It’s not just small animals we care for, but large ones too
At Eden Vets we pride ourselves on the ability to care for all animals, not just domestic pets; after all, our owner grew up on a farm. It is for that reason we are happy to offer a professional and experienced vet service for livestock and large animals, including cattle and sheep, from our practice in Cupar and across Fife.
As well as having vets who have the knowledge and experience of working with large animals, we also have a range of state-of-the-art equipment allowing our team to examine, diagnose and treat a wide range of health conditions.
Some of the services we offer, and facilities we have, are listed below:
Foot Trimming
In 2008 we bought a cattle-tipping crate to enable us to conduct foot trimming both safely and effectively. A cow or bull is simply walked into the crush – which is large enough for a full-grown stock bull – before being haltered to the head support board so that chest and ankle straps can be applied. Tractor hydraulics are then used to cast the cow or bull on its side.
This method of restraining your cattle means there is no need for sedation, and that the vet has great access to the animals’ feet.
Cow Sling
At Eden Vets we have a cow sling, which is available for hire. Should you have a downer cow, this piece of equipment will increase their chances of improvement. It has a number of benefits including increased blood flow to and from the legs, a reduced risk of pressure sores on the elbows, hocks and hips, and an increased chance of your cow eating and drinking.
Fertility Work
At Eden Vets we carry out a range of fertility work to benefit farm clients, which include visiting your cattle to conduct manual or ultrasound pregnancy diagnoses. Ultrasound can allow PD’s to be done earlier and diagnose problems in non-cycling cows. We also offer bull breeding soundness examinations, typically done 8 weeks before needed for mating, or as a pre-sale check up. As part of the exam we check for lameness and overgrown feet. A sperm sample is then taken and analysed for fertility purposes.
De-horning
De-horning cattle is often preferable to farmers due to safety reasons. In some cases, horns can pose a risk to humans, other animals and the bearer of the horns themselves.
De-horning is recommended at a young age, as well as castration.
Official veterinary work
Our vets are licensed by DEFRA to carry out official veterinary work on farms.
TB Testing
As you will already know, EU restrictions regarding tuberculosis are strict. Therefore, if you need further information about preventing your herd from catching TB, or to book an appointment for one of our vets to visit your farm, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Export of cattle/sheep
Exporting cattle both locally and regionally can be a long-winded process, as an export health certificate must accompany cattle. In order to obtain one of these certificates, cattle and sheep must pass various health regulations.
If you intend to export any of your herd, our vets have a wealth of experience ensuring animals are fit for travel, before administering export health certificates.