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Orange National Field Days are being held this week and OVH vet Kate Dowling has been busy giving a number of presentations for visitors. Kate covered a range of issues and focused on laminitis and greasy heel in horses - common in the bumper seasonal conditions we are experiencing - and the best way to manage these. 

In demand Kate also visited the NSW Farmers site to give two brief presentations on the 10 Top Tips for Horse Owners and Family Pet Owners.

Thanks Kate for your smiling contribution from the one and a half of you - Kate and husband James are expecting their first child in December...adding to our ever expanding OVH family. 

 

Kate website

Kate captured enjoying a lighter moment in the field.

Contents of this newsletter

01  Prolapses in cattle and sheep

02  New approach to Johne's disease in cattle

03  Retained foetal membranes after foaling: why the emergency?

04  What are we going to do about colic?

05  Epi alert as mosquitos come to town

01 Prolapses in cattle and sheep
Cow prolapse uterus

Uterine prolapse - a vet emergency. Photo by lankavet.blogspot.com

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Vaginal prolapse – photo courtesy agricultureproud.files.wordpress.com

At OVH we attend to rectal, vaginal and uterine prolapses in sheep and cattle regularly. The causes of each of these prolapses are multifactorial.

Rectal prolapses are commonly seen in young growing steers and bulls (due to homosexual behaviour/obesity or frequent defecation due to feed type), but can be seen in pregnant cows and sheep.

Vaginal prolapses occur in cows and sheep around the time of birthing (due to obesity/oestrogen levels in pasture, esp clover/softening close to parturition) and uterine prolapses occur exclusively after calving or lambing (generally due to difficult birthings).

Out of the three types of prolapses, uterine prolapses are a true emergency and should be attended to ASAP.

There are numerous ways in which we can successfully correct prolapses depending on the individual case. It is frustrating to hear of so many of these cases that are euthanased without veterinary attention when we believe there is a cost effective way of saving the animal.

Thanks OVH vet Andrew Denman for this brief but clear outline of prolapses. Please feel free to ring and talk to any of the vets at OVH about future prolapse cases 63618388...and if in doubt as to the type of prolapse take a photo with your smart phone if possible and email to us at orangevet@orangevet.com.au - a picture paints a thousand words. 

02 New approach to Johne's disease in cattle
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The new, national approach to Johne’s disease (JD) in cattle offers a fresh management plan for this endemic disease. It focuses on limiting on-farm biosecurity risk rather than controlling disease through regulation, and treats JD as just one of many diseases that producers must manage within their business.

Supported by more flexible regulation, producers will be able to make informed decisions about the opportunities and risks associated with purchasing livestock.

Key changes

A number of changes have occurred under the new JD in cattle Framework

  • Deregulation and removal of zoning: most state jurisdictions removed regulation by 1 July 2016, while other jurisdictions are still consulting with industry.
  • Ceasing to quarantine properties as a control measure.
  • Movement to a market-driven approach where producers undertake practices dependent on market requirements.
  • As of 1 November 2016, the Australian Johne’s Disease Market Assurance Program for Cattle (CattleMAP) will transition to alternative industry assurance systems.

The following tools are available to assist producers:

03 Retained foetal membranes after foaling: why the emergency?
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The foetal membranes should be completely expelled and passed by the mare within six hours of foaling

During foaling the membranes enclosing the foetus break allowing the foal to be delivered. The membranes must then separate from the inside of the uterus and be expelled by the mare. This should occur naturally within 6 hours of foaling. Torn membranes remaining in the uterus may not be obvious from external examination.

The newborn foal nursing from the mare triggers a hormonal response and uterine contraction helping membranes and fluid to be expelled.

Retained membranes become a source of infection very quickly as bacteria use the membranes to gain access to the uterus. This causes fever, depression, inappetance and in severe cases can progress to toxaemia, colic, laminitis and even death. 

Risk factors include:

  • difficult foaling or assisted delivery
  • abortions
  • foal not nursing normally
  • in utero infections
  • Friesian mares

It is very important to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible in the cases of retained membranes. Never pull on the membranes at this can cause uterine prolapse, wall damage or severe haemorrhage. 

After a thorough post-foaling examination we often use a combination of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, hormones and uterine lavage to manage cases of retained foetal membranes. With early intervention treatment is highly successful.

04 What are we going to do about colic?
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If you keep horses then you’ve probably seen colic before - but what causes it and how do we deal with it?

Colic simply refers to the signs we associate with abdominal pain. There are over 70 recognised causes of colic ranging from rapid ingestion of water to incurable abdominal cancer. The most common causes of colic seen in practice today include blockage of the digestive tract with dry feed or a hyperactive digestive tract.

Horses with colic may paw at the ground, roll, get up and down frequently or kick at their abdomen, or just lay flat out on the ground. Learning how to take a heart rate from your horse and being familiar with the usual colour of their gums will enable you to relay this important information to us over the phone.

Many cases of colic can be managed with sedation and pain relief. Other veterinary treatments such as electrolyte solutions and/or laxatives given by stomach tubing may be useful in some cases. 

The importance of a timely veterinary examination of a horse with colic cannot be emphasised enough. A ‘wait and see’ approach is strongly discouraged. 

Early recognition of surgical causes of colic and prompt referral to a surgical facility is paramount to maximise the chance of a good outcome in these cases.

If you suspect your horse may have colic - please call us right away. 

05 Epi alert as mosquitos come to town
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The high rainfall across the eastern states of Australia through winter and spring is leading to large mosquito populations. Many authorities are beginning to issue warnings about mosquito borne diseases, and the steps we need to take to manage risk.

Sheep and goat producers must keep an eye out for Eperythrozoonosis (Epi), a bacterial disease which can be spread by mosquitos. It can also be transmitted mechanically by transfer of infected red blood cells - we have seen outbreaks occur within 4-6 weeks of marking, mulesing or shearing. 

The bacteria cause anaemia by attaching to red blood cells and rupturing them, and Epi has the potential to cause death in severely affected sheep. Losses of up to 30% have been reported.

What to look out for: Affected sheep will be pale, and will lag behind the flock. They become distressed and pant heavily when moved and stagger or collapse if forced to run. Acutely affected sheep may die, especially if stressed by yarding and handling.

What to do: These symptoms are similar to that of barber's pole worm, HOWEVER the conditions are treated very differently. This makes it important to have the diagnosis properly confirmed.

Obviously, for barber’s pole worm, sheep need to be drenched. If they are suffering from Epi, they should not be moved. Mustering can cause extensive losses.

Other than providing good feed and water, there is NO practical treatment for a whole mob for Epi, you just wait it out and leave them alone for 4 to 6 weeks.

If you suspect you may be dealing with Epi, please call us for specific advice.