Vale Farm Vets

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Vale Farm Vets

We have a dedicated team of 12 farm animal vets serving the farming communities of Devon and Somerset
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We have a dedicated team of 12 farm animal vets serving the local farming community of Devon and Somerset from our Cullompton, Tiverton and Honiton branches. Specialists within the practice travel nationally and internationally, offering veterinary consultancy such as mastitis and embryo transfer services.

21/06/2024

⚠️ WARNING ⚠️

We have had our first cases of Haemonchus infection in one of our client's flocks today.

Haemonchus is a blood sucking gut worm 🪱 that resides in the abomasum of ruminants.
It’s also called “Barbers pole” worm for its characteristic striped appearance(picture 1).

It can prouduce acute disease often seen as anaemia and can quickly result in death if not treated. Diarrhoea is not associated with this gut parasite therefore is often missed due to worm egg counts not being performed. These worms can produce 5000-15,000 eggs per day, hence given the right weather conditions their presence can build very quickly.

In subacute infections you may see the classic “bottle jaw” seen in picture 2, as well as poor condition or weight loss and weakness.

Along with body condition scoring and worm egg counts, the Famancha score (last picture) can be used to grade the level of anaemia.

Be vigilant!

☎️ If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to ask!

15/06/2024

Huge congratulations to our wonderful vet, Anna-Mae, and her new husband Danny. As many of you will know the pair got married last weekend! 👰‍♀️🤵🏼🎊🇨🇮

11/06/2024

Tomorrow is one of the last free workshops being offered in Esst Devon
If you are interested you can book using the link (we will attach on our stories!)
https://businessinfopoint.co.uk/workshops/farm-grants-update-navigating-the-agricultural-transition-139/

10/06/2024

We are finalising numbers for this year's Herdspersons Course. This practical on-farm course runs over 5 days (one day a week over July and August), and covers the basics of calving cows, care of the newborn calves, youngstock rearing, mastitis, lameness, nutrition, transition, and treatment of sick cows.
There is often funding available from DART trust that will help cover the cost.
If you would like a place, please call the office to book on 01884 32228

22/05/2024

We saw this ram lamb today; can you spot what is unusual?

This is Hypospadia – the most common external deformity of the male urogenital system. One abattoir report suggested that this abnormality was found in 0.2% rams under 12 months old. It happens when the urethra (the tube that runs from the bladder out through the p***s) does not form properly. It fails to fuse, so urine leaks out at points along it. It also causes the sc***um to be divided into 2 (as you can see here), as it is prevented from fusing. This means urine dribbles from along the line rather than exiting the end of the p***s like normal.

The reasons for this are unclear; there is a genetic component as it happens more in certain breeds (merino) and in closely related animals. There are also suggestions that it might be because of exposure to oestrogen (possibly from phyto-oestrogens that can be found in clover, or fungal oestrogen type compounds that can be found in soya), or from single gene mutations.

The p***s is usually shortened, so does not exit from the prepuce normally. (We have labelled this picture to make what you are looking at clearer!)

This chap will never be any good for breeding, but should be able to fatten 🤞

07/05/2024

Whilst we are more often called out to lambings and calvings, we were pleased to be able to help this lovely doe deliver this gorgeous newborn safely. Very sadly it's twin didn't make it as they were very tangled inside when we arrived, but we are pleased to report that mum and kid are both doing well thanks to plenty of TLC.

🐐 Goats may have 4 stomachs (like cows and sheep), but they aren't just a smaller version of their ruminant friends! Did you know...
🪱 Parasite control is different in goats; they require different doses to sheep and cattle, and dont build up resistance in the same way, so need regular faecal monitoring to keep them worm-free
💉 Goats respond differently to vaccines, so need extra booster doses that sheep don't, even though we vaccinate them for similar diseases

👩🏼‍⚕️👨‍⚕️ If you are new to owning goats, or have a small number, and want to make sure they stay in top condition, consider joining our Smallholder scheme. Membership includes a yearly health plan, 4 worm egg counts, discounts on courses and the ability to join our shared vaccine days. This means you can purchase just the doses you need for your animals rather than buying a large pack that goes to waste

01/05/2024

Here at The Vale our primary focus is to care for your pets and farm animals. 🐶🐈🐄🐑

However, we are aware that every decision we make has an environmental consequence. We are by no means perfect, but over the next 30 days we are going to share with you a small step per day that we are trying to take to be kinder to the environment we all love. 🌍

We hope this inspires others and we would be so grateful for other ideas from our followers that we might not already be implementing 💚

26/04/2024

You may hear a new voice on the phones at Cullompton! Ali (.harris.167189) joins Molly and Gemma at Cullompton to cover Shelley's maternity leave.
She has plenty of experience with farmers, having worked as a farm and poultry coordinator for 18 years. Welcome Ali!

