VETTALES IN KEEPING WITH TRADITION. Te Puke Veterinary Centre Newsletter INVITATION. Included in this Issue... NOVEMBER 2015

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1 VETTALES Te Puke Veterinary Centre Newsletter NOVEMBER 2015 Everyone at Te Puke Vets would like to thank you for your support, and wish you a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year. INVITATION EVENT: Xmas party and pig / sheep on a spit / BBQ. REASON: To thank you for your support during the year and to have a good time. VENUE: The clinic, Friday December 4th. Festivities start at 5.00pm with the meal being served at p.m. We usually wind up about p.m.. Bring the family and come in for a social one on us. INDUSTRY SNIPPETS DairyNZ is bringing their Body Condition Scoring initiative to the BOP this summer / Autumn. It has been run around the country over the last few years and we are looking forward to being part of it this year. We will be looking for farmers to take advantage of this free opportunity to gather invaluable information on their herd. Watch this space! The BOP Dairy Industry Awards close 31 Oct. Te Puke Vets is proud to help sponsor this prestigious event. Enter now and you are already a winner! Share farmer Dairy Manager Dairy Trainee Included in this Issue... Care with Zinc boluses Facial Eczema prevention Getting the best out of young stock Calf diseases to look for & vaccination reminders The value of pregnancy testing Sheep mating topics and drenches Dry Stock Seminar and calendar of events Special on Dentals in Horses Cow with an unusual appetite Promotions Please make sure you arrange for a nondrinking driver to drop you back home! RSVP please by Wednesday 2nd December IN KEEPING WITH TRADITION Te Puke Veterinary Centre invites you to Purchase: Selected Merial Ancare products over $500 or Selected products over $250 (pay $35 extra) including - Merial Ancare - Bayticol 5L and Blaze 5L - Clik Spray-on 5L & 20L And Receive either: Ham on the Bone or Continental Carve Leg ham

2 Zinc Boluses - Care Needed Slow release Zinc boluses are proven long term protection against facial eczema and are popular and widely used. There are two different types of bolus on the market. Time capsules which consist of zinc oxide and Face-Guard which release elemental zinc. Both work well at protecting against facial eczema. Faceguard has the advantage of lasting longer (6 weeks versus 4-5 weeks), being more weight flexible, and being drop proof. While zinc boluses are safe the vast majority of the time, there are three situations where they can have detrimental effects. The first is when administering the bolus. Care has to be taken to place the bolus in the correct position in the oesophagus and not to force it into the back of the throat. Damaged throats usually prove fatal. The second situation is rarer but when it occurs can be more damaging in terms of numbers. This is where the bolus, as a result of other concurrent health issues, becomes potentially toxic. These other health issues are any disease that inflames or alters the integrity of the gut and may include conditions such as Yersinia, BVD, coccidia and high worm burdens. The problem that can arise is that the presence of any of the above diseases may lead to increased absorption of the zinc from the gut, resulting in toxicity. The final problem we have seen is prolonged use of boluses causing toxicity. The toxic affects of zinc accumulate so prolonged use can lead to pancreatic damage. This is especially so if the gut has been damaged as above. Two treatments appear to be safe but there is potential harm with the third and subsequent treatments. Third treatments should only be used if calves are healthy and thriving. If in doubt seek veterinary advice or test zinc levels. Only consider fourth treatments if animals have been tested. Users of boluses should take into account the potential problems and toxicity of the boluses, and decide whether to use them based on the risk of not using them, versus the risk factors above. For more advice talk to your veterinarian. FACIAL ECZEMA PREVENTION Zinc boluses for lambs, sheep, calves, and heifers. Arguably the most effective prevention. Only daily zinc oxide drenching would be as effective. Lasts 4-6 weeks depending on brand. Zinc oxide for drenching stock, adding to feed supplements or pasture spraying. For long term daily dosing, dose rate is 2.5g / 100kg liveweight. Daily dosing reduces FE damage by 80-90%. Weekly dosing reduces it by 60-70%. Fungicide Sprays work well if applied before spore count rise and application is such that all the grazing area is covered, including fence lines, races, sidelings etc. Spray normally lasts 40 days and it is normal practice to spray half the grazing area at a time 7-10 days prior to grazing. Zinc sulphate for water treatment. This comes in two