Getting Ready for Breeding

 

If you are going to start AI on May 1 then April is the month for preparation.

 

In simple terms: Pregnancy rate is Submission rate x Conception rate.

 

In Irish terms submission rate is the amount of cows that are available for service (calved >42 days) that have been bulled in the first 3weeks of breeding. The target is 90% in a seasonal herd.

 

The target for conception to 1st and 2nd service is about 65%. So if you have 100 cows and you have asubmission rate of 90% then 90 cows should be bulled in first 3 weeks. If 65%of them hold then this leaves about 41 cows left to breed (that were eligible to breed in first 3 weeks.)

 

Second service will get another 27 cows (65%). This gives you in total 86 cows in calf in 6 weeks.

 

So in short you can make up for a poorer conception rate with a good submission rate. While conception rate is affected by disease/health and energy (energy levels, dry matter intake; buffer feeding), submission rate is really just seeing them in heat.

 

Submission rate can be improved by:

 

1. One month before breeding you need to check cows for heat or not – pre breeding. Tail paint/apply scratch cards to all cows 3 weeks before start of breeding and note any cows not bulling.

 

2. Any cow calved 42 days and was not seen bulling within these 3 weeks should be scanned and treated if necessary. This avoids the loss of time further in breeding season and a cow that was once a February calver becoming an April calver.

 

3. Any cow that was treated for retained cleaning should be re-examined before breeding. They may show heat even with a chronic womb infection.

 

4. A vasectomised bull will aid in heat detection during the breeding season.

   ** (surgery should be carried out 3 weeks before bull is needed)**

 

 

Conception Rate

 

1. Ensure all vaccinations are up to date and that maiden heifers have received their primary course ahead of breeding. Lepto/ BVD/ IBR can all interfere with conception rate.

 

2. Implementing regular BCS (Body condition score) on your farm leading up to breeding will highlight the high-risk cows that require attention. Ideally at breeding cows should have BCS of 2.75 – 3.25.

   Thehigh-risk group would include under conditioned cows, high yielders, lame cows and difficult calvers. Someof these would benefit from once a day milking or extra feeding.

    

   Consider keeping lame cows or under conditioned cows close to the parlour to optimise dry matter intake and reduce energy used to and from parlour.

 

3. Ensure adequate mineral and trace element intake. Copper and Manganese deficiency can lead to silent heats. Selenium deficiency will affect conception rates.

 

**Don’t forget the Bull**

 

Bull should be given a once over before breeding starts.

 

Fertility can be assessed by one of the vets.

 

Mobility is vital and if showing signs of lameness, his feet should be tended too aheadof breeding to allow recovery time.

 

Ensure enough bull power is present. Consider team of bulls to provide 12 hour break if large herd.

Recently MSD Animal Health and XL Vets ran a series called Day in the Life of a Vet and our very own Kevin O Sullivan was shadowed for a day.

Meet Vets Christine and Richard, Vet Nurse Katie and FLuff & Buff Groomer Caitriona, as well as some interesting cases and a chicken!

 

Watch how the day unfolded on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17845474305184603/

 

 

Did you know you can get fined up to 150 euro for not picking up you dog poop in a public space in Ireland?

But let’s say there is no dog warden around, do you still pick it up? A recent study showed almost 40% of people admit to not picking up poop!

Lets’ see if we can convince you otherwise, Apart from being unsightly and a nuisance when you step or roll through it, it actually is a health hazard:

• Children are mostly at risk, mainly because hand to mouth movements occur frequently without washing their hands.
• Faeces can transfer commonly known bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella spp., Campylobacter spp. , which lead to vomiting, diarrhoea and in rare occasions to kidney failure.
• Certain tape and hook worms can also be passed onto humans and as we are not the desired end host, these worms can cause serious trouble in our eyes, brains and livers!
• Last but not least, it is thought that bacterial resistance can occur when a dog faeces are ingested from a dog who is or has been treated with an antibiotic. Superbacteria that do not respond to antibiotics can emerge.

 

So please, it is simple: Pick up after your dog, lets ensure cleaner walkways for the elderly, wheelchair bound, joggers, strollers and children.

At Glasslyn we are always happy to give you a spare poo bag – and if you are on a walk and you really have forgotten your bags – why do you not approach a fellow dog walker and ask for a spare one?

