Mixed Animal
Mixed practice veterinarians are licensed animal health professionals who are trained to diagnose and treat illnesses affecting a variety of species. Most mixed practice veterinarians offer veterinary services for some combination of large animals — cattle, horses and other livestock — and small animals such as dogs, cats and other pets. Mixed practice vets may either operate out of a clinic or travel to visit their patients on farms using a customized truck containing the necessary medical equipment.
The usual duties for a mixed practice vet include conducting general wellness exams, administering vaccinations, prescribing medications, performing a variety of small and large animal surgeries, laceration repairs, cleaning teeth, and working closely with veterinary technicians, farmers, ranchers, nutritionists, feed companies, and diagnostic labs. Other duties may include monitoring the reproductive health of breeding livestock from pre-breeding to birthing, conducting pre-purchase exams, taking radiographs, and performing ultrasounds on a variety of species.
Cow/Calf
Cow–calf operations are widespread throughout beef-producing countries, and the goal of a cow–calf operation is to produce young beef cattle, which are usually sold. True to the name, farm and ranch herds consist mostly of adult female cows, their calves, and young females, called heifers, which will produce calves once of breeding age. Some operations may raise their cattle until slaughter weight, others sell them as weaned calves. They may have a few herd bulls and utilize natural mating, but may have no bulls and rely primarily on artificial insemination. A veterinarian assists in all facets of the cow-calf operation to better help the producer raise high quality and healthy cattle.
Feedlot
Feedlot veterinarians practicing today are highly-trained, and the profession is committed to responsible drug use, animal welfare, and food safety. Beef cattle veterinarians are consumers too. This helps us define our responsibilities and set our priorities. They work closely with producers to develop veterinary-client-patient-relationships allowing them to prescribe and recommend therapeutic regimens that meet defining criteria of the operation. It’s the veterinarian’s job to evaluate the health and performance of the cattle and make necessary adjustments based on observational, diagnostic or evidence-based research.
Sheep, Goats, Equine and Swine
Small Ruminant & Swine General medicine: The foundation for food and fiber animals is good health. We provide several layers of services from preventative to diagnostic medicine for swine, sheep, and goats. With varying sizes operations each will need a personal vaccine/herd health program. Small ruminants and swine require different protocols for different production goals. Our food and fiber protocols/consultation will help every producer reach their herd health goals.