forms (mono & hepta) and dose rate depends on form (mono is more concentrated). Only suitable when added to a bulk tank, in-line dispenser or trough dispenser. Needs large turnover of water to ensure enough zinc taken up and also to avoid toxicity issues. Really only suitable for lactating dairy cows, and even then has been found wanting in farms with very high counts. The problem is possibly that some cows do not drink enough either because they just don t, or because they do not like the taste. Graze safe pasture by spore counting to identify safe paddocks and by avoiding build up of litter and hard grazing. We will be monitoring spore counts around the area again this year. If you wish to receive these local weekly trends and a national summary via please let us know by ing us at admin@tepukevets.co.nz These reports will start in January. FACE-GUARD Cattle 90kg to 660kg Flexible - Applicator gun holds 3-5 boluses. Dose depending on weight Lasts 6 weeks Don t break or chip Time Capsule Tried and proven protection Lamb, sheep calf, heifer and cows up to 600kgs Last 6 weeks (sheep) and 4 weeks (cattle) Avoid the hassle of last minute supply hitches - order early

3 Getting Best Results out of Young Stock If you don t monitor weights you can not ensure your calves are reaching targets. What are indications of underweight young stock? Slow calving heifers Poor 2YO submission rates High % empty 2YOs High % of late calving 3YO and 4YOs More and more farmers are weighing their stock, and with the advent of MINDA Weights, recording and information reporting is fantastic. Commonly there is a great divide between what farmers think their stock weigh and real weights. Animal Age % Mature LW 450kgLW 500kgLW 3 months 20% months 30% months 40% months 50% months 60% months 90% It is true that achieving LIC s target liveweights aren t easy. However those targets are set by the genetic potential of each animal so are realistic - there are farmers locally that are hitting their targets. WE CAN HELP!! We have a TruTest weighing system and have set up a weighing service. Our service provides: Trutest system with EID wand and platform One technician Entering the weights into MINDA Depending on the quality of the set-up we are able to weigh up to animals per hour. Cost of the service is $100 / hour (minimum 1 hour) plus mileage. If you want an easy way to monitor your young stocks weight and better 2YO performance then ring Bryce at the clinic. DISEASES IN CALVES TO LOOK OUT FOR OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS Polioencephalomalacia (Vitamin B1 deficiency). Be on the look out for calves with nervous disease, blindness and staggering. Affected calves must be treated with injectable Vitamin B1 ASAP. On-going mob problems can be prevented with a one-off oral drench of vitamin B1 powder. Yersiniosis and Coccidiosis. These diseases cause scouring and are often seen after weaning. Treatment consists of putting calves back on meal and using the appropriate antibiotic. Leaving them on 1-2kg of meal per calf for 1-2 months after weaning will help prevent both diseases. Ticks like cover - paspalum, rushes and undergrazed or rank pasture. If the conditions above are present ticks can only be controlled - not eliminated. Bayticol pour-on is effective for 3-4 weeks. Target times when ticks are bad. If Theileria is a problem in young calves treat with Bayticol a month before the usual problem time. This will not stop Theileria but it will reduce the severity and delay it until calves are older and stronger. Pinkeye is a disease most commonly seen in the summer. Outbreaks are triggered by dust, pollen, flies, bright sunlight, thistles and stalky pasture. Vaccination before the danger period is the most effective means of control. Also helpful is minimising exposure to dusty conditions, controlling nuisance fly and managing pasture to minimise physical eye damage caused by thistles etc. Calf Vaccination Reminders Calves going off farm should be vaccinated for leptospirosis and BVD before they leave. This is to stop them contracting these diseases themselves and also to prevent them bringing them back to the herd. As they need two injections, the first shot needs to be given at least 4 weeks before they are due to depart. If your herd has evidence of recent exposure to BVD (as determined by milk testing) it is also worthwhile having your calves tested. Calves infected in-utero are likely to be persistently infected (PI). PI calves will infect other calves and then eventually the milking herd, causing poor growth rates and reproduction issues all along the way. The best option for testing your calves is ear notching, which takes us approximately 1 hour per 100 calves. The cost including lab costs is approximately $20 per calf. Calves going outside the BOP should also be vaccinated for Blackleg.

