Westpoint Farm Vets

16/12/2024

A protection zone is now in place scross East Riding, Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

Biosecurity measures should be in place to prevent contact between wild birds and captive stock, reducing the risk of disease spread.

If you have concerns over bird sickness or any unexplained deaths that you wish to report, please call 03000 200 301 in England. You can talk to us at any time about health concerns in your flocks.

Reminder: An Prevention Zone (AIPZ) is now in force across the East Riding of Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.

This means that it is a legal requirement for all bird keepers across the East Riding of Yorkshire, City of Kingston Upon Hull, Lincolnshire, Norfolk and Suffolk to follow strict biosecurity measures to help protect their flocks, of whatever type or size, in addition to following any Protection/Surveillance zone restrictions that apply. See the press release on GOV.UK for details: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/avian-influenza-prevention-zone-declared-in-four-counties.

A map of the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone and wider disease control zones is also available on GOV.UK: https://defra.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=8cb1883eda5547c6b91b5d5e6aeba90d

26/11/2024

Ami Sawran, Clinical Director of Westpoint Farm Vets, shares guidance for farm vets on responsible antimicrobial use in camelids.

25/11/2024

Has your farm been affected by Bluetongue Virus?

APHA are running a survey to determine the impacts of Bluetongue virus on confirmed BTV positive premises and are recruiting farmers to participate.

We are collating the clinical signs BTV-infected animals have exhibited in England and how severe these clinical signs have been beyond the initial inspection visits. The potential long-term effects for example on fertility are of particular interest. In addition, we are collecting information on the impacts that the recent outbreak of Bluetongue virus and associated control strategies may have had on your clients’ farms and on running their businesses. This is an opportunity to help inform and contribute to Defra's Bluetongue strategy.

The survey takes up to 40 minutes over the phone. The time needed will depend on the number of animals they keep and the severity of the disease and impacts experienced. Participation is voluntary and anonymous.

If any of our clients wish to help with this survey, please let us know and we will make sure to put you in touch.

19/11/2024

Some of our farm team have made it down to London to stand in solidarity with UK Farmers. Farming remains a vital industry in the UK, and we will continue to do our utmost to support our clients and to help farms thrive.

This week, Ashford's Jack Balkham has written to his MP imploring the government to reconsider recent decisions that pose a threat to the wellbeing of our farmers and the longevity of the farming sector.

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! 🐏🚜💪🪧🐄

18/11/2024

***look away now if you don't like eye stuff***

This lovely chap had a rather unfortunate eye injury that resulted in a prolapse of his lens. This results in blurry vision, and can also prevent the eye from draining properly, meaning a painful buildup of fluid. Unfortunately this chap did have that painful resultant glaucoma, and we decided to remove the eye to alleviate the pain.

Most animals cope very well with this operation, so he was swiftly seen to at Chelmsford's Coalyard Clinic, where as far as he is concerned, he had a quick nap, and woke up without a sore head. He is back with his herd, and adapting very well. When his hair grows back over his face, you won't be able to see that he's had surgery at all. In the final photo, you can see that the eye has become misshapen, so he will be so much more comfortable now.

15/11/2024

Don't forget that if you're already on the Animal Health and Welfare Pathway that you're likely eligible for follow up funding. Give us a call to explore what the funding can do for your farm.

13/11/2024

A tricky little op, this one.

This lovely young alpaca had a considerable umbilical hernia that was trapping his intestines. Sometimes these can heal up naturally, but he was at such high risk of strangulation that we had to operate. He handled it like a champ, and even though he had some tricky adhesions (sticky insides!), he has recovered from surgically beautifully.

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.

11/11/2024

It may not be a pretty sight, but it's important to know what haemonchus infestations can do. This huge burden was found in a recently deceased sheep, and you can see just how pale the animal's tissues are. The squiggly lines on the floor are thousands of haemonchs contortus worms that have been draining the animal of blood. These worms multiply quickly, and their larvae are blood feeders, which means that an animal can be very poorly and depleted before the burden becomes evident on a faecal egg count. This highlights the importance of physically checking an animal's mucous membrane colour and condition when considering worm burdens and interpreting faecal egg count results.

It's been a warm and wet year, so unfortunately we are still seeing large burdens of these, and other worms. It pays to be vigilant even this late in the year. Speak to us about your parasite management plan, for advice on prevention and control strategies.

08/11/2024

***SURGICAL SCENES***

A tricky and unusual surgery for today: this heavily pregnant cow had a small mass on her tail, and we were hoping that she could calve before removal. Now into her final trimester, the blood supply to the tumour was so great that it ballooned very quickly, preventing her from lifting her tail - immediate intervention was sought as we couldn't let her hold on until housing and calving.

Cows use their tails for fly swatting, so it is a shame to have to see it go, but it was necessary to remove this rare and aggressive tumour. We hope to see her calve without difficulty soon, so that she can enjoy her retirement. She was straight off to her feed bucket afterwards, so we think she's feeling much better.

06/11/2024

Your bull is essentially 50% of your entire breeding programme, so he has to be fit to work to ensure a tight calving period and assure the future of your herd.

All of our branches offer bull fertility testing, which, if done prior to the season, allows you to understand your bull's breeding potential with enough time to go to plan B if any issues arise.

Contact us as soon as possible to book your bulls in ahead of the breeding season.

04/11/2024

Breeding decisions that will benefit your herd in the future shouldn't be made in a rush - our pre-breeding checks can assess the breeding suitability of heifers (though cows can also be assessed).

This proactive visit can also include infectious disease screening or trace element testing if appropriate. We would advise discussing these with your vet prior to breeding season next year, so as to ensure you get the slot you're after.

01/11/2024

A reminder that carved pumpkins (as well as any kitchen waste) should not be fed to pigs, as this poses a serious disease risk.

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween to one and all, and Happy Diwali/Deepavali too!

🎃 🪔

Our Horsham branch has had some fun carving their pumpkins this year. Which one is your favourite?

28/10/2024

A timely reminder as to why some diseases are 'Notifiable' - with Bluetongue on our shores, we have been more familiar with the reporting system, but we acknowledge that it can be a little complicated and tiring at times. Here, we outline why certain diseases are notifiable - we are all responsible for the timely reporting of suspicious clinical signs to safeguard human and animal health.

25/10/2024

Housing management of pre-weaned calves strongly impacts health, welfare, and profitability. Dr Tiffany Etherington shares advice.

25/10/2024

There's a clue in the poo, but you need interpretation to find out what to do...💩

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!