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The scheme’s aim is to ‘ensure the provision of an adequate veterinary service to prevent & eradicate animal diseases for all animals kept for agricultural purposes and belonging to crofters and others of like economic status.’ The Highlands & Islands Veterinary Services Scheme supports large animal veterinary practices in remote areas of the Scottish Highlands and Islands to provide practical veterinary cover to crofters and their animals, which is vital in the role of preventing & identifying animal disease. Clarification on the Law in Scotland Andrew Voas, Scottish Government Veterinary Head of Animal Welfare spoke on the updated legislation of lamb tail docking and castration. As distributors of Numnuts , the MerlinVet team were able to demonstrate to vets the advantages and ease of use of the device, thus being able to support their farmers when the time comes later in Spring. Andrew Voas reaffirmed that it is legal in Scotland to use rings for lamb marking up to 12 weeks of age provided that a local anaesthetic is used. Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) officers in attendance stated that now that there is a legal and approved means of applying local anaesthetic at the time of ringing, then farms who are ringing at over 7 days and not using local anaesthetic will be penalised. This clarification brings significant relief to Scottish farmers and veterinarians seeking reassurance on the legality of using Numnuts. This innovative method minimises the pain and distress typically associated with traditional rubber ringing procedures. Scottish legislation allows this practice up to 3 months, ensuring adherence to animal welfare standards and providing a compassionate alternative to older methods. Current legislation is more restrictive in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, with rubber rings for castration or tail docking being prohibited on lambs older than 7 days. We are hopeful that the situation will change - please consider petitioning your local MP or NFU Representative to align the legislation across the UK. Numnuts® Numnuts® is a 2-in-1 device that administers an Elastrator® ring along with a pre-calibrated dose of local anaesthetic. This device makes giving fast-acting targeted pain relief for castration and tail docking of lambs easy, fast, and safe. The Numnuts® Device allows farmers and vets to provide best practice without compromising on safety and efficiency. No other device exists that allows farmers and vets to provide targeted pain relief to lambs during tail docking and castration. View more information on Numnuts here Order Numnuts here Other sessions also included the eradication of sheep scab, and Glasgow Vet School gave a demonstration of their calving simulator used for vet students and farmers. Hector Low from Stornoway Vets, pictured below with Jane, won the prize raffle competition on the stand, taking home a bottle of MerlinVet-branded Caorunn Gin.
Now available from MerlinVet UK, side kick is a horse-side blood testing device giving fast & reliable results in minutes. It is the most advanced handheld diagnostic device available for horse-side IgG testing. side kick features: Handheld, portable and designed for life on the road Accurate & rapid results: quantitative results within 5 minutes allowing for diagnosis & immediate intervention Smart-Calibrate™ enables automatic batch code reading No faff, no refrigeration and no lengthy delays waiting for lab results when time is of the essence Superpowered rechargeable battery via USB-C port Keep, share and review all results from the sidekick App side kick is a multi-test reader offering: Foal IgG Test – currently available Progesterone testing – coming soon ACTH testing – coming soon Offering horse side IgG testing at the moment, side kick can also be used for progesterone and ACTH testing in early 2025. You can view the IgG tests product specifications here . When a foal’s life depends on timely results, Sidekick gives you real-time data for an accurate diagnosis and on-the-spot treatment. Use Sidekick IgG tests as a routine protocol for screening foals that present an elevated risk of failure of passive transfer. Buy here. The side kick reader conveniently fits into your pocket and can be charged on the go via a USB-C port. Providing quantitive results in minutes, it is designed for life on the road. Find out how it works here . On the sidekick app, you can: automatically store test results; take notes and easily share them; run sidekick Smart Calibrate™ for automatic batch code reading. Buy the sidekick reader sidekick IgG tests View the sidekick information flyer
