Vetnews | September 2024 48 « BACK TO CONTENTS This article has been running in the SAVA magazine for a considerable time now and the response one gets back from readers is very variable and sometimes non-existent. However that all changed drastically with last month's article where I criticized Allerton and its dilapidated state. There were many comments; all fortunately supportive of my statements. The sad part was that there was absolutely no reaction from the “Powers that Be’. Or should that have been expected because it is those same Powers that have created and tolerated the situation? This reminded me of a situation in the late 70s that I had on a farm in the Richmond, Natal district. It was just before Christmas – the week before in fact – when a client of mine injected Black Quarter Vaccine into his whole herd. Three days later I got a very distressed call from him stating that many of the cows were lying down and hard to get to respond. Examination revealed some badly very debilitated animals. Onderstepoort was contacted and the next day three of their senior vets were on the farm. Whether they flew or drove down I cannot recall but their concern was more than obvious. Samples were taken and the remaining unused vaccine was collected for further investigation. They kept in contact on a daily basis. In all, out of the 300 head of cattle vaccinated 16 died and the carcasses were taken to Allerton for post-mortem. To cut a long story short within 3 months the farmer had been compensated for his losses and was left with an extremely positive attitude towards the State Veterinary Services; and very happy to continue using their world-renowned products. Forty years later I injected my entire Brangus herd with Lumpy Skin; a vaccine I had used for 40 years without a single problem. Within a week 90% of my herd was showing welts and nasal discharges and were all ill. OBP were contacted and within days the two senior vets were on my farm and did some looking around, nothing impressive and left me with promises of what was to happen – follow-up visits within 2 weeks and, and, and. Eventually, 15 head died including some young stud bulls and I still have not had any feedback, not even a thank you for the tea and biscuits my wife provided. Is that my only experience? Certainly not! We all know how serious the Horse Sickness situation is where when needed vaccine is just not available. Well, a friend sent me two young horses off the track. Both had been vaccinated and both within three weeks of arrival on my farm were showing typical signs of dikkop. The State vet was immediately informed. That was two years ago, both horses died and I am still waiting for a response. Then what about the widespread Foot and Mouth? Has the country ever been in such a state? Vaccines are being brought in from South West Africa or some adjourning African State. What has happened to the world-class Foot and Mouth Research Unit that was at OP and was serving the world with vaccines and advice? Recently in a report on the financial situation in the Country, the depreciation in the agricultural output (and, obviously, income) was ascribed to Foot and Mouth, Swine Fever and Avian Flu. All are effectively veterinary problems and should be under veterinary control. What is the problem? It is all very well to list all these problems but criticism without offering suggestions for improvement is not a good idea. We can all sit on our couches and criticize everything going on with impunity but that is far from constructive. You might well ask what my suggestions might do to the mighty powers that be. Well, I dropped the new Minister of Agriculture, Mr John Steenhuizen a letter the other day and to my surprise, I had an answer from his secretary within 24 hours. Maybe, that is the way to go – let's inundate him with our problems to the extent that he can no longer ignore them. It only takes a few minutes to drop him a line! v Life plus 25 without parole Mike Lowry Mike Lowry has been in veterinary practice for "life plus 25" years. In this column, he shares his experiences and opinions. Regulars I Life plus 24 +25 Mike Lowry: mikelowry@heritagevet.co.za Pieter Grimbeek: pigvet@agrifarmacysa.co.za Asking all members of the class of 1974 to contact me or Pieter Grimbeek about a class reunion (potentially scheduled for OP in September 2024).
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTc5MDU=