April 30, 2007

Pfizer names new reproductive specialist in its beef team

Richard Linhart, DVM, Dipl. ACT, has officially joined the Pfizer Animal Health Beef Veterinary Operations team. Linhart will be based in Boise, Idaho, and will be focusing on improving the beef herds with an emphasis on production medicine and improving beef reproductive efficiency.

Prior to joining Pfizer, Linhart spent 20 years as owner of Simpsonville Animal Hospital, Simpsonville, Kentucky, a large animal and exotic animal veterinary practice. He received his undergraduate and veterinary medicine degrees from Purdue University, Lafayette Industries

Linhart is board certified in theriogenology (reproduction) from the University of Missouri. In his private practice, Linhart specialized in advising clients on estrus synchronization programs and helping them implement these programs to optimize results of artificial insemination. He also put his expertise in production medicine to work in the areas of prevention and control of neonatal diseases, stocker cattle health management, parasite control and reproductive herd heath, including use of ultrasound evaluation in bison, cattle and other small ruminants to confirm pregnancy and fetal sexing.

Rich's 20 years of experience in private practice and his strength in bovine reproduction are going to be great assets to producers and Pfizer, according to Greg Quakenbush, DVM, Pfizer veterinary operations director, Overland Park in Kansas.

Linhart also is an expert in exotic species - including elk, deer, bear, bobcat, alpacas and exotic swine. He has worked with the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife for surgical treatment and postmortem exams of bison, elk, deer, black bear, bobcat and reptiles; and he consults with the Louisville Zoo on hoofed stock and marine mammals.