Fakenham Farm and Equine Vets

05/09/2024

- - - BLUETONGUE - - -

In the previous post we talked about the need for licenses in order to move animals out of the Restricted Zone (RZ). These licenses can now be found here 👇

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue-movement-licences-and-designated-slaughterhouses

As previous, if moving to slaughter at a designated slaughterhouse then a general license will be required. However if moving live animals to live outside the RZ then a Special license will be required. In addition to the license the animal will need pre-movement testing, be restricted on arrival and then require a post movement test. The testing will be paid for by APHA and can be arranged through UKFarmcare on 0800 612 5289 - we will then be able to carry out the testing on their behalf but you may need to specify this on the phone.

3 vaccines have now been permitted for use within the RZ. Having spoken to one of the companies this morning they are hoping to be able to have delivery 'within a week or two'. The vaccines are NOT preventative - the stock will still be at risk of getting the infection and will still be able to infect other animals. However, we expect the severity of disease and death rate will be reduced. Currently we do not know what price to expect. Please get in touch if you think vaccination is something you'd be interested in so we can gauge quantities.

Bluetongue remains a notifiable disease and if you suspect if you are required to report it. Please let us know and APHA on 03000200301. This is a changing situation and a case has been identified yesterday outside of the current RZ up in East Yorkshire. More information on the disease can be sourced here 👇

https://ruminanthw.org.uk/bluetongue-virus/

Ruminant Health and Welfare (RH&W) would like to reiterate the legal requirement for providing calves with at least two milk feeds a day until 28 days of age.

02/09/2024

With the current blue tongue restrictions in place there is some understandable confusion over what movements are and are not allowed into and out of the Restriction Zone (RZ). This is clearly a changing situation but here is the current position.

1) Animals can move to a designated slaughterhouse outside of the zone using the new general licence EXD 603(E).

2) Animals cannot move out of the RZ to live without a specific licence and a negative pre movement test. They will also need to be restricted at destination and have a post-movement test.

3) Markets can operate if moves from the mart go to destinations within the RZ. There is a problem with animals going from the RZ to a market outside the RZ and then on for slaughter even if its to a designated abattoir.

4) Animals can move into the RZ and within the RZ without a licence. However, in the interest of reducing the risk of disease movement, stock keepers should minimise the movement of animals within the RZ wherever possible.

We will try keep you updated as far as possible when changes occur and please do contact us if you have any concerns about disease within your livestock.

15/02/2024

I LOVE calving season 😍😍😍

Even in the middle of the night, one of the best bits of being a vet is helping these guys into the world

09/02/2024

You'll either love this or hate it but don't watch if you're squeamish.

Have a good weekend 😆

09/01/2024

⚠️ BLUETONGUE (BTV-3) MEETING FOR NORFOLK FARMERS ⚠️

https://ahdb.org.uk/events/bluetongue-virus-update-for-farmers

7PM, MONDAY 15TH JANUARY 2024

📍 DUNSTON HALL HOTEL, NR14 8PQ📍

"Join us to hear from a panel of experts who will provide an update on bluetongue virus and the current BTV-3 strain that has been confirmed in cases in cows and sheep in the Great Yarmouth area and in Kent"

08/01/2024

Unfortunately we have decided to close our books to new registrations for the time being. We have taken this decision so that we can continue to give the level of service that we expect of ourselves to all our current clients. We are continuing to look for another vet to join our team and in the mean time will have a waiting list.

Thank you to everyone that has and continues to speak highly of us and to recommend us, it is greatly appreciated and never goes un-noted.

Thank you for understanding.

16/11/2023

🦷🦷🐴🐴 Equine Dental Awareness Week 🐴🐴🦷

Are older horses treated differently?
Yes -- Older horses are more likely to have dental problems and so we are more likely to recommend more frequent (6 monthly) checks than in younger animals.

