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From sheptonvet.com Farm Animals New CPD course for dairy vets Maximising health in the post-calving dairy cow is a new CPD course run at the Royal Veterinary College. This two-day course, run at the beginning of May, was set up with the aim of increasing skills of recent graduates developing an interest in dairy practice, and for mixed practitioners wishing to enhance their skills in dairy medicine. Using a combination of lectures and practical sessions the course looked to put across scientific developments and their application through practical skills when dealing with common presentations seen in the periparturient cow. The first day covered treatment options for dystocia, uterine torsions, metritis, left and right displaced abomasum. In an excellent presentation Anuschka Marsmann demonstrated how the abomasum rotates in abomasal volvulus; this would assist everyone who has wrestled with a right displaced abomasum. Steven van Winden discussed the treatment of uterine torsion – a presentation that appears to be more commonplace now. The afternoon was a practical class in the post-mortem room at the RVC. Using uteri specimens Paddy Gordon taught delegates AI technique to assist with washing out cows. A culled cow was used to allow everyone a chance to practice paravertebral anaesthesia techniques, caesarean and laparotomy approaches under guidance from Tim Potter. Finally Paddy Gordon demonstrated the Grymer-Sterner technique for correcting LDAs, with emphasis on all the potential pitfalls.
The emphasis on the second day was herd management. Tim Potter presented information on the fresh cow programmes commonly used in the States. Steven van Winden identified risk factors associated with LDAs. The afternoon was a practical class based at the College Boltons Park Farm. Professor David Beever and Paddy Gordon demonstrated areas to focus on when assessing a farm with a high incidence of LDAs and periparturient disease. This was a wide ranging assessment on everything from cow body condition to rations and management practices.
The 16 delegates found the course both useful and informative as indicated by a sample of some of the feedback. ‘I would encourage colleagues to come. Excellent course content for those in LA practice with 1-3 years experience. Very well structured. Farm walk very useful. Open discussion and general atmosphere and number of delegates was good. Would recommend course to fellow colleagues. This course was full of practical information that I feel I can take out and use on farms as soon as I get back. It was very refreshing to find a course specifically tailored to the needs of recent graduates – Thank you!!’
If you are interested in attending this course next year please register your interest with the RVC CPD unit (www.rvc.ac.uk/cpd). © sheptonvet.com |
