Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine
(VDPAM)

Robert E. Holland, Chair of Department
University Professors: McKean
Professors: Carson, Evans, Harris, Hartwig, Hoffman, Holland, Hopkins, Hopper, Hyde, Kunesh, Osweiler, Trampel
Professors (Emeritus): Kunesh, Stahr, Wass
Associate Professors: Halbur, Janke, Kersting, Larson, Thacker, Thompson, Uhlenhopp, Yaeger, Zimmerman
Assistant Professors: Apley, Carr, O'Connor, Sorden, Yoon, Zhou
Assistant Professors (Adjunct): Harmon, Imerman, Kinyon, Kozak, Schwartz
Instructors (Adjunct): Ensley, Harms, Meyer, Pogranichnyy, Robbe, Swalla, Villar, Wagner

Professional Program of Study

For the professional curriculum in veterinary medicine leading to the degree doctor of veterinary medicine, see Veterinary Medicine, Curriculum.

The study of veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine provides the student with basic and advanced skills in diagnostics, reproduction, medicine, surgery, production, and health management of the major livestock species. Students in the fourth year of the curriculum in veterinary medicine may elect to take advanced courses in beef, dairy, swine, poultry or sheep production medicine. Elective courses may include preceptorships in private practices, other veterinary schools, research and disease control laboratories.

Production animal medicine emphasizes the integration of veterinary medicine with nutrition, genetics, economics, food safety, and other disciplines, enabling graduates to use a broad knowledge base to support the health and production of food and fiber animals.

Graduate Study

The department offers graduate courses for students pursuing graduate work in other departments. The D.V.M. degree or equivalent is prerequisite to enrollment in these courses.

Courses Primarily for Professional Curriculum Students

VDPAM 385. Seminar (Same as V C S 385.)
(1-0) Cr. R each time taken. F.S. Prereq: Classification in veterinary medicine. Seminars and case discussions on selected clinical subjects by staff and fourth-year students of the College of Veterinary Medicine. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

VDPAM 408. Poultry Medicine and Disease Prevention (Dual-listed with VDPAM 508.)
Cr. 2. S. Prereq: Enrollment in College of Veterinary Medicine. Bacterial, viral, parasitic, and nutritional diseases of domestic poultry and gamebirds; biosecurity, immunization, and management procedures to prevent poultry diseases.

VDPAM 411. Production Animal Medicine
Cr. 4 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Seasonal enrollment limit. Clinical assignment in food animal production medicine and service. Emphasis on diagnosis, medicine, surgery, theriogenology, and treatment skills.

VDPAM 416. Bovine Reproduction Evaluation Laboratory
(0-3) Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: Third year classification in veterinary medicine. 10 students per section. Bovine rectal palpation techniques will be repetitively taught in three-hour sessions. Students will learn techniques of epidural anesthesia, artificial insemination, and ultrasonic imaging. University-owned cattle will be used.

VDPAM 420. Preceptorship in Veterinary Medical Practice
Cr. 1 to 6 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine, permission of department chair. Elective course in veterinary practice under the guidance of veterinarians in approved practice settings.

VDPAM 426. Veterinary Toxicology (Dual-listed with 526.)
Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Third-year classification in veterinary medicine. A study of the disease processes in animals caused by toxicants and the use of differential diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

VDPAM 436. Beef Records Analysis
Cr. 1 per semester. S. Prereq: Classification in Veterinary Medicine. Students will learn to conduct and critically assess production and financial data using Standardized Performance Analysis (SPA) in beef herds. Students will be matched with individual herds and work with producers to identify areas for improving profitability, health, and sustainability. Enrolling in the class for multiple semesters will be encouraged.

VDPAM 437. Investigational Techniques in Dairy Production Medicine: Dairy Herd Problem Identification
(7-33) Cr. 2. F.S.SS. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Seven hours recitation/discussion and 33 hours clinical experience per week. Course taken for two weeks at University of Wisconsin, Madison on a space-available basis. Identify equipment, facilities and management characteristics of dairy farms. Understand dairy herd records and use to examine health and productivity. Prioritize herd health and production problems and evaluate adequacy of ventilation and housing systems.

VDPAM 438. Milk Quality in Dairy Production Medicine: Mastitis/Milk Quality
(9-31) Cr. 2. F.S.SS. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Nine hours recitation/discussion and 31 hours clinical experience per week. Course taken for two weeks at University of Wisconsin, Madison on a space-available basis. Analysis of somatic cell counts. Bulk tank milk cultures, individual cow microbiology. Milking system analysis and milking management. Evaluate milking practices, assess dairy environment and partial budget techniques.

