Focus

Bloat in young calves
Cases of bloat in calves, including a condition found in both dairy and beef herds, have increased in recent years in both the UK and Ireland and around the world. Dr Jessica Cooke BSc PhD, Volac, Hertfordshire, UK, discusses how bloat can affect the abomasum

Knowledge Transfer – supporting calf health on Irish farms?
Elizabeth A Lane MVB PhD DiplECAR PGCAP, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Backweston Campus, Co Kildare discusses knowledge transfer in terms of calf health on Irish farms, in a follow-up article to last month’s Knowledge Transfer – do the numbers reflect fertility?

Pregnancy optimisation using frozen semen - VIEW
Andrea Ryan MVB CertEM (StudMed), Kilcash Equine Clinic, Kilcash, Clonmel, Co Tipperary outlines how to optimise pregnancy rates in mares using frozen semen

When should I refer my neonate? - VIEW
There are no hard and fast rules for referral as many factors will influence whether an individual animal is referred, writes Kevin TT Corley BVM&S PhD DECEIM DACVIM DACVECC MRCVS, Veterinary Advances Ltd, Co Kildare

Lameness or neurological disease?
Martin Furr DVM Dipl ACVIM PhD MA Ed, Specialist in Equine Internal Medicine, Oklahoma State University, US, outlines how to differentiate between lameness and neurological diseases

Dry-period management: key to success of the dairy herd
Perspectives on dry-period management are outlined by John Cook BVSc DCHP MRCVS RCVS-recognised specialist in cattle health and production, Yew Tree House, Cumbria, UK

Postpartum discharges: myths and reality
John Cook BVSc DCHP MRCVS, RCVS-recognised specialist in cattle health and production, Yew Tree House, Cumbria, UK, discusses the presence of postpartum discharges in dairy cows

What’s new in canine atopic dermatitis?
Kathryn Cuddy MVB CertAVP(VD) MRCVS, of Skinvet Ireland, provides an overview of the international guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of atopic dermatitis

Johne’s disease control – are there lessons we can learn from the UK?
What can we learn from progress with Johne’s disease control in the UK which would benefit Ireland, asks Peter Orpin, director, Myhealthyherd.com, Park Veterinary Group; and Dick Sibley, director, Myhealthyherd.com, West Ridge Veterinary Practice, UK

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Change to EBI base means refocusing of genetic targets
George Ramsbottom, dairy specialist, Teagasc Oak Park, discusses the Economic Breeding Index and how its changes will affect the breeding targets for Irish dairy herds

Herd health challenges in springtime
Eoin Ryan MVB MVM DipECBHM, assistant professor in farm animal clinical studies, University College Dublin and European specialist in bovine health management, writes that is imperative that farm animal veterinarians respond to meet the herd health demand at springtime

Periparturient immune suppression in dairy cows
Niall Jackson MVB MSc, ruminant technical consultant – Ireland, Elanco Animal Health, outlines how to maintain dairy cow health during the critical early lactation period

Beef cow research programme
Assessing the impact of infectious diseases on key reproductive and health traits in Irish suckler beef herds, is outlined by Dr Mervyn Parr BAgrSc PhD and Professor David Kenny BAgrSc PhD DipStat DipMolMed DipLeadDev, Teagasc, Animal and Grassland, Research and Innovation Centre (AGRIC), Grange, Co Meath; and Damien Barrett MVB MVM MSc Cert CHP DipECBHM, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Backweston, Celbridge, Co Kildare

Diagnostic techniques in two rare canine conditions
Aideen Moore MVB GpDI, locum for the Pet Emergency Hospital, The Irish Blue Cross and Villages Vets, Argyle and Bainbridge, Co Dublin, outlines a case report featuring two rare conditions – perinephric cyst associated with a ureteral fibroepithelial polyp and suspected subclinical chronic pancreatitis in a dog

Stem cell therapy
Dr William McCartney MVB Dipl ECVS DSAS (Orth) PhD MRCVS RCVS VCI and ECVS recognised specialist, North Orthopaedic Animal Hospital, Dublin, discusses mesenchymal stem cells and their role in successful stem cell therapy

UCD Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories: an overview
The Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories are an integral part of the UCD Veterinary Hospital with their primary role to support the clinical teaching of the School of Veterinary Medicine, writes Dr Bryan Markey MVB PhD MRCVS, associate professor of veterinary microbiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University College Dublin

Canine diabetes mellitus
Diabetes mellitus is a common endocrinopathy in dogs and can be a frustrating disease to manage, both for the owner and the veterinarian, write Sivert Nerhagen DVM and Carmel T Mooney MVB MPhil PhD, University College Dublin Veterinary Hospital

Introduction to monoclonal antibodies
Biological therapy is the latest area being explored to help improve the health and quality of life of companion animals, writes Lesley Hobson, veterinary manager, Zoetis

Nutraceutical support for dogs and cats with gastrointestinal problems
Dr Daniel Sinteoan DVM, veterinary technical support manager, Mervue Laboratories, provides an in-depth review on the symptoms, causes and treatment of gastrointestinal problems in companion animals

Importance of cattle productivity and national performance in a greener environment
Cara Sheridan MVB MRCVS Cert DHH, vet adviser, MSD Animal Health, discusses the impact of controlling cattle diseases on national cattle productivity, performance and greenhouse gas emissions

Vaccination in the eradication of bovine viral diarrhoea
Niall Jackson MVB MSc, Ruminant Technical Consultant – Ireland, Elanco Animal
Health Ireland, outlines the role of vaccination as we move towards eradication of bovine viral diarrhoea

