Livestock Matters - Autumn 2018

23 Livestock Matters Autumn 2018 Laura grew up near Stockfield in Northumberland where, according to her family, she had wanted to be a vet since she was three years old! She spent her teenage years helping at a local two-vet practice who supported her early days learning the ropes as a vet, and also gaining livestock experience by working on a sheep farm. But when it came to getting a university place, she didn’t get in first time. ‘Apparently I spoke too quickly in the interviews!’ says Laura, ‘And needed to think more first!’ Not one to give up, Laura went travelling for a year. During this time she travelled to South Africa, working at a crocodile sanctuary, helping to catch and relocate crocodiles. She also worked with game vets where she TB tested buffalo and helped with rhino capture. Laura then reapplied to vet school, and was accepted into Liverpool University, keenly turning up to the interview with a leg in plaster and broken ribs following a horse fall. Laura’s advice to anyone who really wants to be a vet is: ‘Don’t give up - it is 100% worth it!’ About Laura... Laparoscopic AI Laura has also been developing her interest in working with sheep, by assisting Cliffe’s farm department director Nick Pile with a new laparoscopic AI service. Laura explains: ‘I supervise the farmer loading each ewe into the cradle. Then I prep the ewes - sedating them, shaving their abdomens, and giving local anaesthetic. I also look after the semen handling - carefully thawing the semen pellets and straws, before loading the insemination catheters for Nick. ‘We started offering the AI service last year as no-one was providing it, and AI-ed five flocks. This year, we expect demand to grow as people become aware of a local service. ‘In mid-July, we AI-ed 50 Charollais ewes that had been sponged, so they would lamb down in early December. Conception rates - based on non-return rates - were 66% to frozen semen and 90% to fresh semen collected from a pair of rams on the day. We expect scanning rates will be comparable to natural service. ‘We are also starting to offer a ram semen collection and freezing service, and in the next year or two, we hope to venture into embryo transfer work.’ Laura and crocodile About Cliffe The farm animal staff of Cliffe Veterinary Group work out of the headquarters in Lewes. The practice also has small animal clinics at Ringmer and Woodingdean, and an equine clinic at Laughton. There are currently 14 vets across the small animal and farm departments, five of whom are mixed vets. There are 4.5 full time equivalent farm vets, plus two TB testers. However, the practice is expanding, and two more vets will join this autumn. Laura explains: ‘We’ve recently taken on more clients, mainly sheep farmers, from a neighbouring practice that gave up farm work. Our Equine Clinic is based at Laughton, and so we are able to use operating facilities for these new clients if needed, for example for ewe Caesareans, prolapses, vasectomies, AI and ram fertility work. ‘It’s a friendly and close team at Cliffe. I love working here. Everyone is very supportive. They made settling into life as a vet very easy, always being on the end of the phone in an emergency!’ As well as gaining in knowledge and experience through the support and guidance of her colleagues, Laura has also attended further training courses, including a cattle pregnancy scanning course, and the XLVets Graduate Training Programme. ‘I particularly enjoyed the XLVets course as it brings together a number of recent graduates to share their experiences,’ says Laura. The course is run over three days, three months running, based at different XLVet practices across the country. It includes case discussions, informal lectures and training in practical skills, and is all based around scenarios that are encountered in first opinion practice, across all the main farm species. ‘We all became good friends on the course, and are still in touch now. We discuss difficult or unusual cases, sharing our knowledge between XLVets practices.’