As we reintroduced cattle to the farm last year we have had to have a routine TB test done on them.
Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is an infectious disease of cattle. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), which can also infect and cause TB in deer, goats, pigs, camelids (llamas and alpacas), dogs and cats, as well as many other mammals but doesnt affect Horses and Sheep luckily.
We thought the cattle might have been a bit frisky as they aren't used to being inside and handled. However they turned out to be very ameanable and came through the crush really well. Thomas showed his dominance and was first off the mark to show his ladies how its done!!
This test has to be carried out by a vet who begins by measuring the thickness of the skin in the neck on the animal, this is recorded next to their eartag number and details
Then they have two small injections of tuberculin and after 72 hours the vet will return. All the cattle will have to come back through the crush so he can feel their necks for any lumps. Any lumps found will be measured and if they are over 4mls larger than the recorded measurements they are deemed to be a reactor. Any cattle in the UK found to have TB have to go for slaughter and incinerated as the meat in unfit for human consumption.
Really hoping he doesnt find any lumps on Monday!
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