Westpoint Farm 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.