Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine

300 | 400 | Graduate Courses

Lisa Nolan, Interim Chair of Department

University Professors: McKean
Professors: Evans, Halbur, Harris, Hartwig, Hoffman, Hopkins, Hopper, Hyde, Osweiler, Thomson, Trampel
Professors (Emeritus): Carson, Kunesh, Wass
Professors (Collaborators): Thacker
Associate Professors: Apley, Hurd, Janke, Kersting, Thompson, Uhlenhopp, Yaeger, Yoon, Youngs, Zimmerman
Assistant Professors: Carr, Evans, Karriker, Loiacono, O'Connor, Zhou
Assistant Professors (Adjunct): Harmon, Imerman, Kinyon, Schwartz
Instructors (Adjunct): Pogranichniy
Clinicians: Coetzee, Cooper
Lecturers: Flaming

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

Veterinary Preventive Medicine is a multidisciplinary program focused on the study of health and disease in populations. The various disciplines represented in the program are unified by a common approach based on the application of statistical methods to problem solving in populations. Through their research and course work, students will learn to understand and apply a variety of disciplines, principles, and techniques to population health issues involving environmental, ecological, nutritional, genetic, infectious, or non-infectious diseases.

Graduate study in Veterinary Preventive Medicine will provide valuable skills and experience to persons interested in public health, food safety, emerging infectious diseases, zoo or wildlife health management, and livestock health. A degree in Veterinary Preventive Medicine may be valuable for individuals considering a future in the biological or pharmaceutical industries, government regulatory agencies, public veterinary practice, or international service agencies responsible for population health.

Veterinary Preventive Medicine is an interdepartmental major administered by the Department of Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine (VDPAM) with participating faculty from colleges and departments across the University and collaborators from the National Animal Disease Center (USDA:ARS) and the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (USDA:APHIS) located in Ames, Iowa.

Both thesis and nonthesis options are available and require the completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits for thesis and 36 graduate credits for nonthesis and a final examination.

Courses primarily for professional curriculum students

VDPAM 311. Introduction to Food Animal Clinics. Cr. 1. F.S. SS. Prereq: Vaccinated for rabies. A one hour per week discussion of current cases in the food animal hospital and topics of interest. Student will learn physical examination of the food animal as well as animal handling techniques and record keeping procedures. Students will be able to participate in activities related to cases in the food animal hospital and the VDPAM Department. Students may repeat the course once.

VDPAM 340. Clinical Foundations I. (0-2) Cr. 1. S. Prereq: First year classification in veterinary medicine. Introduction to basic handling, restraint and examination techniques used in a variety of animal and other species encountered in the veterinary curriculum.

VDPAM 401. Introductory Aquatic Animal Health and Medicine. (Same as A Ecl 401.) (1-2) Cr. 1. S. 8 weeks. Introductory course with focus on fin fish production, health and medicine. Course content will help define future roles for veterinarians, producers, and service providers. Emphasis will be placed on anatomy, pathology, infectious diseases, nutrition, regulatory constraints in production, food safety, and current research. Field trip to aquaculture facility.

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 409. Management Pathways in Veterinary Medicine. (2-1) Cr. 3. F. Introduction to veterinary operations management and marketing. Skills development related to being a valued practice associate. Self development to assist the student in successfully balancing elements of fiscal responsibility and personal and professional success. Out of class work will be assigned.

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 414. Veterinary Practice Entrepreneurship. (Dual-listed with 514.) Cr. 3. S. To provide a formal exposure to the entrepreneurial and business skills necessary to own and operate a successful veterinary practice.

VDPAM 416. Bovine Reproduction Evaluation Laboratory. (0-4) Cr. 1. F.S. Prereq: Third year classification in veterinary medicine. 10 students per section. Bovine rectal palpation techniques will be repetitively taught in 7 four-hour sessions. Students will also 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 437. Basic Clinical Skills for Production Medicine (MS 623-701): 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. Learn to interpret DHI records and use them to identify and monitor herd problems of production, mastitis, reproduction, and replacement heifer management. Evaluate rates and treatment protocols of common dairy herd diseases. Assess dairy housing including ventilation and freestalls. Estimate costs of herd problems and develop partial-budgets.

VDPAM 438. Mastitis Problem Investigations (MS 623-703): 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. Learn to evaluate rates of clinical mastitis using manual and computerized (DC305) record systems. Interpret somatic cell count records to target mastitis problems. Collect samples and interpret milk microbiology reports. Evaluate mastitis risks in housing systems (stalls, bedded packs, etc). Analyze milking systems and milker practices. Develop mastitis treatment protocols.