18/04/2024

Yesterday we said goodbye (for a bit!) and good luck to the lovely Shelley, who most of you will know from speaking to on the phone, or out on farm disbudding, weighing, mobility scoring and AIing.
She is off on maternity leave (no that isn't her baby!) and we wish her and husband Mat lots of luck when the little one arrives 😊💚

11/03/2024

🔬 A look down the microscope at what was causing itching in sheep...
🕷 This is a chewing/biting louse, Bovicola Ovis. Like sheep scab, which is caused by mites, they cause sheep to be very itchy, and this can seriously affect production as sheep are so irritated.
👁 Lice can be found anywhere on the sheep, and are just visible by human eye as they are 3-4mm long and dark brown in colour.
☀️ They are more common in winter as they dislike dry weather and bright sunshine, and spread sheep to sheep but they can live off the sheep for 17 days.
🐑 Shearing sheep can help to reduce burdens of lice, and may be neccessary if treating sheep with pour-ons because wool can make the products less effective.
💉 Injectible products used for scab mites do not work for lice, which is why getting a diagnosis is important! Pour on or a dip is required.

08/03/2024

Appreciating these wonderful women who make up our farm team today and everyday!

🐄🐑📝📞💪🏼

07/03/2024

Is your Selekt pump in need of servicing? Clients are invited to bring their pumps into the practice at Cullompton March 18th, for a FREE service.
Please call the Cullompton office to add your name to the list of pumps to be serviced.
Please bring in pumps by 9am, and make sure pump and gag is labelled before you hand them over! (We can do this for you on reception).

28/02/2024

We had a busy time earlier this week with loads of calves being delivered in a 24 hour period. Some came out the back, and some out the side...
This gorgeous pair came out via a caesarian as dam had a small pelvis, and they were totally wedged inside her!

27/02/2024

🐛🐑⚠️ SCOPS Nematodirus Forecast predicts high risk near Exeter (and moderate near Dunkeswell) for Nematodirus in lambs.

This forecast predicts the hatch date for nematodirus worm, based on temperature data from UK weather stations. Sheep farmers should use it in combination with grazing history to assess the risk of infection in lambs.

Nematodirosis causes a high number of mortalities and stunts the growth of many other lambs. The Nematodirus battus worm has a different lifecycle to other sheep worms. Under certain climatic conditions, it can strike very quickly, with little or no warning. Cold weather delays hatching, so when we get a sudden change in temperature, it can trigger a mass hatch. If this coincides with the time when lambs are starting to take in significant amounts of grass (over about six weeks old), the result can be devastating.

Speak to one of the vets if you are concerned about your lambs being at risk.

24/02/2024

🐄 Are you a dairy farmer who uses Uniform Agri?
There is a NEW ketosis list alert for dry cows on the Uniform Agri app. (Please make sure you have the latest version installed!)

📱UA will be delivering a few workshops for their current customers. Please check dates if you'd like to attend!

☕️ All workshops will start at 10.30am (try and get there 10/15mins before so can grab a tea or coffee) and it will finish between 1/1.30pm

➡️ If you'd like to attend, you can register using the following link (you may have to copy paste into your Internet search bar)
https://uk.surveymonkey.com/r/2JZN8QX

21/02/2024

We have set a date for our next foot trimming course!! 🐄

This is a hands on course run in conjunction with a foot trimmer which is ideal for those wanting to improve their skill and ability to deal with lameness on farm.

The course will cover:
🐄 Basic anatomy of the foot
🐄 Recognition of lesions
🐄 Mobility scoring and lameness detection
🐄 Handling, lifting and safe examination of feet
🐄 Tools required (including knife sharpening)
🐄 Introduction to the 5-step trimming method
🐄 Treatment protocols: using blocks and NSAIDs

Spaces are limited to 12 people so don’t miss out!!

