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Antimicrobials and wormers best practice advice
Elanco Animal Health has issued advice for use of antimicrobials and wormers in cattle and sheep.
Elanco Animal Health has issued advice for use of antimicrobials and wormers in cattle and sheep.

Withdrawl periods change in light of new knowledge

Veterinary surgeons are being urged to make sure they follow the latest best practice guidelines when using antimicrobials and wormers in cattle and sheep.

Elanco Animal Health says that it is not widely appreciated that withdrawal periods  can change in light of new knowledge.

It is vital to regularly check withdrawal periods and make it part of best practice protocol by getting into the habit of double checking the current advice when administering drugs.

Recently, there have been extensions to the withdrawal periods for Dectomax 10mg/ml Solution for Injection and Micotil 300mg/ml Solution for Injection.

For Dectomax injectable, meat withdrawal for cattle and sheep will be extended to 70 days and pigs to 77 days.

For Micotil, sheep milk withdrawal will be extended to 18 days and milk from cows during the dry period or from pregnant heifers should not be used for human consumption until 36 days after calving.

Elanco has been reminding veterinary surgeons that they may continue to prescribe according to the current label but it is good practice to implement revised withdrawal periods.

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Equine Disease Surveillance report released for Q4 2025

News Story 1
 The latest Equine Disease Surveillance report has been released, with details on equine disease from Q4 of 2025.

The report, produced by Equine Infectious Disease Surveillance, includes advice on rule changes for equine influenza vaccination.

Statistics and maps detail recent outbreaks of equine herpes virus, equine influenza, equine strangles and equine grass sickness. A series of laboratory reports provides data on virology, bacteriology, parasitology and toxicosis.

This issue also features a case study of orthoflavivus-associated neurological disease in a horse in the UK. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
NSA webinar explores sheep tailing and castration

The National Sheep Association (NSA) is to host a free webinar on the castration and tail docking of lambs.

The webinar, 'Understanding the tailing and castration consultation: A guide for sheep farmers', will be hosted online on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 7.30pm.

It comes during a government consultation into the methods used for these procedures. Farmers are encouraged to engage before the consultation period closes on Monday, 9 March 2026.

The webinar offers clear and actionable guidance to support farmers to contribute meaningfully to the consultation and prepare for potential changes.

On the panel will be former SVS president Kate Hovers, farmer and vet Ann Van Eetvelt and SRUC professor in Animal Health and Veterinary Sciences Cathy Dwyer. Each panel member will utilise their own specialism and expertise to evaluate risks and outcomes to sheep farming.

Find out more about the webinar on the NSA website.