Following confirmation of a Bluetongue outbreak in the UK, the British Veterinary Association (BVA) has today (Wednesday), following consultation with its farm animal specialist divisions, the NFU and the National Sheep Association issued advice to livestock owners. In particular all owners are urged to keep animal welfare at the forefront of their husbandry plans.

According to the BVA while there is no specific treatment for this disease, all possible measures to alleviate suffering must be considered. Farmers are urged to maintain their vigilance of livestock and report any signs suspicious of Bluetongue to local Animal Health Offices as soon as possible so that they may be properly investigated. This is a legal requirement as Bluetongue is a notifiable disease.

In mild forms, animals experiencing Bluetongue may show few symptoms and recover rapidly. The symptoms seen may include lameness, discharges from the eyes and nose and an accompanying loss of appetite. These signs may resolve over two to three days.

However, severe symptoms may develop and these can include fever, a loss of appetite due to painful mouth ulcers, painful swollen teats and an increasingly marked lameness that may eventually lead to an inability to rise. These severely affected animals should be humanely destroyed without undue delay to minimise their suffering.

Between these two extremes, it is more difficult to give definitive guidance for treatment, but the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, fluid treatments and supportive nursing care such as the use of probiotics, fresh food and water as well as comfortable accommodation are all available options. The decision to humanely destroy animals experiencing rapid clinical deterioration may reasonably be made over a two to three day period. In extreme cases, humane destruction will be the only treatment option.

All livestock farmers are advised to discuss with their veterinary practitioners and advisers the development of a contingency plan to be implemented should the disease arrive on their premises. This should include the above welfare considerations.