Ewe-Go Energy & Calcium Drench for Healthy Ewes Twin lamb disease (low blood pressure) and low blood calcium are common problems in ewes before lambing and distinguishing between the two can be difficult, with ewes suffering from one problem being likely to be affected by the other to some extent. Ewe-Go is a complementary feed containing energy and calcium for combatting twin lamb disease and low blood calcium. Ewe-Go contains both energy sources (glycerol and propylene glycol) and calcium. The energy sources are converted to glucose by the ewe meaning all the energy is available to the ewe. It also contains calcium chloride as a source of calcium in the gut. Comes in flexi-packs so any drenching gun can be fitted for easy administration. Order now here Ultra Dri Disinfectant Powder Ultra Dri is a general purpose absorbent, dry disinfectant powder with a pleasant aroma, containing a DEFRA approved disinfectant, which enables it to act as an effective bactericide, fungicide and viricide. Ideal for lambing pens, cattle cubicles or stables. This bedding powder is designed for use in calving and lambing pens (as well as for poultry) It contains a fast acting, broad spectrum, DEFRA approved disinfectant, which is non-caustic & doesn’t dry or damage the cows’ skin Acts as a powerful ‘drying’ agent on the bedding in straw yards and on cubicles Effective against bacteria, viruses & fungi Remains active for up to 1 week Absorbs moisture to help keep beds dry Reduces ammonia Non-irritant; contrary to lime, Ultra-Dri Gold doesn’t burn Effectively kills most pathogens within 5 mins Continues working from day to day to provide effective control of bacteria Improves general hygiene of cubicles and bedded pens Perfect when faced with severe outbreaks of mastitis, very high somatic cell counts and other challenging situations Can be used for all classes of livestock including pigs, poultry, sheep & horses Can be used as a dairy cubicle bedding powder, on straw yards, calving boxes, calf pens & dry powder footbaths A pallet (40 bags) can be delivered, but quantities below 40 must be collected locally. Order now here
RelyneGI, one of the most researched equine gastric supplements, has been reformulated with a higher quality beta glucan. The research suggests it’s better than ever and the best news is we can now offer it at an even better price! Why use RelyneGI? Relyne is a polysaccharide blend containing TGB-136™ Schizophllan Beta Glucan and hyaluronic acid aimed at providing a natural alternative to support gastric health in equine athletes. Polysaccharides have established themselves as protectants by their ability to confer defense to gastrointestinal mucosal tissues. Levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) increase in polysaccharide-treated gastric tissues indicating that polysaccharides can help relieve gastric discomfort. Relyne’s new formulation contains the highly researched beta glucan TGB-136™. A double-blind study performed by Louisiana State University showed that RelyneGI significantly improved stomach health. Gastric Support Relyne aids in promoting gastric well-being in horses that may not respond to traditional therapies, as well as maintaining gastric health in equine athletes during training, travel and performance. Relyne is safe for continuous daily use while promoting healthy stomach pH and digestion. It does not alter gastric pH like PPIs and H2 blockers and therefore does not affect digestion and nutrient absorption. Ideal for long-term use in horses with risk factors for gastric discomfort. Maintaining peak performance in the equine athlete has never been easier. Relyne can be used in conjunction with other gastroprotectants, medications and supplements, making it an ideal choice for challenging cases. The new formula has resulted in a slight colour change for those familiar with the product, but this had no effect on palatability during research. Relyne has been thoroughly tested for banned substances and is Clean Sport Approved for horses in competition. Shop here
What is Numnuts? Numnuts® is a 2-in-1 device that administers an Elastrator® ring (refer to your vet) along with a pre-calibrated dose of local anaesthetic (refer to your vet). This device makes giving fast-acting targeted pain relief for castration and tail docking of lambs easy, fast, and safe. No other device exists that allows farmers and vets to provide targeted pain relief to lambs during tail docking and castration. The Numnuts® Device allows farmers and vets to provide best practice without compromising on safety and efficiency. The device is robust, blood-free, and needle-safe. The modular design allows for parts to be changed to maintain good hygiene and efficient function. Numnuts® is a Scottish