Livestock Matters - Autumn 2017

WORKING toGether FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE... 2 1 LIVESTOCK MATTERS Veterinary Surgeon Roland Millar XLVets practice Lambert, Leonard and May Roland Millar, Lambert, Leonard and May GRADUATE D I ARY using technology to improve decision-making On farm data collection, analysis and reporting is a big part of the service we offer and having access to accurate, up-to-date data helps both vets and farmers make more informed decisions about the animals and businesses we work with. Recently we have invested time in promoting a computer software program which is designed to allow data entry on farm via a mobile/tablet app. The program also links to BCMS, milk recording data and some other on-farm software, but can be especially useful for farms currently not using computer recording technology. It provides an efficient and effective tool for use on our routine fertility visits. I can produce a list of cows needing to be scanned, and while I’m there the farmer can access information about each cow. We can see her medical history and previous breeding events, as well as treatments, milk recording data, mobility scores, body condition scores, lameness, and any metabolic or transition problems she has had. This knowledge helps us make decisions about her future. The program has even more potential as time goes on and more data is entered. Informed decisions It can take a little longer to collect the information for some decisions, however. In my nine months in practice I have seen a number of downer cows. These cases are rarely straightforward as our clients have often already covered the usual bases of anti-inflammatories, mineral supplements and supportive therapy. In fact, it is testament to the practice that the vets here have been very proactive with training and knowledge transfer, enabling farmers to give the best, most effective first-line treatments as soon as possible. Downer cows can be complex cases to work up and it can be important to quickly establish a prognosis and decide how best to continue treatment. A useful aid in doing so is to take a blood sample and check for any increases in the muscle enzymes, Creatine Kinase (CK) and Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST). These are released into the blood stream when muscle is damaged. The magnitude of elevation of these enzymes is a useful prognostic indicator: levels Having graduated fromNottingham last year, I began working as a farm animal-only vet with Lambert, Leonard and May (LLM) in September 2016. I am now one of five vets working at the Lancashire practice near Preston. Our client base consists of predominantly dairy farms, with a mixture of beef and sheep as well. This gives scope for plenty of variety, and the opportunity to gain experience in all the main areas of large animal work. It’s been great to work with such a proactive team that’s at the forefront of farm animal veterinary, and has offered invaluable support and advice throughout my first year in practice. I also received some excellent training through the XLVets New Graduate Scheme. Using technology to inform decisions