Veterinary imaging equipment provider BCF Technology has been acquired by IMV Technologies Group, a leader in animal reproduction technologies based in Normandy, France.

IMV says it has acquired BCF to widen its offering in the reproduction management sector, particularly in imaging. As part of this strategy the company acquired ECM, a French veterinary ultrasound manufacturer, last June, and has launched AlphaVision, a video-assisted bovine insemination system.

Alan Picken, Managing Director of BCF, will lead the imaging division of IMV Technologies and become a member of the Management Board of the Group.

Philippe Gravier, Chief Executive Officer of IMV Technologies, said: "For over 50 years, IMV has been at the forefront of innovations in animal artificial insemination and embryo transfer. Following the acquisition of ECM earlier this year, the integration of BCF supports our vision to supply health status and reproduction-readiness tools to veterinarians, breeding technicians and livestock owners.

"I am very excited that BCF is joining the IMV Technologies Group. Our 100 employees have worked hard to build this company to where it is now. There is no doubt that IMV’s strong brand, customer loyalty and extensive distribution network will help to expand further our imaging activities. Like IMV, I share the vision that market differentiation is in supporting customers to improve animal care, achieved through constant innovation and marketing leading products and services."

Actiphage, a new blood test for bovine TB, has been accepted for exceptional private use in England by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

Dr Berwyn Clarke, CEO of PBD Biotech, which developed the bacteriophage-based detection method, says this is significant step forward: "In situations where a farm has had an ongoing chronic bovine TB problem, APHA’s protocol offers a promising new approach to controlling the infection.

"Actiphage is now included within a series of measures that farmers can use in conjunction with their vet and with specific APHA approval as a means to improving their disease management strategy. 

"For many farms that have been struggling for years it provides the first step to becoming TB free. This move by the APHA is a really positive step towards tackling this devastating disease."

Much of this new strategy, as part of a private TB eradication plan, has been driven by the success of Devon-based vet Dick Sibley, who incorporated Actiphage into a disease management strategy last Autumn to help clear a dairy herd that had been stricken with TB since 2012.

Dick said: "The approach of directly measuring the presence of live bacteria in the blood in just six hours is a totally different but complementary measurement to other technologies and has enabled enhanced testing, early detection and containment of the infected animals. 

"We don’t have all of the answers yet, but it’s about predicting, preventing and managing what we can – and Actiphage has contributed greatly to the outcome we’ve been after for so long."

The Exceptional private use of non-validated tests for TB on cattle in England protocol enables any private veterinary surgeon to request APHA permission for exceptional use of Actiphage and the other non-validated tests, subject to certain criteria that include herd supplementary interferon-γ (IFN- γ) testing, discussions with the APHA Case Vet and the farmer’s written consent.

Berwyn added: "Actiphage is unique in directly detecting live mycobacteria in blood or milk, and it can also distinguish between a vaccinated and an infected animal - paving the way for new types of disease control when vaccines become available in the future. 

"We are working with international governments, and the test is being trialled on bovine, ovine as well as exotic species, but we appreciate it is new to the UK market so we’re keen to answer any queries vets or farmers may have."

The new test will be profiled in the Innovation Hub at the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Show next month (27 & 28 June).

PBD Biotech says Actiphage will require further testing before it is officially approved for standard veterinary use in the UK, however under the APHA protocol it is now permitted for private use where herds have experienced persistent breakdowns and this will contribute to the evidence-base required for official validation by the OIE and acceptance by APHA.

Within this protocol, APHA has outlined a number of other non-validated tests that may be proposed for exceptional use in cattle herds with chronic breakdowns, including: the Actiphage assay, developed by PBD Biotech and Nottingham University; the Enferplex TB serological test, produced by Enfer Laboratories Ireland and approved in GB for use in camelids; and the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing of faecal samples. APHA says this is not an exhaustive list and that the protocol covers any current or future non-validated tests for bovine TB. 

The comparative intradermal tuberculin skin test and the IFN- γ blood test remain the only ante mortem tests currently approved for the statutory cattle TB testing programme in Great Britain.

