Donview Vets Farm & Equine

17/10/2025

September farm and equine blog

September has seen a variety of cases from gastroscopes and guttural pouch washes in our equine patients, to cases of bloat, dehorning and the start of our autumn calvings. We attended just one Caesarean this month; a great sized healthy calf born, already causing chaos in the calving pen within minutes of being born!

We have seen a few cases of severe worm burdens in sheep this month, with haemonchus on the rise in Scotland. The recent years of warmer temperatures and longer grazing seasons has resulted in a surge of haemonchus. Cases have presented with anaemia, bottle jaw, ill thrift and death, often without diarrhoea. Use of ‘Famacha’ scoring can determine those affected, by checking eye mucous membrane colour which indicates severity of the disease process.

With the turn of the weather going into the wet and windy months we begin to see more cases of foot abscesses in our horses and ponies. Those who suffer with laminitis and PPID (Cushings disease) are at greater risk due to the already weakened structures within the hoof. It should also be noted that as we head into the colder months and some may choose to stable, that there is an increased risk of impaction colic, due to decreased water intake from grass. Just a reminder to our horse clients to look out for signs of colic when making changes to management and diet, as well as keeping up with regular dental checks by a vet or BAEDT equine dentist.

Just a wee reminder 2025 is a ‘mast year’, meaning certain species of trees are producing more nuts and berries this year. The phenomenon occurs roughly every four years, and as a result there are far more acorns lying around at this time of year. Our ruminants and horses are more at risk of acorn toxicity from tannins found in acorns this year, and so is best to avoid grazing on pastures with oak trees. Signs include dullness, bloat, colic and constipation that progresses to tar-like diarrhoea. More information can be found on the SRUC website.

Finally, being new to the area, Sarah took me to the rare breeds sale at Thainstone which ended up turning into a lesson in Doric! I have also been exploring local walks with colleagues (and 4-legged friends), along with making the most of the autumn sun swimming in the North Sea.

Georgia

23/09/2025

We're fair looking forward to spending a Friday Night with our vet, Bruce, and his farming pals, Andrew & Malcolm.

They will share stories and tales of their vetting and farming escapades over the years.

All proceeds go to Farmstrong Scotland, the Scottish farming charity supporting farmers’ wellbeing.

To book your tickets please follow the link below or the QR Code on the post:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/donview-vets-host-an-evening-with-bruce-and-friends-tickets-1711741437719?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

09/09/2025

August Farm & Equine Blog

This August has been lovely and warm, providing plenty of opportunities for dog walks. The work has been nice and varied, from routine visits to middle of the night emergencies, keeping us on our toes.

We attended some cases of sweet itch. This is usually an allergic reaction to the bite of Culicoids midges. The risks of sweet itch increase at this time of the year due to the warm weather. The best treatment option is undeniably prevention, with sweet itch rugs and making sure to avoid midge-infested areas. Once affected, horses usually show signs such as hair loss, sore and damaged skin with sometimes crusting over it. For those patients, topical skin care is required, along with some anti-inflamatories. This warm time of the year also produces very rich grass, which puts the horses at risk of colics, especially spasmodic ones.

We have been catching up on routine farm jobs, with some blood sampling of sheep and cattle. A lot of farmers have brought in some faecal samples for us to perform faecal worm egg counts. These help us advise whether the animals need to be wormed and with which products, in order to limit resistance.

With horses out in the field in the warm weather, they become more prone to accidents. One young mare has kept us busy on a Saturday, by cutting her leg on a barbwire fence. She had a laceration that required stitches, and some smaller wounds that will be healing by second intention. We applied a bandage to the leg to protect it, and she was started on antibiotics and anti-inflamatories.

“Summer” calving has kept us on our toes and awake, with a c-section one evening this month. Thankfully both the calf and the mother are doing well.

Finally, Boehringer Ingelheim came to visit us for our client evening hosted by our vet Louise to talk through the latest bluetongue information and the available vaccine. It was a well attended very informative evening, and the pies were also a big hit, making everyone look forward to our next client evening.

Islay the black labrador has really loved this month, with plenty of walking up and around Bennachie and the surrounding areas. She is also looking forward to the cooler September weather, which won’t stop her from going swimming!

Fiona

28/08/2025

We are looking forward to our Bluetongue client evening tonight, if you’d still like to come along we still have a couple of spaces available!

BLUETONGUE INFORMATION EVENING

Please see attached information detailing our next Client Evening which is being held on Thursday 28th August.

Let Sarah know if you wish to attend.

26/08/2025

Have you weighed your horse recently?
Many horse owners estimate weight, but even the best guess can be off by 10–20%! Regular weigh-ins using a weighbridge or weight tape help you keep your horse in peak condition all year round.
Ask us about weight checks at your next visit or give us a call to find out more.

19/08/2025

BLUETONGUE INFORMATION EVENING

Please see attached information detailing our next Client Evening which is being held on Thursday 28th August.

Let Sarah know if you wish to attend.

