Tern Vets Farm

31/07/2024

We are very sad to announce that Tern Farm Vets will be closing its doors for the final time today.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the lovely staff, past and present, who have worked here over the years, and the wonderful clients who have supported us. We are proud to have been a small part of your business, and feel lucky enough to call many of you friends. We hope we will see you all again soon, and would like to wish you all the very best for the future.

14/05/2024

Warning for sheep farmers!

Flystrike is about and now is the time to act and prevent it from occurring 🪰
Remember that flies are attracted to dead, decaying tissue and faeces. This means that ewes with a dirty fleece or those suffering with Footrot will be most at risk.
Dagging dirty ewes, shearing, and treating lame ewes will help to reduce this risk, as well as using topical fly prevention such as Crovect, CLiK etc.
Footvax can also be used to reduce the incidence of Footrot within your flock.

Please contact our office for further information and for treatment advice if you unfortunately suffer a case of blowfly strike.
Call 01630 656300 or email [email protected]

🪰BLOWFLY UDPATE🪰

The warmer weather with humid and wet conditions mean that risk of flystrike is increasing. See updates and report cases here bit.ly/3UEPShu



Elanco Farm Animal Health UK

14/05/2024

This week is Mental Health Week in the UK, and this year more than ever it is important to remember to talk and
Take this opportunity to check in with a friend and remind each other that you are not alone.
Remember, it's ok to not be ok.

Farm Safety Foundation - Yellow Wellies
RABI
The DPJ Foundation
Shropshire Rural Support

The reality of farming...

This week in the U.K is Mental Health Awareness week and although living in the beautiful British countryside has so many pros studies have shown that there is a huge gap in rural mental health care.

There are so many factors that play into this, from lack of resources, outdated views on mental health, lack of public transport to high stress jobs.

Studies have found that both vets and farm workers are at high risk of poor mental health.

This week I will be having open conversations about mental health, what we can do to reduce the stigma around it and how you can help.

10% of all sales made this week will be heading to charity and their Mind Your Head campaign.

Lucy x
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04/05/2024

Our latest newsletter is here!
Read on for information on minerals in your animals, and how we can help ensure they are getting the right levels in their diet⬇️

27/03/2024

A reminder of our Easter opening hours! 🥚

We hope all of our clients have a very happy Easter 🍫

We are closed for emergency only on Good Friday and Easter Monday, but should you need us at any point over the weekend then please call our normal number (01630 656300) to speak to one of our vets 🐑

27/03/2024

We hope that none of our farmers have experienced a sheep worrying incident, but unfortunately this may have been a reality for many.

National Sheep Association are hosting a meeting tonight about what to do if you experience an incident like this. For more information read below ⬇️

‼️Taking place TONIGHT‼️

What to do in a sheep worrying incident 🐑🐕

Join us during NSA Sheep Worrying by Dogs Awareness Week for a practical webinar on what to do in a sheep worrying incident.

📆Wednesday 27th March
⏰7.30pm

Register to attend⤵
https://go.nationalsheep.org.uk/0ZNZUB

23/03/2024

We had a fantastic day today at Whitchurch YFC Annual Ploughing Match , and were thrilled to be awarded best trade stand! 🚜

Thank you to everyone who came to chat to our team, have a drink or a cake, and have a race around the county with our driving game. 🚗

Thank you also to Whitchurch Yfc for organising such a great day and helping raise money for charity ☀️

21/03/2024

We are delighted to be attending the Whitchurch YFC Annual Ploughing Match ! 🚜
Pop in and see us for a drink, a slice of cake, and a chat with our team 🍺🍰

Whitchurch Yfc

20/03/2024

The next round of grant applications are open! Up to £25,000 is available per application.
Read below for further information and how to apply 👇🏻

Applications for the Animal Health and Welfare Equipment and Technology Grant are now open 📢

Grants are available to farmers or contractors in the following sectors:
🐑 Sheep
🐖 Pigs
🐔 Poultry
🐄 Cattle

Read our Farming Blog to find out more:
https://defrafarming.blog.gov.uk/2024/03/20/animal-health-and-welfare-grant-now-available

12/03/2024

These two had a rather traumatic start to their life! Luckily vet Melissa was on hand to perform a caesarean when they were unable to be lambed normally. 💉
A good outcome for all with two live lambs, with one standing before the stitching was finished, and a happy ewe mothering them! 🐑

08/03/2024

Happy international women’s day to all our clients! We are also very lucky to have some incredible women working within our team, and we would like to thank them today for all their efforts. We appreciate you all!

16/02/2024

*Meeting Update*

🦠Our Bluetongue and Schmallenberg meeting originally scheduled for Tuesday the 20th February has been rearranged to Friday the 15th March.

All welcome from 10:30am, for an 11am start at our Newport branch, with a light lunch provided.

