The Vet Group Disbudding Service

Disbudding is an important procedure for the wellbeing, health and productivity of your valuable calves. The Vet Group’s disbudding service aims to provide a professional and consistent package that includes sedation, long-acting anti-inflammatory pain relief and local anaesthesia prior to hot iron cautery.

Our disbudding team also checks for hernias, removes extra teats and treats any other health issues found such as jaw and ear abscesses. We find that disbudding is also a convenient time for farmers to ear tag calves and administer 7-in-1 vaccination while the calves are sedated.

Lungworm Risk

We have recently diagnosed lungworm in a number of youngstock in the district and thought it would be good time to write about this disease. Lungworm, caused by the round worm Dictyocaulus viviparus, can present as coughing, loss of body condition, increased respiratory rate and in worst case death. Outbreaks generally occur in heifers less than 10 months of age. Particularly in those with no immunity that are exposed to high numbers of worms when put onto pasture, for example, a group of Spring-born calves weaned onto pasture grazed by Autumn calves.

Snakebite Awareness

Last week the clinic saw the first snake bite of the season, so we thought it worth a reminder of the signs you may see in your animals when they’ve been bitten:

• The dog or cat may collapse and be vomiting or drooling excessively. This can be followed by apparent recovery but indicates a potentially lethal bite
• Dilated pupils
• Purple gum colour
• Drooling and panting excessively
• Trembling
• Weak and wobbly in back legs or unable to rise
• Red or brown coloured urine
• Alternatively, your pet may develop delayed symptoms of lethargy, vomiting and weight loss with muscle wastage

CalfWise Workshop 17 & 19 October

The Vet Group's CalfWise Workshops present the latest, topical information on calf rearing, relevant to our district.  Our CalfWise team focuses on practical advice to help you achieve healthier calves.

Dates: 17 & 19 October 2018 Time: 10.00am – 2:00pm (both days)
Venue: The Vet Group Conference Room, 99 Bailey St Timboon
Cost: $200 per person (Lunch included)
Limited places are available.
Please email us via events@thevetgroup.com.au or call 1300 838 700.

September Special 20% off Desexing

International Literacy Day - our book selections!

Last weekend was International Literacy Day! And we asked our team to name a few of their favourite farm/cow/vet-themed books. Read about their choices on our website.