West Ridge Farm Vets

19/02/2025

A date for your diaries! 📒

⭐️ Saturday 1st March 2025 ⭐️

We are delighted to be collaborating with Excel Agri for a live sheep dissection 🐑

Ever wondered exactly what your sheep look like on the inside?! Come along to learn all about sheep anatomy and how this relates to the common clinical conditions we see in sheep, particularily around lambing.

As well as the dissection, the farm vet team will be on hand to answer all your questions about sheep!

☎️ Call us on 01884 860236 to let us know you'll be coming!

18/02/2025

New product ArkGuard is flying out the door!

2 pumps into the lamb's mouth asap after birth will help PREVENT watery mouth, alongside good colostrum management and hygiene.

We have plenty of stock at both our Witheridge & Winkleigh branches so please pop in to pick a bottle up for lambing.

If you have any questions about the product, or lambing in general, please give us a call to chat to one of the farm vets. We'd also love to hear your feedback on ArkGuard!

Happy lambing! 🐑

🎉 We are incredibly excited to introduce a super new product to help with the prevention of watery mouth in lambs! 🐑

🎉 ARKGUARD LAMB 🎉

Watery mouth remains a common cause of death in lambs 24-72 hours old. It occurs when the newborn lamb ingests large numbers of bacteria from the environment. These bacteria (commonly E. coli) rapidly multiply in the gut and release a toxin which is absorbed into the bloodstream (endotoxaemia) and causes the clinical signs of watery mouth. There is no specific treatment and many cases are fatal.

Prevention is key!

🟦 COLOSTRUM 🟦

It is vital that the lamb receives an adequate volume of good quality colostrum

- 200ml ASAP (within 2hrs of birth)
- Total 200ml/kg bw in the first 24hrs of life

Quality can be measured using a Brix refractometer, and we are happy to advise of the best quality powdered colostrum.

🟡 HYGIENE should remain a top priority 🟡

🎉 ArkGuard Lamb 🎉

This exciting new product can be added into your new born lamb routine to help PREVENT watery mouth.

This oral nutritional supplement is made from the highest possible concentration of the antibody IgY in propylene glycol to provide additional protection in the lamb's gut against the bacteria which cause watery mouth.

It is a great non-antibiotic alternative to the now discontinued Spectam and the injectable antibiotics that have been used in it's place for the past few years for at risk lambs

- Triplets 🐑🐑🐑
- Low birthweight singles/twins
- Lambs from thin/unwell ewes
- Difficult lambings
- Any lamb born into a dirty environment

HOW TO USE - 2 squirts directly into the mouth ASAP after birth

100ml bottle = 40 lambs

Our first batch is arriving early next week! Please call Witheridge on 01884 860236 ☎️ if you have any questions or would like to place an order.

We can't wait to see it working out on farm!

18/02/2025

⚠️ BLUETONGUE UPDATE ⚠️

Many of you will have seen that the Bluetongue (BTV) Restriction Zone has been extended to cover East Devon and some of you will be directly affected by this change.

Please follow the link below for full details of the Restriction Zone
https://www.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=514ec88edec74575958d860f0196d2ea

If you are in the restriction zone, no ruminant can leave your farm to go to market, or to another premises outside the restriction zone, unless they have an APHA licence and negative pre-movement BTV blood test. Please give us a call if you would like to discuss how this process works.

For our clients not yet under restriction, now may be a good time to vaccinate your stock so that they are protected when the virus re-emerges with the warmer weather in the spring. The vaccine will not prevent your animals from contracting BTV but it will reduce the clinical signs of the disease and prevent deaths.

Please call us on 01884 860236 if you have any questions or would like to discuss vaccinating your herd or flock.

☎️ AHDB Bluetongue Hotline 02477 710386
☎️Defra Rural Services Helpline 03000 200301

16/02/2025

SELEKT Pump Servicing Clinic - Friday 21st March 2025

Ni**od will be coming to our Witheridge branch to service SELEKT Pumps FOR FREE!

Please give us a call on 01884 860236 to book your pump service ☎️

We'll make sure to remind everyone a bit closer to the time!

