Veterinary surveillance blogs
Ovine Abortion Diagnoses in Dumfries: What the 2026 Data Tells Us About Vaccination
As lambing season behind us, the latest ovine abortion data from the SRUC Veterinary Services Disease Surveillance Centre in Dumfries provides valuable insight into the causes of abortion seen in Scottish flocks this spring and the continuing role vaccination plays in disease control.…
- SRUC Veterinary Services
- 21/09/2026
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Mineral Bolusing in Sheep: Learning from Common Causes of Preventable Deaths
Mineral boluses are widely used to improve flock health, support productivity and address trace element deficiencies. However, each year SRUC investigates cases where sheep die following bolus administration, often due to preventable errors in product selection or administration technique.…
- SRUC Veterinary Services
- 21/09/2026
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Bluetongue (BTV): Please Do Not Send Samples to SRUC Veterinary Services Where Infection Is Suspected
An important update for vets in practice on the submission of samples from animals where BTV may be suspected.…
- SRUC Veterinary Services
- 26/08/2026
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Raising Awareness of a Novel Pig Syndrome Emerging in Europe
Veterinarians and pig producers are being encouraged to remain vigilant following reports of a novel pig syndrome affecting herds in several European countries. While the condition has not been reported in the UK or Ireland to date, animal health experts are keen to increase awareness and support early investigation of any suspected cases.…
- SRUC Veterinary Services
- 21/08/2026
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Lymph Node Aplasia in Scottish Blackface Lambs: Free Investigations Still Available
As Scottish Blackface flocks begin gathering lambs off the hill for weaning, farmers and vets are being reminded to remain vigilant for cases of lymph node aplasia, a rare but serious condition that leaves affected lambs unable to fight infection.…
- SRUC Veterinary Services
- 21/08/2026
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PSGHS: Biosecurity at Shows and Sales
A reminder to PSGHS members to practice good biosecurity when attending shows and sales with MV/CAE accredited stock this summer.…
- SRUC Veterinary Services
- 21/07/2026
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Ragwort Toxicity in Cattle: A Recent Case Highlights the Importance of Prevention
A recent postmortem investigation through the Dumfries PM room has highlighted the ongoing risk that ragwort poses to cattle, particularly when exposure goes unnoticed until clinical disease develops.…
- SRUC Veterinary Services
- 21/07/2026
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Lead Poisoning Risk
With cattle now at grass across much of the country, we are in the peak period for lead poisoning cases. While entirely preventable, lead toxicity remains one of the most commonly diagnosed causes of fatal poisoning in cattle.…
- SRUC Veterinary Services
- 21/07/2026
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Hot Weather Warning: Prevent Sample Deterioration This Summer
With temperatures soaring across most of the UK in recent weeks, we have seen an increase in samples arriving at our laboratories in a putrid condition and unsuitable for testing. In many cases, exposure to elevated temperatures during storage and transit appears to be the main contributing factor.…
- SRUC Veterinary Services
- 21/07/2026
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Perforated Abomasal Ulcers in Suckled Calves
Perforated abomasal ulcers in suckled calves remain a frustrating diagnosis for clinicians and a distressing loss for producers. While cases are typically straightforward to confirm at postmortem, providing meaningful, evidence‑based advice to prevent future deaths is far more challenging.…
- SRUC Veterinary Services
- 12/03/2026
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Ovine Abortion in Scotland: 2025 Review and Key Considerations for 2026
A review of Scotland’s 2025 ovine abortion data highlights the continued prevalance of EAE and toxoplasmosis, alongside a marked resurgence of Schmallenberg virus, underscoring the importance of early diagnosis and targeted sampling as we enter the 2026 lambing season.…
- SRUC Veterinary Services
- 25/02/2026
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Update on Selenium Testing: Shift from GSH‑Px to Whole Blood Selenium Assay
Due to an ongoing shortage of test kits, our usual method for assessing selenium status — glutathione peroxidase (GSH‑Px) — has not been available in recent weeks. Until supplies resume, we have temporarily replaced GSH‑Px with whole blood selenium analysis.…
- SRUC Veterinary Services
- 17/02/2026
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