4 The Value of Pregnancy Testing With AB finishing and the bulls out, for most farmers it is time for a well earned rest leading into summer. But how well has mating gone? Are you one of the majority of farmers trying to improve reproduction and reduce empty rates (especially with the upcoming lack of inductions)? If you are, then pregnancy testing at the right time is vital so the information collected can work best for you. It provides you an opportunity to assess this seasons mating period, identify where improvements can be made, and rectify them now so that the same problems don t hold you back next year. Discovering the herd has a spread calving, or lots of late cows come July August next season will: Reduce your herd s reproductive performance next season as well (or require significant costly intervention to maintain it). Reduce milk production through less days in milk and slower time to peak, both next season and the following season. Impact on pasture/feed management When is the best time to Pregnancy Test? Early Pregnancy Testing This is done about 12 weeks after the planned start of mating and will provide you the greatest amount of detail around the way mating has gone. If you are actively trying to improve your herd s reproduction, then early pregnancy testing is for you. The main benefits are: Assessing how AB period went - Accurately confirming conception dates (how many cows held to AB) - Accurate calculation of 6 week in calf rate (speed of next years calving) Management - Allows for good early culling decisions should the early summer be dry - Maximises days in milk. Cows can be dried off accurately relative to body condition and calving date - Provides ability to accurately feed budget next spring so your cows don t fall into the feeding hole pre-mating - Determine whether it is a good time to pull the bull out A follow up pregnancy test for a small group of rechecks is needed 6 weeks after the bull is removed. Late Pregnancy Testing Done 6 weeks after the bull is removed The benefits of scanning at this stage are: Assessing mating - Accurately determine empty/late cows - Identifies quality of bull performance - Gives an indication of calving spread Management - Allows culling/selling of empty/late cows - Conserves autumn feed for cows that are going to be in the herd next season Provides ability to make decisions around dry-off relating to body condition and dry period length The limitation of late scanning, depending on your mating length, is that it may be difficult to accurately determine the dates of the early AB calves due to the pregnancy being too advanced. This will be reduce your ability to fully evaluate mating success. Whatever you decide to do, pregnancy testing and the information gathered, is the cornerstone for accurate assessment of how mating has gone and areas for improvement. This information is also invaluable when making vital management decisions (dry off, feed budgeting) at critical times of year. Ring Us Now To Plan Your Pregnancy Testing Aussies - They are fair game!! Three Aussies and three Kiwis are travelling by train to a rugby game. At the station, the three Aussies each buy a ticket and watch with bewilderment as the three Kiwis buy only a single ticket between them. "How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?" asks an Aussie. "Watch and you ll see", answers the Kiwi. They all board the train. The Aussies take their respective seats but all three Kiwis cram into a bathroom and close the door behind them. Shortly after the train has departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the bathroom door and says, "Ticket please". The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on. The Aussies see this and agree it was quite a clever plan. So after the game, the Aussies decide to copy the Kiwis on the return trip and save some money, (being clever with money and all that). When they get to the station, they buy a single ticket for their return trip. To their astonishment, the Kiwis don t buy a ticket at all. "How are you going to travel without a ticket?" asks one perplexed Aussie. "Watch and you ll see", answers a Kiwi. When they board the train, the three Aussies cram into a bathroom and the Kiwis cram into another nearby. The train departs. Shortly afterwards, one of the Kiwis leaves and walks over to the bathroom where the Ausies are hiding. He knocks on the door and says, "Tickets please"!!!!!