VDPAM 439. Nutrition in Dairy Production Medicine: Applied Dairy Nutrition
(3-37) Cr. 2. F.S.SS. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Three hours lecture, 37 hours clinical experience per week. Course taken for two weeks at University of Wisconsin, Madison on a space-available basis. Production and metabolic disease problems. Evaluate feeding management. Forage and feedstuff analysis, dry matter determinations. Ration analysis using trilogic computer programs.

VDPAM 440. Introduction to Clinics (Same as V C S 440.)
(0-4) Cr. R. F. 8 weeks. Prereq: Third-year classification in veterinary medicine.

VDPAM 445. Clinical Medicine (Same as V C S 445.)
(5-0) Cr. 5. S. Prereq: Third year classification in veterinary medicine. Clinical diagnosis and treatment of diseases of equine, swine, beef, dairy, and sheep.

VDPAM 450. Disturbances of Reproduction (Same as V C S 450.)
(4-0) Cr. 4. F. Prereq: Third-year classification in veterinary medicine. General principles of diseases causing disturbance in reproduction.

VDPAM 455. Diagnostic Laboratory Practicum
Cr. 2 each time taken. F.S. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Practical experience in diagnosis of field cases.

VDPAM 477. Food Animal Medicine and Surgery
Cr. var. each time taken. Seasonal enrollment. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Elective clinical assignment in food animal medicine and surgery.

VDPAM 478. Introduction to Swine Production Medicine
(15-20) Cr. 2. F.S.SS. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Two week introductory topics in swine production medicine with emphasis on monitoring disease, disease prevention, and production economics. Fifteen hours recitation/discussion and 20 hours clinical experience per week.

VDPAM 479. Swine Production Medicine Preceptorship
(0-40) Cr. 1-6 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: 478. Two week advanced course in swine production medicine with emphasis on herd management, production analysis, and problem solving. Forty hours clinical experience per week. Assignments will include preceptorships with a practicing veterinarian and/or a production unit.

VDPAM 480. Advanced Swine Production Medicine
(15-20) Cr. 2. F.S.SS. Prereq: 478. Two week advanced clinical rotation in swine production medicine. Fifteen hours recitation/discussion and 20 hours clinical experience per week. The instructor will lead field trips as well as problem solving exercises where the student will apply concepts of herd management, production analysis, and disease prevention.

VDPAM 481. Introduction to Beef Production Medicine
(15-20) Cr. 2. SS. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Two week introductory topics in beef production medicine with emphasis on monitoring disease, disease prevention, and production economics. Fifteen hours recitation/discussion and 20 hours clinical experience per week.

VDPAM 482. Beef Production Medicine Preceptorship
(0-40) Cr. 1-6 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: 481. Two week advanced course in beef production medicine with emphasis on herd management, production analysis, and problem solving. Forty hours clinical experience per week. Assignments will include preceptorships with a practicing veterinarian and/or a production unit.

VDPAM 483. Advanced Beef Production Medicine
(15-20) Cr. 2. F.S. Prereq: 481. Two week advanced clinical rotation in beef production medicine. Fifteen hours recitation/discussion and 20 hours clinical experience per week. The instructor will lead field trips as well as problem solving exercises where the student will apply concepts of herd management, production analysis, and disease prevention.

VDPAM 484. Introduction to Dairy Production Medicine
(15-20) Cr. 2. SS. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Two week introductory topics in dairy production medicine with emphasis on monitoring disease, disease prevention, and production economics. Fifteen hours recitation/discussion and 20 hours clinical experience per week.

VDPAM 485. Dairy Production Medicine Preceptorship
(0-40) Cr. 1-6 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: VDPAM 484. Two week advanced course in dairy production medicine with emphasis on herd management, production analysis, and problem solving. Forty hours clinical experience per week. Assignments will include preceptorships with a practicing veterinarian and/or a production unit.

VDPAM 486. Introduction to Small Ruminant Production Medicine
(15-20) Cr. 2. SS. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Two week introductory topics in small ruminant production medicine with emphasis on monitoring disease, disease prevention, and production economics. Fifteen hours recitation/discussion and 20 hours clinical experience per week.

VDPAM 487. Livestock Disease Prevention
(3-0) Cr. 3. F. A survey of diseases of large domestic animals, including discussion of causes, transmission, and control. Designed for students majoring in agricultural sciences.

VDPAM 488. Laboratory in Clinical Microbiology
Cr. 1 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Application of microbiological and immunological procedures to the diagnosis of infectious and immunologically mediated diseases.

VDPAM 490. Independent Study
Cr. 1 to 5. F.S.SS. Prereq: Permission of department chair.

VDPAM 495. Seminar (Same as V C S 495.)
Cr. R. S. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Seminars and case discussions on selected subjects by staff of the College of Veterinary Medicine and others, including student presentations. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.

