March Large Animal Newsletter

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Orange Veterinary Hospital
57 Molong Rd
Orange, NSW, 2800
orangevet@orangevet.com.au
Phone: 02 6361 8388

Acidosis and the risks of grain overload

With seasonal conditions remaining dry and pastures depleted many clients are sourcing additional feed for stock either as grain or roughage such as silage and hay. Supplementary and substitute feeding require considered management. One of the risks of grain feeding comes in the form of acidosis. Vet Nickala explains briefly what this is, why it happens and what you can do if you suspect your stock may be at risk.

"Acidosis or grain overload is a life-threatening condition that occurs when ruminants consume excessive amounts of grain. For cattle that are unaccustomed to grain, consuming only moderate amounts can result in overload.

Why? Carbohydrates in feedstuffs are rapidly fermented by bacteria in the rumen, producing lactic acid and lowering the pH of the gut. This has a number of effects including; disrupting the normal flora of the rumen, drawing water into the rumen causing dehydration of the animal, reduced rumen contractions, laminitis, fungal and bacterial infections in the body, and in severe cases sudden death.

Mildly affected animals may be quiet, have a reduced appetite, diarrhoea and abdominal pain. In more serious cases animals have high heart rates and respiratory rates, may be bloated and have profuse scours. Some animals may be so severely affected that death occurs before any clinical signs.

Prevention is best achieved by ensuring enough roughage in the ration and the slow introduction of grain. However, if you suspect acidosis in your herd, contact Orange Vet Hospital so our vets can assist you with a plan."

Further information is also available by following this link.

Meals on wheels - a common sight across our region during this dry season. Photo Bill M.

Contents of this newsletter

01  Harry's sore eye

02  Sore eyes - 5 signs your horse needs the vet

03  The most common cause of reproductive failure in beef herds

04  The Lambing Planner

05  When was the last time your horse had a worm egg count?

01 Harry's sore eye

Ouch that looks so painful.

Harry sporting his stylish protective eyewear allowing his eye to continue recovery.

Harry was lucky his owner acted quickly

Our newsletter article below explains the importance of seeking veterinary attention early for any eye injury in horses. We would like to share a recent client experience that highlights the need for immediate action in equine eye injuries.

'Harry', a 15yo Thoroughbred, suffered an injury to his eye recently while grazing in his paddock - being a Sunday his owner wasn't sure if this was something that could wait until Monday....fortunately for him, his owner called us that day seeking advice.

Vet Genevieve diagnosed a melting corneal ulcer - a very painful injury which if left untreated could mean the loss of vision in the eye.

Harry was admitted to hospital that day and spent the next three weeks in our Equine Clinic under the watchful eye of Genevieve and our nursing team.

His eye is slowly but surely healing and he has returned home to the attentive care of his owner.


	02 Sore eyes - 5 signs your horse needs the vet
	A horse with a sore eye is a serious concern. Eye problems can deteriorate rapidly and as such they are usually considered an emergency condition. It is so important to be aware of some of the signs of a sore eye, so that you can contact your vet immediately. 1. Excessive weeping or discharge A sore eye may weep clear fluid which can be seen streaming from the eye. Thick, white or yellow coloured discharge could indicate infection. 2. Redness Any redness of the conjunctiva of the eye could indicate inflammation or bruising. 3. Swollen eyelids Swelling around the eye can be the result of inflammation or could be due to direct trauma to the eye and surrounding structures. 4. Closed eyelids or squinting A horse with a sore eye will be very sensitive to direct sunlight. As such they will squint or close the affected eye in an attempt to reduce the pain. 5. Discolouration of the eyeball The surface of a horse’s eyeball should be clear and shiny. A “blue” or white-coloured eye could indicate a serious problem with the cornea. Don’t take chances when it comes to a sore eye – call your vet immediately if your horse shows any of the above signs.

03 The most common cause of reproductive failure in beef herds

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Spiral deviations of a bulls penis can often result in him achieving no pregnancies for the mating period, Source: veteriankey.com/urinogenital-disorders

The stereotypical image of a cattle vet is one with long, green gloves on, with their arm firmly planted in a cows bum. This stereotype has run true over the last few months with many of the spring joining herds being preg tested. It remains that, the number one cause of poor fertility is bull breakdown. The bulls shoulder a large amount of weight when it comes to breeding beef. So, when things go wrong with the bulls, the results are often disasters. Herds which reliably achieve >90% pregnancy rates in an 8-week cow joining drop substantially. Sometimes below 50%. This result can wipe out a whole seasons profitability.

Our BullCheck service continues to reliably detect bulls which are sub fertile in the lead up to joining. Many of the issues we detect are not able to be detected with paddock observation. These include spiral deviations of the penis (pictured left), testicular infections and semen defects. We are continually finding 10-20% of bulls are not suitable for an upcoming mating. Once identified, this allows you to source other, more fertile bulls for the upcoming joining.

To test bulls for the upcoming Autumn joining, you should be booking your spot soon.


	04 The Lambing Planner
	Modern horse de-worming practices have evolved greatly. Traditionally it was recommended that horses were rotationally drenched every 6-8 weeks to keep worms at bay – but this is no longer the case. What is the problem with traditional de-worming practices? Traditional de-worming practices were developed more than 40 years ago when large strongyle worms were the most common and damaging internal parasite of horses. With the introduction of the drench ivermectin, this approach was very successful in controlling large strongyles, to the point that they are no longer much of an issue. However, due to decades of such frequent drench use, we are now faced with the serious issue of drench resistance. Small strongyles are now considered the worm type of greatest concern, and we have limited effective drenches available to combat them. What are the cornerstones of modern de-worming recommendations? 1. Perform regular worm egg counts This helps determine if your horse actually has a worm burden. Worm egg counts should be conducted 2-4 times per year, but more frequently for young, aged, unwell or new horses. A small manure sample for each horse is all that is required for your vet to perform a relatively inexpensive worm egg count. 2. Use a combination drench Drenches with two or more active ingredients are less likely to lead to drench resistance. Target the drench ingredient for the most relevant worm type. 3. Drench adult horses 1-2 times per year Unless the worm egg count suggests more regularly. 4. Practice good pasture management Remove manure regularly, avoid overcrowding, and spell paddocks to help manage worms. Call us today to arrange a worm egg count for your horse!


	05 When was the last time your horse had a worm egg count?
	Modern horse de-worming practices have evolved greatly. Traditionally it was recommended that horses were rotationally drenched every 6-8 weeks to keep worms at bay – but this is no longer the case. What is the problem with traditional de-worming practices? Traditional de-worming practices were developed more than 40 years ago when large strongyle worms were the most common and damaging internal parasite of horses. With the introduction of the drench ivermectin, this approach was very successful in controlling large strongyles, to the point that they are no longer much of an issue. However, due to decades of such frequent drench use, we are now faced with the serious issue of drench resistance. Small strongyles are now considered the worm type of greatest concern, and we have limited effective drenches available to combat them. What are the cornerstones of modern de-worming recommendations? 1. Perform regular worm egg counts This helps determine if your horse actually has a worm burden. Worm egg counts should be conducted 2-4 times per year, but more frequently for young, aged, unwell or new horses. A small manure sample for each horse is all that is required for your vet to perform a relatively inexpensive worm egg count. 2. Use a combination drench Drenches with two or more active ingredients are less likely to lead to drench resistance. Target the drench ingredient for the most relevant worm type. 3. Drench adult horses 1-2 times per year Unless the worm egg count suggests more regularly. 4. Practice good pasture management Remove manure regularly, avoid overcrowding, and spell paddocks to help manage worms. Call us today to arrange a worm egg count for your horse!


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