Anniversary in Hanover: A century of cattle medicine in focus!

Anniversary in Hanover: A century of cattle medicine in focus!

The Hannover Veterinary University Foundation (TiHo) is celebrating a remarkable anniversary on September 26th and 27th, 2025: One hundred years of the clinic for cattle. The event looks back on a long and important history of bovine medicine, which began in 1925 under the leadership of Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. Richard Götze was brought into being. Originally founded as a clinic for obstetrics and bovine diseases, the main aim was to promote research and training in this important area of ​​veterinary medicine. Topics such as reproduction, infectious diseases, husbandry, management, calf care and lameness play a central role in clinical practice and research TiHo reported.

Over the decades, the clinic has developed into an internationally recognized institution known for its scientific publications and lectures at national and international conferences. The introduction of the field of semen transfer in 1932 represented a significant advance. The division of the clinic in 1953 into the areas of cattle diseases and obstetrics and gynecology was another milestone. Under the direction of Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. mult. Gustav Rosenberger, the Clinic for Cattle Diseases focused on internal and surgical diseases, poisoning and diseases of young animals.

Important milestones in bovine medicine

The clinic has made a significant contribution to the eradication of enzootic bovine leukosis in Europe. Professor Dr. After Götze's death, Erich Aehnelt took over the management of the obstetrics and gynecology clinic, which increasingly dealt with infertile herds and diseases such as foot and mouth disease. In the 1960s to 1980s the focus shifted more to non-infectious diseases, while in the 1990s the diagnosis of selenium deficiency under Professor Dr. Henner Scholz became more important.

In 2003, the reunification of both clinics led to today's cattle clinic under the direction of Professor Dr. Heinrich Bollwein, followed by Professor Dr. Martina Hoedemaker, PhD since 2012. Hoedemaker's research focuses on identifying risk factors for animal health and establishing preventive measures. Her team is also dedicated to research into metabolic diseases and the development of modern technologies, including digitalization and AI applications.

Respiratory diseases in cattle

Respiratory diseases are one of the most important disease complexes in bovine medicine. Young cattle are particularly affected, although the proportion of sick animals varies depending on the farm and the season. Enzootic bronchopneumonia, often referred to as bovine influenza, affects the respiratory system of calves. This disease is caused by a variety of pathogens, both viruses and bacteria. Stress factors such as high humidity and unfavorable stable conditions also play a crucial role in the development of the disease.

The consequences of such diseases are serious: they lead to reduced weight gain, prolonged fattening times and high treatment costs. In serious cases, death can also occur. In addition, respiratory diseases are associated with fertility problems, which can seriously affect economic efficiency in the dairy industry. This is confirmed by current studies that address the multifactorial causes of these diseases, which are influenced by environmental influences such as pollutant gas concentrations and air speed Vetmedica describes.

The cattle clinic at TiHo not only offers a stronghold of research, but also a platform for training future veterinarians. The expertise gained from working on respiratory diseases and other ailments in cattle is integrated into the training of veterinary students and the advanced training of veterinarians. In this way, the clinic actively contributes to improving animal health in agriculture, supported by findings from medical research as presented in specialist journals and at conferences. The ongoing focus is on optimizing both the prevention and management of diseases in cattle farming, which also significantly increases the health of the animals and the profitability of the farms MSD Animal Health highlights.