Alnorthumbria Farm Vets

12/09/2026

𝗕𝘂𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝘁𝘂𝗽 𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗽-𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗴𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘀? 🐑

Before they join your home flock, make sure you follow appropriate quarantine protocols. It's one of the most important steps you can take to avoid introducing unwanted visitors such as sheep scab, liver fluke and resistant worms.

This SCOPS chart summarises the gold-standard advice for quarantining bought-in sheep and reducing the risk of bringing disease and parasite challenges onto your farm.

Always remember to monitor new arrivals closely for signs of disease and lameness. Check sheep regularly, treat any lame animals promptly, and avoid mixing purchased sheep with the home flock until you are confident they are free from active lameness and other health concerns.

If your flock is a member of the Premium Sheep & Goat Health Scheme (PSGHS), remember that additional testing requirements apply to incoming stock.

11/09/2026

Beautiful day for Kelso Ram Sale. Hopefully navigating through the trials of Bluetongue Virus restrictions was worth it in the end for our clients that were selling!

09/09/2026

Today, Anna and Pam attended the AHDB Beef and Lamb meeting at the Drummonds' farm at Lemmington Hill Head.

The main topic was summarising the Challenge Sheep project, lead by Fiona Lovatt, in particular body condition scoring, and discussing the benefits and pitfalls of breeding ewe lambs. Obviously, the hot topic of Bluetongue Virus also came up in conversation a few times!

We're lucky to have a client with the ability and enthusiasm to record multiple traits at birth, 8 weeks, weaning, scanning and tupping, which are followed through for 10 years....so far!

08/09/2026

🍂 Newsletter September 2026 🐑 🐄

🐑 Bluetongue Preparedness
Practical guidance on recognising dehydration in sheep, providing effective fluid therapy, and supporting affected animals with appropriate pain relief.

🩸 Haemonchus Alert
Cases of this blood-feeding parasite are on the rise. Learn how FAMACHA scoring can help identify anaemia and support targeted parasite control.

🐄 Lungworm Season
As autumn approaches, now is the time to stay vigilant for lungworm in cattle. We cover key signs, diagnosis, and long-term parasite management strategies.

💉 Seasonal Vaccination Reminders
Don't forget important pre-tupping and pre-calving vaccines, along with trace element supplementation to support animal health.

🏆 Show Season Updates
A look back at the Glendale Show and details of the upcoming Alwinton Show.

✅ Read the full newsletter here 👇

04/09/2026

🐑 CALLING ALL SMALLHOLDERS! 🐑

We are opening a bottle of Heptavac-P Plus next week and have spaces available for anyone who would like to take advantage of a shared bottle.

Please get in touch with us as soon as possible to arrange 📞

Vaccine broach day gives smallholders a helping hand

30/08/2026

⚠️ 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 (𝗕𝗧𝗩-𝟯) 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲: 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵𝘂𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱

A Bluetongue case has been confirmed near Allendale. This is the first confirmed case in Northumberland since the virus was first detected in Great Britain in 2023, bringing Bluetongue a lot closer to our area.

The situation continues to develop rapidly and, according to the latest APHA update, there are over 2,000 potential cases currently under investigation. This means more cases could be confirmed near us in the coming days and weeks.

With BTV now confirmed in Northumberland, we strongly encourage livestock keepers who have not yet vaccinated to consider doing so. If you would like to discuss BTV vaccination, please get in touch with the practice.

Please also continue to monitor your stock closely and contact us promptly if you see signs suggestive of Bluetongue, including fever, drooling, mouth or tongue lesions, facial swelling, nasal discharge, lameness, reduced milk yield, abortion or stillbirths.

And a reminder that movement restrictions apply to animals moving into Scotland, with the rules changing on 10th September. If you are planning to move cattle or sheep across the border, please contact us to discuss the latest movement requirements before making arrangements.

You can find the latest information on the BTV situation on the APHA website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue-latest-situation

29/08/2026

Unfortunately, due to Bluetongue Virus worries, our services were not required today at Glendale Show - Glendale Agricultural Society but we were still there to support the show and provide sponsorship. Luckily the sheep dogs found a non-BTV susceptible species to round up instead!

24/08/2026

Better late than never! 😊

Our August Newsletter has landed. Sorry it's a little later than usual, but Bluetongue has been keeping us very busy.

We hope you enjoy this month's updates, advice, and news from the team. 🐑🚜

20/08/2026

⚠️ 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 (𝗕𝗧𝗩-𝟯) 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 ⚠️

A case of Bluetongue Virus (BTV-3) has been confirmed in Cumbria, near Carlisle, making it the closest confirmed case to our practice area to date.

Whilst there are currently no confirmed cases in Northumberland, livestock keepers should remain vigilant. Bluetongue is spread by biting midges and can affect sheep, cattle, goats and camelids. Clinical signs may include fever, mouth ulcers, drooling, lameness, facial swelling, reduced milk yield and, in severe cases, death.

𝗩𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 is the best available tool to help protect your flock or herd. If you would like to discuss Bluetongue vaccination, please get in touch with the practice.

We would also remind clients that 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱. If you are planning to move cattle or sheep across the border, please contact us to discuss the latest movement requirements before making arrangements.

As always, please keep a close eye on stock and contact us promptly if you have any concerns.

You can read more about the latest BTV situation on the APHA website here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bluetongue-latest-situation