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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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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.