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The seroprevalence of Fasciola hepatica infection in a population of commercial dairy herds in England and Wales was estimated using an ELISA that detected antibodies to F hepatica in bulk tank milk. A total of 3130 milk samples, obtained as convenience samples from two commercial milk-testing laboratories, were tested during the winter of 2006/07. Herds considered to be seropositive were categorised as low positive, medium positive or high positive. A geospatial map was drawn to show the distribution of infected herds and the seroprevalence of exposure at regional level, using the Nomenclature of Units for Territorial Statistics boundaries, and at a finer spatial level defined by postcode area. Overall, 76 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 74 to 77 per cent) of herds carried antibodies to F hepatica; the seroprevalence in England was 72 per cent (95 per cent CI 70 to 74 per cent) and in Wales it was 84 per cent (95 per cent CI 82 to 86 per cent). The highest prevalences of exposure were found in north-west England, where more than 47 per cent of herds were in the high positive exposure category. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A total of 757 milk samples were taken from 57 farms throughout Wales as part of a mastitis investigation. Problem cows were selected using the most recent milk recording or, if these data were unavailable, the whole herd was assessed using the California mastitis test (CMT) and scored on a scale of 0 to 3. The affected quarter was identified using CMT. The results of the bacteriology were grouped into negative and positive culture. All contaminated samples were excluded. The CMT recording at the time of sampling, the infection status of the cow (new, first, chronic or repeat) as defined by national milk records and the number of quarters infected at the time of sampling were identified for negative and positive samples. Selecting quarters with a higher CMT score increased the likelihood of positive culture. Culturing from a sample with a CMT score of 3 was over three times more likely to yield a positive culture than a score of 1 (odds ratio [OR] 3.74, 95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 1.41 to 9.97) and 1.7 times more likely to yield a positive culture than a score of 2 (OR 1.70, 95 per cent CI 1.16 to 2.50). Culturing from a score of 2 was not statistically different from a score of 1 in terms of the likelihood that a positive culture would be identified (OR 2.20, 95 per cent CI 0.83 to 5.93). There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of negative samples when comparing chronic, repeat, new and first infections or number of quarters infected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between 2005 and 2007, data were collected from game farms across England and Wales to examine the effects of the use of bits on the physiological condition and behaviour of pheasants. On each site, two pheasant pens kept in the same conditions were randomly allocated to either use bits or not. The behaviour and physiological conditions of pheasants in each treatment pen were assessed on the day of bitting and weekly thereafter until release. Detailed records of feed usage, medications and mortality were also kept. Bits halved the number of acts of bird-on-bird pecking, but they doubled the incidence of headshaking and scratching. Bits caused nostril inflammation and bill deformities in some birds, particularly after seven weeks of age. In all weeks after bitting, feather condition was poorer in nonbitted pheasants than in those fitted with bits. Less than 3 per cent of bitted birds had damaged skin, but in the non-bitted pens this figure increased over time to 23 per cent four weeks later. Feed use and mortality did not differ between bitted and non-bitted birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lungworm, Angiostrongylus vasorum, was first reported in indigenous dogs in southwestern England in 1980 and has since been recorded in Wales, southeastern England and, more recently, in the West Midlands, northern England and Scotland. The nationwide distribution of the parasite was evaluated using a postal questionnaire sent to 3950 small animal practices during 2009. Information was sought on the location of each practice, awareness of the parasite locally, number of cases diagnosed over the past year and whether diagnosis was based on clinical signs alone or supported by additional tests. 