An anonymous online survey was conducted to establish orf prevalence, perceived cost, and current treatment protocols. Additionally, respondents were asked about future product development and some questions regarding farm demographics and orf as a zoonosis. Eighty eight percent of respondents reported seeing orf in their sheep, with lesions predominately occurring on the muzzle in lambs and udder in ewes, although several other areas were also reported to have orf lesions. National mean flock prevalence of orf was estimated at 12.8% in naturally reared lambs and 4.9% in adult ewes. The median perceived cost per affected lamb was pound 5 (IQR 1 pound 20) pound, with median perceived flock cost at pound 100 (IQR: 20- pound 300) pound. A variety of treatments were used by respondents to treat orf, with the most commonly selected treatment being topical antibiotics (65.2%), pain relief (34.5%), and systemic antibiotics (26.7%). Rock salt was used by 13.6% as part of their treatment and management of orf. Culling due to orf was reported by 12.0% of respondents, with udder lesions being the most common reason for this. When asked about orf as a zoonosis, 30.2% of respondents reported that they have had orf lesions themselves. This study highlights the economic impacts of orf virus on UK sheep holdings and the lack of an evidence base for the treatment and management for orf.

BACKGROUND:Mastitis has a negative effect on sheep health and welfare and causes significant economic losses to farmers. This study aimed to estimate the incidence of clinical mastitis in meat-producing sheep flocks in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and describe its variation between farming systems, countries and management practices. METHODS:An online questionnaire was distributed to sheep farmers recruited through veterinary practices and industry organisations. The survey was available between September 2022 and April 2023. RESULTS:A total of 103 responses were collected. Of these, 53.4% were from lowland farmers, 49.5% were from farmers practising indoor lambing and 68% were from farmers with commercial flocks. The mean perceived incidence of clinical mastitis was 3.7 cases per 100 ewes per year (95% confidence interval: 3.0-4.4). Flock size was negatively correlated with the perceived incidence of clinical mastitis; however, country, farming system, flock type and lambing type did not significantly influence the perceived incidence of clinical mastitis. Acute clinical mastitis was more frequently identified in early and late lactation, while chronic clinical mastitis was more frequent at lambing, weaning and postweaning. More medical treatments were used for acute clinical mastitis cases than for chronic clinical mastitis cases. LIMITATIONS:The main limitations of the study were the relatively low number of responses received and the potential selection bias. CONCLUSION:The perceived incidence of clinical mastitis in meat-producing sheep flocks in the UK and the Republic of Ireland is 3.7 cases per 100 ewes per year, regardless of farming system, flock type, lambing type and country.

BACKGROUND:The popularity of alpacas in the UK is increasing, with the British Alpaca Society (BAS) estimating that there are currently 45,000 registered alpacas and a further 15,000 unregistered alpacas. This research set about to investigate what husbandry procedures are currently undertaken on alpacas in the UK.METHODS:An online survey of 47 questions was created using Jisc and was available for 4.5 months.RESULTS:All 116 holdings implemented shearing and foot trimming (100.0%), and most vaccinated against clostridial disease (95.7%) and supplemented with vitamin D (91.4%). There was no obvious pattern in vitamin D dosing. A significant positive association was found between the size of the holding and whether injectable or oral vitamin D was used (p = 0.034), with smaller holdings preferring oral vitamin D products.LIMITATIONS:The survey was distributed online, including via the BAS e-Newsletter. The percentage of BAS-registered alpacas was not clarified, so it is unknown if the data are skewed by this.CONCLUSION:Although owners are ensuring that routine interventions are implemented, variation in responses implies there is no current standard protocol. This highlights that these differences may be due to logistical choices, training or varied advice, which may be due to the lack of published literature.

Veterinary RecordVolume 191, Issue 3 p. 119-121 Research comment How useful is transthoracic ultrasonography for detecting ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma in sheep? James P Crilly, Corresponding Author James P Crilly james.crilly@larkmead.co.uk Larkmead Veterinary Group, CholseySearch for more papers by this author James P Crilly, Corresponding Author James P Crilly james.crilly@larkmead.co.uk Larkmead Veterinary Group, CholseySearch for more papers by this author First published: 05 August 2022 https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.2106Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat No abstract is available for this article. Volume191, Issue36/13 August 2022Pages 119-121 RelatedInformation

