As part of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine Animal Health Awareness Week, Ciarán Lynch is joined on this week’s OviCast by Maresa Sheehan, Senior Research Officer in DAFM Regional Veterinary Laboratories.

Maresa starts by explaining what animal health awareness week is and why it’s important. She discusses some of the current health issues that they are finding in the lab as well as some of the more seasonal conditions and they discuss how they might be prevented.

Maresa explains how the post-mortem process works and the timelines involved in the various aspects of testing as well as their limitations. She also discusses the importance of early intervention when the first signs of sudden death or abortions occur and what steps can be taken.

Many of the conditions affecting livestock are zoonotic and the impact on human health cannot be underestimated, Maresa puts this in context in a farming situation highlighting the importance of good hygienic practice. High burdens of stomach worms and the health concerns that occur as a result are an issue. She highlights the increasing issue with anthelminthic resistance and the need to identify what products are working effectively on individual farms.

Finally, Maresa highlights the benefits of a high health status in our flocks and its role in safeguarding our industry.

For more episodes from OviCast, visit the show page at:

https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/sheep/ovicast-sheep-podcast/