Octavoscene Pty Ltd

25/10/2024

Our smallest member of the Octavoscene team just got branded! Hanri you look beautiful in your Octavoscene onesie!

02/10/2024

Octavoscene was asked to talk at a farmers day organized by the Western Cape Department Of Agriculture. Thank you for the opportunity to reach more farmers and give vital animal production information.

29/09/2024

Thank you Huvepharma, Inc. for this amazing Cattle Days seminar in Bulgaria. Filled with world renowned speakers and veterinary colleagues around the globe it surely was an unforgettable experience. Thank you for investing in your clients so we van invest in ours.

08/09/2024

We have a new member of the team!

Congratulations doc Marnus and Chrismi! Let us start making branded baby clothes to match our vets.

30/08/2024

18/08/2024

Sometimes as vets when we hear the word students we go ‘Urgh, I don’t have the time!’. Yes, I was exactly like that and sometimes still do that but…

We need to realise that they are the next us. So stop, slow down and breathe. They are the next you. They are the legacy, the name, you leave behind.

And Dr Morris is the person who teaches all of us this. He always has a kid, teenager, vet student, another vet in his car with him. He is an amazing mentor and teacher! He has taught all of us to take the time and teach. You don’t even have to teach just involve.

Just stop and look at the smile on the other persons face, that moment you stopped means so much to them. So just breathe and take the stop. Also good for your mental health.

Thank you to Octavoscene for allowing us to create these environments and Dr Morris for being the example and mentor.

Thank you to everyone who took that stop and taught all of us.

15/08/2024

Dr Liezel Wasserman
(Sparta Veterinarian)

As a veterinarian, you have the unique opportunity to make a positive impact in ensuring food security. You’ll have the chance to work in various settings, such as private practice, small and production animals, government agencies, research, feedlots and abattoirs.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) awareness and biosecurity measures are critical aspects in preventing livestock diseases from entering your farm or feedlot.

Biosecurity measures include the following:
• Buy cattle directly from the farmer and ensure a closed herd setup, with no newly introduced animals in the last 28 days.
• Restrict the movement of people and animals on and off farms.
• Vaccination programmes, surveillance, and monitoring of animal health are also essential components of a comprehensive FMD biosecurity plan.
• Ensure good hygiene practices, such as thorough washing and disinfection of trucks, equipment and clothing between cattle loads.

05/08/2024

05/08/2024

So this is slightly off species for our page but I have had quite a few questions regarding this, so here we go...

African horse sickness is a serious often fatal disease of equids (horses, mules, donkeys and zebras). The virus is spread by infected insects that causes fever, heart and lung problems in affected animals. The virus is seasonal and weather-related. The virus occurs in summer and autumn after heavy rain. Although, AHS has been known to overwinter. Yes, it is possible! As long as the adult biting insect can survive - they are able to transmit the virus. The virus is spread primarily by biting midges but it is possible that mosquitoes, ticks and biting flies may also transmit the virus. Blood-contaminated equipment may also transmit the virus. African horse sickness is not contagious through direct contact. The biting midges transmit the virus from one animal to another. Death is common and can occur suddenly. In some cases the death rates can be as high as up to 95%.

African horse sickness has four clinical forms AHS fever, heart(cardiac) form, lung(pulmonary) form and the mixed form. The cardiac form of the disease is the most common form causing fever with swelling around the eyes, lips, cheeks, tongue and neck and ultimately heart failure. The pulmonary form occurs rapidly (death occurs within a few hours) causing fever, difficulty in breathing, coughing, sweating and frothy discharge from the nostrils. Some horses can get a combination of both these forms. The last form is the AHS fever, animals with this form typically recover. This form occurs in donkeys and vaccinated animals. AHS is a cyclic fever(high in the morning and gone in the afternoon) with slight depression and decreased appetite. The treatment for AHS includes rest and supportive care to alleviate clinical signs.

The best way to protect animals from African Horse Sickness through annual vaccination. However, this has proven to be difficult in the last few years due to vaccine shortages. Your frustration is our frustration. Urgh... we as vets want to pull our hair out just as much as you do! The vaccine is given in two doses under the skin each three weeks apart. In naive horses - horses who have never been vaccinated - it is safer to give dose 2 before dose 1.

So in the interim, the best way to protect your horse is to limit possible exposure to the biting insects during high risk periods. High risk periods are at dawn and dusk especially in summer and autumn after periods of heavy rain. Review your insect repellants and insecticide program on the farm. Monitor your horse's temperature. Movement restriction during an outbreak is great importance. This should not be taken lightly. The viremia usually lasts 4-8 days but can extend up to 21 days. In zebras, the viremia may last up to 40 days and up to 28 days in donkeys.

So for now we do the best we can - we rely on us. So focus on vector control and movement restrictions.

Please do not hestitate to ask any questions. If you thinking it, so is someone else.

01/08/2024

Kunsmatige intelligensie en die gebruik van data gaan toeneem in landbou. Loffie Brandt het tydens Aartappels SA se kongres hieroor gesels.

20/07/2024

17/07/2024

We were invited to talk and host a practical course at the Cape Metropole District Farmer's information day @ Dassenberg farm.

Thank you Western Cape Government for the opportunity and our lovely Octavoscene vets and animal health technicians for the day.

17/07/2024

Today we had a sheep show and tell with Green School South Africa, educating some of our future veterinarians. Between the green grass and excited children it was difficult to say who enjoyed the day the most - possibly Shaun the Sheep.

15/07/2024

Rescue - Rehabilitation - Lessons - Outrides - Skills Development Programme

15/07/2024

Dr Carla Pont has joined our veterinary practice in Malmesbury. She has a passion for working with the big creatures and we can't wait to see what her future holds!

13/07/2024

Introducing the newest member to the Octavoscene team - Dr Marnus Smith. He loves doing wildlife veterinary work and will join us in our herd health consulting specialist field.

26/06/2024

When they all gang up to look at you, to shame you for having the audacity to interrupt their mid morning snack to draw blood.