5 SHEEP Ram Soundness Exams To make sure that the rams live up to expectations and are capable of performing their all important job, they should undergo a Breeding Soundness Exam. This involves a general health check and an examination to ensure that they are free from common diseases that effect their ability to impregnate ewes. These include epididymitis, pizzle rot, mange, abscesses and cryptorchidism. Where B.ovis is suspected blood tests can be done. Ewe Vaccination Reminder Androvax A great way to get more lambs out of less ewes is to use Androvax. Androvax is a vaccine that stimulates antibody production in ewes, which in turn induces a change in the hormone balance which increases the number of eggs produced in the ewes ovaries. Increases lambing by a proven average of 20% Use where there is a management strategy to lamb and rear 20% more lambs. Ewes previously not vaccinated need two shots starting 8-10 weeks prior to tupping. Previously vaccinated ewes must be boosted 4-6 weeks prior to tupping. $2.00 inc GST per shot Toxovax Protects against abortions caused by Toxoplasma. This parasite is spread by wild cats and rodents. It must be given no closer than 4 weeks before tupping. One vaccination confers life long protection. Give to ewe hoggets or two-tooths only each year. Vaccination on average increases tailing by 3% and decreases dry ewes by 13.5%. $2.32 inc GST per shot Campylobacter Campylobacter is present in most, if not all flocks. Reduced lamb viability and abortions are the outcomes of infection. Vaccination on average raises tailing by 5.4% in mixed age ewes and 8.9% in hoggets. See article over page for more information. $0.76 inc GST per shot Haemonchus (Barbers Pole) Seen mainly in lambs during warm wet conditions Signs include anaemia, sudden death, and poor growth rates Increase drench frequency during risk times, use a designer drench such as Genesis Ultra or use a drench with persistent activity such as Trimox. IVER-MATRIX TAPE Hi Mineral New Zealands premier lamb drench: Triple action contains Ivermectin, Levamisole, and Oxfendazole. Best for minimising resistance. Ivermectin component rather than abamectin makes it safer for young lambs Potent with a Short tail Easy flow formulation, 1ml/5kg dose rate Contains therapeutic levels of Selenium and Cobalt. Includes Praziquantel for tapeworms Short meat WHT only 14 days. 10L $579 inc GST (treats 2000 x 25kg 29cents each). 5L $309 inc GST (treats 1000 x 25kg 31 cents each). MATRIX HI-MIN Ultimate triple power combination containing abamectin, oxfendazole and levamisole. Most potent control of resistant parasites ensuring maximum productivity. Easy flow formulation, 1 ml/5kg dose rate. Available with Minerals and / or Praziquantel (tape) Newly approved WHT of 14 days Available 5L, 10L and 20L packs Hi-min 10L - $299 inc GST Hi-min 20L - $579 inc GST 4000 x 25kg 14.5c each TRIMOX Hi-mineral TRIMOX Hi-mineral is the premier of triple combination drenches. Moxidectin/Levamisole/ albendazole Selenium and cobalt Persistent activity: - Ostertagia 21 days - Haemonchus 35 days Able to maintain 4 weekly drenching cycle under strong haemonchus challenge Available 1L, 2.5L, 5L, 10L & 20L pack sizes 28 day meat WHT 10L - $ x 25kg 32c each (Need to order - not held in stock)

6 CLIK SPRAY ON Premium fly products containing the unique active Dicyclanil. Unlike most other fly actives there is currently no known resistance. Clik is mainly used for ewes and replacements and Clikzin for lambs. Clik Spray on - Long term protection of up to 18 weeks - Any length of wool - Rain resistant Spray on convenience - Gun supplied for new users. Clik -$1059 per 20 litre inc. gst (611 x ewe $1.73 each) - $289 per 5 litre inc gst Genesis Injection 4-Packs Φ Potent quality Abamectin injection Φ Consistent and reliable Φ 2000 mills does 666 x 150kg calves Φ Plain - $769 inc $1.15 each Φ B12 + Selenium - $985 inc $1.48 each SERESTO The NEW long acting flea treatment Seresto is a breakthrough treatment in flea and tick protection with 8 months of continuous protection. Innovative collar provides continuous protection for 8 months. Controlled release of a consistent low dose. Easy to apply, single application Odour free and Water resistant Convenient and cost effective - Ideal for working dogs $87 per collar inc GST Eukanuba 20kg Farmer Pack Specially formulated for Active & Performance dogs Feeds moderately active 20-25kg dog for 90 days Loyalty card discounts $139 inc GST To be Specialed at Dry Stock Seminar Purchases to enter draw For 1 of 12 Honda XR150L Farm Bikes!!! Check out our website at Sheep, Beef & Dry Stock Seminar!! You are invited to listen to the latest information from industry experts on the following topics: Use of B12 in Growing Lambs - Is lack of B12 impacting on your carcass weights? Working Dog Nutrition - Keeping your team healthy. Kale and Swede Forage Crops - How can they help to grow your stock better? The Value of Animal Health Planning - Get everyone on the same page & get better outcomes Sheep Vaccines - The benefits of getting it right Location: Neville & Brian Ashe s Workshop, 1110 No.2 Road. Date: Tuesday November 24 th Time: 11.45am 3pm RSVP 12pm Friday 20 th November BBQ Lunch and Drinks Provided Dog food specials on the day Sheep Health Calendar October / November Drench lambs if scouring or start at weaning. Use Tape drench. Wean lambs onto clean high quality pasture. Vet check Rams December / January Fly & Lice treatment 3-8 weeks after shearing Trace element check lambs if not thriving (cobalt in particular). Plan / start Facial Eczema prevention Worm drench lambs as required or as determined by faecal egg counts. Order Campylobacter, Toxoplasma and Androvax vaccines for ewes.