1419 practices returned a usable response, the majority being located in a city/town. Nearly one-third of responding practices were aware of the parasite locally, 20.7 per cent had seen at least one confirmed case and 0.3 per cent >20 confirmed cases over the past year. The most widely used tests were faecal examination and any type of imaging. Existing clusters of infection were detected in southeastern England and south Wales; infection was also found to be widespread in central England, though patchy in northern England and Scotland. Using distribution of clinical cases as an indicator of parasite distribution, this study confirmed that A. vasorum has spread beyond traditional UK endemic foci. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cause for the high prevalence of cefotaximase-producing Escherichia coli reported in dairy calves is unknown but may be partly due to the selective pressure of antimicrobial residues in waste milk (milk unfit for human consumption) fed to the calves. Antimicrobial use and waste milk feeding practices were investigated in 557 dairy farms in 2010/2011 that responded to a randomised stratified postal survey. The mean number of cases of mastitis per herd in the previous year was 47, and 93 per cent of respondents used antibiotic intramammary tubes to treat mastitis. The most frequently used lactating cow antibiotic tubes contained dihydrostreptomycin, neomycin, novobiocin, and procaine penicillin (37 per cent), and cefquinome (29 per cent). Ninety-six per cent of respondents used antibiotic tubes at the cessation of lactation ('drying off'). The most frequently used dry cow antibiotic tube (43 per cent) contained cefalonium. Frequently used injectable antibiotics included tylosin (27 per cent), dihydrostreptomycin and procaine penicillin (20 per cent) and ceftiofur (13 per cent). Eighty-three per cent of respondents (413) fed waste milk to calves. Of these 413, 87 per cent fed waste milk from cows with mastitis, and only one-third discarded the first milk after antibiotic treatment. This survey has shown that on more than 90 per cent of the farms that feed waste milk to calves, waste milk can contain milk from cows undergoing antibiotic treatment. On some farms, this includes treatment with third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins. Further work is underway to investigate the presence of these antimicrobials in waste milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PCR was used to amplify adenoviral DNA, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to detect adenovirus particles in tissue and intestinal content samples from red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) associated with a reintroduction study on Anglesey (North Wales), from other populations on the island and from stock held at the Welsh Mountain Zoo, 38 km to the east. Samples were collected during the routine surveillance postmortem examinations of all 60 red squirrels with carcases retrieved in a suitable condition between 2004 and 2010, including 29 captive and 31 free-living animals. Following significant clusters of mortality in captive red squirrels, adenovirus was identified retrospectively in faecal material from 12 of 13 (92 per cent) examined carcases from squirrels captive on Anglesey, and 14 of 16 (88 per cent) from the Welsh Mountain Zoo. Virus was identified in 13 of 31 (42 per cent) free-living wild animals, with evidence of both subclinical and clinically significant enteric adenoviral infections in wild squirrels. Without ancillary PCR and TEM testing, the extent of adenovirus infection in such populations would have been underestimated. Screening protocols that include examinations for adenovirus should, therefore, be part of the routine biosecurity measures protecting reintroduction or captive breeding programmes for red squirrels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical signs, treatments used and spread of psoroptic mange in cattle from October 2007 until March 2011 are described. The disease was first diagnosed in South West Wales, having not been reported in Great Britain since the 1980s. The likely source was identified as a farm that had imported two animals from mainland Europe in the summer of 2006. Since that time, disease has been diagnosed on a further 22 premises, the majority in South West Wales but also in South East and Mid Wales and on one farm in England. Bought in animals harbouring the Psoroptes species mite but not showing clinical signs were considered the greatest risk of introducing the infestation into a herd. This, together with the difficulties of treatment to eliminate the parasite, means that it is unlikely that this outbreak has been controlled. There is also a continuing