Farm Visits & Antibiotics

[Percy Veer]

I've had to change vets to the only other available one in the area. If I want to buy antibiotics, these new vets insist on a farm visit if they hadn't been here within the last 6 months. I've never needed a vet visit for animal welfare so it makes for very very expensive Cyclo, Spectam, and Betamox.

Apart from buying a lot immediately after a farm visit has anyone any other ideas?

 

[Ffermer Bach]

I would be inclined to stock up

 

[Devil's advocate]

Get stocked up after 5 months from last visit.

Is what I do, always seem to need a visit after 10 months so not a serious problem for me.

 

[willie waver]

if you're new to using a vets, then I think its perfectly fair for them to come out and check you out before giving you medicines. although once you've built up a relationship with the practise, i'd hope they'd put the 6 months rule to the side

 

[Coximus]

Ive had this recently after several years - they wont perscribe or sell any antis without at least a yearly visit, and limit to a small order too. Justification is because lots of farmers just use antibiotics as a first line, etc same with wormers etc. The vets were very clear why - "most people just dont have a clue, and just pen strep everything, then we end up with resistance so bad that pen and strep barely works on some farms now, if a all"

 

[Devil's advocate]

Ive had this recently after several years - they wont perscribe or sell any antis without at least a yearly visit, and limit to a small order too. Justification is because lots of farmers just use antibiotics as a first line, etc same with wormers etc. The vets were very clear why - "most people just dont have a clue, and just pen strep everything, then we end up with resistance so bad that pen and strep barely works on some farms now, if a all"

And worse things happen.

It is worth a vet visit once a year, for all stock farmers.

 

[twizzel]

Ive had this recently after several years - they wont perscribe or sell any antis without at least a yearly visit, and limit to a small order too. Justification is because lots of farmers just use antibiotics as a first line, etc same with wormers etc. The vets were very clear why - "most people just dont have a clue, and just pen strep everything, then we end up with resistance so bad that pen and strep barely works on some farms now, if a all"

The amount of farmers who don’t even have a thermometer on the farm is staggering so I can totally believe that most reach for antibiotics before even thinking about anything else

 

[Jerry]

My vets are pretty good, I get an annual check, normally mid lambing.......;-)

 

[farmerm]

My vets are pretty good, I get an annual check, normally mid lambing.......;-)

How much does your annual check cost?

 

[Jerry]

How much does your annual check cost?

Depends what they are there for. No additional fee as such.

So if I have a post lambing prolapse or need a C section that counts in there eyes as my annual check. I don't see them outside of lambing normally.

 

[Formatted]

It is a legal requirement for vets who check that you are who you say you are, when buying anti-biotics. Its not personal

 

[bovine]

It is a legal requirement for vets who check that you are who you say you are, when buying anti-biotics. Its not personal

Legally to prescribe animals must be under the care of the veterinary practice. The period of time the vet needs to have seen animals can vary but being on farm and seeing an animal sometime in the last 6-12 months is a sensible rule. A lot of small animal practices will only prescribe for animals seen in the last 3 months.

Stocking up with large quantities of medicine is not really acceptable.

Moving forwards then I'm sure there will be tightening up of the rules. We are currently running at a minimum of 12 months, but its too long and I think 6 months would be better, and safer. It's my neck on the line prescribing these medicines. Sadly a lot of things are not used properly and farmers too keen to inject inappropriate drugs. The guys we see least often are my biggest concern.

 

[David.]

At very least you ought to have your vet out for look at some stock and fill out a health plan at FA time, once a year surely?