Horses teeth are constantly erupting throughout their life. As the tooth ages it gets narrower making diastema (see Tuesdays post) more likely, the root and crown also get smaller so the teeth are more likely to become loose. Loose teeth can be quite painful and can lead to periodontal disease so we like to identify these early and get them removed before they become a problem.

Alongside the increased likelihood of dental issues, a lot of older horses do not gain weight as easily. As such, we are aiming to catch problems before they lead to weight loss or quidding.

Is sedation safe in older horses?

This is a question we often get -- the answer is yes. The sedatives we use are very safe and having the horse well sedated is essential to identifying any potential issues so we always recommend this. Sometimes the level of sedation might need to be higher than usual if there is a painful condition present.

Check back in tomorrow for the last post on Equine Dentistry!!

15/11/2023

🦷🦷🐴🐴 Equine Dental Awareness Week 🐴🐴🦷🦷

What happens at a routine dental examination?

Before doing anything, we will have a chat with you about how your horse is currently doing, including any signs of quidding (dropping food), bitting problems, nasal discharge or anything else that you may be concerned about. We will then have a feel of your horse’s head and jaw to check for any external abnormalities, as well as having a look at their incisors (front teeth).

At this point, we usually administer a sedative (included in the cost) so that when we do the oral exam we can do it safely and thoroughly with minimal distress to your horse. We often use a head-stand to support your horse’s head throughout the exam. We encourage you to allow us to use sedation for all dental work because it is safer, calmer and allows a thorough examination not just a rasping of the teeth.

We use a dental gag to open the mouth and use a head-torch to enable us to see. We will flush out their mouths with water and do a visual inspection. We will also feel the inside of their mouths to check for any abnormalities. At this point we may use a pick to clear any remaining food, and maybe a mirror to check particular teeth we may be concerned about.

After this we will often have some rasping to do - this will usually be with our motorised equipment. We find horses tolerate the motorised equipment very well. We also have hand-rasps available when required. The rasping is performed to reduce sharp enamel points that have formed on the teeth since the last exam and in some cases to reduce large dental overgrowhts.

Any further problems detected during the exam will be appropriately dealt with at the time of the exam if possible - this may include correcting any overgrowths, widening diastemata or potentially even removing teeth if necessary. Some dental problems may require follow-up appointments.

How often do we recommend dental examinations?

We recommend that all horses have a routine examination every 6-12 months, depending on the age of the horse and any problems they have. Young horses, under 5 years have softer teeth and are loosing deciduous caps so we recommend more regular checks in these animals. Similarly, geriatric horses are more prone to dental abnormalities so again we would often recommend 6 monthly checks in these animals also. What age counts as geriatric is individual to each horse, for some it may be 18 years old, in others it might be 28.

Sometimes in particularly advanced disease, we would recommend that this be even more frequently.

14/11/2023

🦷🦷🐴🐴 Equine Dental Awareness Week 🐴🐴🦷🦷

Up to 70% of horses have undiagnosed dental disorders - some of these will be causing pain. Horses are stoic animals and may not show any obvious signs and will often continue to eat normally, making identifying these problems without looking in the mouth difficult. Have a look at the graphic to see what signs we can associate with dental pain and disease.

Common problems we see in horses mouths include:
Sharp enamel points - these can cause ulceration and reduce chewing efficiency.
Diastemata - these are gaps between the teeth where food can get stuck and cause pain.
Caries - this is where the tooth is damaged by bacteria leading to a cavity, not dissimilar to when people have caries and need a filling.
Loose teeth - common in older horses. We can make decisions to either remove or monitor to minimise pain and further problems from occurring.
Missing teeth - especially in older horses. This results in overgrowths on the opposing tooth which can cause problems if left unmanaged.

All of these issues are easily identified by a routine dental examination. Call us if you have any concerns about your horse and would like to discuss with a vet!

13/11/2023

🦷🦷🐴🐴 Equine Dental Awareness Week 🐴🐴🦷🦷

This week is the first Equine Dental Awareness week lead by The British Horse Society and Equine Dental Clinic Ltd. We will be posting through the week some common questions and answers related to horses teeth.