designed and developed product that has proven its reliability over five lambing seasons – Numnuts has been used by thousands of pioneering sheep farmers and vets and has been used to administer over 3 Million doses in Australia and New Zealand as of January 2024. “Numnuts is a fascinating product… I used myself first hand tailing lambs and I’m totally converted with the ease of use and very clear improvement in lamb behaviour.” Ivan Holloway, Technical Veterinarian Product Benefits Revolutionary patented device combines tail docking and castration with targeted pain relief, all in one handled unit Reduce labour time/cost Dual Stage Injector technology prevents accidental injections Easy priming Accurate Dosing No weighing or weight estimation required – simple one dose amount for all lamb sizes, for both tail & testes Needle Safe Simple needle changeover What’s In The Box? Numnuts® Device + Starter Kit comprising: 1 X unique bottle mount 2 X Fluid Junctions 1 X tray of 12 needles Durability Testing During development, Numnuts worked with farmers to define key elements such as ergonomics, function, weight, etc. They also gave us the challenge of making it last at least 100,000 cycles. So, to meet that challenge, we built a rig to test and improve the durability. “We marked our lambs this year with Numnuts and the improvement in our lambs’ recoveries was huge! Our lambs were on their feet, walking off and feeding from the ewes almost instantly. We will be using Numnuts next season!” Sally Paterson, Farmer and Vet Nurse, Geelong Please note: you must source your bottle of local anaesthetic through your own veterinary practice. The calibrated dose through the device is 1.5ml of anaesthetic. Recommended for lambs 4 weeks and older. The Numnuts device requires maintenance to ensure it remains reliable – please replace your needles & Fluid Junction regularly. Spares of these are readily available. Buy here
BoviLab is a portable blood analyser from FarmLabo. This tabletop device brings you lab-quality results from anywhere, making blood analysis on-site quick and easy. BoviLab is designed for simultaneous testing of 6 parameters, including NEFA and BHBA, in just 7 minutes, providing highly accurate analysis on whole blood, heparin blood, or serum blood, with simple operation and automatic calibration. Ensuring low maintenance, durability, and portability, it is a reliable and efficient solution for comprehensive testing; from real-time data analysis to customisable reports, as well as tracking key health indicators, BoviLab can optimise cow transition management, maximising milk yield and quality. In stock and shipping today. BoviLab allows vets to support dairy farmers to improve transition management and ultimately improve overall cow health. With BoviLab, the vet can measure up to 15 key blood values in dairy cows. These include: – NEFAs (non-esterified fatty acids), which are produced during the breakdown of body fat – BHBA (beta-hydroxybutyric acid), which indicates whether subclinical ketosis is present, particularly in newly lactating cows – Urea – providing an indication of colostrum quality (precalving) and milk production (post calving) – the minerals calcium, magnesium and phosphorus, which indicate susceptibility to milk fever. There are now 3 types of slides available: A. Liver: ALB, AST, TC, GLU, GGT, TP B. Transitional phase: NEFA, BHBZ, IP, CA, MG, BUN (urea) C. Downer: CK, AST, Ca, IP, Mg, NEFA Product Highlights: On-Farm Convenience - Perform tests without the need for a laboratory. Rapid Results - Get comprehensive blood analysis in just 7 minutes. Comprehensive Analysis - Measure six key inspection items simultaneously (including NEFA & BHBA) User-Friendly - Designed for easy operation by anyone – simple operation, automatic calibration, low maintenance & durable Early Disease Detection - Identify health issues in cattle before they escalate Protective Case - Includes a protective hard case for on-farm use. Online data transmission Centrifugation is not required Lightweight (2kg) for easy transportation Support in interpretation of the results of measurements with optimal visualisation Buy now today
The UK’s largest awards programme celebrating the best of British business, the British Business Excellence Awards are the UK’s largest and most prestigious business awards programme. All industries are represented with awards categories covering sustainability, diversity, entrepreneurship, technology, and of course, export. We’re incredibly proud and excited to have been nominated in The Department for Business and Trade Exporter of the Year Award , which focuses on organisations who have achieved international growth through exporting services and products.