The full Exceptional private use of non-validated tests for TB on cattle in England is available on the APHA Vet Gateway: apha.defra.gov.uk/vet-gateway/non-valid-tb-testing

Dr Ben Swift from Royal Veterinary College and Dr Cath Rees from Nottingham University have been off to Buckingham Palace to collect the Royal Dairy Innovation Award for a bovine tuberculosis test they developed together.

The test, which enables the rapid identification of cattle infected with Mycobacteria, was first developed by Dr Swift as part of his PhD studies at the University of Nottingham. Since joining the RVC, he has continued to evolve the technology working alongside academics at his former university.

Dr Swift and Dr Rees were presented with the award by HRH the Princess Royal.

The Royal Dairy Innovation Award recognises research and development in the field of dairy farming and is awarded for the most practical, relevant product or service which is, or likely to be the most significant innovation for the future.

The RVC says the test is able to detect mycobacteria in the blood and milk of cattle within six hours using a bacteriophage-based technique. As a result, cattle affected by Mycobacterium bovis, the bacteria that causes bovine TB, can be diagnosed for the disease more quickly, allowing for more effective disease management in herds.

Additionally, the test has been used to effectively detect Johne’s Disease – another endemic illness that affects dairy cattle – in new born calves for the first time. By being able to catch the disease at an early stage, this test can help further with controlling infections in dairy herds. 

The test is now licenced to spin-out company, PBD Biotech Ltd and marketed as Actiphage. It can also be used as a highly sensitive quality assurance test in milk and dairy products. 

Dr Swift, who is a Research Fellow in antimicrobial resistance, said: "It is really exciting to be recognised with this award. Translating technology from the bench to be used in real-world scenarios is a great thing and really shows the impact of our research. Hopefully this will help manage two extremely difficult diseases in the UK and worldwide."

Photo: Benjamin Swift (RVC), Dr Cath Rees (University of Nottingham), Princess Anne and Dr Berwyn Clarke (PBD Biotech).

Elanco Animal Health has launched AviPro Salmonella Duo, a new live vaccine which provides simultaneous protection against S Enteritidis and S Typhimurium in poultry.

Jessica Cross, Elanco's poultry veterinary consultant said: "AviPro Salmonella Duo is the first vaccine to have both Salmonella strains in the same vial and also the first to be licensed for turkeys and ducks as well as chickens."

Unlike inactivated vaccines which are administered by injection, AviPro Salmonella Duo is administered in the drinking water. Elanco says this offers producers significant advantages since the oral route allows mass administration without stressing the birds, saving labour and improving welfare. A three-dose programme provides immunity throughout lay.

The new vaccine also provides an eight-week increase in the period of immunity over its predecessor, to 62 and 68 weeks of age for S Typhimurium and S Enteritidis respectively.

Jessica said: "This development represents the third generation of vaccines, moving on from the early dead vaccines, individual live vaccines to the bivalent product. Producers will welcome the simplified administration it offers."

Boehringer has announced the launch of Ubroseal Dry Cow 2.6 g intramammary suspension for cattle (Bismuth Subnitrate, heavy), the company's first teat sealant.

Ubroseal is licenced for the prevention of new intramammary infections throughout the dry period. In cows considered likely to be free of sub-clinical mastitis, the product can be used on its own in dry cow management and mastitis control. 

Boehringer's veterinary adviser, Kath Aplin said: "Ubroseal features a flexi-cap to reduce the risk of teat canal damage and its unique longer plunger makes application more ergonomic and significantly easier for the farmer."

The launch coincides with the publication of a statement by an expert group convened by Boehringer¹ which recommends the administration of an internal teat sealant at drying off to all cows on all farms.

For more information, contact: vetenquiries@boehringer-ingelheim.com. 

Reference

1. Bradley et al (2018) Proc. National Mastitis Council

Forum Animal Health has launched the new Agger's Cattle Pump Lite for oral fluid therapy in cows. 

The pump allows one man to deliver 20 litres of fluid into the rumen in just 2 minutes. According to the company, it offers even more benefits: it is robust and lighter to carry, more convenient with its new quick-release connector and more economic: less than half price than the previous version.