Courses Primarily for Graduate Students, Open to Qualified Undergraduate Students

VDPAM 501. Principles of Toxicology (Same as Tox 501, Zool 501.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: BBMB 404 or equivalent. Principles of toxicology governing entry, fate, and effects of toxicants on living systems. Includes toxicokinetics and foreign compound metabolism relative to toxification or detoxification. Fundamentals of foreign compound effects on metabolism, physiology, and morphology of different cell types, tissues, and organ systems.

VDPAM 502. Toxicology Methods (Same as Tox 502, Zool 502.)
(0-6) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2001. Prereq: 501. Provides demonstrations or laboratory experience in the applications of methods used in toxicology, including safety procedures, calculation and data analysis, mutagenicity tests, cell culture, residue analysis, teratologic and morphologic evaluation, electrophysiologic measures, in vitro enzyme induction/biotransformation, neural and behavioral toxicology testing.

VDPAM 504. Toxicology Seminar (Same as Tox 504.)
(1-0) Cr. 1 each time taken. F.S. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Presentation of a seminar about a current topic in toxicology as part of a weekly series of seminars by graduate students, faculty, and guest lecturers from off campus.

VDPAM 508. Poultry Medicine and Disease Prevention (Dual-listed with VDPAM 408.)
Cr. 2. S. Prereq: Graduate student status in Vet Med, Animal Science, Animal Ecology, or Biology. Bacterial, viral, parasitic, and nutritional diseases of domestic poultry and gamebirds; biosecurity, immunization, and management procedures to prevent poultry diseases.

VDPAM 522. Principles of Epidemiology (Same as V MPM 522. )
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2003. Prereq: Micro 310. Epidemiology and ecology of disease in populations. Disease causality and epidemiologic investigation. Issues in disease prevention, control, and eradication.

VDPAM 526. Veterinary Toxicology (Dual-listed with 426; Same as Tox 526.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Permission of instructor. A study of the disease processes in animals caused by toxicants and the use of differential diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

VDPAM 546. Clinical and Diagnostic Toxicology (Same as Tox 546.)
(0-3 or 0-9) Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: D.V.M. degree or 526. Advanced study of current problems and issues in toxicology. Emphasis on problem solving utilizing clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory resources.

VDPAM 555. Neurobehavioral Toxicology (Same as Tox 555.)
(3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2001. Prereq: 501. Advanced study of neurotoxicology and behavior. Emphasis on methods in neurobehavioral toxicology and the effects of a broad spectrum of neurotoxic agents.

VDPAM 590. Special Topics
Cr. 1 to 3. Prereq: Permission of instructor. Topics in medicine, surgery, theriogenology; beef, swine, dairy, or sheep production medicine.

Courses for Graduate Students

VDPAM 643. Natural Toxins (Same as Tox 643.)
(1-6) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2002. Prereq: Courses in biochemistry and physiology. Naturally occurring toxins in foods and fees; poisonous plants and venoms.

VDPAM 645. Agricultural and Environmental Analytical Toxicology (Same as Tox 645.)
(1-3) Cr. 2. F. Prereq: Chem 211, 322. Analysis and interpretation of toxicant residues in animal tissues, feeds, water, soil, and other environmental specimens.

VDPAM 650. Swine Diagnostic Medicine
Cr. 1-4. SS. Prereq: DVM degree. Permission of instructor. A detailed study of swine diseases emphasizing the pathogenesis and diagnosis of swine respiratory, enteric, reproduction, metabolic, and septicemic diseases.

VDPAM 651. Disease Dynamics in Swine Production Medicine
Cr. 2. F. Prereq: DVM degree, permission of instructor. A detailed study of disease dynamics, prevention and control in food producing animal populations, emphasis on swine epidemiological issues pertinent to production medicine.

VDPAM 652. Analytical Methods in Swine Production Medicine
Cr. 2. S. Prereq: DVM degree, permission of instructor. An overview of experimental and observational study designs, analytical techniques and data interpretation, emphasis on methodologies pertinent to swine production medicine.

VDPAM 653. Clinical Trials in Production Medicine
Cr. 1. SS. Prereq: DVM degree, permission of instructor. Application of clinical trials in production medicine. Study design and execution and data analysis, interpretation, and reporting.

VDPAM 654. Comparative Antimicrobial Clinical Pharmacology
Cr. 2. Alt. S., offered in 2002. Prereq: Graduate student, resident, or intern in College of Veterinary Medicine. Initial antimicrobial selection for infectious diseases of domestic animals. The antimicrobial drug groups will be examined, stressing pharmacokinetics, minimal inhibitory concentrations, and the use of these parameters to select appropriate compounds and dosages for maximum efficacy.