------ Why do horses need routine dental care? ------

Horses are grazing animals and they use their teeth to thoroughly mash up everything they eat. The action of mastication (chewing) involves a sideways movement of the jaw during which the full surface of the teeth will be abraded.

In the wild equines would be eating rough thick herbage which would have a low energy density. Today's domesticated animals graze higher energy grass meadows / hay and are more likely to have a duration of time each day with restricted grazing (naturally they would graze 14-18 hours). The result of this is that they are using their teeth less and as such the teeth take less wear and can become sharp, typically on the edges.

One of the key messages of this awareness week is 'No Pain? Check Again'. Horses, Ponies and Donkeys are very good at disguising dental pain and may only have very subtle signs for a long time before it becomes more evident. Regular dental checks allow us to identify potentially painful issues as soon as possible and in many cases we can then enact a straightforward fix.

Come back tomorrow to find out about what common dental conditions we see.

01/11/2023

🐑 Scanning of Ewes 🐑
Emily has recently undertaken training in scanning ewes so we can now offer this as a service. This gives an option not just for larger flocks but also for smaller and hobby flocks that can't otherwise get a scanner available.

We really recommend scanning the ewes so that you know how many lambs are present and can then tailor the nutrition accordingly. The ideal window for the best confidence is between 40 and 60 days in lamb.

If you would like to discuss or to book in then please call on 01328 633025 or email [email protected]

How many lambs can you see in the video? Answers on a postcard please 😁

21/10/2023

It feels like it's been a while since we've started a weekend with a caesarean. This one wasn't straightforward but we've got a healthy pair of newborns (and mum) at the end of it 🐄🐄🐄

Have a great weekend everyone.

06/10/2023

We don't usually pass on the feedback we get but this one had to be shared. Thank you to the person who sent it in, it really means a lot 😊🙏
"Nobody wants to call a vet out at 3am, any more than the vet wants to be called, however Jenny was so lovely and full of humour during the early hours despite being woken up!! I look forward to meeting her in daylight hours one day (not too soon hopefully!!) It's lovely to feel like the vet has time for you and your animal, great care is taken to explain everything and enusre you are happy with what has been done."

04/10/2023

🐴🐴 Tapeworm Testing 🐴🐴

We are at the time of year to get tapeworm testing done. Just as we advise not routinely blanket deworming for roundworm we advise the same process for tapeworm. Reducing our use of deworming medication is important not just for slowing the development of any resistance but also for improving the ecological impact of the horses in our care.

Those of you on the worm control plan will be contacted soon or will have already been contacted to get your tapeworm testing kits delivered or sent out.

For anyone not on the annual plan then a Tapeworm test costs £21.83 (or you can include Faecal Egg Testing in the Annual Worming Plan for £55). They can be ordered through the office on 01328 633025 or [email protected].

03/10/2023

We're on the look for another person to join our business!! Please share widely to give us the best chance of finding the right person.

We opened our practice 2 years ago and are now looking for a 4th vet to join our team. We are seeking an individual with experience and first opinion capability in both farm and equine sectors but ideally someone who is keen to help drive forward the growing farm animal aspect of the business.

The role is full time on either a 4.5 day week or 9 day fortnight along with a 1:4 rota. The anticipated salary is £40000 - £50000 along with 30 days holiday (inc.BH). Standard encouragement for CPD along with half a day every month dedicated for CPD in work hours. VDS, RCVS and one other professional subscription is paid for along with private health insurance, a business vehicle and a business phone.

We can offer you a supportive, enjoyable place to work with real scope for growth in both the professional and personal context. If you have a desire for part ownership then this would be encouraged for the right candidate. All the vets have young families and so we understand the challenges that balancing work, family and having a life presents and we will try to help where we can to ensure you have that balance right. It’s important to us that you enjoy and are challenged by your work without feeling stressed or pressured, we would like to have you with us for the long term.

