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Body condition score tips issued following reports of more caesareans
“Effectively managing body conditioning scores will help mitigate the number of caesareans required” - Robert Logan.
Strong grass growth has led to more overly fit cows and difficult calvings 

Scotland’s Farm Advisory Service (FAS) has issued a number of body condition scoring tips following reports of an increased number of caesareans.

The FAS says that strong grass growth has led to more overly fit cows and, as a consequence, more difficult calvings.

Robert Logan from SAC Consulting, part of Scotland’s Rural College which delivers the FAS programme, said: “In general, cows have come through the winter well, followed by a normal Spring then tremendous grass growth. According to anecdotal evidence, there has been an increase in the number of caesarean sections taking place, which is largely due to cows being too fit.

“Effectively managing body conditioning scores will help mitigate the number of caesareans required.”

The FAS states that creep feeding is essential, as while delaying weaning will help reduce cow condition, calves will suffer on short grass. Other tips from the FAS include:
  • All cows must be weaned no later than three weeks pre-calving to ensure they produce sufficient colostrum
  • an alternative option is to wean cows early, put their calves on to aftermaths and heavily graze dry cows on poor quality pastures. as a rough guide, stocking rates should be double normal numbers
  • try to force cows to have as much exercise as possible. For example, position water troughs away from feed supplies
  • in extreme cases, consider housing cows. Rations should supply around 70 MJ ME/cow/day containing at least 10 per cent CP in the dry matter and minerals.  As soon as cows have calved they can be turned back outside to graze
  • in all cases, try to provide additional magnesium for the last month of pregnancy. This might be most easily supplied with a low-energy magnesium block/lick
  • in herds with a long calving period, it may be sensible to split them on expected date of calving and for example house the early calvers and keep later calvers outside and delay weaning them
  • don’t forget Spring calvers are likely to be much fitter than average at weaning this autumn too
  • if a cow has a caesarean section, discuss with your vet the possibility of inducing calving, particularly where expected dates of calving are known.

 

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
New guidance for antibiotic use in rabbits

New best practice guidance on the responsible use of antibiotics in rabbits has been published by the BSAVA in collaboration with the Rabbit Welfare Association & Fund (RWA&F).

The guidance is free and has been produced to help veterinary practitioners select the most appropriate antibiotic for rabbits. It covers active substance, dose and route of administration all of which are crucial factors when treating rabbits owing to the risk of enterotoxaemia.

For more information and to access the guide, visit the BSAVALibrary.