Forum Animal Health says the Agger's Cattle Pump is very successful for oral administration of fluids, electrolytes and specific nutrients directly into the rumen.  Designed for vets to make oral fluid therapy quick and easy to administer without assistance, many vets have found the Agger's Cattle Pump so useful for routine fluid therapy that they have trained their clients to use it, given them protocols for fluid therapy and supplied them with their own pumps.  On-farm training support is available for your clients.

The New Agger's Cattle Pump Lite is available now. For more information, please contact Forum Animal Health on 01737 781416 or animal.health@forumgroup.co.uk.

Virbac has launched of Bovigen Scour, an emulsion for injection into cattle which reduces the severity of diarrhoea caused by bovine rotavirus, bovine coronavirus and enteropathogenic E.coli F5 (K99). 

Bovigen Scour works by actively immunising pregnant cows and heifers and providing passive immunity to their calves via colostrum. According to the company, the vaccine also helps to reduce the shedding of virus by calves infected with bovine rotavirus and coronavirus.

Virbac says a key benefit of Bovigen Scour is the vaccination protocol which offers a large window for injection, making it easier for vaccination planning. The primary course is administered in two shots, with first dose between 12 and 5 weeks before calving and the booster 3 weeks later. The annual booster is then due between 12 and 3 weeks before calving is expected. The vaccine is presented in two sizes: 15ml (5 doses) and 90ml (30 doses). The dosage per cow is 3 ml and the withdrawal time is nil in milk.

Virbac Large Animal Product Manager Brigitte Goasduf MRCVS said: "Bovigen Scour offers farmers flexibility and ease of use. The flexibility it gives in terms of scheduling the primary course and booster is particularly important and is highly relevant for beef cattle farmers as it can be difficult to know exactly when a cow is likely to calve and it is vital not to miss the vaccination window.   

"Bovigen Scour is also convenient to give because of the small volume of emulsion and because the injection is given intramuscularly. Its launch extends our large animal vaccine range, which includes Gudair, for the active immunisation of sheep and goats against Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (Map)."

Forte Healthcare has launched Dexafast 2mg/ml, a dexamethasone solution for injection for horses, cattle, pigs, dogs and cats.

Dexafast is an injectable corticosteroid with potent, medium-acting, anti-inflammatory activity, indicated for the treatment of a range of inflammatory and allergic conditions in both small and large animal clinical practice.

Dr John Henderson, Large Animal Product Manager at Forte Healthcare Ltd said: "Dexafast 2mg/ml is an excellent addition to our range. This formulation of dexamethasone is used across many species on a daily basis, and Dexafast 2mg/ml gives vets a high-quality presentation of a staple medicine."

Dexafast is available in a 50ml bottle. 

For further information, contact your local Forte Territory Manager, visit: https://www.fortehealthcare.ie/product/dexafast-uk-only, or email: enquiries@fortehealthcare.com.

Merial has published figures which show that gutworm is seriously affecting dairy cow fertility in up to 80% of UK dairy herds¹, in order to raise awareness of the damaging impact of Ostertagia ostertagi.

Sioned Timothy, veterinary adviser for Merial said: “The reduction in milk production from a gutworm infection is well documented². Both animal health advisers (Suitably Qualified Persons – SQPs) and vets recognise the threat such infections cause. However, since cows often show no outward signs of disease, even in the face of a massive challenge, dairy farmers could unwittingly  suffer heavy losses in milk yield, reduced fertility and increased heifer rearing costs at a time when they can least afford it.”

Merial points out that the extent of a herd’s gutworm exposure can be easily and simply assessed from a sample taken from the bulk milk tank – using the MOO Test. This test determines the amount of antibody to Osteragia ostertagi present in a sample, giving an assessment of the level of herd gutworm challenge.

The metabolic demands placed on cows during the post-calving period can lead to a negative energy balance, when energy gained from feed intake is less than that used for milk production. This natural ‘energy gap’ leads to weight loss; a parasite burden can make matters worse.

Sioned advises taking action to reduce the effect of this post-calving energy gap to maintain productivity levels. She said: “Management of cows in the weeks following calving should focus on maximising dry matter intake to correct the energy imbalance as quickly as possible. Studies have shown that cows treated for gutworm have improved appetites, and graze for up to an hour longer than untreated cows³. Grass is the cheapest form of nutrition so it makes sense to make the most of it.” 