Practical guidance in providing advice on farm-specific parasite control
Rebecca Carroll, programme manager, Beef HealthCheck Programme, Animal Health Ireland (AHI), discusses a new leaflet developed by the AHI’s Parasite Control Technical Working Group, which provides a framework for veterinary practitioners drawing up a parasite-control plan

Agri-science: the next generation
Following his highly commended entry at this year’s BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition, second-year student, Niall Lyons, spoke to the Veterinary Ireland Journal about his project submission on the science behind milk proteins

Health Products Regulatory Authority: veterinary medicines report
Lisa Woods BSc, scientific officer and Michael McDonald PhD, Department of Veterinary Sciences, Health Products Regulatory Authority, Dublin, discuss suspected adverse event reports of veterinary medicinal products in the 2015-2016 period

University College Dublin’s Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis
Simon More, professor of epidemiology and risk analysis, University College Dublin’s School of Veterinary Medicine, outlines what the Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis does and how the centre provides scientific advice in support of national policy decision-making on a broad range of issues relating to animal health and welfare

BCF install first new GE Revolution ACT computing tomography system
Dragon Veterinary Centre in Cheltenham is the first veterinary practice to install the latest GE digital computed tomography scanner from BCF Technology

Spay/neuter – what’s the evidence?
Should we still be routinely recommending gonadectomy in all of our patients, asks Laura C Cuddy MVB MS DACVS-SA DECVS DACVSMR MRCVS, specialist in small animal surgery, sports medicine and rehabilitation, Veterinary Specialists, Summerhill, Co Meath

A complete nutritional approach to dermatosis
John O’Connor MVB MRCVS Cert Mgmt (Open), veterinary marketing manager, ROYAL CANIN discusses the importance of healthy nutrition when treating dermatosis in companion animals

Case report: diagnosis complications in an English Bulldog
Tom Mullany MVB Cert VC MRCVS, Nutgrove Veterinary Hospital, Rathfarnham and Louise O’Leary MVB, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, University College Dublin, present a case report on the peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia complicating the diagnosis of additional congenital defects in a young English Bulldog

Weight management for the whole practice
Being overweight can lead to pets becoming uncomfortable and less able to play and exercise. It may also cause or exacerbate other diseases such as osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus and neoplasia. If not addressed, obesity can lead to a shortened lifespan and also affect an animal’s quality of life, writes Shelley Holden RVN CertSAN, Royal Canin weight management specialist

Vets urged to look out for lungworm
Research indicates that nearly three-quarters of Irish and UK vets (74%) have experienced a case of lungworm in their practice, or have heard of a case occurring locally, in the past 12 months. A new campaign is urging vets to encourage monthly lungworm preventative treatment and avoid the tragedy of losing an animal, as this update from Bayer outlines

Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis
The future control of infectious bovine rhinotracheitis in Ireland is outlined by Joanne Cregg, technical adviser – Ruminant Division, MSD Animal Health

Effective liver-fluke control
As liver fluke continues to be a threat to livestock farmers across the country, Matthew Colston, ruminant technical consultant veterinary surgeon, Elanco Animal Health, outlines a four-pronged approach to effective control

Redwater
Rebecca Carroll, programme manager, Beef HealthCheck Programme, Animal Health Ireland, and member of the Animal Health Ireland Parasite Control Technical Working Group, discusses the tick-borne disease, Bovine babesiosis, more commonly known as redwater

Industry Q&A
With over 47 years’ experience in Ireland’s agri-industry, Mike Magan, chairman, Animal Health Ireland, and dairy farmer, discusses herd-health challenges and the unique symbiotic relationship between vets and farmers with Shauna Rahman

Antimicrobial resistance – an update
Dr Gabriel J Beechinor, director of veterinary sciences, Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) provides an update on European developments to control antimicrobial resistance (AMR)

Paramphistomum spp in Irish livestock
A previously unidentified Paramphistomum spp, has now been identified in sheep flocks and deer herds; Sharon Magnier, ruminant technical adviser, MSD Animal Health, looks at the impact this will have in Irish livestock

Importance of Lignocaine in farm-animal practice
Brendan Smyth, chair of Veterinary Ireland’s animal welfare committee, discusses Lignocaine, its importance in farm-animal practice, and Veterinary Ireland's efforts to ensure that it is made available again to the farm-animal practitioner

Management of the isolation unit when nursing a foal with rotavirus
The isolation centre is an area of the equine hospital that requires strict management in order to maintain biosecurity, writes Michelle McDonald RVN, veterinary nurse, Active VetCare

Cyathostomins: disease, resistance, control and new diagnostics
Nikki Walshe, equine clinician and lecturer in equine clinical studies in University College Dublin, outlines the presentation and management of the equine intestinal parasite, cyathostomins

Mastitis control: an ongoing and evolving challenge
Despite the widespread implementation of mastitis control strategies, mastitis remains a major challenge to the worldwide dairy industry, writes Alistair Couper BVMS MRCVS, technical and marketing manager, ruminant, Hipra UK & Ireland

Pre-season training
Tommy Heffernan MVB gradcertDHH, Nuffield International Farming Scholarship award recipient, outlines why the drying-off period is so important

Teat sealants before calving
The administration of internal teat sealant to in-calf heifers before calving is discussed by Niamh Ryan MVB, formerly AGRIC, Jimmy Flynn, Noel Byrne, Sinead McParland, AGRIC, Teagasc, Moorepark; and Seán Arkins, University of Limerick

Knowledge Transfer – do the numbers reflect fertility?
Elizabeth A Lane MVB PhD Dipl ECAR PGCAP, superintending veterinary inspector, Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Backweston Campus, Co Kildare, outlines the Knowledge Transfer programme