We have seen a very, very dry summer to date. This continues to affect grass growth and we have also seen cases of heatstroke in multiple species – if in doubt keep animals in cooler sheds or turnout in fields with access to shade – see our ‘sunburnt cow’ article below for a seasonal cattle […]
We have seen a very, very dry summer to date. This continues to affect grass growth and we have also seen cases of heatstroke in multiple species – if in doubt keep animals in cooler sheds or turnout in fields with access to shade – see our ‘sunburnt cow’ article below for a seasonal cattle disease. Within the practice we are seeing good uptake in our in-house Worm Egg Counting service. We can provide same-day results which will help guide treatment choice, and potentially help you delay worming! Bluetongue has been confirmed in sheep or cattle 24 times in the UK since 1st July 2026 – we would strongly advocate not only vaccinating cattle, but also sheep ahead of breeding – it is not too late as we expect cases to occur in Ireland throughout the autumn.
With the recent spike in temperatures, I’m sure many of us have fallen victim to getting a bit too much sun and coming home sunburnt. While we are all very familiar with what getting sunburnt ourselves means, a ‘sunburnt’ cow is something that as farmers you may also occasionally see, but what is actually going on in these cases?
What is traditionally known as a ‘sunburnt’ cow is actually a condition called Photosensitisation. This occurs when chemical substances not usually found in the animal’s body, known as photodynamic agents, circulate in the blood and react with the UV light from the sun. There are 2 types:
The classical sign associated with this condition is skin damage, particularly to the light coloured hairless areas such as the nose or udder or white areas of the body. Affected areas may be red, irritated, swollen, ulcerated and can progress to the skin sloughing off. In the early stages, signs might be more subtle with animals generally ‘off form’ , reduced milk yield, restless or agitated and seeking shade.
Treatment includes:
Prognosis is generally good for primary cases and can vary for secondary cases depending on the extent of the liver damage. It can take up to 3 or 4 weeks for full healing of the lesions and it is recommended to keep the animal housed until then. As we all know prevention is better than treatment! Focus on good pasture management such as removing plants we know can increase sensitivity to the sun and promptly treating for liver fluke to reduce liver damage.
Colic tends to strike fear into the heart of all horse owners who have heard the horror stories that can occur but which, thankfully, are quite rare.
Colic is a very general term and is defined as any abdominal pain/discomfort, which may or may not involve the digestive system. Its causes are many and varied but the commonest ones include sudden changes in diet, parasites (and, ironically sometimes de-worming), internal growths, over-eating following breaking into feed bins and unexplained displacements/torsions.
The seriousness of any colic depends on how that colic affects the horse and most particularly its circulation. The worst colics are those ones that result in an elevated heart rate, cold sweat, poor membrane colour and signs of pain (rolling on the ground, kicking at the belly) that don’t go away. Luckily, 95% of colics aren’t in this category.
Most colics are non-surgical, spasmodic type colics that, while painful, will ultimately, work themselves out without the need for referral to a hospital. Our job as vets, when called to this type of colic, is to administer pain relief and a drug to relax the intestinal muscles, both of which reduce the amount of pain the horse is suffering and the likelihood of the horse injuring itself while in pain.
Owners often ask – when should I ring the vet if my horse has colic? Its a good question and there are certain criteria that should guide you:
If any or all of these are being displayed by your horse then you need to call us as soon as possible. In the meantime walking or lungeing can help alleviate pain and reduce the likelihood of injury. We will, of course, endeavour to get to you quickly, in these circumstances, as time can be important.
Finally, I think it’s important to realise that although a small percentage of colics are quite serious, most of them will pass uneventfully – with a little help from us!
If you’re concerned about any of the issues raised in this newsletter — or anything else affecting your farm animals — our large animal team is here to help. Get in touch with experts today, or find directions to our large farm clinic below.
Lucy Jerram MVetMed BSc DipECBHM PGCertVetEd MRCVS, Large Animal Director, Highfield Veterinary Group
