Business View Oceania - June 2023

25 BUSINESS VIEW OCEANIA VOLUME 5, ISSUE 6 There are two surgical theatres (one reserved for orthopaedic surgery), two digital X-ray machines, six ultrasound machines, two endoscopes, a ventilator, oxygen machines, an ultrasonic scaler, a dental cart, a laser and an extensive range of orthopaedic equipment. Grabbing a serious problem by the horns Bovine viral diarrhoea (or BVD) is a serious disease. If exposed to this during pregnancy, Swan said, it could cause cows to abort their foetuses. It can affect fertility. It can also cause calves to have significant birth defects and potentially infect the rest of the herd. According to Animal Reproduction Science, BVD can have a huge economic impact upon livestock industries around the world. It’s found in herds of cattle in most countries. And according to The Veterinary Record, various diagnostic tests are available for the detection of either active infection or for evidence of a past infection. The diagnostic method used also depends upon whether the vet is investigating at the level of a herd or simply a single cow. “Enoch,” said Swan, “he’s originally from Colorado in the States. He brought out the technology to Australia to test for that disease. And so we have samples sent in from veterinarians and clients from all around Australia.” Based upon the information yielded by Bergman’s testing, farmers can decide whether they need to vaccinate or just monitor for BVD. Subsequent precautions can include quarantining and testing new stock until an all-clear is demonstrably known. And Bergman is well known for his expertise. Swan informed that he is much in demand at cattle conferences, both those of a veterinary nature and throughout the bovine industry. “That’s really increased exposure of our lab and Swans Veterinary Services,” she informed. It was 17 years ago that Bergman pioneered Australia’s first commercially available laboratory for the testing of ear-notch tissue for the diagnosis of animals persistently infected with BVD. Working with more than 200 veterinary practices and thousands of producers from all over Australia, Swans Veterinary Services tests more than 50,000 samples a year, backed up by Bergman’s management advice for tackling this costliest of bovine viral diseases. SWANS VETER INARY SERV I CES