Farming at Capontree Vets

02/06/2026

We have a couple of places remaining on our trip to Scot Sheep next Wednesday if you would like to join us, Call now to reserve your seat!

26/05/2026

22/05/2026

🐮🐑Animal Health and Welfare Pathway🐮🐑

 Did you know... there is Funding Available from the Government for the AHWP...

Beef cattle can gain £647 for an initial veterinary visit and either £954 or £258 for a follow up visit depending on the results of the initial visit.

Sheep can get £574 for the initial visit and £658 for the follow up.

Dairy cattle can get £447 for the review and up to £1844 for the follow up.

Annual Health & Welfare Review Requirements:
❗️Minimum of, 11 beef or dairy cattle, 21 sheep
❗️CPH number and the SBI number associated with that CPH

The visit includes disease testing (e.g., BVD for cattle, parasite resilience for sheep) and a report written by us – that leads you through the claiming process.

The scheme runs to June 2027, so if you hurry, you could still get two rounds of funding in before the deadline.

📞If you are interested in finding out more about this please get in contact.📞

Apply for funding for a vet to visit your farm to reduce endemic diseases and conditions, increase animal productivity and improve animal welfare.

20/05/2026

 ‼️Blue Tongue Update‼️

We have heard of cases of bluetongue on a few dairy farms near Kendal and Penrith.

The farmers described rapid fall in conception rate, milk drop. Increased number of abortions and calves born blind.

Our concerns are that if blue tongue does infect your herd or flock it may have a huge impact in your herd performance.

The only way to protect your animals is by vaccinating your stock.
Any animals that had the primary course last year will need a single booster this year.

Cattle that weren’t vaccinated need 2 injections 3 weeks apart.
Sheep need 1 dose

(The map above shows positive cases of blue tongue 3)

More Information can be found on the link
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/bluetongue-latest-situation

17/05/2026

❗️🐑Coccidiosis❗️🐑

We are starting to see cases of coccidiosis and Nematodirus in young lambs.
It is a very persistent parasite and can survive a long time in the environment.

The parasite causes considerable damage to the gut and will lead to lambs and calves not thriving. It may also be the cause of a**l prolapses.

🩺The disease can be diagnosed with a faecal egg count, and treatment is with a cocci-specific drench. 🩺

It is definitely worth-while dropping in a sample of poo from 10 lambs before you give them their first wormer.
1. to check they need wormed
2. to see if they have cocci.
You can treat for both at the same time

Drop a sample Into the practice and one of the team can help you from there

15/05/2026

https://scotsheep.org.uk/

13/05/2026

🐮🌱Risk of Grass Staggers (Hypomagnesaemia)🌱🐮

Grass staggers is a true veterinary emergency and can quickly become fatal if not recognised and treated promptly.

❗️Watch out for these signs❗️
🐮Muscle tremors, staggering, or collapse
🐮Spasmodic/frequent urination and defaecation
🐮Poor appetite
🐮Reduced milk yield
🐮Increased heart rate
🐮Sudden death

Magnesium is an essential mineral for ruminants and cannot be stored in the body. Animals therefore rely on a consistent daily intake to help prevent grass staggers.

📞If you are concerned about any animals or would like advice on reducing the risk of grass staggers, please contact the practice📞

03/05/2026

Happy Stock, Happy Farm Walk-and-Talk – Cumbria

Location: Park House Farm, Longtown
Date: 5th May 2026
Time: 10.30am – 1pm – What3Words reference: ///sheds.raves.mini

During the month of May, the team from Digital Dairy Chain and SRUC are hosting events in Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire and Cumbria showcasing their work in cow welfare.

You can find out more and book here:

During the month of May, our team from Digital Dairy Chain and SRUC are hosting events in Dumfries and Galloway, Ayrshire and Cumbria showcasing our work in cow welfare.

30/04/2026

🐮🐑Cryptosporidium (Crypto):🐮🐑

Crypto is one of the 4 main causes of scour in young calves. It is a protozoa (tiny parasite) that damages the lining of the guts leading to scour. It is very contagious and can last in the environment for a long time. Lots of eggs are shed in the faeces of infected animals and it only takes a small number of eggs to cause a problem.

🩺Good hygiene is vital to try and reduce cases of crypto on farm:
🩺Keep calving area clean
🩺Muck out calf pens and disinfect on a regular basis
🩺Allow calf pens to dry before bedding up
🩺Isolate any scouring calves from healthy animals to try and reduce spread

Correcting dehydration is the priority when treating cases of scour, this involves feeding water and electrolytes in addition to their milk. Ideally the electrolytes should be given as a separate feed to the milk.

📞Please get in touch if you are having problems with calf scour in your herd.📞