VDPAM 439. Clinical Investigations of Fresh Cow and Calf Problems (MS 623-705): 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. Learn to evaluate calf and peri-parturient cow management practices. Develop an investigation stragegy for ambiguous herd problems. Collect samples and interpret herd-based diagnostic tests for infectious and metabolic diseases. Assess environmental risk factors for metabolic and infectious disease including hygiene and housing. Assess nutritional status of herds via nutritional management, actual feed intake, particle length determination, etc.

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 II. (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. Endocrinology and 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 livestock diagnostics.

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. S. Prereq: Fourth-year classification in veterinary medicine. Two week introductory topics in swine production medicine with emphasis on contemporary production practices, monitoring disease, disease prevention, environmental assessment and production records. 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, economic analysis, and disease prevention.

VDPAM 481. Introduction to Beef Production Medicine. (2-0) Cr. 2. S. Prereq: Third-year classification in veterinary medicine. Introductory topics in beef production medicine with emphasis on monitoring disease, disease prevention, and production economics. Two hours lecture 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. F.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 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 489. Issues in Food Safety. (Same as An S 489, FS HN 489, HRI 489.) (1-0) Cr. 1. Alt. S., offered 2007. Prereq: Credit or enrollment in FS HN 101 or 272 or HRI 233; FS HN 419 or 420; FS HN 403. Capstone seminar for the food safety minor. Case discussions and independent projects about safety issues in the food system from a multidisciplinary perspective.

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

VDPAM 492. Orientation for International Experience. (2-0) Cr. 1. S. 8 weeks. Prereq: Classification in veterinary medicine. Predeparture orientation for group study abroad. Cultural considerations for the study abroad experience and a conversational language introduction. Out of class work will be assigned.

VDPAM 496. International Preceptorship. (0-40) Cr. 1-12 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Second- year classification in veterinary medicine. International Preceptorships and Study Abroad Group programs. This course will provide opportunities for students to be involved in applied clinical, production, and/or research experiences in international locations. The course consists of 40 hour per week experiential learning opportunites.

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduate students

VDPAM 501. Principles of Toxicology. (Same as Tox 501.) (3-0) Cr. 3. F. 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.) (0-6) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2006. 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 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 514. Veterinary Practice Entrepreneurship. (Dual-listed with 414.) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Graduate Veterinarian. To provide a formal exposure to the entrepreneuarial and business skills necessary to own and operate a successful veterinary practice.

VDPAM 522. Principles of Epidemiology and Population Health. (Same as V MPM 522. ) (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Micro 310 or equivalent. Epidemiology and ecology of disease in populations. Disease causality and epidemiologic investigations. 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 527. Applied Statistical Methods in Population Studies. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2005. Prereq: Stat 401. Measures of agreement, assessment of diagnostic tests, logistic regression, correlated data analysis, survival analysis, bioinformatics, linear models, comparison of multiple groups.

VDPAM 529. Epidemiological Methods in Population Research. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2006. Prereq: Stat 401. Designing, conducting, and analyzing data from field-based studies, including cross-sectional, case-control, cohort, and ecological studies. Clinical trials. Modeling disease in populations.

VDPAM 542. Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques. (Same as GDCB 542.) See Genetics, Develoment and Cell Biology.

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 551. Advanced Veterinary Diagnostic Medicine. (0-3 to 0-9) Cr. 1 to 3 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: 455. Necropsy techniques of animals with emphasis on gross and microscopic lesion description and microbiological diagnosis of disease in food animals.

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

VDPAM 596. International Preceptorship. (0-40) Cr. 1-12 each time taken. F.S.SS. Prereq: Admission to graduate college. International Preceptorships and Study Abroad Group programs. This course will provide opportunities for students to be involved in applied clinical, production, and/or research experiences in international locations. The course consists of 40 hour per week experiential learning opportunities.

VDPAM 599. Creative Component. Cr. var. Prereq: Enrollment in nonthesis master's degree program.

Courses for Graduate students

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 654. Comparative Antimicrobial Clinical Pharmacology. Cr. 2. Alt. S., offered in 2006. 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.

VDPAM 655. Advanced Swine Production Medicine. Cr. 1-4. S. Prereq: DVM degree and permission of instructor. Detailed overview of applied techniques used in swine production medicine; production modeling and record analysis, production economics and financial analysis, therapeutic and vaccination strategies, quality control procedures and food safety.

VDPAM 699. Research.