If you don't currently own a SELEKT pump but would like to know more about how having one on farm will benefit your stock, please speak to the farm vet team 🐄

11/02/2025

A milestone for our newest recruit Dannie! 🥳

This morning, with the support of Nicci, Dannie did her first start to finish cow caesarean, delivering a lovely, very valuable dairy heifer calf 🐄

A caesarean is major abdominal surgery and the biggest surgery that we perform as farm vets, so it's a huge achievement to be doing solo caesers after only 3 months!

We are super proud! 🤗

03/02/2025

A free online lambing meeting hosted by Ni**od.

Email [email protected] to book your place 🐑

01/02/2025

🎉 We are incredibly excited to introduce a super new product to help with the prevention of watery mouth in lambs! 🐑

🎉 ARKGUARD LAMB 🎉

Watery mouth remains a common cause of death in lambs 24-72 hours old. It occurs when the newborn lamb ingests large numbers of bacteria from the environment. These bacteria (commonly E. coli) rapidly multiply in the gut and release a toxin which is absorbed into the bloodstream (endotoxaemia) and causes the clinical signs of watery mouth. There is no specific treatment and many cases are fatal.

Prevention is key!

🟦 COLOSTRUM 🟦

It is vital that the lamb receives an adequate volume of good quality colostrum

- 200ml ASAP (within 2hrs of birth)
- Total 200ml/kg bw in the first 24hrs of life

Quality can be measured using a Brix refractometer, and we are happy to advise of the best quality powdered colostrum.

🟡 HYGIENE should remain a top priority 🟡

🎉 ArkGuard Lamb 🎉

This exciting new product can be added into your new born lamb routine to help PREVENT watery mouth.

This oral nutritional supplement is made from the highest possible concentration of the antibody IgY in propylene glycol to provide additional protection in the lamb's gut against the bacteria which cause watery mouth.

It is a great non-antibiotic alternative to the now discontinued Spectam and the injectable antibiotics that have been used in it's place for the past few years for at risk lambs

- Triplets 🐑🐑🐑
- Low birthweight singles/twins
- Lambs from thin/unwell ewes
- Difficult lambings
- Any lamb born into a dirty environment

HOW TO USE - 2 squirts directly into the mouth ASAP after birth

100ml bottle = 40 lambs

Our first batch is arriving early next week! Please call Witheridge on 01884 860236 ☎️ if you have any questions or would like to place an order.

We can't wait to see it working out on farm!

31/01/2025

Red Tractor - Changes to Standards from 1st February 2025 🐄🐑🐖

There are several changes that will directly affect how we work together to ensure you are compliant and that your Red Tractor Farm Assured status is maintained.

🔴Animal Health & Welfare Pathway Integration for Beef & Sheep

An AHWP visit will be recognised for several of the Beef & Lamb Standards. A pathway visit within the previous 12 months will now ensure you are compliant with the following standards

- Biosecurity & Disease Control (BI.1)
- Animal Health & Welfare - A Written Annual Livestock Health & Performance Review (AH.1.1)
- Animal Health & Welfare - BVD Eradication (AH.1.2)
- Animal Health & Welfare - Records of the Health & Performance of Livestock (AH.2)

🟢Veterinary Medicine Regulations - there have been recent legislative changes to the UK's veterinary medicine practices which apply to all veterinary medicines prescribed to all animals. This has resulted in some changes to the Red Tractor Animal Medicine Standards:

- Prophylactic antibiotic use, for the prevention of disease, will only be allowed in exceptional circumstances - where the risk of infection is very high or the potential consequence of not using antibiotics could be severe.

- Prophylactic antibiotic use ⭐️MUST⭐️ be discussed with and supported/justified by a vet who will be required to provide documented rationale for the antibiotic prescribed. This could be in the form of an email, details included on a written prescription or a summary of the vet's clinical notes, and you will need to present this to your assessor at your audit.

- For group prophylaxis, this must be included in your herd/flock health plan and the vet must provide a separate management review detailing how future antibiotic usage will be reduced or prevented. This review must be completed within 3 months.

🟠Medicated Feed Prescriptions - assessors will be checking medicated feed prescriptions during your audit to ensure that the following information is included:

- Species of animal, number of animals & their ID
- The diagnosed disease being treated or prevented

Assessors will also check that the feed is being used as prescribed.

