Well I couldn't be more in the firing line - animals grazing over the white cliffs of Dover with a good view of France on a clear day! I think my cattle are the nearest to the continent in this country.
Sheep and cattle were all fine last year and I have ordered my vaccine so there is nothing else I can do and I am not going to get too worried about it. I have Ketofen [an anti-inflamatory and painkiller] and Terramycin waiting in case anybody gets sick, but I have a shrewd suspicion that our little Dexters and our traditional breeds of sheep may just get through it without any trouble, they are all tough and have good immune I systems.
Get it in perspective,
THERE IS NO COMPULSORY SLAUGHTER IF YOUR ANIMAL GETS SICK YOU CAN TREAT IT.
There have only been 80 cases recorded so far - not many when you consider livestock numbers. [I am suspicious that there may have been many more about but they may not have shown symptoms or farmers have not reported them as there is no compensation - just a lot of hassle with government vets all over the farm!]
Compared with foot and mouth there is very little to worry about and there is nothing we can physically do to prevent it.
Be vigilant for any signs and treat them early. Look them at least twice a day.
Enjoy your cows, don't worry about something you can do nothing about, it's a waste of energy!
Di
Blu Tongue
We didnt put it on the board ,because we dont want Dexter people panic buying remedies that they may never need to use,as you point out Di,you are in the front line,if any of you want to look on the Homeopathic treatment for cattle diseases web site it gives the B.Tongue remedy and a lot more besides Sue
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Duncan MacIntyre
- Posts: 2372
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:38 am
- Location: Isle of Bute, Scotland, UK
Getting it in perspective involves realising that Blue Tongue is a very nasty disease indeed.
From experience in other countries, it is likely that there will be many many more cases this year than last, and that the disease will be more virulent.
It is likely that flare up cases will be seen from mid summer on, although there may well be some cases in new areas earlier.
Vaccine is going to begin to be available from May onwards and will be supplied through vets or vets prescirptions. Farmers will be able to administer the vaccine themselves but animals for export will need veterinary certificates so may have to be given the vaccine by a vet or under close veterinary supervision.
Although the government has purchased the vaccine it is not paying for the whole scheme and there will be some cost.
To be successful in controlling the disease the vaccinations should begin around the infected areas from last year and WE NEED TO GET 80% UPTAKE TO BE SURE OF EFFECTIVE COVERAGE. With a non compulsory scheme this is very ambitious and everyone in the vaccination zones needs all the encouragement they can be given.
Although as Di says treatment is possible this is a very nasty disease and if it is unchecked a large number of both sheep and cattle will die despite treatment. Probably more than would die in unchecked Foot and Mouth Disease.
AT RISK OF OFFENDING ENTHUSIASTS OF HOMEOPATHY, NO HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE, HUMAN OR ANIMAL, FOR TREATMENT OR PREVENTION HAS EVER BEEN SHOWN IN TRIALS TO HAVE ANY BENEFICIAL EFFECT. DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO RELY ON HOMEOPATHY FOR TREATMENT OR PREVENTION OF THIS NASTY DISEASE.
From experience in other countries, it is likely that there will be many many more cases this year than last, and that the disease will be more virulent.
It is likely that flare up cases will be seen from mid summer on, although there may well be some cases in new areas earlier.
Vaccine is going to begin to be available from May onwards and will be supplied through vets or vets prescirptions. Farmers will be able to administer the vaccine themselves but animals for export will need veterinary certificates so may have to be given the vaccine by a vet or under close veterinary supervision.
Although the government has purchased the vaccine it is not paying for the whole scheme and there will be some cost.
To be successful in controlling the disease the vaccinations should begin around the infected areas from last year and WE NEED TO GET 80% UPTAKE TO BE SURE OF EFFECTIVE COVERAGE. With a non compulsory scheme this is very ambitious and everyone in the vaccination zones needs all the encouragement they can be given.
Although as Di says treatment is possible this is a very nasty disease and if it is unchecked a large number of both sheep and cattle will die despite treatment. Probably more than would die in unchecked Foot and Mouth Disease.
AT RISK OF OFFENDING ENTHUSIASTS OF HOMEOPATHY, NO HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE, HUMAN OR ANIMAL, FOR TREATMENT OR PREVENTION HAS EVER BEEN SHOWN IN TRIALS TO HAVE ANY BENEFICIAL EFFECT. DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO RELY ON HOMEOPATHY FOR TREATMENT OR PREVENTION OF THIS NASTY DISEASE.
Duncan MacIntyre
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
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Duncan MacIntyre
- Posts: 2372
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:38 am
- Location: Isle of Bute, Scotland, UK
Getting it in perspective involves realising that Blue Tongue is a very nasty disease indeed.
