Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Three cases of rare cattle fever confirmed
sheep and cows
Cattle can become infected when they are kept in close contact with sheep or lambs.
Cattle that co-graze with sheep are 'most at risk'
 
Three farms in the south-west have reported isolated cases of a rare cattle fever, malignant catarrhal fever (MCF). Farmers are being urged to watch their cattle closely if they are being co-grazed with sheep.

The affected cows were from two farms in west Dorset and one in east Devon, according to Farmers Weekly. The animals, which have now been euthanised, had shown a lack of appetite, painful red eyes and a very high temperatures. All three cows had followed sheep on their grazing rotation.

MCF is a sporadic disease, usually affecting only single animals in a herd. In the UK, it is caused by ovine herpesvirus-2, which affects sheep without causing clinical disease. Cattle can become infected when they are kept in close contact with sheep or lambs.

BVA's senior vice president, John Blackwell, told Farmers Weekly that three cases in one locality "would be unusual".

The recent flare ups were diagnosed by Synergy Animal Health. According to Synergy vet Alistair Moffet, those most at risk from MCF would be mixed farms or dairy farms that rent winter grazing to sheep.

Mr Blackwell said the cases reinforce the importance of being vigilant and watching cattle closely.

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.