FARM PROGRAM REQUIRES VCPR

            You will need to go through the new 3.0 Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) program to be able to sell your milk this year if you didn’t do it last year.  The FARM 3.0 program is the new standard that includes the prohibition on tail docking that went into effect Jan 2017. 

            FARM 3.0 also requires a veterinarian’s signature certifying that you have a valid Veterinary Client Patient Relationship (VCPR) with that vet.  Sally has already signed quite a few of these forms, but some of you were not due for a renewal until this year.

            If Sally has not been on your farm for over a year, she will not be able to sign a VCPR form for you.  The VCPR is very specific that a relationship includes visits to the farm and examinations of the animals involved.  A VCPR cannot be maintained only by phone or discussions at the clinic.  We appreciate all your business, but please keep in mind that prescribing antibiotics for your animals whether for injections or in the feed must include visits to examine the animals involved.

Looking For a Special Gift for Your Pet?

Your pet is a loved and valuable member of your family, so it only makes sense that you want to buy him a special holiday gift. If you decide on a toy, we at Lancaster Veterinary Clinic would like to remind you of the following important safety considerations:

• Your pet’s size: This is especially important when purchasing a chewable toy. A squeaky toy ball, for example, would be fine for a cat but not a large dog due to the potential choking hazard.

• Stuffing material: Beads, foam, and other stuffing material could come loose from the toy if your pet bites it or tears it apart. If you choose a stuffed toy, be sure to supervise your pet until you know how she will react to it.

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LOTS OF PNEUMONIA IN WEANED CALVES

            We have been seeing a lot and answering a lot of questions about pneumonia in weaned calves.  Some of the problems are in home raised calves and some in purchased calves.  The most important factor is to watch these calves carefully and treat at the first signs of droopiness or “ain’t doing right.”  Otherwise, the first signs you will see will be a dead calf!

            We have diagnosed mycoplasma, biberstenia and histophilus somnus in calves so far this year.  “What are those?” You are thinking.  These are less common organisms that cause pneumonia.  All are tough to vaccinate against.  They cause the worst problems in combination with each other or other stressors.