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.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 30th August 2024
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

Farmers urged to report cattle abortions and stillbirths
Investigating cattle abortions and stillbirths can improve herd planning and disease control.
RH&W has issued resources to make reporting easier.

Ruminant Health & Welfare (RH&W) has called for livestock farmers to report all abortions and stillbirths this block calving season.

The group says that accurate reporting and investigation is vital to help veterinary teams understand disease status and identify how to protect herds in future.

To support the thorough investigation of all abortions and stillbirths, farmers are being asked to send abortion tissues and blood samples for testing. This will assist both farmers and veterinary teams with herd planning, as well as identifying what was causing abortions.

This health planning includes assessing the status of infectious diseases and identifying the risk of zoonotic disease on the farm.

The current strain of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3), as well as Schmallenberg, means that thorough investigation is particularly important. Both of these notifiable diseases can cause late term abortion, stillbirth or deformities in calves.

Investigating the causes of abortions will also enable the effective monitoring of prevalent zoonotic diseases, such as Q fever and Salmonella Dublin. Through regular testing, scientists will be able to assess whether they are active on-farm or passive on-farm.

Submitting abortion cases will also uncover the status of brucellosis, increasing confidence that the UK is free of brucella.

To reduce the barriers for farmers submitting abortion and stillbirth cases, RH&W has produced a flyer and an online hub. The resources have been created in consultation with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) and Animal Health NI.

The flyer should be printed off and fixed onto farm notice boards and saved on the phones of members of the farming team.

RH&W is encouraging workers, farmers and veterinary teams to stay informed of disease risks on farms in order to better manage the risk of people coming into contact with diseased herds.

Colin Mason, a veterinary investigation officer and centre manager at SRUC’s disease surveillance centre, said: “Ultimately, the more you can find out about your animals by investigating these unexplained abortion losses, the better for your farm, your animals and the industry.”

Information about cattle abortions and stillbirths can be found here.

Image © Shutterstock

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

Vetlife nominated for campaign award

News Story 1
 Vetlife has been shortlisted for the Association of Charity Organisations (ACO) Campaign of the Year Award 2024.

The nomination recognises its campaigning to raise awareness of neurodiversity within the profession and produce resources for individuals and workplaces. Vetlife's campaign has included talks, lived experience blogs, and an awareness video.

Kirstie Pickles, Vetlife trustee and project lead, said: "I am thrilled and delighted that the Vetlife neurodiversity awareness campaign has been shortlisted for the ACO Campaign of the Year Award 2024"

The winner will be announced 12 September 2024. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Northern Ireland chief vet warns of bluetongue risk

Following the detection of bluetongue virus serotype 3 (BTV-3) in England, Northern Ireland's chief veterinary officer has urged farmers to remain vigilant and source animals responsibly.

Brian Dooher said: "This confirmation in England is a stark reminder of the threat bluetongue presents to Northern Ireland.Whilst this finding in Norfolk is disappointing it is not unexpected giving the rising level of disease across several countries in Europe. Bluetongue does not affect human health or food safety, however an incursion to Northern Ireland would have a significant impact on livestock and the rural economy.

"I would like to remind all farmers of the importance of sourcing animals responsibly and ask that they maintain vigilance for signs of the disease reporting any suspicions to DAERA immediately."

Suspected cases of BTV-3 in Northern Ireland should be reported to the DAERA Helpline on 0300 200 7840 or by contacting the local DAERA Direct Veterinary Office.