 

2 Farm talks being hosted by us and Zoetis on how to Improve In-Calf Rates on Farms.

 

1st Event: 27 March 2024 Coachford

 

2nd Event: 3 April 2024 Dunmanway

 

See you there!

It’s the month of love and so we have decided to offer 20% discount on your first month membership fee with our Healthplan!

No cut off age, no pre exsisting condition exclusions, we accept them all 🙂

As Halloween approaches, our thoughts drift to ghosts and ghouls, spooky decorations, lots of treats and fun times.  Sadly, for our pets it can be a frightening time.  There could be hazards in our homes, from toxic foods to dangerous decorations.  We are reminding you to be aware of the dangers Halloween poses to all animals and to take extra measures to safeguard the safety of not only domestic pets but farm animals and wildlife too.

Our small animal veterinary team has pulled together a Halloween survival guide to help keep pets happy.

Hide the treats

The sweets bowl is for trick-or-treaters, not our furry friends. Several popular Halloween treats are toxic to pets. Chocolate in all forms and sugar-free candies containing the sugar substitute xylitol can cause serious problems in pets. If your pet does ingest something toxic, contact your vet immediately.

 

Halloween decorations out of pets’ reach

Many cats and dogs love to play with dangly decorations. However, they could end up chewing and swallowing something harmful, leading to serious problems such as a gut blockage.  Its important to keep pets away from wires and candles.  Also, swallowing foil or plastic wrappers can lead to digestive problems and may require surgery.

 

Don’t dress up pets

Some pets may find wearing Halloween costumes stressful. Consider a festive themed bandana instead which will be less restrictive. If you do choose to put your pet in a costume, make sure it does not limit the animal’s movement, vision, ability to breathe or behave normally.

 

Fireworks

The sound of fireworks can cause a lot of distress for pets.  It is important to ensure pets are kept safe in a secure area where they cannot dart out an open door from the noise.  Keeping the lights low and playing a radio or television in the background can help drown out some of the noise outside. Close the curtains and windows if there’s lots of noise outside.

 

Be home before dark

Trick-or-treaters in costume and loud music from parties can be scary for our pets, so it’s best to be at home with them before Halloween activities start.  To avoid stress in dogs, take them for walks before it gets dark.  For cats, encourage them to come home earlier by moving their dinner time to before it gets dark outside.

 

Outdoor Pets and Wildlife

Horses, ponies and donkeys should be securely stabled to prevent them from escaping or hurting themselves if they live in areas with a considerable amount of Halloween-related noise. It is important you check under all wood piles before lighting any bonfires to ensure there is no wildlife hibernating. Some outdoor decorations such as fake spider webs can snare wild animals, so be careful if hanging them and ensure they are removed after the festivities.

 

Unfortunately stray animals can fall victim to abuse or cruel Halloween pranks. If you witness any animal cruelty, please contact your local Garda station immediately.

Did you know Glasslyn Vets offer a Pet Health plan that helps you spread out the costs of your veterinary bills?

 

A Health plan gives you peace of mind that you are actively monitoring your pets’ health with regular visits, updated vaccinations and year round parasite treatment!

 

At Glasslyn we don’t judge or discriminate, so the health plan is open to all ages and preexisting conditions so you can sign up your new puppy and senior cat so that they both can benefit from our plan.

 

We do have a few exclusions, this plan does not cover:

• Once off medications
• Visits out of hours, home visits or public holidays
• Vaccination restarts after missing the booster
• Maximum of 12 visits a year

 

Lets look at the benefits of the Healthplan!

1. Year round parasite protection

 

The harm from parasites to a pet’s health can range from minor irritation to serious conditions that, if untreated, can be fatal.

At Glasslyn we stock a wide variety of Flea and Worm medications, giving you the option of a spot on or tablet, monthly or every 3 months.

 

2. Annual Vet check

Having your pet in for an annual vet check ensures that we catch any health problems early, avoiding an escalating illness and saving you added vet bills!

On the Essential plan you get a yearly vet check, and on the Premium plan you get up to 12 visits a year!

 

3. Yearly Vaccinations

Unvaccinated pets are always at a greater risk of coming in contact with deadly diseases and spreading them to other pets or even humans.