Merial also points towards studies which have shown that effective parasite control may have a beneficial effect^4,5. Reduced body condition scores caused by the energy gap after calving may impact on reproductive parameters. In one study, cows treated for gutworm were back in calf 13 days sooner than untreated animals⁴.

Sioned said: "This has obvious implications for productivity. We need to look at employing a range of practical measures to ensure cows are as productive and efficient as possible, and this includes targeted worming where required.”

According to the company, effective parasite management of the replacement heifer during the rearing period is key to her future performance and productivity. Achieving breed-appropriate target weights throughout the rearing period is a crucial component of heifer rearing. The onset of puberty and the start of breeding are more closely linked to weight, body size and condition score than age. It is therefore critical to ensure that heifers reach approximately 60% of mature weight by 14 months of age in order to achieve a 24 month average age at calving.

Sioned said: “Losses in potential liveweight gain due to poor parasite control during a heifer’s first grazing season will not be recouped during the second year at grass⁶. She won’t catch up, and this will impact on her ability to meet important milestones.”

Getting heifers in-calf at the optimal time will help to reduce breeding costs and maximises the potential productive life of the animal. Heifers treated for gutworm have been shown to have a 20% higher conception rate at first service than untreated cattle².

Merial says there is also evidence that parasite burdens exert physiological effects that directly impact on the parameters influencing performance and profitability of heifers, and increased mammary development and earlier onset of puberty have been observed in strategically wormed heifers in comparison to those left untreated^7,8.

Sioned said: “Effective worming will mitigate the effect of parasites on fertility levels in growing cattle⁴, while still allowing them to build the necessary immunity required to prevent clinical disease in adulthood.” 

References

1. MOO Test data 2009 – 2014, Merial Animal Health 2015
2. Reist et al. (2011) Effect of eprinomectin treatment on milk yield and quality in dairy cows in South Tyrol, Italy. Veterinary Record  168, 484-487
3. Forbes et al. Behavioural mechanisms underlying production responses in dairy cows treated with eprinomectin. 19th WAAVP Congress 2003, New Orleans
4. McPherson  et al. Proceedings of the American Association of Veterinary Parasitologists. 44th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, 1999 Abstr. 28.
5. Sanchez et al.(2002) The effect of eprinomectin treatment at calving on reproduction parameters in adult dairy cows in Canada. Preventative Veterinary Medicine 56:165-177
6. Larsson et al. (2011) Performance of second-season grazing cattle following different levels of parasite control in their first grazing season. Veterinary Parasitology 175 (2011) 134-140
7. Mejía et al (2009) Effect of anthelmintics on reproductive performance and first lactation culling rate in Holstein heifers. Vet Rec 165: 143–146
8. Perria et al (2013) Gastrointestinal parasite control during prepuberty improves mammary parenchyma development in Holstein heifers. Vet Parasitol 198:345-350

Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health has launched Mind the Gap, an online tool for veterinary surgeons and farmers to collaboratively develop a bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) vaccination schedule which avoids immunity gaps.

The idea for an interactive vaccination calendar was in fact first developed two years ago by Jon Reader MRCVS (pictured right) from Synergy Farm Health. With input and funding from Boehringer, it has now been developed into an online tool which highlights times when animals may be at risk if immunity has waned, without sufficient boosting of immunity by vaccination.

The transmission of BVD is complex and protecting the foetus from the virus is at the heart of any control programme. The virus is passed from dam to foetus and, if this occurs in the first third of pregnancy and the foetus goes to term, a persistently infected (PI) calf will be born. These will then go on to shed virus throughout their lives, so infecting herdmates and the next generation of calves.

Jon said: "The timing of when a vaccine is given is critical to the development of an immune response, which will protect the unborn foetus. 

"Working out when you want the dam to calve and then calculating back shows when either a primary course of BVD vaccine or a booster should be given but, get this wrong and you will end up with what is known as an 'immunity gap'.

"It is vital that both heifers and cows have maximum protection during the breeding period and in early pregnancy."