🔵Medicine Courses - at least one person, who is responsible for administering medicines, must undertake an approved training course every 5 years.

The full list of revised standards can be found by following the link below

https://redtractorassurance.org.uk/news/find-out-about-the-changes-to-standards-from-1-february-2025/

If you have any questions, or would like to know more about the Animal Health & Welfare Pathway, please call us on 01884 860236 ☎️

31/01/2025

We have a very exciting, brand new product to launch in the fight against watery mouth in lambs....🐑

Stay tuned for more information over the next few days........😉

31/01/2025

BIRD FLU UPDATE

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been confirmed in captive birds at a premises near Braunton, North Devon. The affected birds on the premises will be humanely culled.

A 3km Captive Bird Monitoring Controlled Zone has been put in place around the premises to control the spread of the disease. Further information can be found on gov.uk

All bird keepers should continue to remain vigilant and follow strict biosecurity measures to protect their birds.

28/01/2025

Calling all our sheep farmers! 🐑

Please see the link below to a short survey about Orf.

Beth, one of the lead researchers, saw practice several times with us when she was a vet student (some of you may remember her!) so we would really appreciate you giving her 10 minutes of your time to complete the survey 🙂

✍️ Are you a UK sheep farmer? Could you help us with our research? We are looking for sheep farmers and keepers across the UK to help us with our research to establish the current prevalence and treatment practices for orf.

⏲️ Anonymous survey takes 5-10 minutes

➡️ Survey: https://rvc.uk.com/orf-insights

27/01/2025

This beef heifer had an unfortunate accident and ripped the hoof capsule off her front left lateral (outside) claw.

Dannie Browne, our new farm vet, went out to see her to amputate the damaged claw - this is the first digit amputation that Dannie has done!

The surgery went well!
The heifer has been given an intravenous painkiller, started on a course of antibiotics and Dannie will be back tomorrow for her first bandage change 🐄

26/01/2025

Bird Flu Update

In an attempt to control the rising number of cases of bird flu, as of noon on Saturday 25th January 2025, an Avian Influenza Protection Zone came into effect across the whole of England & Scotland.

Bird keepers are being advised to remain vigilant for signs of the disease, and to bring in enhanced biosecurity measures to protect their flocks.

Symptoms of bird flu
- dullness
- reduced appetite
- swelling of the head
- a blue tinge to the comb & wattle
- respiratory distress
- diarrhoea
- a significant drop in egg production
- sudden death
A comprehensive list of symptoms can be found on the gov.uk website. If you notice any of these signs in your birds, it is important that you notify APHA as soon as possible.

Recommendations for good biosecurity include:
- keeping your flock separate from other birds
- keeping waterfowl away from other birds as their symptoms are often less noticeable
- keeping feeders, drinkers & housing free from contact with wild birds and their droppings
- controlling rodents who are capable of spreading the disease
- regularly clean & disinfect housing
- use clean clothing & footwear when going in with your birds, and try to limit the number of visits
- use a DEFRA approved disinfectant foot dip on entering and exiting bird accommodation

There is currently no requirement to house poultry.

We would advise that bird keepers regularly check the government website for the latest updates and advice. We are also always happy to answer any questions you may have, so please don't hesitate to call.

07/01/2025

Our first sheep caesarean of 2025! 🐑

This ewe came into the surgery this afternoon, presenting with ringwomb. Nicci examined her and immediately made the decision to operate, delivering absolutely lovely live twins 🐑🐑

⭐️ Make use of our 2025 lambing offer, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm at our Witheridge branch ⭐️

07/01/2025

Our 2025 Lambing Offer is now live!

January to April!

Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays), 9am to 4.30pm at our Witheridge branch.

Just call on 01884 860236 to let us know you are on your way with your sheep! 🐑

🎉🐑 LAMBING OFFER 2025 🐑🎉

We are excited to launch our 2025 lambing offer!

Running for longer - January to April - and at the same great price as last year!

Please find all the information below! 🐑

07/01/2025

West Ridge Farm Vets Foot Trimming Service

⭐️ Price List ⭐️

Please give Jamie a call on 07941 510694 to discuss all your foot trimming needs 🐄

01/01/2025