Our Health plan covers your pets first and second vaccination, as well as the yearly booster. We also cover Kennel Cough for dogs and Feline Leukemia for cats.

 

4. 10% Discount on Glasslyn Pet food

We stock Royal Canin, James Well Beloved and Calibra which offers a veterinary approved pet food for all budgets.

These brand have Vet specific diets like Gastrointestinal for pets prone to upset stomachs, Urinary for pets prone to bladder stones, Sensitive for pets with allergies and much more!

They also have the Health range for every day health and wellbeing.

 

5. 10% Discount on Neutering

Did you know neutering your pets let them live longer?!

Neutering your pets prevents females from coming into season, attracting unwanted male attention which can lead to pregnancy or false pregnancies. It also prevents the risk of testicular cancer in males and uterus infections and cancers in females. It helps reduce urine marking and roaming in male dogs and cats.

This procedure is very straightforward with your pet coming in in the morning and going home that afternoon.

 

6. 10% Discount on Long term medications

We know the vet bills can add up when your pet is diagnosed with a long term illness or condition, that is why our Premium plan covers any long term medications that your Vet has approved, this includes arthritis medications, allergies, heart or liver and others.

 

7. Optional Dental pack

If your pet is prone to dental disease or bad breath, this added option would be for you!

At a small added monthly fee, we will include a yearly dental scale and polish, to keep your pets teeth healthy! By having a dental cleaning once a year, we can avoid tooth decay early enough to save you from expensive extraction surgery.

 

8. Optional Blood and Urine analysis

This option is also at a small added fee and gives you added peace of mind. This is a good option for our older pets, to catch any underlying issues early enough.

Talk to our team or sign up on our home page for savings up to 490 euros a year!

Dental issues can be a hidden source of pain in our pets. Routinely, having a look at your pet’s mouth and teeth can help catch any problems. When checking Roz’s mouth last month, we noticed her lower canine had become discoloured and a diagnosis of pulpitis was made. You can see from the photo below; her tooth had turned a dull / pink colour.

Pulpitis is normally due to trauma to the pulp within the tooth, this leads to bruising and subsequent bleeding within the tooth canal. The most common cause of pulpitis is blunt trauma to the tooth. This is often caused by chewing bones, stones, or accidental clashes when playing.

In addition to the bleeding in the canal, if sufficient trauma happens, the tooth may become subluxated or rotated within the tooth socket. This can lead to rupture of the blood supply. If the tooth has lost blood supply, the tooth will subsequently die. As the tooth is dying off, this causes pain to the animal.

Roz underwent a full general anaesthetic; she had full mouth dental x-rays taken. She was given local anaesthetic nerve blocks to ensure she felt no discomfort. All her teeth were cleaned and polished and the lower canine was removed. The dental x-rays also allowed us to see that two other premolar teeth needed to be extracted.

After her procedure she was kept comfortable at home with pain relief and was fed soft food for the next few days. She has since made a full recovery 😊

Teeth can often be overlooked by owners as a problem in our pets. Often, owners will think that if their animal is eating normally, they don’t have any pain in their mouths. Roz never showed any discomfort and never went off her food, even though she had a painful issue with her canine. It is very important to get regular check ups with your vet, we will always do an oral exam and suggest a dental if needed.

Firstly, when looking for a puppy, prospective owners should research what dog breed would suit their family circumstances. Certain breeds require a lot of exercise, particularly working dogs ie collies, huskies etc.

Owners need to make sure that they can offer the time and commitment to exercise and spend time with them, as often they can become frustrated and develop behavioural problems if their needs aren’t being met. We also need to consider some health issues which may arise in some dog breeds ie. respiratory, skin and orthopaedic issues.

When viewing the puppy, owners should ideally see both parents of the pup and the house itself, to ensure both parents are healthy and the pup is coming from a good home. It is not recommended to collect pups at the side of the road or shopping centres etc.

Legally all pups should be microchipped and registered when being sold or rehomed. Puppies should be at least 8 weeks old before being rehomed and ideally have the first vaccine given of DHPPi and L4.

A 2^nd vaccine of the same is normally given 4 weeks after the first injection. This is to protect your pup against infectious diseases such as parvo virus and leptospirosis (Weil’s disease). It is important for everyone at home including the puppy, that they are vaccinated.

 

 

Image by master1305 on Freepik