In this issue, guest editors bring their considerable expertise to this important topic. Provides in-depth reviews on the latest updates in the field, providing actionable insights for clinical practice. Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create these timely topic-based reviews.

This issue, edited by Dr. Jan Shearer, focuses on Lameness in Cattle. Article topics include: Economic Impact of Lameness in Cattle; Pathogenesis of Sole Ulcers and White Line Disease; Current Concepts on the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Digital Dermatitis; Pathogenesis and Treatment of Foot rot; A Brief Review of Effective Footbath Compounds, Design and Management; Pathogenesis and Treatment of Toe Lesions in Cattle (including Non-Healing Toe Lesions); A Comparison of Foot Trimming Methods for Use in Cattle; Pathogenesis and Management of Corkscrew Claw in Cattle; Diagnosis and Prognosis of Common Disorders Involving the Proximal Limb; Scoring Locomotion and Mobility in Cattle (to include Fatigue Cattle Syndrome); The Relationship of Cow Comfort and Flooring to Lameness Disorders in Dairy Cattle; Treatment Options for Lameness Disorders in Organic Dairies; Welfare Implications of Lameness in Dairy Cattle; Pain Management for Lameness Disorders in Cattle, and Training On-Farm Employees in Foot Care.

This issue of Veterinary Clinics of North America: Food Animal Practice focuses on Ruminant Ultrasound. Article topics include: On-farm use of ultrasound for assessment of bovine respiratory disease, Echocardiography for the assessment of congenital heart defects in calves, Ultrasonography of the tympanic bulla and otitis media, Ultrasonography of the central nervous system and ultrasound guided CSF tap, Ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen of calves, Ascites in cattle: ultrasonographic findings and diagnosis, Ultrasonographic doppler use for reproduction management in heifers and cows, Ultrasound use for body condition and carcass quality assessment in cattle and lambs, and more!

In this issue, guest editors bring their considerable expertise to this important topic.

This issue, edited by Dr. Kevin Washburn, focuses on Food Animal Neurology. Article topics include: Neurological examination of the ruminant; Diagnostics and ancillary tests of neurologic dysfunction in the ruminant; Localization of neurologic lesions in ruminants; Cerebral disorders of calves; Cerebral disorders of the adult ruminant; Cerebellar disorders of ruminants; Brain stem and cranial nerve disorders of ruminants; Spinal cord and peripheral nerve abnormalities of the ruminant; and Toxicoses of the ruminant nervous system.

The U.S. veterinary medical profession contributes to society in diverse ways, from developing drugs and protecting the food supply to treating companion animals and investigating animal diseases in the wild. In a study of the issues related to the veterinary medical workforce, including demographics, workforce supply, trends affecting job availability, and capacity of the educational system to fill future demands, a National Research Council committee found that the profession faces important challenges in maintaining the economic sustainability of veterinary practice and education, building its scholarly foundations, and evolving veterinary service to meet changing societal needs. Many concerns about the profession came into focus following the outbreak of West Nile fever in 1999, and the subsequent outbreaks of SARS, monkeypox, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, highly pathogenic avian influenza, H1N1 influenza, and a variety of food safety and environmental issues heightened public concerns. They also raised further questions about the directions of veterinary medicine and the capacity of public health service the profession provides both in the United States and abroad. To address some of the problems facing the veterinary profession, greater public and private support for education and research in veterinary medicine is needed. The public, policymakers, and even medical professionals are frequently unaware of how veterinary medicine fundamentally supports both animal and human health and well-being. This report seeks to broaden the public's understanding and attempts to anticipate some of the needs and measures that are essential for the profession to fulfill given its changing roles in the 21st century.