Lambing

This lamb was born with joint abnormalities. Initially when born it could walk normally but after a few hours it's joint function deteriorated. We took him away from his mother to feed him by hand and banadaged his joints in the correct position, having castrated him and docked his tail. After a week the skin had become sore and irritated, so we disinfected it with iodine before redressing the front legs. Above, I am seen holding the lamb after redressing him.

Basics of Bluetongue

About The Disease
Bluetongue is a non-contagious viral disease which is transmitted by vector, in this case tiny midges, most commonly found in late summer and autumn. Bluetongue is a disease of animals affecting all ruminants, including sheep, cattle, deer, goats and camelids (camels, llamas, alpacas, guanaco and vicuña). It does not affect horses or pigs. Due to the vector transmission any infected animal must be slaughtered immediately, but culling of the heard is an ineffective method of disease control as bluetongue non-contagious.

Symptoms

-Drooling

-Swelling of the head and neck
-Conjunctivitis  
-Swelling of the mouth
-Swollen teats
-Tiredness

The Virus (BTV)

Bluetongue virus causes serious disease in a lot of livestock. Partly due to this BTV has been in the forefront of molecular studies for last three decades and now represents one of the best understood viruses at the molecular and structural levels. BTV, like the other members of the family is a complex non-enveloped virus with seven structural proteins and a RNA genome consisting of 10 double-stranded (ds) RNA segments of different sizes.

Treatment and Prevention

There is no efficient treatment. Prevention is effected via quarantine, inoculation with live modified virus vaccine and control of the midge vector, including inspection of aircraft.
However, simple husbandry changes and practical midge control measures may help break the livestock infection cycle. Housing livestock during times of maximum midge activity (from dusk to dawn) may lead to significantly reduced biting rates. Similarly, protecting livestock shelters with fine mesh netting or coarser material impregnated with insecticide will reduce contact with the midges. The Culicoides midges that carry the virus usually breed on animal dung and moist soils, either bare or covered in short grass. Identifying breeding grounds and breaking the breeding cycle will significantly reduce the local midge population. Turning off taps, mending leaks and filling in or draining damp areas will also help dry up breeding sites.

Tail Docking

In 1991, the UK government amended the Veterinary Surgeons Act, thereby prohibiting the docking of dog's tails by lay persons. Since then, only qualified registered veterinary surgeons are, by law, allowed to dock. The current legal status of the tail docking of dogs is that tail docking is restricted and illegal (since the Animal Welfare Act of 2007), with the exception of some breeds of working dogs.

In England the following can be docked:

1.      Hunt point retrieve breeds of any type or combination of types.

2.      Spaniels of any type or combination of types.

 3.      Terriers of any type or combination of types.

The dog will have to be less than 5 days old and the veterinary surgeon will have to certify that he or she has seen specified evidence that the dog is likely to work in specified areas. (For example- a current shotgun or firearm certificate issued to the owner of the dog). Puppies being docked must be micro-chipped, either at the time of docking or when the vet considers they are old enough. The vet must sign a declaration that the requirements of the regulations have been satisfied i.e. that he has been given the necessary declaration by the owner or person representing the owner and has seen the evidence required.

Arguments for the ban

-Prior to the 1991 law, amateurs were doing the job badly and inflicting unnecessary pain and injury to the young dogs.

-Docking was being performed for cosmetic purposes as oppose to justified medical or work-related reasons.

-The procedure can be incredibly painful and this pain can result in trauma for the dogs.

It is now illegal for docked dogs to be shown in open/championship dog shows, because since April 2011 docking is against the breed standard.

Arguments against the ban

-Some people believe that the damage caused to the tails of working dogs which are not docked at a young age, is greater than the docking itself would have been. For example, if a working dog injures its tail during a hunt resulting in the need for amputation, this amputation at an older age is likely to be far more painful and expensive than an early tail dock would have been.

-The tail of a dog is not essential for it to function in life.

(Information from: CBD, wiki, Kennel Club, DEFRA and the BVA)