Pilgrims Vet's Farm Department

05/08/2026

**Bluetongue Update**

Bluetongue is a viral disease of ruminants, including sheep, cattle, goats, and camelids. It is spread by biting midges, and clinical signs can include:

• Fever
• Swollen faces and lips
• Lameness
• Lethargy
• Sadly, death

The disease is notifiable, so any suspicion should be reported to your vet and APHA. APHA will fund testing on 3 samples but will NOT pay for the cost of the visit or sampling time.

As it can look similar to some other notifiable diseases, e.g., Foot and Mouth, it is important that a vet attends to rule these out.

There is no specific treatment, so we provide supportive care in the form of antibiotics and anti-inflammatories. Vaccination is an important part of protecting your animals and preventing the spread of the disease. It is important to remember needles can potentially transfer disease between animals, so disinfection is very important.

If you would like to discuss Bluetongue, suspect it in your flock, or order some vaccine, please contact the office on 01425657700 to speak to one of the team.
Click here for further information https://ahdb.org.uk/clinical-signs-of-bluetongue

02/06/2026

Here at the New Forest Trust we would love to explain why we're excited and proud to be supporting Real New Forest - CDA and funding the BVD vaccination of forest run cows and heifers for the second year running -

Firstly it’s important to understand that the Forest needs to be grazed by both ponies and cattle, and to realise that we’re seeing a reduction of cattle numbers as, to be frank, life is pretty tough for beef farmers at the moment for lots of reasons.

Most farmers can 'close their doors' and introduce bio security measures to protect their herds but for commoners who graze their animals on the open forest that's not an option and the best advice is to vaccinate where possible but of course that comes at a price.

That's where the mass BVD vaccination comes in. Over the last two years Alex Crook of Pilgrims Vets and Hon Vet to the CDA has seen a great take up and critically a marked reduction in bovine abortions and sickly calves and a real upturn in live births and the vitality in young stock.

Every extra healthy calf makes a huge difference to the Forest and the Commoner and the Trust is proud to be supporting this scheme, unique in the country

22/04/2026

https://www.farminguk.com/news/wild-deer-tb-levels-among-highest-globally-in-exmoor-new-research-finds_68369.html?fbclid=IwdGRjcARV6hRjbGNrBFXp8GV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHhChfq3LnRrBenCR-38T_yy2-z-VDyRC3cV8QMfi8FB99NJ1PNo69yMa6zMp_aem_smcND0i-BZtM7GXTasKNsA

More than one in four wild deer in parts of southwest England could be carrying bovine tuberculosis, according to new research.

19/02/2026

Last year, the Trust led a milestone training series, supporting the future of Commoning in the New Forest.

Nearly 200 New Forest commoners have gained practical skills and knowledge through a milestone series of livestock training events delivered by Hampshire and Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust, in partnership with Pilgrims vets.

Commoning is a practice that for centuries has helped shape the Forest’s landscape and sustain its internationally important habits.
https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/news/supporting-commoners-who-support-new-forest

05/02/2025

Our lambing course is returning for 2025! Join us on the 18th February if you're new to lambing sheep, or if you'd like to refresh your knowledge. We will go over some theory followed by a practical session using our lambing simulators. Please email us to reserve your place. Hopefully see you there!

22/01/2025

Practising cattle commoners in the New Forest are invited to attend an information evening in Lyndhurst with a local vet 🐄

Alex Crook, from Pilgrims Vets in Fordingbridge, will be talking on a variety of topics including cattle breeding and fertility, what makes a good cow for the New Forest, and native breeds and suitability for grazing in the Forest.

The event, which is being put on by the New Forest Land Advice Service (NFLAS) and funded by the Higher Level Stewardship (HLS) scheme, is primarily for those who turn out cattle already on the Forest but also open to those who have an interest in doing so.

More info: https://www.realnewforest.org/information-evening-for-new-forest-cattle-owners/

21/11/2024

Have you ever wished that you could shorten your lambing period into a tighter pattern? Or bring ewes into season a week or two earlier? A "teaser" or vasectomised ram may be just what you need. Our vet Niall performed the quick and minimally invasive surgery on this little chap today, so that he can help his owner achieve the above. If you'd like to know more then please give us a call.

13/11/2024

**PLEASE SHARE**

Unfortunately we were recently called to a flock of sheep that had been attacked by 2 dogs. Some sheep had to be euthanised, and many more needed treatment. Please keep your dogs on a lead around livestock!!

12/11/2024

As you can see by the anger in this goat's eyes, our patients don't always know we are trying to help!

09/09/2024

Over the last fortnight we have seen an alarming number of very sick lambs and goat kids, due to high worm burdens. Most of these had been wormed recently. Please consider doing a faecal egg count if you haven't already!