Billy Smith, DVM, MS, DABVP
Dr. Smith earned his DVM from Louisiana State University in 1991 and an MS in Veterinary Science from the University of Florida in 1996. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, certified in Food Animal Practice (1997), and obtained required recertification twice (2007 & 2017). He joined the Section of Field Service at New Bolton Center in 1998. He enjoys teaching veterinary students, and he has been recognized for his contribution to veterinary science and education by receiving the Lindback Teaching Award, the Carl Norden-Pfizer Distinguished Teacher Award, and the Dean’s Award for Leadership in Clinical Science Education. Clinically, Dr. Smith has spent the last 33 years practicing veterinary medicine in numerous regions of the United States and on various herd sizes ranging from < 50 to more than 5,000 animals. His clinical focus is transition dairy cow management, monitoring ruminant health protocols in dairy, beef, and small ruminants, and implementing preventative disease measures in ruminant food animals. His research interests mainly focus on food animal herd health trials resulting in improved health, performance, and productivity, including manipulation of reproductive synchronization programs, vaccination response in cattle, epidemiology of Mycoplasma bovis in cattle, colostrum manipulation, and handling.
Smith, B.I., Fox, L.K. & Aceto, H.W. Prevalence and transmission patterns of Mycoplasma bovis in comingled Holstein dairy heifers from two different parent farms. BMC Vet Res 21, 251 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04699-8
DiPastina A., Stephanovski D., Kristula M., Egolf E., Smith BI. Evaluating impact of season and corpus luteum cavitation on serum progesterone concentration and pregnancy in a Holstein dairy herd. The Bovine Practitioner. Vol. 58, No. 2, p. 1-8, Summer 2024. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21423/bpj20249026
Pesato ME, Boyle AG, Fecteau M, Hamberg A, and Smith BI. Spindle cell tumor of the rumen with metastasis to the liver in a goat. J Vet Diagn Invest, February 2018. https://doi.org/10.1177/1040638718759732
Smith BI, Cady SV & Aceto HW. Effect of formic acid treatment on colostrum quality, and on absorption and function of immunoglobulins: a randomized controlled trial in Holstein dairy calves. BMC Vet Res 18, 318 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-022-03418-x
Hennessy M, Kristula M, Cady S, Smith BI, Indugu N, Vecchiarelli B, Pitta D. Acidification of colostrum affects the fecal microbiota of pre-weaned dairy calves. JDS Commun. 2023 Mar; 4(2): 80–85. https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2022-0296
Beidel CR, VMD, Kristula MA, DVM, MS, and Smith BI, DVM, MS, DAPVP (Food Animal), Case Report – Utilizing formic acid to effectively eliminate Mycoplasma bovis in unpasteurized fresh raw milk. The Bovine Practitioner Vol. 50, No. 2, p. 137-141, Summer 2016. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol50no2p137-141
Smith MA, Nolan TJ, Rieger R, Aceto H, Levine DG, Nolen-Walston R, Smith BI. Efficacy of major anthelmintics for reduction of fecal shedding of strongyle-type eggs in horses in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Vet Parasitol 214:139-143, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.09.025
Smith BI, Rieger RH, Dickens CM, Schultz RD, and Aceto H: Anti-bovine herpesvirus and anti-bovine viral diarrhea virus antibody responses in pregnant Holstein dairy cattle following administration of a multivalent killed virus vaccine. Am J Vet Res Vol 76, No. 10, p 913-920, October 2015. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.76.10.913
Dr. Smith’s research interests include all aspects of ruminant preventative health, medicine, and surgery with special emphasis placed on the following: *bovine lameness, specifically functional foot trimming *bovine reproduction, specifically postpartum uterine disease and twinning *ruminant preventative health, specifically vaccination response and pain management. Food animal herd health trials resulting in improved performance and productivity including manipulation of reproductive synchronization programs, vaccination response in cattle, epidemiology of Mycoplasma bovis in cattle, colostrum manipulation and handling, etc.
Utah State University (1991 to 1992)
Intern
University of Florida (1992 to 1994)
Residency in Rural Animal Medicine
Clinical Specialties:
Transition dairy cow management; Ruminant health protocol creation for dairy, beef, and small ruminants; Implementation of preventative disease measures in ruminant food animals
Hospital & Services:
Education:
MS (Veterinary Science) University of Florida, 1996; DVM, Louisiana State University, 1991; BS (Dairy Production Science) Louisiana State University, 1987
Board Certification:
Diplomate, American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (Food Animal Practice)
Additional Certification:
Certified Consultant, Dairyland Initiative (Positive Pressure Tube Ventilation)
Contact:
University of Pennsylvania
School of Veterinary Medicine
New Bolton Center
382 West Street Road
Kennett Square, PA 19348