The E-JAC Ram Probe features: rechargeable battery with USB charger ergonomic design, suitable for all hand sizes high-low setting allowing versatility when collecting semen from different breeds, ages, and species lightweight with rubberised handle precision control on/off button & power on light protective carrier case one year warranty specialist electrode technology We are proud to state that the unit will operate for around 500 rams on a single charge. There is no need to recharge until the reserve power light illuminates, then leave overnight to charge. The MerlinVet E-Jac is designed for use by veterinary surgeons. The Ram E-JAC was developed with Lane Manufacturing, who have been setting the standard in the manufacture of large animal reproductive equipment and supplies since 1972. Buy now
New from SilverGlide, FluroGlide™ is a super smooth, vivid orange, non-absorbable PVDF suture which provides outstanding contrast against all shades of skin, fur and hair. Ultra High Visibility Easy Handling Non-absorable VIVID ORANGE Monofilament Very low memory Superior knot security (securely knots in THREE throws) Totally inert and unwetted by blood PVDF is a totally inert, flexible, strong-walled non absorbable monofilament suture material. It has relatively low memory and a pleasing elasticity (stretch) for a monofilament that is easy to tie and will secure a locked knot in just three throws. Dr Trevor W. Hamilton, Director of Clyde Vet Group, explains the benefits of switching to Silverglide: "As part of a multi vet farm animal team based in Central Scotland, we have always performed quite a lot of farm animal surgery (especially cattle and sheep caesarians). We started to use polyglactin sutures rather than catgut over 15 years ago due to better clinical outcomes regarding post-operative fertility. We initially used this from a reel but when we were given the opportunity to try the Silverglide version with a swaged needle, I decided to give it a try despite being initially sceptical (as most older farm vets are). However, when I and the rest of my team tried Silverglide we were all very impressed with the ease of use, tying ability, and sharpness of needles. The fact that it is swaged on is a godsend when in the middle of an operation at 2am, as you are not trying to thread a needle in the semi-dark! The bonus for us was that we realised that they actually worked out cheaper than our previous solution as we had less waste and no cassettes going out of date or perishing after opening. I also have a son who is a practising farm vet and he has converted the practices where he has worked to Silverglide after he brought it in for his own use and showed his colleagues the benefits. All in all, a positive advance for a practising farm vet." Dr Trevor W. Hamilton Director, Clyde Vet Group, October 2023 Find out more about SilverGlide & purchase here
The recording is now available from Webinar Vet’s Webinar on “Equine gastric ulcers and new research on the effects of a polysaccharides supplement on stomach health,” sponsored and hosted by MerlinVet and Hagyard Pharmacy . Presented by Nathan Slovis & Frank M. Andrews, the webinar took place on Wednesday 28th February and you can watch the recording now here. Description It is common for horses in various disciplines to suffer from gastric ulcers, with a prevalence rate of up to ninety percent. These ulcers can negatively impact a horse’s athletic performance. To identify the cause of the poor performance, a thorough examination is required, including endoscopic examination of the stomach. Poor performance may be attributed to the presence of equine squamous gastric disease or equine glandular gastric disease. If ulcers are present, appropriate treatment can improve the horse’s stomach health and athletic performance. Studies have shown that an oral polysaccharide blend of Schizophyllan beta-glucan with hyaluronic acid is both safe and effective in treating gastric ulcers without altering the stomach’s PH levels. Recording Watch here About MerlinVet At MerlinVet , we comprise a bespoke wholesaler, import/export business, buying group, health plan provider, and anaesthetic gas exposure monitoring service. By listening to the needs of vets, we provide products, services, business solutions and, above all else, the support needed to add a touch of animal magic to practices. MerlinVet UK stocks an extensive range of Special Import Products that other wholesalers are unable to source, providing solutions to vets in times of stock shortages. We offer a customised pharmaceutical service, importing pharmaceuticals and farm fertility equipment to UK vets. We are the UK distributor of RelyneGI , providing natural gastric support for horses. Recommended by vets and professional riders, RelyneGI is a unique formula of hyaluronic acid and beta glucan that supports healthy digestion in horses. RelyneGI is an advanced liquid supplement containing a natural formula of a patented hyaluronan (MHB3) and beta glucan that delivers effective support for the equine digestive system. It’s odourless and tasteless for adding to feed and offers long-term support for all horses in maintaining normal gastric function and promoting well-being in equine athletes. RelyneGI, developed by the world’s leading veterinary scientists at Hagyard Equine Medical Institute in the USA, has been thoroughly tested and is Clean Sport certified. About Hagyard Pharmacy Hagyard Pharmacy is a full-service, PCAB accredited pharmacy located in the heart of horse country – Lexington, KY. Licensed in over 35 US states, Hagyard Pharmacy dispenses prescription pharmaceuticals, offers a veterinary specialty compounding service as well as over the counter products. Hagyard Pharmacy is affiliated with Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, a trusted resource for people who demand only the highest quality care for their horses since 1876. Resolvet by Hagyard is a line of products designed to help horses feel and look their best. Created by vets at the Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Resolvet by Hagyard addresses concerns that owners, trainers, and riders alike have about traditional horse care products. Resolvet by Hagyard horse care products feature natural ingredients, proper PH balance, and reduced negative side effects. Each product is specially formulated for specific needs: joint health, gastrointestinal health, hoof health, and more. One of these products is RelyneGI, distributed in the UK by MerlinVet.
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