TB testing

grass

Hi, We do an annual Tb test each year in January. A neighbour went down with tb in last year so we had to test in September. We were all clear, thank God. We got a letter from the department last week saying restrictions no longer apply. I am presuming we should not have to test again until Sep 2025. Vet say we must Tb test this month. Any advice appreciated

Fine Day

Yes I think so. Similar here a few years ago and we now test in November as opposed to March before. November suits better now for us.

Jb1989

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058389948/tb-testing

This is 4 monthly testing your put on.

But check with dvo to see if they say 4 monthly.

893bet

is the tb test due date on agfood usually?

Jb1989

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123073754#Comment_123073754

Yearly date sorta.

4 monthly, no.

Sugarbowl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058389948/tb-testing

you should get a letter from the dept in the post outlining when you need to test. Did this come yet?

Sparkles2012

I'm in a similar situation was tested in March and then due to a neighbour being locked up tested in August. Test was clear so I presume August is my new annual test. The Department usually notify the Vets and yourself a few months in advance did any of ye get a letter from the Department about the test?

grass

I contacted the department. They are letting us push it out till the end of Febuary as appose to mid January They wont allow us do a full year with out a test.

Sugarbowl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123098121#Comment_123098121

but did you not just test them all last September?

Jb1989

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123074726#Comment_123074726

You already asked a valid question to no avail.

shannon82

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123074726#Comment_123074726

we never got a letter from the department about our test being due. Then a letter was issued saying your herd test must be completed within the next 10 days (this was issued after our test expired). We only got to test 3 weeks later due to the vets availability. Apparently this has happened a number of people, where no letter was issued.

You must pay for 1 test a year.

if your last test was sept 2024 then id be saying you don’t have to test until September 25 providing you paid for your test in Jan 24.

minerleague

I'm testing every 4 months at the moment ( no reactors but big outbreak locally), Dept never contacted me but contacted vets directly. I knew next test was due and had heard nothing- rang vets - " sorry meant to ring you, your test is next week"

Say my name

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123101927#Comment_123101927

You are supposed to be notified by post by the DVO when your test is due.

I'd contact the DVO by phone over that. You are entitled to notification by post. Everyone else gets it. I'd ring up and ask them if the post is going out because you are not receiving it. Could be even wrong contact details they have. They are helpful enough when you have them. But if you are forgotten about, you genuinely can be forgotten about.

minerleague

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123109279#Comment_123109279

They have my details - sent me a letter when neighbours went down first saying I might have to go testing every 4 months, but they seem to arrange things with vet since. Vets gave me plenty notice first time

Say my name

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123109344#Comment_123109344

It's very strange.

Jb1989

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123109382#Comment_123109382

+1

TPF2012

2 animals inconclusive on test. This seems to mean I'm locked up. Never down before. What are the rules on this?

Anto_Meath

Yes you are locked, retest the two in 60 days if clear then you are good. If you go down then you will be locked for up to 6 months.

Depending on your circumstances and the 2 cattle involved it might be worth considering killing these 2 cattle before the 60 day test, if clear in the factory, which they should be it would mean you would just have to have 1 full clear heard test about 60 days after they went. Talk to the Vet in the DVO office and see would that be an option.

TPF2012

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123120876#Comment_123120876

Talked to DVO. 3 options.

Keep the inconclusive animals and have them blood tested and skin tested 60 days later. If clear unlocked. Inconclusive Animal Subject to continuous 6 month blood testing.

Send to slaughter and as vet said, they will get 15 second postmortem to check for lesion, if they are clear, whole herd test again in 60 days and if good, in the clear.

Send to slaughter but with full post mortem and blood cultures which will take 6 weeks, if clear no herd test needed and unlocked.

What option would you recommend? I'm thinking removing the inconclusive as soon as possible would be best.

Jb1989

I like the 3rd option if you think she clean. Anything to avoid a herd test in my view

Anto_Meath

@TPF2012 as @Jb1989 said option 3 is probably the best one. Get rid of the animal and hopefully you wouldn't have to have a test. I would see option 1 as a non runner.

older by the day

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123133928#Comment_123133928

What type of animal are they, ie a cows calving next month or bullocks nearly finished

Danny healy ray

what are lads opinion on the department looking to remove the older cows from a herd even though they have passed several skin and blood tests its entirely up to the farmer they can't Forse you to do such a time know of one farmer that left off 8 cows and none should any tb in the postmortem the department must not have much faith in there tests only like chasing shadows around the yard

older by the day

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123138390#Comment_123138390

That must be a new thing, because I actually asked the department vet to remove an old cow, that I had suspicions about, when he took 12 young cows in the blood test (none had lesions, avoid the blood test as far as you can). No matter how hard I argued, he would not take her.

Danny healy ray

there at it a least 2/3 years to ask a lad to give upcows that passed multiple tests is a big ask I think

GNWoodd

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123138483#Comment_123138483

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123138390#Comment_123138390

What is the position legally on this ?
Can they force you to blood test the older animals ?

If you allow them can they impose the result on you ?
Neighbour is restricted and they have written saying that they MAY require him to blood test . He is thinking of telling them to Foxtrot Oscar but will need to be sure before he does so .

Danny healy ray

it depends on the tb outbreaks in the area and in his herd if you fail with more than 10 % of your herd it requires a blood test if its your 1st fail you could press your claim that it's a once off etc maybe that you will do the blood if you fail again next time that kind of thing lot if the time they haven't the man power to keep up with the blood testing

Sugarbowl

how do ye find out how reactor cows have killed out? Mine are gone now since before Christmas and I’ve heard nothing back? Is it a good sign nobody has rang? Would love to know the result…

Anto_Meath

Yes it's a good sign that no one has been in contact. They culture the sample for about 6 weeks. If you ring up the local DVO office about 6 weeks after you sent the cow they should be able to tell you.

You will still need two test clear before the restrictions are lifted. But if she came clear in the factory it's a good sign that she was in early infection and there is no TB in the remaining animals in your herd.

older by the day

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123140498#Comment_123140498

The results are send to your vet. You can ring the DVO and they can look it up.

Sugarbowl

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123149618#Comment_123149618

thanks, I did ring the vets today and all were clear. Hopefully it’s a good sign for what is to come. No doubt they so gritty they will find more to take off me. This not the first time it’s happened to me either taking clear cows.