Boehringer says heifers must be fully protected before being served for the first time, and cows must have had immunity boosted before they are pregnant again. However, far too often heifers are adequately protected following an initial booster but given their age and date of service, do not receive further protection until they enter the adult herd.  

Jon said: "If heifers calve just after the herd booster, then there is a very real possibility that they will go for two years without a booster, and be severely exposed when they become pregnant as a first lactation heifer."

"This is termed the immunity gap; a period when the animal is not protected from the virus at all. The aim should be to eliminate this period completely, so that there is no immunity gap."

Matt Yarnall from Boehringer said: "Each BVD vaccine has its own timing protocol stating when the primary course should be given, as well as subsequent booster timing and when cows should be served. Moreover, some of these are not straightforward to follow, especially for year-round calving herds."

"Anyone using the Bovela vaccine has peace of mind that the one dose primary course combined with flexible booster regime and 12 months’ proven duration of immunity minimises the immunity gap." 

For more information, visit: makebvdhistory.co.uk.

VetSurgeon.org is launching Need to Know, a free monthly briefing written for busy vets by busy vets.

The new briefing will summarise the latest veterinary innovations, resources and research which are of practical value to vets in practice. In other words, only what you strictly need to know.

Need to Know content will be curated by three practising veterinary surgeons: Liz Barton MRCVS (Small Animal, pictured right), Aoife Byrne MRCVS (Equine), and Rachel Tennant MRCVS (Farm Animal). It replaces InDigestion, VetSurgeon.org’s previous monthly newsletter which only linked to the most popular content on the site itself. By contrast, Need to Know summarises developments from all sources.

VetSurgeon.org Editor Arlo Guthrie said: "In these days of information overload, our aim here is to provide busy veterinary surgeons with a really succinct summary of anything that really matters, wherever it comes from."

Need to Know is the result of a new partnership between VetSurgeon.org and Vetsnet, a veterinary wellbeing resource hub set up by Liz to support her colleagues in the profession, and the bulk of any additional advertising revenue generated by the initiative will be ploughed back into Vetsnet.

Arlo added: "Since VetSurgeon launched back in 2008, content has been entirely curated by me. I like to think that has worked reasonably well. Still, having practising veterinary surgeons involved editorially is a big step forward in making sure our content is always useful and relevant."

Anyone subscribed to receive emails from VetSurgeon.org on registration will automatically receive Need To Know.

If you have subscribed, but are NOT receiving emails from VetSurgeon.org, you usually need to log into your email account online and move emails from VetSurgeon.org from your spam or junk folder into your inbox. Some email providers (notably Hotmail) also allow you to ‘whitelist’ emails from certain people and organisations. In that case, add 'vetsurgeon.org' to your whitelist.

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MSD Animal Health has launched an improved on-farm calf-side scour pathogen testing kit for faster diagnosis of the main infectious organisms implicated in a disease outbreak.

According to the company, the new ScourCheck Rapid Programme promises a 10-minute diagnostic turnaround from faecal sample to result, enabling the veterinary practitioner to offer more timely disease management recommendations without having to wait for a laboratory report. The new kits deliver on-farm identification of rotavirus, coronavirus, cryptosporidium and E. coli K99.

Further details on the ScourCheck Rapid Programme are available from MSD Animal Health account managers.

Ceva Animal Health has announced it will launch Salmoporc, a live attenuated vaccine against Salmonella typhimurium in pigs, in 12 European countries including the UK over the rest of 2019.

The company says Salmoporc has been used on German and Polish farms for over 15 years and has proved to be safe and effective in controlling salmonella.

The vaccine can be administered orally in piglets and via subcutaneous injection in sows.

Company vet Dr Rike Schmelz said: "Salmonella in pigs is growing threat and an important zoonotic disease. According to the 2018 European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) report, salmonellosis is the second most reported zoonosis in Europe with over 90,000 cases reported in humans.

"Salmonella typhimurium and monophasic Salmonella typhimurium represented 17 per cent of confirmed human cases in 2017 so constitutes a major risk to humans."

VetSurgeon.org understands the new vaccine is expected in the UK sometime after October, before which it can be obtained under a Special Import Certificate.