threat of importing the disease from abroad. The disease is not notifiable in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinical signs, treatments used and spread of psoroptic mange in cattle from October 2007 until March 2011 are described. The disease was first diagnosed in South West Wales, having not been reported in Great Britain since the 1980s. The likely source was identified as a farm that had imported two animals from mainland Europe in the summer of 2006. Since that time, disease has been diagnosed on a further 22 premises, the majority in South West Wales but also in South East and Mid Wales and on one farm in England. Bought in animals harbouring the Psoroptes species mite but not showing clinical signs were considered the greatest risk of introducing the infestation into a herd. This, together with the difficulties of treatment to eliminate the parasite, means that it is unlikely that this outbreak has been controlled. There is also a continuing threat of importing the disease from abroad. The disease is not notifiable in the UK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a part of bovine tuberculosis eradication strategy, the Welsh Government has proposed a badger cull in a defined area in and around North Pembrokeshire, and has published information on herd densities and incidence levels within and close to the area. In the present study, three sets of previously published data relating the impact of badger culling inside and around previous culling areas to distances from culling area boundaries have been used to model possible impacts of the proposed cull, taking account of three possible scenarios in which geographic boundaries reduce, to varying extents, adverse effects caused by increased badger movements. For the scenarios considered, the results predict average changes in confirmed herd incidences (CHIs) in the range --15.7 (--29.1 to 1.6 per cent) to --25.3 per cent (--52.2 to 46.1 per cent) over a period of 10 years, comprising average changes in the culling area in the range --26.1 (--34.8 to --14.8 per cent) to --32.6 per cent (--59.6 to 47.6 per cent), and average changes on adjoining land in the range 4.5 (--21.8 to 39.8 per cent) to 7.8 per cent (--16.1 to 38.5 per cent). The overall impacts equate to average reductions in the number of CHIs of between 122 (37 to 187) and 158 (--254 to 304). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Between May 2005 and June 2008, strategically selected isolates of Escherichia coli obtained from clinical submissions to Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA) regional laboratories in England and Wales were serogrouped and examined by PCR for verocytotoxin (VT) production and attaching and effacing (eae) genes, both of which are zoonotic determinants. VT-encoding genes were detected in 54 (5.3 per cent) of the 1022 isolates examined. Only one isolate (0.1 per cent) was identified as verocytotoxigenic E coli (VTEC) O157. Non-O157 VTECs were present in 4.7 per cent of isolates from cattle, compared with 7.9 per cent in pigs, 2.3 per cent in sheep and 6.7 per cent in goats. The predominant serogroup identified in cattle was O26 and the predominant serogroup in pigs was O2. Attaching and effacing activity was attributed to 69 (6.8 per cent) of all isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levels of sound intensity were measured over periods of 24 hours in 34 abattoir lairages in England and Wales. The mean integrated range in 12 cattle lairages was 52 to 79 dB(A), in 11 sheep lairages, 45 to 76 dB(A) and in 11 pig lairages, 46 to 87 dB(A). In general, the pig lairages were the noisiest, with spot peak recordings of up to 110 dB(A). Typically, the sound intensities in all the lairages were 10 to 20 dB(A) higher during the working day than at night. In many sheep lairages, high intensities of sound were recorded frequently throughout the night, but others were very quiet, below 40 dB(A). Vocalisations were the major sources of noise in the pig and cattle lairages, but there were variations between them. There were high intensities of sound from handling systems (80 to 90 dB[A]), and ventilating fans (70 to 80 dB[A]). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the treatments and clinical features of cattle with psoroptic mange in England and Wales. It states that treatment with macrocyclic lactones was unsuccessful in eradicating the infestation. It describes exudation and alopecia resulting to crusting in the cattle. It mentions that the disease seemed more severe in those with poor nutrition and suffering concurrent illnesses such as fasciolosis.