This study aimed to assess iron deficiency anaemia in new-born lambs and goat kids and was carried out in two parts: (1) Twenty blood samples were taken from one-month-old lambs and kids under different systems and were tested for haemoglobin. Three groups of lambs were compared: indoor reared on maternal milk, indoor reared on milk replacer, and outdoor reared on maternal milk. Indoor-reared kids were compared: those fed on maternal milk and fed on milk replacer. Indoor-reared kids and lambs on maternal milk showed significantly lower haemoglobin levels than those on milk replacer or reared outdoors. (2) On farms with indoor-reared lambs or goat kids on maternal milk, an intervention trial was carried out: animals were randomly assigned at 1–8 days of age to either receive 300 mg (lambs) or 150 mg iron (goat kids) as intramuscular iron dextran, and growth rates were compared after one and two months. Haemoglobin levels at one month were also compared in randomly selected animals from both groups. Treated lambs and kids showed higher haemoglobin levels at one month of age and a numerically increased growth rate that was statistically significant for twin lambs. Iron dextran improves haemoglobin levels in these animals and may lead to higher growth rates, especially in twin lambs.

Phyto-oestrogens are plant compounds that mimic the effects of oestrogen. They are mainly found in legumes, especially red and subterranean clover and lucerne. Levels vary with cultivar, season, growing stage and stress to the plant. Consumption of oestrogenic pasture or conserved forage has been shown to have negative effects on reproductive performance of sheep — in particular, a decrease in fecundity and an increase in barren rate. Prolonged exposure may lead to irreversible changes to cervical structure and reproductive performance. Evidence for the impact of phyto-oestrogens on cattle is much weaker than for sheep. The many advantages of clover and lucerne should be exploited, but an understanding of phyto-oestrogenism is needed to avoid unwanted negative impacts on livestock reproductive performance.

Background : Male livestock rendered sterile through vasectomy or epididymectomy, but still hormonally and behaviourally sexually active, have many uses. In small ruminants they can be used to advance the breeding season and puberty, synchronise and detect oestrus and improve conception rates to artificial insemination. In pigs, they can be used to hasten first oestrus in gilts and detect oestrus in sows. In cattle, they can be used to aid heat detection for artificial insemination. Aim of the article : This article outlines the surgical techniques used to produce such ‘teaser’ animals and discusses how they can be best used, as well as the alternatives to their use.

Digit amputation is an appropriate surgical response to septic pedal arthritis and other infectious problems of the deep digital tissues that will not respond to medical therapy. It may be performed under local, regional or general anaesthesia. The preferred approach is transection of distal P1. The recovery period is 3–4 weeks, and animals may be retained in the flock or herd for several years post surgery.

Haemonchus contortus is a trichostrongyle nematode parasite of sheep and goats, and worldwide is considered to be the most important parasite of these species. It has a similar lifecycle to other parasitic trichostrongyle gastrointestinal nematodes, but it has a markedly higher fecundity, a preference for higher temperatures and a short pasture development time, which makes it epidemiologically different. Similarly, because of its blood-feeding habit the disease produced is distinct from parasitic gastroenteritis. This article summarises the differences in biology and control of H. contortus to other gastrointestinal nematodes of sheep, and covers specific control measures such as the use of FAMACHA©scoring, use of closantel and nitroxynil, the H. contortus vaccine, the effect of copper oxide wire particles, and the potential for breeding haemonchosis-resistant sheep and other future developments in H. contortus control.

This article aims to review the current literature base, and share findings of clinical experience from British and Norwegian first opinion and referral work in ovine Caesarean sections. It is not intended to replace existing excellent medicine and surgery texts describing Caesarean surgery (such as Scott, 2015 or Hendriksen and Baird, 2013) but to supplement these with additional information and to provide an updated review. We hope this article is particularly useful for those approaching their first Caesarean section in practice, and may stimulate further interest in capturing and sharing data held in first opinion practice. Part one looked at case selection, analgesia and surgery, while part two looks at the postoperative period and highlights the value of undertaking clinical audits of ovine medicines use and surgical procedures.

Neonatal lambs are frequently presented for minor surgical interventions (entropion and atresia ani correction) and for treatment of broken limbs. Providing the fracture is closed, simple, and adequate stabilisation is possible then the prognosis for these is good. More rarely they may be presented for the treatment of other traumatic injuries. Any surgery should be performed with an appropriate level of anaesthesia, and anaesthetic techniques applicable to neonatal lambs are reviewed. When performing anaesthesia on neonatal lambs their reduced metabolic capacity, low bodyweight and susceptibility to hypothermia should all be considered.

