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HORIBA’s free veterinary CPD webinar will discuss strategies for prevention and monitoring of hypocalcaemia in dairy cows.
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NORTHAMPTON, UK (5th April, 2022) – HORIBA UK announces the latest CPD webinar in its free-to-attend educational veterinary series will focus on “Hypocalcaemia – Strategies for Prevention and Monitoring”. Scheduled for Thursday, 28th April 2022, 7:30-9:00pm BST, the invited expert speaker, James Husband BA, VetMB, DipECBHM, DCHP, MRCVS, will offer the benefit of his research and experience on this important topic which impacts every cattle farmer. Registration and further information are available online at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/reg...25209458361872
Sub Clinical Hypocalcaemia (SCH) is a significant and underdiagnosed metabolic problem in dairy cattle affecting up to 50% of fresh cows annually. After lactation, total calcium levels in a cow’s blood drops which can lead to sub-optimal health and yield. The down cow is easy to spot, but just how many have significant, less obvious problems? Pro-active monitoring of cows enables faster decision making and limits the adverse effects of undiagnosed SCH, helping animals and farms to greater productivity.
The free CPD webinar sponsored by HORIBA UK is devised for all veterinary practitioners, whether new to practice or highly experienced in the field, to support and help them build their knowledge of this key bovine health issue. As an RCVS specialist in cattle health and production, James Husband is highly regarded in his field and well placed to discuss the importance of pro-active calcium monitoring in cows to prevent hypocalcaemia.
James graduated in 1993 from Cambridge University and worked in farm practice for 11 years before becoming a consultant specialising in nutrition. Developing his expertise, he completed his RCVS diploma in cattle health and production with a thesis on the use of anionic salts to control hypocalcaemia. His current research interests are around periparturient metabolic disease in dairy cows and in particular assessing risk factors for hypocalcaemia and prevention strategies.
“Preventing hypocalcaemia is more than just ‘feeding them right’,” said Paul Lymer, Veterinary Business Manager, HORIBA UK. “For decades we have been aiming to optimise cow health and maximise milk yield. Now, with better understanding of the causes of hypocalcaemia, and better analytical processes to evaluate feeds and the calcium status of cows and herds, we can prevent and monitor hypocalcaemia more effectively. We are delighted to welcome James to share his extensive knowledge in this area in our next CPD webinar.”
Measuring the ionized calcium (iCa) levels of blood directly cow side can be of great value to veterinarians and producers - treatment can start sooner and is more effective. This is because iCa reflects more accurately the current calcaemic blood situation compared to total blood calcium, as iCa equals the free available calcium ions. Therefore, an innovative and lower cost on-site instrument could help with more timely decisions without the submission of blood samples to a laboratory.
One such device that has been specially developed by HORIBA for cow side measurement of iCa in blood is the LAQUAtwin CA-11C bovine calcium meter. The pocket size meter is very easy to use, delivering instant laboratory accurate results from a single drop of whole blood or serum. Measurement of iCa in the field not only enables real-time detection of hypocalcaemia for a faster response to the animal’s healthcare needs, but is also more economical. An animal’s health can be measured at a fraction of the cost compared to a Blood Gas Analyser or other available laboratory methods.
HORIBA veterinary experts will be available following a Q&A session with James Husband at the end of the webinar to offer insight into iCa testing methods, such as the LAQUAtwin CA-11C pocket meter.
For free registration and more information on HORIBA’s online CPD meeting on “Hypocalcaemia – Strategies for Prevention and Monitoring”, see the HORIBA UK website or https://register.gotowebinar.com/reg...25209458361872