The article focuses on the clinical aspects and treatment methods used in 23 cases of cattle psoroptic mange in Wales and England. It states that the disease was diagnosed in October 2007 in which skin lesions were the most common manifestation. It cites various treatment modalities employed in the farms, such as moxidectin, ivermectin injection and macrocyclic lactones. It highlights the risks of the diseases to spread due to the importation of cattle.

The article discusses a study which examines the prevalence of Eimeria species in young cattle in England and Wales. Over an average period of 5 months, 1253 fecal samples were collected from different farms. Twelve different species were identified, with Eimeria bovis and Eimeria zuernii the most prevalent. Infections were found to be common in younger calves.

In a survey, 457 badgers that had been found dead in Wales were postmortem-examined, and samples were examined by histology and by extended culture (for up to 12 weeks). Mycobacterium bovis was cultured from 55 badgers (12.0 per cent), and the histology typical of M bovis infection was seen in a further six (1.3 per cent). The prevalence in badgers in each of 10 geographical areas varied between 0 and 26 per cent (P<0.001), and was associated with the incidence of confirmed M bovis infection in cattle herds in the same areas (P<0.01). In northern Wales, bTB was rare in both hosts. An infected badger was 12.3 times more likely to be within 5 km of a confirmed cattle bTB breakdown than an uninfected badger. The M bovis isolates from badgers belonged to one of four genotypes defined by spoligotype and variable number tandem repeat type. These genotypes were also found in 290 concurrent confirmed herd breakdowns, and tended to be similar to the genotypes in badgers in the same geographical areas. When badgers and cattle no more than 30 km apart were compared, the genotype diversity was greater in cattle than in badgers (P=0.016), suggesting that the movement of cattle plays a greater part in the spatial distribution of M bovis than the movement of badgers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the request of the public health authorities, 31 public amenity premises in England and Wales containing animals of various species were investigated for the presence of verocytotoxigenic Escherichio coli (VTEC) O157 between 1997 and 2007, because of putative associations with human cases. VTEC O157 was confirmed in one or more species on 19 (61·3 per cent) of the premises. There were significant associations between the presence of VTEC O157 and the number of species sampled, the size of the enterprise, the presence of young cattle and the presence of adult pigs. E coli O157 was isolated from 305 (17·8 per cent) of 1715 samples taken from all the premises, and verocytotoxin genes were detected by PCR in 184 (98·4 per cent) of 187 representative isolates. On positive premises, the highest mean proportion of positive samples (29·0 per cent) was in cattle, followed by sheep (24·4 per cent), donkeys (14·6 per cent), pigs (14·3 per cent), horses (12·3 per cent) and goats (9·9 per cent). A high proportion of positive samples was obtained from camelid species sampled on three of the premises. The main phage types (PT) were 2 and 21/28. which were those most commonly Isolated from human cases during the same period. A single PT was detected on 14 of the 19 positive premises, with up to six different species having the same PT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on veterinarian Geert Wassink and colleagues' investigation of the risk factors associated with interdigital dermatitis in sheep flocks in England and Wales. Prevalence of the disease; Inflammation of the skin caused by Fusobacterium necrophorum; Preventive measures.