We try to make decisions based around our values of Kindness, Transparency, Community and Sustainability. That covers all aspects from how we treat each other to our support of local charities and riding schools and much more.

If any of this sounds interesting and you would like to find out more then you can call Howard on 07738165588 or email [email protected].

We provide the highest level of clinical and client care whilst not forgetting that a veterinary practice should be part of the community it serves.

12/09/2023

This definitely deserves a share, what a fantastic achievement! Well done Tom.

Anyone who wants to send some sponsorship over for his charity, here is the link.
https://holtyouthproject.enthuse.com/pf/tomhumechannelchallenge?fbclid=IwAR3OEZvq2kulMHvoYtDQpGLAjNr7JCK4iV0Ldhf9bym8FJJdT9j0zm6Bf7k

04/09/2023

We've been asked recently what you can see when scanning cows to see if they're in calf.

Here's a short video where you can see what we can see. See if you can make out the different bits of the body and if you look closely you'll see the heart beating 🤩🤩

21/08/2023

🐴 🐴 PSSM in horses 🐴 🐴

PolySaccharide Storage Myopathy (PSSM) has been gaining more attention recently, and we've been asked a lot of questions on it -- be warned, this is quite a long post on the topic.

PSSM is an abnormal storage of a sugar called Glycogen within the muscle which leads to Stiffness, Muscle Soreness, reluctance to move, sweating and lameness along with others. Unfortunately the signs of PSSM are often non-specific meaning it can be hard to identify. There are 2 recognised types, helpfully called Type 1 and Type 2.

Both Type 1 and Type 2 can be identified by a muscle Biopsy (taken from the hindquarter as shown in the picture) but Type 1 PSSM is also diagnosed by testing for the underlying genetic mutation which is not seen in Type 2. There are some reported other tests for Type 2 but they are unvalidated and inconsistent meaning we do not use them.

There is no cure for PSSM but it can be managed through dietary control and regular daily exercise of a level at which the horse can manage. Maximum turnout time is generally recommended as well.

The genetic defect in PSSM1 causes horses to keep making glycogen and storing it in the body (primarily muscles and liver), instead of releasing it to be broken down into glucose and used as a fuel. When managing the diet we aim for feed with low NSC (non-structural carbohydrate). To assess the NSC in feed, look at the combined sugar and starch levels. Overall it should be limited to less than 12%. If horses require extra energy or calories then this can be provided with a source of fat in the diet eg linseed (flaxseed) oil.

A variant of PSSM that is recognised in Warmbloods and Arabians is Myofibrillar Myopathy (MFM) which causes signs such as abnormal gait, muscle atrophy, shivers, muscle fasciculations, lack of hindlimb impulsion. This is not classed as a glycogen storage disease as there is abnormal clumping of glycogen rather than increased amounts. These horses often don’t respond as well to a low starch, high fat diet, and in fact the fat may be detrimental. It is thought that the muscle produces an inadequate response to training, therefore getting easily damaged and causing an aching feeling.

PSSM2 / MFM warmbloods can be fed a diet of 4-8% fat, up to 20-30% starch and sugar (as long as not also suffering from EMS), added amino acids and anti-oxidants. They often do best with 3 consecutive days of exercise followed by 2 days to recover. A long warm up, and a limit of 30-50 minutes exercise at a time is recommended.

07/07/2023

Thank you to everyone who came along to Fakenham Rugby Club yesterday evening for our talk on Ruminant Nutrition. You all raised an outstanding £450 to donate to YANA and it is really great for us that you so many of you came over to support the evening. There were some good follow up conversations afterwards about changing grazing management.

We must also say thanks to Katering 4U for getting some delicious food together for us - that went down really well!

We really enjoyed getting everyone together and are already looking forward to the next one.

