Veterinary surveillance blogs

Employee Profile: Jess Donald, Post Mortem Support Officer

Meet Jess Donald, a dedicated member of our team at the St Boswells Disease Surveillance Centre. At just 21 years old, Jess joined us in April 2025 as a Post Mortem Support Officer (PMSO), bringing with her a passion for animal science and rural life.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
29/08/2025

Protecting Flocks and Profits: The Vital Role of HISHA in EAE Prevention

When it comes to sheep farming in the Highlands and Islands, flock health is important. That’s why the Highlands and Islands Sheep Health Association (HISHA) plays such a vital role—providing farmers with EAE-accredited sheep to ensure they can buy top-quality, disease-free replacements with confidence.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
05/08/2025

SRUC Veterinary Services Introduces Enhanced Brachyspira PCR Test

SRUC Veterinary Services is pleased to announce an important update to our diagnostic capabilities: a new and improved real-time PCR test for Brachyspira, launching in late July/early August 2025. This test replaces the long-standing 23s RNA PCR method and brings a host of benefits to veterinary diagnostics, particularly in swine and avian health.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
04/08/2025

Nematodirus Warning: PGE Risk in Lambs Is Rising

Our Veterinary Investigation Officers are seeing an unseasonably high number of PGE (parasitic gastroenteritis) and Nematodirus cases in recent weeks. Read on to learn about what has casued the increased worm challenege and how you can reduce the risk to your stock.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
25/07/2025

Louping Ill Cases Detected in the Scottish Borders

Our Veterinary Investigation Officers have diagnosed two cases of Louping Ill Virus in sheep in recent weeks, the first cases to be diagnosed since 2023. Read on to learn more about presentation, diagnosis and why we are seeing an increase in tick-borne diseases.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
10/06/2025

Post-lambing blood sampling in ewes

Considering blood sampling some sheep which aborted or appeared empty? There are limitations to testing for infectious abortion after lambing season but in some cases it can be useful for flock health planning. …

SRUC Veterinary Services
23/05/2025

Nematodirus risk

The beautifully warm spring has meant an early Nematodirus hatch this year. Last week Aberdeen had three submissions of 6-8 week old lambs which have been diagnosed as acute nematodirosis. …

SRUC Veterinary Services
20/05/2025

How to Diagnose Watery Mouth in Lambs

Welcome back to our blog! You may have seen the recent ‘On the Hoof’ article about neonatal clostridial disease in lambs, covering lamb dysentery and pulpy kidney disease. Today, we're looking at another common neonatal condition of lambs and kids: watery mouth disease, also known as E. coli endotoxaemia.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
10/04/2025

Neonatal Clostridial Diseases in Lambs

The two most common neonatal clostridial diseases diagnosed by SRUC are lamb dysentery and pulpy kidney disease. With the intermittent supply of clostridial vaccines remaining a problem for sheep farmers, there is an increased risk of neonatal clostridial disease.…

SRUC Veterinary Services Aberdeen
28/03/2025

Sneaky Sheep Lungs!

Postmortem examination of thin cull ewes is an effective way to investigate whether Iceberg diseases such as Johne’s disease, ovine pulmonary adenocarcinoma (OPA) or maedi visna (MV) are present in a flock. This can be carried out very successfully on farm, however one potential pitfall is the misdiagnosis of lung lesions based on gross examination alone.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
19/03/2025

ScotGov’s Animal Health & Welfare Interventions

Last month it was confirmed that ScotGov’s Preparing for Sustainable Farming’s Animal Health and Welfare Interventions will be continued in 2025.…

SRUC Veterinary Services
18/03/2025

On the Hoof - In the run up to lambing

Now is the time to arrange visits to check the energy and protein status of ewes lambing in March. …

SRUC Veterinary Services
18/02/2025