A total of 253 submissions from adult cattle 'found dead' in England and Wales were referred t! the Veterinary Laboratories Agency in 2004. Carcases accounted for 54 per cent of the submissions were of more diagnostic value than other types of sample. Whether the animals were beef or dairy, their distance from the laboratory and the number of deaths in the incident affected the likelihood of samples being submitted. The probability of reaching a diagnosis was influenced by the type of sample, the level of testing and the interval from sampling to receipt in the laboratory. Systemic disease was the most frequent cause of death in both dairy and beef cattle with hypomagnesaemia being the most frequent diagnosis (52 per cent) in beef cattle. In dairy cattle, 34 per cent of the diagnoses were for sporadic events, including haemorrhage and torsions of the digestive and reproductive tracts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Outbreaks of ulcerative vulvitis and balanitis occurred in three commercial sheep flocks in England and Wales. Between 29 and 44 per cent of the ewes were affected; most of the lesions resolved in three weeks. Pathogens such as mycoplasmas, which have previously been associated with these conditions, were not detected despite using improved laboratory techniques. In one of the flocks, ovine herpesvirus type 2 was detected by PCR in the blood of two acutely affected ewes, from the vulval ulcers of one of them, and from the penis of an affected ram. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An intervention study was carried out on 52 dairy farms in England and Wales to determine whether the implementation of a well-specified mastitis control plan in herds with an incidence of clinical mastitis of more than 35 cases per 100 cows per year would reduce the incidence of clinical mastitis, and also reduce the incidence of increases in the somatic cell counts of individual cows. A clearly defined plan for the diagnosis and control of mastitis was developed by two veterinary specialists from the research literature. The herds were randomly allocated to receive the plan either at the start of the study (intervention herds) or after one year (control herds). Data on mastitis management and the farm environment were collected during farm visits. After one year there was a significant 22 per cent reduction in the proportion of cows affected with clinical mastitis on the intervention farms compared with the control farms. There were also significant reductions of approximately 20 per cent in the incidence of clinical mastitis and in the occurrence of increases in the somatic cell counts of individual cows from below, to above 200,000 cells/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data from 67 pig farms with a variety of farrowing systems were used to identify factors associated with preweaning mortality in British pig herds. The median mortality reported by the farmers was 10.7 per cent (interquartile range 8.5 to 14 per cent). There was a significantly higher mortality when the pigs were weaned when they were older. A multivariable Poisson model was developed into which the types of farrowing system on each farm and the age at weaning were forced. Factors associated with a lower preweaning mortality rate were insulating the farrowing building, providing extra heat at farrowing, giving the piglets iron injections, dipping their navels, using fan ventilation and using artificial lighting systems. Factors associated with a higher mortality rate were a later weaning age, the use of infra-red lamps rather than other forms of supplementary heat, and the use of a creep without any bedding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A study of randomly selected dairy farms in England and Wales was made between October 1999 and February 2001 to estimate the prevalence and incidence of Salmonella serovars. The farms were enrolled through five milk-buying companies, which represented 63 per cent of the dairy farms in England and Wales, and they were sampled on up to four occasions (449 farms at visit 1,272 farms at visit 2, 251 farms at visit 3 and 243 farms at visit 4). In total, 19,296 samples of pooled faecal pats and slurry were collected. The farm-specific prevalence of all serovars of Salmonella ranged from 12.1 per cent (95 per cent confidence interval [CI] 8.2 to 16.0 per cent) to 24.7 per cent (95 per cent CI 19.4 to 30.1 per cent) at each visit. The most common serovars identified were Salmonella Dublin (3.7 to 6.6 per cent farm-specific prevalence at each visit), Salmonella Agama (1.8 to 7.6 per cent) and Salmonella Typhimurium (2.6 to 4.1 per cent) The prevalence varied by region and month of sampling and increased in late summer. The incidence rate of all serovars of Salmonella was 0.43 (95 per cent CI 0.34 to 0.54) cases per farm-year at risk. There was no significant difference between the incidence rates of the common serovars S Typhimurium (0.07), S Dublin (0.06) and S Agama (0.13). A total of 29 Salmonella serovars were isolated. Few of the isolates were resistant to the 16 antimicrobial agents tested, except the isolates of S Typhimurium DT104, of which 67.9 per cent were resistant to a least five of them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As part of an investigation into improving the treatment and control of lameness in sheep flocks in England and Wales, a postal survey was conducted in November 2000. Farmers were asked to estimate the prevalence of footrot and interdigital dermatitis in their flocks. In the ewes the prevalence of interdigital dermatitis remained relatively stable throughout the year, but there was a large increase in lambs during late spring and early summer. Logistic regression models were used to assess statistically significant risk factors associated with prevalences of the condition of 5 per cent or more in ewes and 10 per cent or more in lambs. Factors that increased the risk in ewes were 'sometimes/never' catching lame sheep compared with 'always', farm land 100 m or less above sea level and renting-in winter grazing; factors that increased the risk in lambs were a prevalence of 5 per cent or more of footrot in ewes, 'sometimes/never' catching lame ewes compared with 'always', 'sometimes/never' treating ewes with footrot with parenteral antibiotics compared with 'always', showing sheep at agricultural events, farm land 100 m or less above sea level, and a prevalence of 5 per cent or more of interdigital dermatitis in ewes. Turning sheep on to a field which had been free from livestock for at least two weeks after footbathing decreased the risk of interdigital dermatitis in lambs. Footbathing without the use of a clean field compared with not footbathing did not significantly affect the prevalence of the interdigital dermatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Describes the results of a survey of farms to determine the prevalence of fecal excretion of zoonotic pathogen verocytotoxin producing Escherichia coli by cattle in England and Wales. Prevalence of excretion; Farm selection, enrollment and sampling; Immunomagnetic separation.

