Hello and welcome to the August Newsletter. I hope you all enjoyed the Royal Welsh Show and congratulations to our clients who did well – good practice for the Vale Show!

We have been reminded this month by APHA about the legal position on transport of cows using/wearing shackles – where shackles are relied upon to support a cow when it is walking, that the animal is not considered to be fit for transport. If a cow arrives at an abattoir with shackles on, it is reported to the Local Authority and APHA and this report will be investigated. If you are in doubt, please phone us.

Another reminder – we are working towards email billing. We may ask you when you ring or please feel free to remind us to check your details and give us permission to email you. On our website, you can sign up to receive the newsletter by email – which means you will receive the newsletter whether you get a bill or not.

On 11 th July, two new cases of BTV-3 were confirmed in Herefordshire in cattle, on pre movement testing. The risk of transmission via infected midges is now considered to be very high. If you want a chat about the disease, vaccinating or any other aspect, please give us a ring.

This month, Sarah is doing an article on vaccines – the difference between live and dead, why sticking to the intervals is so important etc. Read on…

Mary

We are going digital...

In order to save some trees (and postage cost) we are aiming to start sending out our monthly statements digitally. This will be a few months off, as we have a large amount of email addresses to gather. We would be really grateful if you could email in with your name and address and consent to receive communication by email, we will then be able to attach the receiving email address to your records.

When phoning the office the receptionists will also endeavor to ask if we have an up-to-date email where you are happy for us to send financial data. info@swfv.uk

If you would still like to continue to receive a paper copy of your statement that is not a problem, please let the office know.

As we hope to be sending the majority of monthly statements digitally we would love for our Newsletters to reach you by email too. Remember to sign up on our website so you receive them automatically each month (whether you have a statement arriving that month or not).

Rhian

Demystifying Vaccines

A lot of our disease prevention tactics these days rely on vaccinations, to enhance the body’s natural defence systems against specific infections. Counting up the other day, I reckon that there are over 20 different vaccines which leave our practice’s fridge doors on a regular basis! And with the current push toward vaccination for the imminent threat of Bluetongue virus, it seems a good opportunity to unravel how different vaccines work, to help you make the best decisions for your stock.

Vaccines can be broken down broadly into two categories; LIVE or INACTIVATED. This refers to the contents of the bottle, and whether the bug in question is alive or dead.

Vaccines can interfere with testing for some diseases if we’re not careful, as many of our standard tests rely on measuring ANTIBODY levels. Antibodies are the protective proteins which immune systems produce to “neutralise” bugs when the body is infected. This production happens after the body is either infected naturally with the disease OR after a vaccination is given. This can be a problem as we can’t tell the difference between infection or vaccination if an animal tests antibody positive. Some modern vaccines get around this with a clever MARKER which “labels” antibodies as coming from vaccination, rather than infection e.g. Bovilis IBR Marker (live or inactivated versions available). This marker technology is the aim for the vaccine under development for bovine TB, so that the skin testing method still works - hopefully all coming soon!

Timing is everything with vaccines. Partly to maximise the immune response so the animals have the best protection possible, and partly to make sure that the immunity is achieved before the main risk of infection occurs. Put simply, vaccines are not as effective if you don’t follow the instructions! The graph below shows the typical immune response to an inactivated vaccine with 2 doses as a “primary course”. As you can see, the 2nd dose generates a faster, larger and longer-lasting immune response. Keep in mind that it usually takes 2-3 weeks after the 2nd dose before the animals have enough immunity to protect them from the disease in question, so this is not a last-minute activity! Plan ahead of periods such as bulling or tupping, calving or lambing, housing or turnout and other seasonal risks.

Herd immunity is the protection that covers a wider group of animals when a high enough proportion of individuals are vaccinated, reducing the chance of any non-immune animals coming into contact with the bug. You might recognise this term from the Covid pandemic. It’s not an excuse to vaccinate less than your whole herd/flock! But it is a phenomenon which can you can help each other out with, when it comes to diseases that can spread easily between farms – such as Bluetongue. The latest figures in July showed between 5-10% of Welsh cattle and sheep have been vaccinated for Bluetongue-3 so far, which is nowhere near enough to provide herd immunity yet. Something to think about… Well done to those of you that have committed to vaccinate already.

In summary, there’s no one-size-fits-all policy and plenty of options out there. As usual, it’s best to work with your vet on a specific herd or flock health plan to suit your own risk factors and goals.

This month’s author was Sarah

This year at the Vale of Glamorgan Show, as usual, we are sponsoring some classes and will be in attendance as livestock show vets. We will not have a stand at the show, with the money saved from this going to Velindre Cancer Charity. If you see any of the staff at the show, please come over and say hello!

Upcoming events

12th August: Ram Day—Ram fertility tests and vasectomies at a reduced rate. At the practice, pre-booked appointment required.

13th August: Vale Show—Say hello if you see us around the show, it’s always nice to catch up with you.

28th August: Managing Breeding Bulls meeting—Free to attend for Farming Connect registered clients.

2pm start at Pontyclun RFC, CF72 9DQ. Refreshments provided.

Also to remind you that there is Farming Connect funding available for vet advice and testing. This does not apply to health schemes such as SAC PCHS.

Please make note of our new email address info@swfv.uk