📞 Call the office for more information and to book 01884 32228

19/02/2024

Just a reminder that this meeting is being held NEXT Tuesday
Your chance to hear the latest news about TB, plus a Q & A panel with experts from TBAS, APHA and NFU.
If you would like to come, please call and book your place (and your pasty!) 01884 32228/01884 253355

16/02/2024

Animal Health and Welfare Pathway funding is straightforward to claim. It’s a flexible pot of cash for you to use to do some useful disease testing on farm, and to pay for vet and your own time to do so! Even better, you can claim funding every 10 months.

Eligible farms must have 11+ cows or 21+ sheep. Funding is very flexible but here are a few things we’ve been doing on farm;

BEEF/CALF REARERS
🐂 BVD testing (required for funding)
🐂 Johnes/infectious disease control plans
🐂 Herd health/performance review
🐂 Mobility/BCS scoring
🐂 Calf rearing audit

DAIRY -
🐄 BVD testing (required for funding)
🐄 Lameness Control Plans
🐄 Heifer rearing audit
🐄 Mastitis control plan
🐄 Mobility/BCS scoring
🐄 Herd health/performance review

SHEEP
🐑 Wormer resistance checks and worm egg counts (required for funding)
🐑 Lameness control plans
🐑 Trace element testing
🐑 Flock health/performance review

💷 If there is anything you’d like to look into or improve on your farm, get in touch with one of the vets to find out how AHWP can help to fund it

10/02/2024

This month you may see a new face TB testing on farm!
Rachel has been working as a TB tester and vet tech in Sherborne, and is looking forward to returning home to Devon where she was born. In her spare time, she enjoys her two labradors, Olive and Marlow, and watching and supporting Exeter Chiefs. In the winter months, she can be found at local shoots.
Welcome to the Vale Farm Vets team Rachel!

09/02/2024

FlockCheck is back!
If you have had ewes abort (or more barren ewes than normal this year) and you don't vaccinate, toxoplasmosis or enzootic abortion could be behind it.
If you have more than 100 ewes, you could be eligible for free lab testing to screen tor the 2 most common causes of sheep abortion.
Up to 8 aborted ewes or barreners can be blood sampled, and MSD will cover the cost of the lab fees, allowing you to screen for enzo/toxo very cost effectively.
Speak to one of our vets if you think you might be interested in screening your flock.

08/02/2024

How good do you think you are at cattle handling?
University of WM have designed a game (with feedback from dairy farmers) to teach and demonstrate how the way cattle are handled affects cow behaviour, stress and milk production.
Search "mooving cows" wherever you get your apps and see how skilled you are at moving your livestock!

03/02/2024

📣 We will be running another of our LANTRA approved courses "First Aid for Feet" in March.
This hands-on course is run in conjunction with a foot trimmer, and is ideal for those wanting to improve their skill in dealing with lameness on the farm.

🕘 Course runs 9am - 5pm and uses cadaver feet to practice trimming treatment and block application. Suitable for novices and for those who would like a refresher, spaces are limited so don't miss out!
Cost is £200 + VAT and funding may be available through www.darttrust.org.uk

📞 Call the office 01884 32228/01884 253355 to register interest and book a place

01/02/2024

This lovely pair of twins were keen to be out this morning!
The bigger ram lamb on the left was coming first, but he'd left a leg behind and his smaller sister on the right (looking surprised to be out at last!) was attempting to overtake him by pushing her front legs right into the birth canal. 3 legs and 2 heads took a bit of untangling but they both came out safely.

28/01/2024

This is a pregnancy scan. Most commonly you'll find us scanning cows, but can you guess what animal this is? 🐐🐖🐑🦙
Scroll down for the answer
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It's a Piglet. The sow is about 6 1/2 weeks pregnant

19/01/2024

Is TB just a lottery?

We have teamed up with Blackdown Farm Vets to discuss bovine TB at a local level. With talks from TBAS, APHA and NFU plus a panel Q&A session, this is an event to help you better understand what the current situation is and what we can do going forward.

Tuesday 27th February
7pm for a 7.30pm start

Padbrook Park, Cullompton EX15 1RU

Give us a call to book on 🐄

19/01/2024

🥶 Temperatures have been well below freezing for the past couple of nights, which presents a special challenge for pre-weaned calves!
Whilst adult cattle and sheep produce a lot of heat from their rumen (and sheep are obviously well insulated!), but young animals on milk do not. They are also much smaller, so lose a lot more body heat.
🌡 Calves less than a month old get cold at temperatures below 15 degrees!
🐮 Suckler calves and lambs on the ewe have the twin protection of dam to keep warm, and extra energy in the form of ad lib milk to maintain their body temperature, but calves on the bucket (and hand reared lambs) struggle in the cold. Death rates for calves are much higher when the temperature drops!

