Livestock and Farm-Animal Veterinary Practice: Herd Health, Welfare, and Food Safety
Veterinary care for livestock ensures healthy animals, safe food production, and efficient farming operations. Cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and poultry each require specialized health protocols addressing nutrition, biosecurity, reproduction, and disease-prevention. Farm-animal veterinarians work closely with farmers to manage herd or flock health rather than focusing on individual animals alone.
Herd-health programs emphasize disease prevention through vaccination plans, parasite control, hygiene practices, and nutritional optimization. Biosecurity protocols reduce the introduction and spread of disease by controlling animal movement, disinfecting equipment, and isolating sick animals. Vaccination schedules protect against conditions such as clostridial diseases, respiratory pathogens, and viral infections specific to each species.
Nutrition is fundamental for animal growth, milk production, muscle development, and reproductive success. Veterinarians collaborate with nutritionists to formulate balanced diets including proteins, energy sources, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Water quality and availability are monitored, as dehydration affects body functions and milk production. Supplementation and feed-management strategies prevent…