03/07/2023

🐮🐑 -- Evening Farming Talk --🐑🐮

The Basics of Ruminant Nutrition

Where: Fakenham Rugby Club
When: Thursday 6th July from 6.30PM
Cost: £10 going to Charity

Have you ever thought about how cattle and sheep turn grass and forage into useful energy to grow, produce milk etc. You'll come away from this evening with a better understanding of how ruminants use their forage and start to see how we can manipulate it to help them.

Anyone with interest is welcome, wether you have 400 cows or 6 sheep. Food will be provided and the club will be opening the bar for refreshments. If you would like to come please just drop us a message / phone call so we can make sure everyone gets fed.

This is a reminder for those of you already booked on and a call out for anyone else who may have missed the newsletter info. We're looking forward to getting a good number of you in a room together for a chat. These will become semi-regular so if you can't make this one, don't worry there will be another later in the year.

26/06/2023

🐴🐴 Chronic liver disease in horses 🐴🐴

We have had several sad instances of putting a horse/pony to sleep recently following a diagnosis of liver failure. As such here is some information on what to look for and a note about our discounted liver testing.

🟢 The liver is an important organ with a role in digestion, metabolism and detoxification. Damage can occur throughout a horses life, from various insults eg toxins (ragwort ingestion being the most common culprit), viruses eg equine herpes or inflammatory processes eg chronic gastro-intestinal disease.

🟡 In the early stages of liver disease, there are often no clinical signs and the body can regenerate / repair the damage over time. However, once approx 70-75% of the liver is affected, clinical signs may appear. Unfortunately, by this time there is often very little which can be done to treat the animal.

🟠 One difficulty with detecting liver disease is that the signs can be vague and non -specific, and may also ‘wax and wane.’ We might see lethargy, a reduced appetite or weight loss (which some owners attribute to general ageing). These can also be caused by a number of other conditions. More specific indicators of liver disease include jaundice and photosensitisation of white areas of skin. In advanced cases, there is an accumulation of toxins in the body which affects the functioning of the brain leading to erratic behaviour, walking as if ‘drunk’ (ataxia), resting with head against walls and sometimes difficulty breathing.

🔴 As mentioned before treatment can be difficult - we have a better chance of a success the earlier we identify the damage. There are 4 aspects to liver treatment

1️⃣ Identifying and treating/removing the cause of the liver damage
2️⃣ Treating any evident symptoms
3️⃣ Support the ability of the liver to recover
4️⃣ Treat any secondary issues

✅ We are offering a discounted blood test to screen horses for indicators of liver damage - this will be £40 if performed at the same time as any other concern and can be assessed ‘in house’ providing a quick turnaround time.

✅ If damage is detected, we can then advise on whether dietary / management changes are required or if any further tests are needed. This test could be suitable for older horses (due to a lifetime of potential damage accumulation), new arrivals with unknown history, horses kept on premises where there have been cases of liver damage (in case of a common cause) or simply to provide peace of mind if you have had concerns over a horse being ‘not quite right.’

10/05/2023

🐴🐑🐮 Client Notice 🐴🐑🐮

Check you emails (and your junk if you can't find it) for our most recent newsletter. It's only a month later than it should have been --- If you don't think you've received it give us a shout and we can make sure you're forwarded a copy.

03/05/2023

***** IMPORTANT NOTICE *****

The phone line is currently not
working, please use the 07387 687024 number.

Apparently this is a nationwide issue so don't be alarmed if other landlines aren't working either.

Thank you

01/05/2023

27/04/2023

Head over to Wymondham Rugby this weekend for the Norfolk Rugby Finals with Fakenham Rugby Club playing in the intermediate final.

Play well lads 🏉 👏

The last squad of the season, for the Norfolk RFU intermediate cup final against Lowestoft & Yarmouth RUFC

We have 6 changes to the squad that beat L&Y on Easter weekend.

Jonny Wheeler, Rob ward, Ash Stewart and Pat lound all return to the starting line up this week.

Rob Ward plays his “LAST” game before retirement and taking the reigns as Fakenham club president.
His playing career spanning over 30 seasons, including clubs such as Doncaster Knights 1stXV and Scunthorpe RUFC 1stXV

This is James’s last game as 1st team captain, before stepping aside.

