The purpose of the Ambulatory and Production medicine rotations is to give students practical experience in large animal primary care and the implementation of production medicine programs. Instruction includes supervised participation during farm visits, discussions while traveling between farms, twice weekly rounds led by interns or residents, and individual instruction on dairy records, nutrition and other topics in our computer laboratory. We emphasize hands-on experience by having students perform as many diagnostic and treatment procedures as possible. We also focus on applied clinical epidemiology by discussing the diagnostic process at the individual animal and herd level and the rational use of physical examination methods and ancillary tests. Treatment and management options are discussed in the context of economic costs and benefits for the farm business or livestock owner. Students should gain a better understanding of the effects of clinical and herd management decisions on human health, food product quality and animal welfare.

Course Procedures

While on Ambulatory & Production Medicine rotation, students will be expected to wear clean coveralls, and be equipped with a stethoscope, thermometer, time piece that measures seconds, hemostats, scissors, pen, penlight, and washable boots. Students should be on time and are graded on enthusiasm, preparedness to handle routine ambulatory calls, medical and surgical knowledge, and manual skills, as well as general farm knowledge and communication skills. Grades are assigned by the clinicians with whom the student spent the majority of time, and include input from other clinicians with whom the student rode. Students will see a variety of methods, but should have a basic knowledge of common techniques. The student is also expected to aid the clinician with the maintenance of equipment and drug inventories of the ambulatory vehicle. <more>

Required Rotations

VETMED 5600 Ambulatory and Production Medicine (two weeks required during Foundation Course VI)

These are clinical service rotations in which students accompany ambulatory clinicians on farm and stable calls and learn the skills and procedures necessary for operation of a modern veterinary practice offering primary care and production medicine services to large animal clients. Routine herd health visits are conducted for cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and swine. Reproductive evaluations (including pregnancy and fertility examinations), nutritional evaluations, and disease prevention are stressed. Herd health programs also include vaccinations, parasite control, mastitis prevention, and routine procedures such as castration and dehorning. With appropriate herds, analysis of computerized performance data is conducted and discussed with the owner. In addition to assisting with routine scheduled work, students participate in diagnosis and medical or surgical treatment of ill or injured animals. This includes rotating assignments for night and weekend duty.

Elective Rotation

VTMED 6620 Introduction to Ambulatory Primary Care Medicine
Spring,Summer, Fall, 1 credit, S/U only,
Prerequisite: first-, second-, and first semester third year veterinary students.
C. Guard.

This a clinical service rotation in which students accompany ambulatory clinicians on a farm and stable calls and learn the skills and procedures necessary for operation of a modern veterinary practice offering primary care and production medicine services to large animal clients. Routine herd health visits are conducted for cattle, horses, sheep, goats, and swine. Reproductive evaluations (including pregnancy and fertility examinations), sick and lame animal evaluation and treatment, and other health maintenance procedures make up the majority of non-emergency work. Emergencies are usually obstetric cases, injuries, and acute illness. In addition to assisting with routine scheduled work, students participate in diagnosis and medical or surgical treatment of ill or injured animals. This includes rotating assignments for night and weekend duty.

VTMED 6615 Special Topics in Ambulatory and Production Animal Medicine
Fall, winter, spring and summer. Variable 1-2 credits. Prerequisite: VETMED 5600. Enrollment is done by lottery. Second-, third-, and fourth-year veterinary students. Letter grades only.

This course provides specialized experiences in the Ambulatory and Production Medicine Service. The course will consist of participation in scheduled and emergency farm calls and completion of projects designed to provide experience in herd problem solving, records analysis and implementing herd-health programs. Clinical service assignments will be planned to meet individual student goals. Examples of focus areas available include livestock production medicine, dairy reproductive examinations, small-ruminant medicine, and equine ambulatory practice.

Those interested in extra or specialized Ambulatory & Production Medicine experience should contact one of the faculty in the section to plan activities for the rotation and arrange for enrollment and scheduling.

Cornell Summer Dairy Institute 
The Cornell Summer Dairy Institute, an advanced training program for prospective dairy veterinarians, is held each year at Cornell. A description of the program and application forms are available on line.

Externship

When scheduling permits, students from other U.S. or international colleges of veterinary medicine are welcome to participate in the Ambulatory and Production Medicine clinical rotations as externs. Visiting students are expected to fulfill the same requirements and responsibilities as Cornell students including assigned emergency and weekend duty.

More information on arranging for externship opportunities can be found at the following site: <CUHA externships>

Other Courses

Dairy Production Medicine course description (VTMED 6548)
Sheep and Goat Medicine course description (6545 and 6546 )
Sheep and Goat Course Syllabus
Llama Tutorial course description (VETMED 6530)
Llama Course Syllabus
Poisonous Plants course description (VETMED 6531)
Poisonous Plants Syllabus
Dairy Herd Health Epidemiology course description (VETMED 6556)
Dairy Business Management and Health Economics (VTMED 6555)
Applied Dairy Nutrition for Practitioners (VTMED 6559)
Herd Health and Biosecurity (VTMED 6610)
Vets and Food Animal Production Systems (VTMED 6733)