19/08/2025

As autumn approaches, the risk of Atypical Myopathy rises, a devastating muscle disease that can strike horses suddenly and without warning. The disorder stems from eating sycamore seeds, seedlings and leaves. When eaten, they release a toxin that causes significant muscle weakness and damage.
What to look out for:
Sudden stiffness or weakness
Difficulty standing or walking
Muscle trembling or sweating
Dark, discoloured urine
If you notice any of these signs, contact your vet immediately. Early intervention can save lives.
How to reduce risk:
✅ Avoid grazing where sycamore trees may be present or nearby
✅ Remove fallen seeds and leaves from grazing areas
✅ Fence off access to areas of sycamore trees or where seeds fall
✅ Provide fresh hay and clean water at all times
✅ Seeds and seedlings can be tested to see how strong the toxins are. This can be arranged through your vets
Should you suspect Atypical Myopathy, promptly seek veterinary assistance by contacting us on 01467 621429

13/08/2025

Providing a faecal sample for worm egg counts (WEC) is crucial for your horse's health. Here's how to do it right:

Collect fresh dung from each horse individually
Mix small samples from different parts of the pile
Place a small handful in a labelled bag, removing as much air as possible
Store in a cool place, refrigerated if delayed
Hand the sample in to your vet practice as soon as possible

Ensure accurate results and your horse's health with proper collection and handling.

05/08/2025

Why waiting for problems isn’t enough: The vital role of preventative dental care for your horse

Preventative dental care is key to keeping your horse healthy, comfortable and performing their best. Regular check-ups help catch issues early, before they become painful or costly.

Ensure your horse’s dental health – contact our expert veterinary team to book an appointment.

01/08/2025

July Farm & Equine Blog

July has been a quiet month for us as all the animals are out and all the farmers are busy with cropping, although everyone is busy there still has been a few interesting cases

With the warmer weather this month the animals with low grade chronic pneumonia got into trouble, these are usually the ones that look perfectly fine. They usually are slightly underweight or not growing at the same rate as the rest of the herd. The moment the weather changes a bit or stress is added to them the pneumonia flares up. They respond well to treatment, but they will never be cured.

Lame cattle have been a bit of a surprise this month, we had a disproportional large number of them. This is usually a problem of the wetter months where it gets very muddy and boggy, most of the cattle seen had overgrown hooves which led to the problem, this is where targeted feet trimming becomes very important. The rest was due to pe*******on wounds or less frequently seen boggy fields with the animals standing in mud for too long.

We had one interesting case of a calf that dropped dead in the field with no presenting symptoms. A postmortem was performed and it turns out that he had a congenital defect of his heart. This is very rare, but the genetic line will have to be monitored to see if there will be more of them or if it is an isolated incident

Then we had a few ram vasectomies. These are done for making teaser rams designed to tighten up the lambing season and work very well when used correctly. Always an exciting procedure that we all enjoy being a part of. See attached pictures of Bruce in his glory teaching the young vets and students all about the procedure.

On the equine side it has been a bad month for COPD. The warmer weather combined with the high pollen count made it challenging for the COPD horses. There are a lot of horses that are on Ventipulmin already but still developed respiratory distress. We had to resort to steroids and inhalers to settle them. With these guys it is important to soak their hay and keep them inside or in shaded areas when it is warm. If breathing issues develop, start hosing them down immediately and keep them quiet

Finally, as it is holiday season. My family and I took a trip over to the West Coast and spent a bit of time cycling on the Isle of Lismore, which was lovely. Luckily it was dry, but unfortunately no sunshine. We were joined by some sheep running wild on the ferry terminal!

Mark

01/08/2025

A Pre Purchase Examination by a qualified equine vet is essential before you make your investment. It’s not just about spotting obvious health issues, it’s about uncovering hidden problems that could affect your horse’s performance, soundness, and long-term wellbeing.

A thorough Pre Purchase Examination can help you:

✅ Understand the horse’s current health and fitness
✅ Identify any underlying conditions or injuries
✅ Avoid costly surprises down the road
✅ Make an informed decision with confidence

Your new horse deserves the best start and so do you. Protect your investment and peace of mind with a Pre Purchase Examination .

If you’re thinking about buying a horse, get in touch to book with us today!

30/07/2025

Did you know that early detection of Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in horses can make all the difference in managing this condition? PPID is a common hormonal disorder in middle aged and older horses, that affects their pituitary gland.

Look out for signs like a longer coat, increased drinking/urination, weight loss, or lethargy.
Testing is key! Seasonal ACTH testing is one of the most effective ways to diagnose PPID early, especially as hormone levels fluctuate throughout the year. This simple test can give us vital clues about your horse’s health.

PPID is a lifelong condition, but with the right treatment plan, horses can live happy and healthy lives. Early diagnosis allows for timely intervention, including medication and management strategies to support your horse’s well-being.

If you notice any of these signs in your horse, don’t wait – schedule a check-up with us today!