Farm work
Farm work is an important aspect of the practice caseload. The majority of farms that we visit are beef farms with varying degrees of intensification. At present a considerable amount of our time is spent doing DEFRA work particularly TB testing, both David and Steve have signed up to the recent letter to DEFRA giving voice to the frustrations that we feel with the current control measures.
As well as routine fire brigade type work, we will perform pregnancy diagnosis by ultrasound or manual methods; herd health plans can be advised on. Assistance with their production given as necessary.
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| Some Angus we look after at Fowlescombe | And rare breed sheep |
Farm visits
Most of the time farm animal are dealt with by farm visits, where the vet in attendance is helped by the farmer or stockman in the place that the animal knows best. Recently Steve had to operate on an Angus calf which had been accidentally kicked in its eye by its mother. The eye was lost; so Steve had to remove it in the pen with the stockman and owner holding the calf and the mother leaning over checking every move. Just another day in the life of a vet.
