Worms
Problem worms Barber’s pole worm This worm causes the majority of production losses and deaths in Queensland and is present in all sheep producing areas. Because female barber’s pole worms produce a large number of eggs (10,000 per day), infestations can quickly get out of hand. Worm numbers can increase very suddenly in warm humid […]
Pulpy Kidney Disease
Pulpy kidney (also called enterotoxaemia) is a common disease affecting young sheep and goats and causes sudden deaths. It occurs more frequently in young animals in good seasons. An effective vaccine is available and is strongly recommended in areas where the disease is known to occur. Pulpy kidney is caused by a bacteria, the bacterium […]
Alpaca Answers
Alpacas are very closely related to llamas. They are both from a group of four species known as South American Camelids. The llama is approximately twice the size of an alpaca with banana shaped ears and is principally used as a pack animal. Alpacas are exclusively bred as fleece animals in Australia. How many alpacas […]
Tick Fever
Tick Fever in cattle… Reducing the risk and financial loss. What is Tick Fever? Tick Fever or ‘red water’ is a disease of cattle that is transmitted by the cattle tick (Boophilus Microplus). This disease is caused by one of three blood parasites Babesia Bovis, Babesia Bigemina or Anaplasma Marginale that use the cattle tick […]
Bull Testing
Bull Evaluation Assessing bulls objectively and its impact on genetic gain and herd performance. By Dr Andrew Marland BVSc (hons) Vet Cross During a bull’s reproductive lifetime, when joined under paddock conditions, he should sire between 150-350 calves. Given a commercial cow can only produce one calf per year for 6-8 seasons, breeding bulls have […]
Pregnancy Testing
The importance on pregnancy testing in beef cattle breeding herds The key to profitability for all beef breeding enterprises is high reproductive efficiency. This means aiming for: 90% calves weaned to cows joined An average calving interval of 12 months (one calf per cow per year) An ideal calving period of 12 weeks Although these […]
Three Day Sickness
Bovine Ephemeral Fever (BEF), commonly know as Three Day Sickness, is a disease of cattle that causes serious economic losses through deaths, loss of condition, decreased weight gains and reduced fertility in bulls. Three Day is marked by a short fever, shivering, lameness and muscular stiffness and is caused by a virus and is widespread […]
Parrot Fever
CHLAMYDIOSIS/PSITTACOSIS (Parrot Fever) Also known as ‘parrot fever’, Chlamydiosis is a disease caused by a micro-organism called Chlamydia Psittaci. If inhaled, it is usually found in the lungs and air sacs. If ingested, it is usually found in the liver, spleen, intestines and kidneys. The micro-organism is found in feather dust and dried faeces and […]
Stress in Birds
Stress can be defined as the physiological response of a bird to a situation that causes it strain or tension, such as overcrowding, too high ot too low temperature and/or humidity and the inability to hide from real or imagined threats. There are two types of stress – Physical and psychological. Physical stress can be […]
Clicker Training for Needle-Shy Horses
Did you know that equine vets have one of the highest injury risks of all civilian professions? One of the risky scenarios we find ourselves in is trying to inject needle shy horses. This is a difficult and dangerous problem for owners, vets and horses. Luckily, by understanding equine behaviour and learning we can quickly […]