7 Te Puke Vets Horse Corner Range of brushes - try the one that attaches to your hose, ideal after a work out. Assortment of leads & halters Sun block powder - Natural, long lasting, non irritant, blocks UV. Horses don t rub it off their nose because they can t feel it! Emergency wound kits - everything you need in one pack! Cooling gel packs to reduce swelling and inflammation. Medihoney antibacterial wound gel. Range of products to protect against Flies and Lice. Cohesive bandages - great quality for just $5 Electric Fence Tape This cow literally bit off more than she could chew, when she decided to eat some fence tape. When Laura saw her she had tape hanging out of her mouth and a nasty sore in the corner of her mouth where it was rubbing. Standing on the end of the tape when she walked didn t help matters! Below is a much happier cow after Laura had operated to remove the tape. HORSE PASTES Eqvalan & Genesis Ultramox & Triumph Gels and pastes Trigger gun and syringes Aniseed and oatmeal flavours Loyalty cards SPECIAL SPRING OFFER DENTAL FLOAT INCLUDING SEDATION ONLY $95 INC GST (NORMALLY $150) SEDATION - STRESS FREE FOR HORSE AND OWNER Normal Mileage costs apply (shared if multiple owners) Promotion ends The Monastery Cribby, sick of the outside world joins a temple in Tibet. One of the stipulations of entry to the holy order was that he was only permitted to say two words every five years. The first five years he eats rice, he sleeps on a wooden bed and has only one blanket with holes in it. He tends to the fields and looks after livestock every day. After 5 years the head monk comes to him and says he can use his two words, to which he replies, More blankets. Now Cribby is warm at night on his wooden bed with all his blankets but still eats only rice and tends to the fields and livestock every day. Another 5 years passes and the head monk comes to him again and says he can use two more words. Cribby replies, More food. Cribby is now warm and eats good food every day but still has to tend the fields and the livestock. Another 5 years passes and the head monk comes to him and says, You may use two more words. Cribby replies, I m leaving. Good, says the head monk, all you ve done is complain since you ve been here.

8 Calf Drenches ECLIPSE POUR-ON Combination of abamectin & levamisole for superior Cooperia control & treatment of resistance Ideal for young stock up to 15 months of age Quarantine drench for stock changing properties Rainfast 2 hours after treatment Low dose rate 1 ml / 20 kg bodyweight Eprinex Pour on for Cattle and Deer Premium pour-on drench: Potent, high safety margin, long lasting Kills Ostertagia, lungworm for 28 days and Cooperia for 21 days. Sucking and Biting lice control Zero Milk, Bobby calf and Meat WHT Arrest C Double Action Cattle and Sheep Oral Drench Albendazole and Levamisole oral drench Double action slows down resistance. Economic routine drenching for calves & cattle. Genesis pour-on Trialled and proven under NZ conditions Extended Activity cattle & deer Cost effective, Rainfast, Low volume (1 ml/20 kg) BAYTICOL Pour-on Tickicide Persistent (3-6 weeks) Rainfast Nil meat & milk WHT 5L - $395 inc GST (free applicator) (buy 2 for free ham) Clinic closed Friday 25th December to Monday 28th December Friday 1st January to Monday 4th January Monday 1st February Saturday 6th February to Monday 8th February MAKE SURE YOU VE GOT THE RIGHT TOOLS FOR THE JOB! Treat with these Merial Ancare products to keep your stock at their best: Eclipse Pour-on 2.5L & 5L Genesis Pour-on 5L 2 x Ivomec plus 500ml Injection - Controls fluke as well as internal parasites 2 x Genesis B12 + Selenium 500ml Injection - Contains Cobalt (vitamin B12) and Selenium. And receive a POWERBUILT 23-PIECE SOCKET SET Treat with these products: Eprinex Pour-on 2.5L Genesis Pour-on 2.5L Matrix C 10L plain or Hi-min And receive a POWERBUILT 8-in-2 RATCHET SPANNER SET BLAZE 5L Pour-on for nuisance flies in cattle Kills and repels flies for up to 4W Nil milk WHT, 28 day meat WHT $ inc GST (& ham) BUY 2 x 5L - Free Coopers Gun Calving Cup - Congratulations Dan In a year full of drama and dummy spits Dan has pipped Cribby at the post. It all came down to who got the last couple of calls and although Cribby has moved on it is probably best not to ask him about it! For emergencies ring