[Jethro Tull]

We live in a four year testing area, we have 2 dexter cows that we purchased 4.5 years ago. I hesitate to say they are part of the family but they ware, you know, part of the family!

They were tested for TB after we acquired them, and have been tested again this week. Shocked to discover one was a reactor. They have never left our field, their only contact with other cattle has been three bulls here, over the years.

The reactor will have to be culled; her pal will be tested twice over the next 4 months. I guess the chances are she will React and go the same way.

It’s a bit devastating, not least because both are in calf. Even the young vet was fighting back the tears.

Any advice anybody?

[Perris]

      is anybody working on new/alternative therapies for bovine tb?  From the outside (I've never had anything to do with keeping cattle) the current system (as I understand from how it's reported in the media, and I do realize it's the reason for badger culls too, so a very emotive issue) strikes me as utterly primitive, even antediluvian. In particular, the test seems less than perfect, but has appalling consequences for affected animals and their keepers.

[Rosemary]

Can offer no practical help but I truly feel for you. I would be gutted in similar circumstances 

[Buttermilk]

We had a closed dairy herd, no cattle coming in for over 20 years and went down with tb.  It was the end of our dairy days as eventually nearly ¾ of the herd reacted over three years.  Many were as much pet as commercial animals and it was heart breaking.  You have my sympathy.

We kept cattle for a further 7 years but our hearts were no longer with them so have sheep now.

[SallyintNorth]

That’s terrible luck

One of the things that worried me the most moving my lot south was moving from TB4 to a TB-endemic area. 

We did hear of farms in the TB4 zone getting the occasional reactor, even when there’d been no movements at all and no neighbours with any.  We surmised deer or badgers, but you can never be sure, of course.  It had been found in badgers 30-odd miles south, but never that far north.

Do you have any other animals on the holding?  Other ruminants, dogs, cats, anything?  It’s unusual in other species but not unknown, so that might be another possible source.

We use AI to reduce the possibility of bringing infection on - easier with our Jersey and Jersey cross than with Dexters, but yours sound tame, so could be a possibility for the future. 

Fingers crossed the other girl stays clear.  You’d get her a companion if so?  Very hard decision. 

[waterbuffalofarmer]

We live in a four year testing area, we have 2 dexter cows that we purchased 4.5 years ago. I hesitate to say they are part of the family but they ware, you know, part of the family!

They were tested for TB after we acquired them, and have been tested again this week. Shocked to discover one was a reactor. They have never left our field, their only contact with other cattle has been three bulls here, over the years.

The reactor will have to be culled; her pal will be tested twice over the next 4 months. I guess the chances are she will React and go the same way.

It’s a bit devastating, not least because both are in calf. Even the young vet was fighting back the tears.

Any advice anybody?

I am so sorry to hear this it must be truly horrific for you 

I think the only thing you can do is hope the other one is clear. Don't let this put you off keeping cows tho, because not all will be this way

[Jethro Tull]

Thanks all. Yes we have cats (and badgers, and probably rats, and deer nearby) so plenty of possible vectors.

I am resigned to the other one reacting but if she doesn’t then she’s in calf and eventually she will have company. It doesn’t seem fair to buy in another animal

We have some sheep too, and can see the advantage of giving up on Dexters and getting a milking goat or two.

All of this has made me think about the TB strategy we have in this country. Not very joined up, is it?

[Me]

Any advice anybody?
[/quote]
. Don't let this put you off keeping cows tho, because not all will be this way
[/quote]

Well, from experience of many TB breakdowns including total herd cull and restocking - it can all be this way. 

[twizzel]

I think until you’ve had your first 60 day test you can’t buy in any stock anyway. My sympathies, having been through this last year it is truly devastating.

[VH11]

I'm sure your aware but if she is due to calve within 60 days you can apply to delay her slaughter until she has calved. There are conditions etc

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/bovine-tb-getting-your-cattle-tested-in-england

Delayed removal of in calf cattle

You can ask APHA to delay removing an animal, which must be slaughtered, if it’s in the last 60 days of pregnancy. This is to allow the animal to calve. The 60 day period starts from when the animal was identified as a reactor or direct contact.

APHA will consider the risks of delaying removal and will require you to meet conditions before it will give approval.

If APHA agrees that a delay may be possible, you and your vet need to complete these forms. The conditions that apply are in the forms:

[VH11]

Apologies, I have just seen your original post was a long time ago