From experience in other countries, it is likely that there will be many many more cases this year than last, and that the disease will be more virulent.
It is likely that flare up cases will be seen from mid summer on, although there may well be some cases in new areas earlier.
Vaccine is going to begin to be available from May onwards and will be supplied through vets or vets prescirptions. Farmers will be able to administer the vaccine themselves but animals for export will need veterinary certificates so may have to be given the vaccine by a vet or under close veterinary supervision.
Although the government has purchased the vaccine it is not paying for the whole scheme and there will be some cost.
To be successful in controlling the disease the vaccinations should begin around the infected areas from last year and WE NEED TO GET 80% UPTAKE TO BE SURE OF EFFECTIVE COVERAGE. With a non compulsory scheme this is very ambitious and everyone in the vaccination zones needs all the encouragement they can be given.
Although as Di says treatment is possible this is a very nasty disease and if it is unchecked a large number of both sheep and cattle will die despite treatment. Probably more than would die in unchecked Foot and Mouth Disease.
AT RISK OF OFFENDING ENTHUSIASTS OF HOMEOPATHY, NO HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE, HUMAN OR ANIMAL, FOR TREATMENT OR PREVENTION HAS EVER BEEN SHOWN IN TRIALS TO HAVE ANY BENEFICIAL EFFECT. DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO RELY ON HOMEOPATHY FOR TREATMENT OR PREVENTION OF THIS NASTY DISEASE.
Although our Dexters may well have good immune systems anyone in the firing line should, like Di, have their vaccine ordered.
Personally I think it is a potential disaster that the vaccination has not been organised on a compulsory basis with cost preferably met in total by government or at very least spread across all stock keepers - after all those of us lucky enough to be more distant stand to benefit if those in the firing line take up the vaccine sufficiently and spread is limited.
Duncan
From experience in other countries, it is likely that there will be many many more cases this year than last, and that the disease will be more virulent.
It is likely that flare up cases will be seen from mid summer on, although there may well be some cases in new areas earlier.
Vaccine is going to begin to be available from May onwards and will be supplied through vets or vets prescirptions. Farmers will be able to administer the vaccine themselves but animals for export will need veterinary certificates so may have to be given the vaccine by a vet or under close veterinary supervision.
Although the government has purchased the vaccine it is not paying for the whole scheme and there will be some cost.
To be successful in controlling the disease the vaccinations should begin around the infected areas from last year and WE NEED TO GET 80% UPTAKE TO BE SURE OF EFFECTIVE COVERAGE. With a non compulsory scheme this is very ambitious and everyone in the vaccination zones needs all the encouragement they can be given.
Although as Di says treatment is possible this is a very nasty disease and if it is unchecked a large number of both sheep and cattle will die despite treatment. Probably more than would die in unchecked Foot and Mouth Disease.
AT RISK OF OFFENDING ENTHUSIASTS OF HOMEOPATHY, NO HOMEOPATHIC MEDICINE, HUMAN OR ANIMAL, FOR TREATMENT OR PREVENTION HAS EVER BEEN SHOWN IN TRIALS TO HAVE ANY BENEFICIAL EFFECT. DO NOT BE TEMPTED TO RELY ON HOMEOPATHY FOR TREATMENT OR PREVENTION OF THIS NASTY DISEASE.
Although our Dexters may well have good immune systems anyone in the firing line should, like Di, have their vaccine ordered.
Personally I think it is a potential disaster that the vaccination has not been organised on a compulsory basis with cost preferably met in total by government or at very least spread across all stock keepers - after all those of us lucky enough to be more distant stand to benefit if those in the firing line take up the vaccine sufficiently and spread is limited.
Duncan
Duncan MacIntyre
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
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Duncan MacIntyre
- Posts: 2372
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:38 am
- Location: Isle of Bute, Scotland, UK
Also at risk of offending enthusiasts of traditional medicines,we are fortunate to have the choice .... ,our Vet has always been sceptical of alternative medicine,until he employed a Vet who had studied homeopathy in France,after seeing the results,our Vet now uses both methods,very succesfully, It would be interesting to hear what Farrant thinks,as she is in her final year studying Veterinary medicine. On a personal note, I swear by Arnica for any bumps and bruises. SUE
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Broomcroft
- Posts: 3005
- Joined: Wed Sep 06, 2006 4:42 am
- Location: Shropshire, England
- Contact:
Sue forgot to mention that our old Dulcie (23yrs) has her own chiropractor, this 5 ft nothing bubbly blonde lady treats some of the best known race horses in the country as well as humans, and the difference she has made to Dulcie has to be seen to be believed, back to blue tongue, has the vacine been tested on groups of sheep and cattle with some of each group being un vacinated? if so did all of the vacinated animals avoid the disease and did the un vacinated ones in the group get it? I do not take away the expertise of the professional Vet ,or Doctor but niether do I disregard the quality of nature (after all Asprin, which most of us have heard of and some of us have to use regularly, comes from the willow tree.
