Large Animal Clinical Sciences
The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine was established
in 1974 as a teaching hospital. One year later, the Department of Large Animal
Clinical Sciences was established under its former name, The Department of
Rural Practice. The primary purposes of establishing the college were to teach
students, to assist practitioners, and to conduct veterinary medical research.
Large Animal Clinical Sciences is divided into 5 sections: Large Animal
Surgery, Equine Medicine, Food Animal Medicine, Anesthesia/Neonatal/Intensive
Care, and Field Services. It encompasses many animal species including,
horses, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs (including Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs),
South American Camelids (llama, alpaca), ratites (ostrich, emu), and other
exotic large animals.
Large Animal Clinical Sciences provides referral service, routine care, emergency care, and herd disease outbreak investigations for livestock owners. Of the 18 hospital faculty members, 15 are board certified and 12 have an advanced degree. Large Animal Clinical Sciences is dedicated to providing the most up-to-date care for large animals, continuing education for the community, and producing veterinarians who are the best in their field. The local practice area encompasses approximately a 30 mile radius. However, animals are referred from all areas of Tennessee and surrounding states. Regular hours are established for appointments, although emergencies are accepted 24 hours/day, 365 days/year. The hospital services, medicine, surgery, anesthesia, and field services are fully staffed with teams of senior faculty, residents, interns, students and technicians.
Departmental Mission
The mission of Large Animal Clinical Sciences is to advance the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery by the promotion of scholarly activity, education, and maintenance of animal health. Our goal is to achieve distinction while sustaining balance in teaching, service, and research.