atmosphere and real community spirit. Here's to being heard not herd! Also there in spirit and solidarity from the practice! 🐏🚜💪🪧🐄

12/11/2024

The next NSA field day is in Kent on Wednesday 20th Novemeber. “Making the most of grazed forage in your sheep system". Email [email protected] to register.

25/09/2024

Come and find us at the East Kent Ploughing Match Association for a tea, cake and catch up!
This year it’s being held at Great Bossington Farm, CT3 3LN. Our team are on top form as you can see! 😁

20/09/2024

Come and find us at the Weald of Kent Ploughing Match tomorrow. Find us at stand number 40, between the main ring and farmers market for a cake, refreshments and to browse our Farm Supplies shop! See you there!

12/09/2024

🎉SOUTH EAST REGION FIELD DAYS ARE BACK🎉

Join NSA South East Region for their two field days:
📅Wednesday 18th September 2024 at Blacketts Farm by kind permission of GH Dean & Co Ltd
📅Thursday 7th November 2024 at Hyde Farm by kind permission of Randall Farms Ltd

Following the success of the inaugural Field Days held across the South East Region in 2022, this years focus will be on the use of forage/cover crops.

To register for these events or find out more, follow the link below⤵
https://nationalsheep.org.uk/events/forthcoming-events/

NSA South East Region would also like to thank the events sponsors Virgin Money, MSD , British Wool, Bimeda, Elanco and Rappa

25/03/2024

Jo worked at Kent Wool Growers before joining our team in 2017, and has been instrumental in setting up our farming supplies shop. When she’s not working, she enjoys hiking with her canine sidekick Flyn and (staying true to her kiwi origins) following rugby.

11/03/2024

Our this week is one of our senior vets Kathy Hume, Originally from Ireland, Kathy graduated from the Nottingham Vet School in 2011. She enjoys all aspects of her role, but has a particular interest in proactive health planning and mastitis control. She is also an AHDB dairy mastitis control plan user, and loves being outdoors and taking photos of the Kent countryside with her two cocker spaniels! Kathy works extremely hard and we really appreciate everything she does for Westpoint!

08/03/2024

Happy International Women’s Day💃 Today we celebrate the incredible women that work hard every day, from our Vets, our admin staff, TB testers, Vet Techs and not to forget our farmers! Without these amazing women, our practice would not be the same.
So this is a big appreciation to all of the women at Westpoint!

06/03/2024

We are at Farm Expo today in the John Hendry Pavilion, come and see us for a chat and a cake! 🧁 a big thank you to The Acre Selsted for the cupcakes!

04/03/2024

This week our is our superb Clinical Director Jack. He grew up in the East Sussex countryside and joined us in 2014. His main interests include bovine fertility and infectious diseases. In his free time he enjoys kayaking, running and spending time with his family and dog! He is renowned for his home brews and his classic dad jokes, but here at Ashford we wouldn’t have him any other way! 🍻

26/02/2024

Tiff graduated from the University of Surrey in 2021 and joined our graduate programme soon after! She enjoys all aspects of farm animal practice, but has a passion for dairy and infectious diseases. Her favourite pastimes include baking, paddleboarding and visiting her family in the West Sussex countryside. All of us here have to admit that Tiff is an expert at baking cookies! 🍪

19/02/2024

Val has worked in the veterinary industry for years, many of which have been spent running our Ashford office! Her passions include jump racing, photography, gardening and looking after her horses. Most of you will know Val from booking an appointment or popping into the practice, she will welcome anyone with open arms and is a crucial part of the team here at Ashford! 🐴

14/02/2024

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of lovely clients💘

Megan went out in the very early hours this morning and delivered this beautiful set of Valentine triplets via C-section, we are pleased to say they are all thriving and doing really well!
It well and truly feels like spring is on the way💘

12/02/2024

Megan is one of our vets here at Westpoint and has been with us since 2020, she holds degrees in veterinary biosciences and medicine🐑 In her spare time, she supports her partner with his pub and enjoys exploring the countryside with her cocker spaniels! She will never say no to a cup of tea when out on farm! ☕️

09/02/2024

We have gone GREEN, as a practice we are trying really hard to up our game with sustainability, we have new biodegradable re**al gloves, recycled toilet paper 🧻 and also our new shredding system.
Below you will see our wonderful Clinical Director Jack modelling our new gloves, I think he approves!