Many of you will remember the Bluetongue outbreak, in 2007.  With the risk of Bluetongue spreading to the UK in late Summer, now is the time to think ahead.

Bluetongue is a notifiable viral disease, affecting both cattle and sheep. Although cattle are more often affected, the clinical signs in sheep are more severe.

Transmission is through the culicoides midge, and with warmer winters and wetter summers, there is a threat of transmission to the UK in September 2016. ...

Could my horse get Tetanus?

Tetanus is caused by a bacterium (Clostridium tetani) which is found in the soil.

Although most animals can be affected, horses are particularly susceptible. The bacteria enter the body through wounds, with punctures of the sole of the foot a common route of infection. The bacteria then cause disease by producing toxins that affect the nervous system.

Signs include:

• Muscle stiffness resulting in a ‘rocking horse...

Doug is a 7 year old German Shepherd Dog who was brought into the surgery, in Crediton, by his owners when he became suddenly lethargic and off his food.

Doug was examined by one of the vets during morning surgery and found to be pale with a raised temperature, and more worryingly a large mass was felt in his abdomen.

After discussions with his owner, Doug was admitted for and exploratory laparotomy – an operation to open his abdomen and investigate the cause of the large lump...

...you probably knew that already but it is always useful when robust research backs up common sense and more importantly allows us to quantify the problem.

In the next few articles, we are going to run through:-

1. A recently published study on the effect of mastitis on fertility and improving outcome with NSAIDs
    
2. What happens to the fertility of cows with mastitis?
    
3. What effect...