Ruminant Medicine

Description of the field

Ruminant medicine is an animal species-based discipline that focuses on teaching and research involving the identification, treatment and prophylaxis of ruminant diseases at the individual and herd level, and the optimization of ruminant production.

The discipline communicates and generates evidence-based knowledge on the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, prophylaxis and epidemiology of diseases, as well as animal husbandry and clinical activities.

Current research

Development of control methods (prophylaxis and treatment) for ruminant diseases, as well as basic elements of control programs, mainly for infectious diseases (mainly in Sweden and Europe, but also in developing countries), based on research in epidemiology, pathogenesis, animal husbandry, genetics, microbiota, molecular epidemiology, antibiotic resistance, infection control, treatment and vaccination, as well as methodology and communication in herd medicine.

Comparative research is also carried out using ruminants as a model for humans. The aim is to contribute to increased competitiveness and sustainability in ruminant production. Furthermore, we will promote good animal welfare and a responsible use of antibiotics in a One-Health perspective.

The Ruminants clinic

SLU runs a ruminant clinic for the purpose of education and research. The clinic is run in close collaboration within SLU with the departments of reproduction, pathology and feeding - as well as the clinical chemistry laboratory and the imaging clinic. Visit the clinic by clicking on the link here.