🧬We will be discussing the current outbreaks of both diseases, the expected future spread, clinical signs, and what we can do to prevent disease.

Please contact the office for further information and to confirm your attendance.

23/01/2024

Spring is approaching, and that means lambing season is upon us! 🐑
But do you know if your ewes are receiving adequate nutrition?
Pre lambing bloods can be taken 2-3 weeks before their due date to check they are getting enough energy and protein from their diet. 🩸
If they have adequate blood levels, they are at much lower risk of developing twin lamb disease and are also more likely to produce good quality colostrum to give their lambs the best start. 🥛
Some subsidised testing is available, please contact the office for further information on this.

11/01/2024

We couldn’t put it better ourselves!

Happy National milk day, and a big thank you to our farmers for producing the food we eat 🐮 we appreciate you all, and are proud to be a small part of upholding the world leading animal welfare standards.

25/12/2023

We would like to wish all our clients a very Merry Christmas and a happy new year! 🎅🏼

We would also like to thank all our farmers, who are out working every day of the year, and helping put our Christmas dinner on the table 🎄

A reminder that we are closed for emergencies until Wednesday 27th at 8:30 am.
We are also closed from Saturday 30th at 12 noon, until Tuesday 2nd January at 8:30am ❄️

21/11/2023

Following the recent information about the spread of bluetongue virus in Europe, last week the UKs first positive case was detected in Kent. A control zone has been put in place surrounding the premises.

Bluetongue is mainly spread by biting midges, which are mainly active between April - November, but farmers are still advised to be vigilant.

Clinical signs in cattle include:
· lethargy
· crusty erosions around the nostrils and muzzle
· redness of the mouth, eyes, nose
· reddening of the skin above the hoof
· nasal discharge
· reddening and erosions on the teats
· fever
· milk drop
· not eating
· abortion

Clinical signs in sheep are more obvious, and include:
· ulcers or sores in the mouth and nose
· discharge from eyes, nose, or drooling from mouth
· swelling of lips, tongue, head, neck, and coronary band
· reddening of the skin above the hoof
· reddened skin
· lameness
· fever
· breathing problems
· abortion
· death

More information can be found at:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue -situation

Farmers in and around the Temporary Control Zone (TCZ), can now access and call a dedicated bluetongue hotline to get advice or ask questions linked to the current situation.

All farmers and keepers of animals can access the bluetongue hotline: 024 7771 0386.

NFU members can also access the CallFirst hotline: 0370 845 8458.

The bluetongue hotline is available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday and has been set up to support farmers affected following the confirmed case near Canterbury, Kent on 11 November 2023.

Thanks to our colleagues at Ruminant Health & Welfare.

13/10/2023

Q FEVER 🦠

What is it?
Q fever is a disease caused by infection with the bacterium Coxiella burnetii, which can infect humans, cattle, goats, sheep and many other mammals as well as reptiles, ticks and birds. Q fever has the potential to have a significant impact on livestock health and production.

How does it affect cows?
Infertility, weak newborns, abortions, still births, retained placenta, premature births and metritis are all possible signs that Q fever is affecting cattle.

How is it spread?
Infection is generally through inhalation of the bacteria, which can be spread through a number of ways, including ingestion, via blood from tick bites, birth fluids and foetal materials. It has been shown to spread in the wind.
The bacterium can survive for extended periods of time in the environment, for example up to 5 months in soil and up to 2 years at minus 20c. It is also resistant to many commonly used disinfectants.

How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis is challenging but there are several options, including serology and testing bulk milk.

How is it treated?
Antibiotics have limited efficacy in fever and reduction of shedding. Once a diagnosis is made hygiene and biosecurity are important. Treatment with antibiotics is neither considered responsible use of antimicrobials nor is there significant data to support its efficacy.

How is it managed on farm?
· Always investigate livestock abortions.
· Keep a good level of hygiene in areas where birthing takes place and ensure all placentas and birth materials are hygienically disposed of.
· Protect yourself by wearing disposable obstetric gloves and coveralls.
· Avoid disinfecting with high-pressure sprays (aerosols).
· Be aware of weather conditions when spreading muck or slurry.
· Ask your veterinarian about vaccination for Q fever

Is it zoonotic?
Yes, and it can infect humans. Vets, abattoir workers, farmers, farming employees and families are at increased risk of contracting Q Fever. Infection usually occurs through inhalation of dust or aerosols containing the organism.
60% of human infections will remain asymptomatic. In the acute symptomatic infections, the majority of people will have a flu-like syndrome with a small number needing hospitalisation for lung disease, hepatitis or meningitis. In 2% of cases the infection becomes chronic which can lead to disease of the heart valves or chronic fatigue syndrome. If infected when pregnant women may suffer from abortions or preterm births.

Find out more info on the following links:
https://www.qfever.co.uk/
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/q-fever
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/q-fever-good-practice-for-farmers
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/q-fever/