Putlands Veterinary Surgery, Caring for pets, horses and farm animals

At this early stage the virus is understood to be vector-borne (similar to blue tongue transmission) and the clinical signs seen along with analysis of weather reports that the four farms were affected during summer/autumn 2011, with congenital defects now becoming visible at lambing time.

Animals imported from the affected areas in northern Europe are also considered to be potentially at risk.

Congenital deformities and nervous defects are seen in newborn lambs, goat kids and calves. The most obvious seen is twisting and contraction of the limbs and spine, or 'dummy' behaviour. Clinical signs in affected cattle include pyrexia (fever), milk drop, and diarrhoea similar to what is often termed 'winter dysentery'. Farmers should be looking out for clusters of these signs within herds and flocks and reporting them to their veterinary surgeon.

AHVLA have stated that they are keen to investigate potential cases and there will be no extra charge for the tests that are undertaken and are carrying out SBV-only testing (ie to rule the disease in or out) free of charge, but are charging the standard subsidised investigation charge for any additional diagnostic work.

Please contact us if you have any questions about Schmallenburg or if you think that your livestock may be showing signs of disease.