Sue and I have no wish to offend anyone but if we come across something that we know has worked for us we like to pass on the information ,and let others make their choice, Bill.
Sue and I have no wish to offend anyone but if we come across something that we know has worked for us we like to pass on the information ,and let others make their choice, Bill.
Has anybody actually seen a case of BT? I have seen pictures of it but not an actual case.
I understand most of the Belgium sheep flock that were wiped out were Texels, other breeds did not get it so badly.
I don't believe for one minute that we will have an 80% uptake of vaccine in the south east if it is not compulsory and free Duncan, unscrupulous commercial farmers just won't do it. As I said before I don't think suspect cases are being reported either. Vaccination should have been compulsory, the government has let us down badly - they really don't care about our British livestock. Our agriculture minister is a veggie. [Incidentally he asked a cattle breeder at the Royal Show last year what those yellow things were in cows ears!]
How do we know BT hasn't been here for a while? If we hadn't had a foot and mouth outbreak it might not have been discovered yet.
Di
P.S. I measured my length on the concrete step about an hour ago, treated bruises on knees and hands with Arnica straight away, all the swelling, bruising and pain has gone.
My vet didn't believe in it either 'till a bullock kicked him on the shin quite badly and we insisted on anointing him. He says he believes in herbal now but not homeopathy! When is your birthday Duncan, I'll send you a tube!
Di
I understand most of the Belgium sheep flock that were wiped out were Texels, other breeds did not get it so badly.
I don't believe for one minute that we will have an 80% uptake of vaccine in the south east if it is not compulsory and free Duncan, unscrupulous commercial farmers just won't do it. As I said before I don't think suspect cases are being reported either. Vaccination should have been compulsory, the government has let us down badly - they really don't care about our British livestock. Our agriculture minister is a veggie. [Incidentally he asked a cattle breeder at the Royal Show last year what those yellow things were in cows ears!]
How do we know BT hasn't been here for a while? If we hadn't had a foot and mouth outbreak it might not have been discovered yet.
Di
P.S. I measured my length on the concrete step about an hour ago, treated bruises on knees and hands with Arnica straight away, all the swelling, bruising and pain has gone.
My vet didn't believe in it either 'till a bullock kicked him on the shin quite badly and we insisted on anointing him. He says he believes in herbal now but not homeopathy! When is your birthday Duncan, I'll send you a tube!
Di
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Duncan MacIntyre
- Posts: 2372
- Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2004 12:38 am
- Location: Isle of Bute, Scotland, UK
Di, you clearly feel the vaccine can be of benefit, or you would not have ordered it, What if anything is happening locally to encourage uptake? Are farmers in favour of vaccination not persuading friends and neighbours to do likewise? Are your vets not encouraging all clients to order? Maybe it is early enough yet as the stuff is not ready, but campaigns take time and if our area was eligible for vaccination and at risk I would certainly be encouraging farmers at every opportunity to vaccinate.
I know treatment is legal but it is expensive, many treated animals will die anyway, and many will not be worth the cost of treatment so will suffer greatly before dying. I don't want to encourage panic or despondency, I just think we need to face up to the reality and do what we can.
Duncan
I know treatment is legal but it is expensive, many treated animals will die anyway, and many will not be worth the cost of treatment so will suffer greatly before dying. I don't want to encourage panic or despondency, I just think we need to face up to the reality and do what we can.
Duncan
Duncan MacIntyre
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
Burnside Dexters 00316
Burnside
Ascog
Isle of Bute
we are still lucky to be out of the blue tongue area however I know our vet has had a lot of enquirers regarding the vaccine, but it appears we will not be able to have it at the moment, so hopefully Di is wrong about farmers as this is a big commercial area for rearing stock and most people I have spoken to are certainly in favour of vaccinating.
I went to an NFU meeting last night about Blue Tongue which was informative. However the person giving the talk made the comment that the vaccination programme is for the commercial farmer and not for the hobby farmer which made several peopleincluding me, very concerned. If the idea is to erradicate BTV8 how can this possibly happen if only the commerical herd/flocks are able to be vaccinated? Sue, can someone ask at your meeting on Thursday if this comment was correct. He did suggest that those with large herds/flocks should offer any vaccine left over to hobby farmers if they knew of any!
Erica
Minden Herd
Suffolk
Erica
Minden Herd
Suffolk
Erica Strange
Minden Dexters
Minden Dexters