College of Veterinary Medicine
Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine
Search Close Search
Apply Graduate Programs
Toggle Menu

Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine

Connecting Mission to Practice: VDPAM’s Integrated Approach to Food Animal Medicine 

At VDPAM, we lead the future of food animal and population medicine. As a global center of excellence, we are recognized for our expertise, valued for our collaborative partnerships, and trusted to deliver innovative, science-driven solutions to the most pressing challenges in animal health and food production.

We advance our vision by empowering current and future veterinarians, scientists, and industry stakeholders through exceptional education, groundbreaking research, and world-class clinical and diagnostic services. Every day, we work to elevate animal health, enhance productivity and welfare, strengthen food safety, and support a sustainable global food system.

Advancing Animal Health Through Innovation, Education, and Service

Who We Are

  • Veterinary Field Services

    ISU’s Veterinary Field Services provides on-farm, large‑animal veterinary care for beef, dairy, swine, sheep, goats, and camelids, offering medical, surgical, herd‑health, and reproductive services through fully equipped mobile units. The program also serves as a hands-on teaching environment, giving veterinary students practical experience in managing a wide range of clinical cases.

  • Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL)

    The ISU VDL is a nationally recognized, full‑service diagnostic facility that processes over 125,000 cases annually and performs more than one million tests to protect animal and human health. We provide accredited diagnostic services, including necropsy, bacteriology, serology, histopathology, virology, parasitology, molecular diagnostics, toxicology, and analytical testing, to support veterinarians, producers, and the broader animal agriculture industry.

  • SMEC students with snared pig

    Swine Medicine Education Center (SMEC)

    SMEC is dedicated to collecting, synthesizing, and disseminating best practices in clinical swine medicine to improve swine health, ensure pork safety, maintain sustainability, and conserve resources. We provide extensive hands-on education and training for veterinary students, practicing veterinarians, and global stakeholders in swine health and production.

  • Food Animal and Camelid Hospital

    ISU’s Food Animal and Camelid Hospital provides full-service veterinary care for cattle, small ruminants, camelids, and swine, offering routine medical care, advanced surgical procedures, and reproductive services delivered by a specialized, board-certified team. The hospital supports both local producers and referring veterinarians with comprehensive in-clinic and emergency services, equipped to manage a wide range of livestock health needs.

  • documenting research in journal

    Field Epidemiology

    The Field Epidemiology team applies population-based sciences to generate real-world field data that help decision-makers improve swine health and productivity. The team evaluates strategies to prevent, detect, and manage infectious swine diseases under field conditions, sharing research, tools, and training resources with stakeholders.

  • Welfare, Beef, Dairy, Poultry, and Small Ruminants

    VDPAM’s focus areas supports animal agriculture through specialized focus areas, ranging from animal welfare and species-specific production medicine, each integrating clinical expertise, field‑based research, and producer support. These interdisciplinary teams work to enhance herd health, productivity, and sustainability while providing education, outreach, and practical solutions for veterinarians and livestock industries.