Between March 1, 2000 and August 31, 2001, a case-control study was conducted on 12 racecourses in England and Wales to identify and quantify the risk factors associated with horse falls in hurdle races. The cases and controls were defined so that variables relating to the horse, the jockey, the race and racecourse, and the jump could be considered. The cases were defined as a jumping effort at a hurdle flight that resulted in a fall, and the controls were defined as a successful jump over a hurdle at any of the 12 racecourses within 14 days before or after the case fall. Conditional logistic regression was used to examine the univariable and multivariable relationships between the predictor variables and the risk of falling. The risk of falling was significantly associated with the position of the jump in the race, and with the distance and speed of the race. A horse's previous racing experience and history were also significantly associated with the risk of falling and horses participating in their first hurdle race were at almost five times greater risk of falling than horses that had hurdled before. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discusses the risk factors associated with the prevalence of footrot in sheep from 1999 to 2000 in England and Wales. Negative evidence that footbathing a flock reduced the level of footrot; Association of foot trimming and topical foot sprays with a lower prevalence of footrot in a flock.

The article discusses a study on the level of resistance to anthelmintics on sheep farms in Wales. The study focused on the anthelmintics benzimidazole, levamisole and thiabendazole. About 82% of the farms tested showed anthelmintic resistance. Teladorsagia, Trichostrongylus and Haemonchus species were found resistant to benzimidole while thiabendazole resistance was observed in Cooperia species.

Discusses exploratory findings on the prevalence of contagious ovine digital dermatitis (CODD) in sheep in England and Wales during 1999 to 2000. Damage seen on the sheep's feet; Spirochaete isolated from CODD; variation in clinical presentation.

The article highlights the poultry diseases discussed in the Veterinary Laboratories Agency's (VLA) disease surveillance report for England and Wales for August 2007. They include the identification of Amidostomum anseris in goslings submitted to Penrith; the diagnosis of Mycoplasma gallipsepticum infection in a group of 40 to 45 backyard chickens in Carmarthen; and the diagnosis of spironucleosis in pheasants in release pens in Bury Saint Edmunds.

Considers the farm veterinary services in England and Wales. Impact of farm income levels on the use of veterinary services; Reduction in the number of veterinary practices; Proportion of time in general practice spent on small animal activities.

The article offers news briefs related to animal welfare in Great Britain. A symposium on the impact of selective breeding on animal welfares is being organized by the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW). Welsh Assembly Government is calling for views on draft regulations for the welfare of meat chickens in Wales. The 2009 summer conference of Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) will focus on the links in animal health, human disease and climate change.

In this article the author discusses aspects of the alleged successful bluetongue prevention in Great Britain in 2008. He is critical of the measures undertaken by the government in England and Wales on the compulsory program of vaccination against bluetongue. Also investigated is the two possible sources of infections.

The article reports that Christianne Glossop, chief veterinary officer for Wales, urged veterinary surgeons to encourage their livestock-owning clients to vaccinate their stock against bluetongue. In her letter, she asserted that the uptake of vaccine in Wales in 2008 was about 25 percent. She urged the industry to vaccinate as many of their livestock as possible. She added that farmers should be inform on the vaccination to ensure that livestock in Wales are protected.

The article focuses on wildlife diseases discussed in the Veterinary Laboratories Agency's (VLA) disease surveillance report for England and Wales for August 2007. They include the identification of parasitic infections as cause of liver lesions from woodmice (Apodemus sylvaticus) and the identification of Mycobacterium avium infection in buzzard (Buteo buteo).

The article focuses on the alpaca diseases discussed in the Veterinary Laboratories Agency's (VLA) disease surveillance report for England and Wales for August 2007. They include the identification of Sarcocystis infection in the carcase of an eight-year-old female alpaca and the identification of bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) abortion in a 10-year-old alpaca submitted to Langford.