Tag Archives: Disease

Botulism, it won’t happen to me, or will it!

Botulism in CattleRobbie Gordon wouldn’t wish his last few weeks on anyone.

The dairy farmer from Grevilia, near Kyogle on the North Coast, has watched helplessly as 98 of his dairy cows have died from Botulism by eating contaminated silage.

While the tests are not conclusive, it seems a small animal or snake may have died and rotted in the stored silage, producing the potent botulinum toxin.

“The vets told me there’s nothing you can do once the cows are affected, just watch them die – it’s absolutely devastating,” Mr Gordon said.

“I still can’t sleep. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.” Mr Gordon said he wanted to “shout from the highest mountain” Continue reading →

Strangles, is it the forgotten Vaccination?

StranglesIn recent years there has been much concern about the Hendra Virus and it’s effect in the Northern NSW area, so Strangles seems to have taken a ‘back seat’.

What is Strangles?

Valley Rural Supplies has previously published articles on Strangles as we believe that it is still super important for our Equine friends to be vaccinated against this debilitating condition. You can read about Strangles here, and Tetanus and Strangles here.

What our team has noticed… Continue reading →

What is Coccidiossis and Why You Need to Know About It

CoccidiossisCoccidiossis is a disease of birds and mammals that chiefly affects the intestines, caused by coccidia. It is one of the most common diseases to affect chickens and as such should be in the vocabulary of every backyard chicken keeper.

Coccidiossis is species-specific, which means if you have livestock around with coccidiosis they won’t infect your chickens and vice versa. However, coccidiosis doesn’t discriminate amongst the avian species – ducks, turkeys, geese can all pass the disease on to chickens and vice versa.*

Coccidiosis can be fatal to your chickens, however Continue reading →

Strangles – What You Should Know

strangles-4The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) warned of an alarming surge in strangles outbreaks in NSW. Strangles is a highly contagious respiratory disease which affects all states and territories in Australia. In NSW alone, a total of 64 cases of strangles were reported to the DPI in 2013, up from only 29 the previous year.

Because Strangles is Continue reading →

Leptospirosis and You

What is Leptospirosis?

Leptospirosis and YouLeptospirosis is a disease that is caused by a number of different bacteria called Leptospira. Leptospira bacteria have been found in both domestic and wild animals. Humans become infected through contact with water, food, or soil contaminated with urine from these infected animals. This may happen by swallowing contaminated food or water, through skin contact or contact with mucosal surfaces such as the eyes, mouth or nose. The disease occurs most commonly in people who are Continue reading →

What you need to know about Liver Fluke

Liver Fluke PicFasciola hepatica or Liver Fluke is a flatworm that parasitises a wide range of hosts including sheep, cattle, horses, rabbits, wallabies and even humans. The adults live in the bile duct and feed on blood, which can lead to chronic disease and impairment of performance, but greater impacts are usually seen from the damage caused by the immature flukes developing within the liver.

Continue reading →

What is Tetanus & Strangles, and how can your horse contract it?

Horse with TetanusStrangles
Strangles is a highly contagious respiratory disease especially in foals and younger horses. The causative organism is Streptoccus equi and it is spread from horse to horse very easily.
Horses suffering from strangles may have a purulent discharge from the nostrils and enlargement of the lymph glands under the jaw. These lymph glands can abscess and burst exuding a thick yellow pus. Fever, depression and a lack of appetite are common symptoms associated with infection. Most horses will eventually recover but they may need to be out of work and quarantined for long periods of time. Once infected, horses can shed the bacteria for many months. Continue reading →