Lowestoft had us on the ropes at one point in the previous meeting, we know it will be another Tough fixture.

A win Saturday, will cap off a great season for the lads.

All travelling and Token Fakenham support on Saturday will be much appreciated.

We look forward to a great day full of rugby at Wymondham RFC

11/04/2023

⚠️ ATYPICAL MYOPATHY ⚠️

Following a couple of questions recently about this horrible condition - here are a few facts and some information that might be helpful.

🐴 The condition is caused by horses eating the germinating sycamore seedlings in spring and the falling seeds in winter. There is a toxin found in the seedlings (HGA) that causes the muscles in the body to slow down - this includes muscles of the gut and the heart.

🐴 Treatment is only through intensive care and hospitalisation and even then it is fatal in 3 out of 4 cases.

🐴 Some horses are less affected - perhaps due to genetics - and some trees do not produce seedlings with high levels of toxin. As such not all grazing with sycamores will lead to disease and just because one animal nearby is affected it will not mean that all animals will be.

🐴 What are the symptoms of Atypical Myopathy??

❗️ General weakness

🍁 Horses struggle to walk, stand and breathe

🌳Horses appear depressed with low hanging heads

⚠️ Muscle trembling

🛑Signs of colic - yet they often still have an appetite

🔶Brown or dark red urine

❗️❗️Severely affected horses are unable to stand

🐴 Can I do anything to protect my horses this Spring

1: Clear seedlings from the pastures you will be grazing.
2: Test the sycamore trees/seedlings for the levels of HGA toxin.
3: Where grazing is poor or limited, provide other forage (hay or haylage).
4: Ensure your horses always have access to fresh, clean water.

Unfortunately there is no way to reduce the risk to your animals other than removing the animals from the potential of being exposed to the toxin.

🐴 If your horse is displaying any of the symptoms, call your vet immediately and check your grazing for seeds. If you can confirm that your horse has potentially ingested seeds, your vet will need to know.

EDIT : This is a link to the RVC site for more information about having your trees/seedlings tested

https://www.rvc.ac.uk/research/facilities-and-resources/comparative-neuromuscular-diseases-laboratory/diagnostic-services -horse-owners-plant-sample-for-atypical-myopathy-test-and-information

08/04/2023

OUCH!!

A nasty wound for this poor guy this evening, but with a bit of help it should heal up well.

Hopefully no other animals get in a muddle like this but if you do need us for anything we're right on the end of the phone.

01328 633025 and press 1 to be diverted through to the emergency vet.

06/04/2023

--- 🐴🐴Equine Client Notice🐴🐴 ---

As of today you can now sign up for out Annual Worm Egg Count plan. The joy of this is it's simplicity - 3 egg counts, 1 tapeworm test and we will remind you on all counts of when you need to do them, all for just £55!!

You should all have an email with more details and a bit of information on why we recommend egg counts. If you don't see it check your Junk folders or alternatively you can find the information on the website.

https://www.fakenhamfarmandequine.co.uk/about-3

We are often caught going on about doing Egg Counts rather than just blanket worming because we really believe that it's the best thing to do for the animals and for the environment.

As ever, if you want any more information, one of the vets will be more than happy to talk through Deworming best practice and what will suit for you and your animals.

Have a great weekend and watch out for the quarterly newsletter coming soon!

29/03/2023

Awww Baby Goats 🐐 😊

Routine dis-budding for these three little gems and now they're all good to go

28/03/2023

Please can you all give a big welcome to Jenny and Rufus who joined us yesterday.

Jenny has been a vet for 9 years and brings with her a wealth of experience in both Farm animal and Equine work. She particularly enjoys Sheep and Goat health as well as Opthalmology and Internal Medicine in horses.

Rufus has been a dog for 6 years and has a particular interest in tennis balls.

We think they will be a fantastic addition to our friendly team and will only help improve the service we offer.