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POST MORTEM PROJECT
AUTUMN 2014 ISSUE
LIVESTOCK MATTERS
16
‘Mycoplasma bovis seems to be on the
increase locally, and we have recently had
a devastating outbreak mainly represented
in post drying off cows, going down with
severe intractable mastitis. During the
outbreak we also experienced abortions
and one particularly severe pneumonic dry
cow, which sadly died’.
‘Using the XLVets post mortem service I was
able to get the cow collected by the farmer’s
usual collection centre and post mortemed for
under £100 (to the farmer), by a trained vet
from Wright & Morten’.
‘The post mortem vet on duty phoned to ask
for some background history and I was able
to explain the M.bovis outbreak we were
experiencing, and to ask them to specifically
look for lesions in the lungs or elsewhere that
might yield further evidence of the damage
from this bug. The vet duly removed some
diseased lung tissue and sent it to Shrewsbury
AHVLA who were able to identify M.bovis in
the lung tissue’.
‘The results of the initial examination were
with me within 24 hours and I was able to
confirm with the farmer that this animal’s
death was as a result of the Mycoplasma
bovis, and not another cause.
The post mortem service provides a low
cost, hassle free solution that has helped us
understand more about the problem on farm
at relatively little cost to the farmer’.
CASE STUDY 1:
Mycoplasma bovis
Den Leonard
- Lambert Leonard and May
‘Not everyone’s favourite task I’m sure,
however the findings of a post mortem can
provide real insight into subclinical issues on
farm before more animals are affected and
clinical disease is identified.’
‘The collection centres have great facilities,
winches, sharp knives, and a clean
environment which allow for a much more
comprehensive post mortem to be carried
out, compared with the on farm alternative;
hoisting carcases with rope and machinery
in a sometimes ‘less than clean’ environment
inevitably affects the quality of the findings.’
Carrying out the post mortems
Steph Lyth
- Wright & Morten Veterinary Surgeons
To benefit from this service you will
need to be a member of NFSCo.
There is no joining fee or annual
membership, to register for free
today please call: 08450 548888
Look out for new projects setting up in your area.