Border disease is a syndrome of sheep caused by pestiviral infection, most commonly by border disease virus (BDV), but also by bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV). Border disease results in a varied spectrum of clinical signs, but most commonly increased barren rates, abortion, stillbirths and the birth of weak lambs. Outbreaks of acute severe clinical disease in adult sheep are rare, but have been reported. There is increasing evidence of its negative impact on lamb health and growth rates through its immunosuppressive effects. There is currently little knowledge on how widespread border disease is within the British sheep industry and how much of an effect it is having on flock health and productivity.

Ovine pestiviruses have the potential to reduce productivity in the British sheep flock. However, their prevalence and impact are currently poorly understood. This study aimed to estimate the exposure to pestiviruses in adult breeding ewe stock. Blood samples collected for metabolic profiling before lambing were tested using an ELISA that detected antibodies raised to both bovine viral diarrhoea virus and Border disease virus. A group of 15 animals were tested per flock. A total of 34 farms were tested, of which 13 had at least one seropositive animal. In those positive flocks between one and nine of the animals tested antibody-positive. Positive flocks were identified in all regions of Great Britain. This work suggests that exposure to ovine pestiviruses is widespread, and that it is timely to investigate flock-level prevalence and possible production impacts of endemic infection.

Culicoides midges are important as vectors of disease, as an irritant with severe effects on human outdoor activities in certain areas and as the cause of insect bite hypersensitivity in domestic animals (most notably horses). Here we report, for the first time, the confirmation of ovine hypersensitivity to Culicoides midges in Hebridean sheep suffering from seasonal allergic skin disease using intradermal allergen testing. The affected sheep formed 40% of the adults in the small flock, and this indication of a potentially high prevalence of a condition with welfare implications is of concern.

BACKGROUND:Psoroptic otoacariasis has been described worldwide and is caused by a mite morphologically indistinguishable from the sheep scab mite Psoroptes ovis. A single treatment of affected sheep with 200 μg/kg of injectable ivermectin is reported to be curative.CASE REPORT:Psoroptes mites were isolated following treatment with ivermectin, but treatment with moxidectin at 1 mg/kg caused complete cessation of clinical signs. Affected animals were seropositive to Pso o 2 antigen enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and had serum haptoglobin concentrations that overlapped with those described for field infections of classical sheep scab.CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE:Psoroptic otoacariasis is not controlled by single treatments of injectable ivermectin but resolves after a single treatment with injectable moxidectin. Pso o 2 ELISA can detect infection with Psoroptes spp. mites but cannot distinguish between sheep scab and psoroptic otoacariasis.

Abortion is a significant cost to the British sheep industry, outbreaks can severely affect flock productivity and many agents pose a zoonotic risk. As such, effective control measures are a vital part of flock health planning. This article outlines a risk-based approach to the control of ovine abortion.

Digit amputation is a commonly performed surgery in cattle practice. The most frequent reason for digit amputation is septic pedal arthritis, but other indications include severe trauma, pedal osteitis, non-healing sole, wall or toe ulcers, osteomyelitis of P2, septic tenosynovitis of the distal digital flexor tendons and other infectious processes of the deep digital structures. The procedure is considered a salvage procedure, but good rates of success are reported. The size of the patient is one of the key determinants of prognosis, with reported success rates varying between bulls, cows and calves. Reported complications include haemorrhage, avascular necrosis of the phalangeal fragments, wound infection and fracture of the partner claw. In this case report the authors describe digit amputation under regional and general anaesthesia for the treatment of proximal interphalangeal septic arthritis and the subsequent wound management in the face of a multidrug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

Nematodirosis and teladorsagiosis/trichostrongylosis were detected in 8-week old lambs on a Scottish lowland farm and treated with oral ivermectin. A drench check identified treatment failure in some pastures but not others. Ivermectin resistance was confirmed by faecal egg count reduction test. Grazing history suggested treatment of ewes with injectable moxidectin in the autumn and oral moxidectin post-lambing and movement onto clean grazing played a role in the selection for macrocyclic lactone resistance on this farm.

This review describes the current, emerging and potential applications of ultrasonography in the field of first-opinion sheep veterinary practice. The most widespread application is pregnancy diagnosis, where both transrectal and transabdominal ultrasonography offer a highly sensitive tool for, among others, detection of pregnancy, identification of foetal number and diagnosis of uterine abnormalities, e.g., metritis. The diagnostic applications of ultrasonography for imaging the lungs, heart, male genitourinary system and superficial swellings are also described. Through review of recent research in sheep and by analogy from applications in other animal species, the potential role of ultrasonography in screening programmes for cystic echinococcosis or ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma, diagnosis of ocular and laryngeal disease and localisation of Coenurus cysts is explored.