Parkside Vets - Farms and Smallholders

20/10/2026

🐑 Tupping season is almost upon us!

With many tups due to head out over the next couple of weeks, now is a good time to take one last look at the breeding flock.

Are your ewes holding their condition? Will there be enough quality grazing available as we move further into autumn? And have any potential mineral or trace element issues been addressed?

Good fertility starts with well-prepared ewes, and a little attention now can pay dividends at scanning time and next spring's lambing.

If you'd like advice on ewe nutrition, body condition scoring or mineral testing, speak to one of our farm vets.

📞 We're always happy to help.

16/10/2026

Here at Parkside, we aim to provide a wide range of high quality services to help our clients maintain high standards of health and productivity. You will always see a large animal vet, no matter what time of day or night you might need us!

We offer the following services for all of our farm and smallholder clients:
🐮 PD scanning
🐑 Bull and tup fertility testing
🐐 Routine blood sampling (e.g. BVD, Johne's, MV etc)
🦙 Herd and flock health planning
🐮 Worm egg counts and fluke testing
🐑 Vasectomies
🐐 Dehorning
🦙 Castrations
🐮 Emergency work (e.g. Caesareans, sick animals etc)
🐑 Fertility work (e.g. Sync programmes)
🐐 Official Veterinarian (OV) work including TB testing, Brucellosis investigations and Anthrax inquiries
🦙 And much more!
If you would like to book in or you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact the office on 01382 811111.

13/10/2026

As winter approaches, now is the time to prepare cattle housing.
From a veterinary perspective, good shed conditions directly reduce pneumonia, scour, lameness and general stress.

Key checks before housing:
✔️ Ventilation – fresh air movement without draughts
✔️ Bedding – dry, clean and topped up regularly
✔️ Stocking density – avoid overcrowding to limit disease spread
✔️ Water troughs – cleaned and flowing well
✔️ Feed space – enough room for all cattle to eat comfortably

Good preparation now helps keep cattle healthy through the winter period.

01/10/2026

Scotland bluetongue Restricted Zone to be extended
The Bluetongue Restricted Zone currently covering parts of south-west Scotland will be extended to cover the whole of Scotland from 00:01 on Saturday 03 October. This is in response to further spread of the disease, the need to simplify trading conditions ahead of autumn movements and following agreement with industry. Please see GOV.SCOT for more information.https://url.uk.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/SCmjC4kW0ILxkGVc5SGXs4oETR?domain=gov.scot/

The devolved government for Scotland has a range of responsibilities that include: the economy, education, health, justice, rural affairs, housing, environment, equal opportunities, consumer advocacy and advice, transport and taxation.

16/09/2026

As vets we have to take notifiable diseases seriously, and these diseases aren't made notifiable for the sake of paperwork - they're listed because they post a serious, rapid threat to animal welfare, livestock health, and the farming economy.

With Bluetongue present, early action is crucial - forgive us if we keep repeating ourselves, but it is really important to remember VACCINATION is the best way to protect your livestock. Early reporting helps protect neighbouring farms. Quick intervention and containment saves livestock lives.

If you suspect Bluetongue in your stock (fever, lesions, swelling or lameness), call us and the APHA right away. Your call protects the entire farming industry.

02/09/2026

🐑 Thinking ahead to lambing? Now is the time to consider protecting your flock against Enzo (Enzootic Abortion) and Toxo (Toxoplasmosis), two of the most common causes of abortion in sheep.

Vaccination is an important part of keeping ewes healthy and protecting next season's lamb crop.

📞 We're now taking orders for Enzo and Toxo vaccines. Please give the practice a call to discuss your requirements and place your order.

🐑💚

20/08/2026

Temporary Control Zone put in place in South West Scotland

Following confirmation of a fifth case of bluetongue BTV-3 in Scotland, a Temporary Control Zone (TCZ) has been put in place in South West Scotland.

Livestock keepers must follow the movement controls on animals and germinal products and apply for a licence where needed. Check the bluetongue case map and GOV.SCOT for more information.

If you keep cattle, sheep, camelids and other ruminants you must remain vigilant.

The devolved government for Scotland has a range of responsibilities that include: the economy, education, health, justice, rural affairs, housing, environment, equal opportunities, consumer advocacy and advice, transport and taxation.

17/08/2026

🐑 Prepare for Tupping Season
Now is the time to start thinking about ram management and getting a date in the diary for your tup's annual MOT.

Good pregnancy rates are only possible with healthy, fertile rams. Even a single infertile or sub-fertile ram can have significant impact on flock performance.

A breeding soundness examination can be carried out on farm or at either our Kings Cross Road surgery or Ladybank surgery.

☎ To book please contact the office on 01382 811111.

14/08/2026

Some of you may have noticed a new voice answering the phones in our large animal office over the last few months, or may have spotted a new face if you have popped in to collect medication. We are very lucky to have had Melissa helping us out in the office while Jennifer is on maternity leave.

🚨STAFF SPOTLIGHT - MELISSA🚨

I have worked at Parkside Vets for over 9 years as a receptionist on the small animal side of the practice, and recently joined the large animal team in February of this year. I am part of the busy reception team at the Dundee and Barnhill branches as well as working with the office team while Jennifer is on maternity leave.

I have worked in many different fields over the years from TV sets to admin and training as a florist before working on the front desk at The Discovery and The Verdant Works.

The animals are my favourite part of the job, especially seeing so many different varieties of animals on a daily basis. I love the fact I can come to work and have the opportunity to cuddle so many dogs - where else could you do this?

The hardest part of my job is saying goodbye to our furry clients who we have known for many years.

In my spare time, I spend all of my time with my three little dogs - they are my life. We go everywhere together and I wouldn't have it any other way. If we are not curled up on the couch, we will be out walking in the park or down by the beach. I love to read and have more books than bookshelves at this point! I also like to rescue all house plants that are in desperate need - I have over 40 plants in my care at the moment. I have also recently taken up embroidery as a new hobby.

I've grown up around animals from my first love - cats to terrapins, many a fish to guinea pigs and now dogs. I have three little dogs - Bella (Patterdale), Emma (Chihuahua) and Mika (Heinz Variety).