How can you help?
❄️ Plenty of DRY bedding-legs should be completely covered when the calf/lamb lies down
❄️ Eliminate any draughts in pens-windchill drops the temperature by a huge amount! Simple straw bales stacked up are a great windblock
❄️ Feed extra milk-animals will be burning more energy to stay warm
❄️ Jackets, or even better, heaters! Jackets provide a layer of insulation, but don't warm the air being breathed in. 1kwt heaters make a significant different to calf and lamb illness and survival

How do you keep pre-weaned youngsters warm in this weather?

14/01/2024

🐑 LAMBING COURSE 🐑 We are running a lambing course on Friday 2nd February, featuring both theory and practical aspects. The course is open to all! Please register your interest by emailing Lily (email on poster) or ringing the practice. We look forward to seeing you!

12/01/2024

We've been busy lambing this week-this lovely girl was helpfully attempting to have her lamb in daylight hours.
Her single ram lamb was a big chap so she needed a caesarean, and the pair are both doing well ☺️

11/01/2024

We have recently had a lot of reports of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) in lambs, and this is being seen across the country in lambs and in calves.
The virus first emerged in 2011 and tends to recirculate evey few years. It is spread by biting midges, so years with a later frost may be higher risk.
Ewes between days 30 and 60, and cows between days 30 and 150 of their pregnancy are most susceptible to have offspring born with the classic fused limbs, but animals only show mild signs at the actual time of infection.
SBV can also cause reduced conception rates and abortion in sheep flocks.
Other things can cause deformities im lambs, calves and kids, but APHA Starcross are offering free testing for Schmallenberg on fresh brain samples

09/12/2023

🐑 Lambing is well and truly underway here at The Vale. This ewe needed a helping hand this morning when she stopped pushing with the head engaged in the v***a and so it started to swell and needed a bit of a pull 🐑

📞 If you haven’t started to lamb yet and need to stock up on supplies then give us a call
💉🧤🧴💊

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+44188432228

Website

https://www.valeveterinarygroup.co.uk/, https://apply-for-an-annual-health-and-welfare-review.defra.gov.uk/apply/registe

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🐷 This is a clip of a piglet being born (backwards!) - not for the squeamish! 🐖 It's unusual for us to have to assist in a farrowing, as most pigs will give birth without any help. Piglets are usually born at 10-20 minute intervals. 🐽 Litter sizes for commercial pigs are around 14-20, but more traditional breeds have smaller litters. This piglet is a Gloucester Old Spot, and was one of 8. 😊 Mum and piglet (and all its litter mates!) are doing well

How many calves can you count? This is a pregnancy scan of a cow-she is (currently) carrying triplets! Two are quite close together, and the third is a little further away. The odds of a dairy cow giving birth to triplets are 1 in 10,000. If she does carry these to term, and the semen used is conventional, she has a 1 in 8 chance of having three heifer calves born (much higher if sexed semen is used). Just like twins, the chances of a cow losing the pregnancy are higher with multiple births so she'll have to be kept a close eye on. Cows that give birth to more than one calf are also at increased risk of having problems post calving. These risks can be much reduced with a Kexxtone bolus-it really helps cows that are likely to struggle get through the transition period!

Scanning calf lungs - This is a short video of ultrasound scanning a healthy 4 week old calf’s chest, you can see the heart then the bright white line is the surface of the lung - Cattle have 6 lobes and when compared with horses ; smaller lungs made up of far less stretchy tissue! Damage can have serious impacts. - Infection replaces healthy lung tissue with scar and lesions like abscesses = less capacity for functional breathing - This has a welfare impact as well as on kpis like DLWG, mortality rates and AFC - We can use ultrasound to assess lung changes from disease near the surface - It can show early changes in the lungs and help us alongside a clinical exam/ Wisconsin calf scoring which may miss 25% of calves in acute stage of disease with less obvious external signs hopefully improving treatment and aiding recovery - It is a useful tool to asses the severity of lung damage; helping both welfare and long term decision making - Speak to Mireille or Fi for more info

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