Lawrence D. Firkins
Assistant Dean for
Public Engagement, Veterinary Medicine Administration
Associate Professor,
Pathobiology
Swine Extension Veterinarian
Professional Interests: Dr. Firkins'
primary areas of research involve viral, bacterial, and parasitic pathogens
of swine and cattle, with a particular interest in Porcine Reproductive
and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS). His teaching covers
numerous areas of business and management as well as swine nutrition,
and swine medicine and production. He is the coordinator of the
nationally recognized Executive Veterinary Program (EVP). Dr.
Firkins also works directly with the Illinois Department of Agriculture
and the Illinois Department of Emergency Management in the development
and implementation of the Emergency Animal Disease Response Plan for
the state of Illinois.
Selected Publications:
Lowe JF, Zuckermann FA, Schnitzlein W, Firkins LD, Goldberg TL: Immunological and Clinical Consequences of Exposure to Wild Type or Attenuated Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus in Swine Under Field Conditions. Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association, 2006; 228, No 7: 1082-1088.
Appleby MC, Firkins LD, et al (12 additional authors listed in alphabetical order): Housing of Pregnant Sows - A Comprehensive Review. Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association, 2005; 227, No 10: 1580-1590.
McAllister MM, Wallace RL, Bjorkman C, Gao L, Firkins LD: A Probable Source of Neospora caninum Infection in an Abortion Outbreak in Dairy Cows. Bovine Practitioner, 2005; Vol. 39, No. 2: 69-74.
Lowe JF, Hussman R, Firkins LD, Zuckermann FA, Goldberg TL: Correlation of Cellular Immunity to Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus with Production Against Reproductive Failure in Sows During Outbreaks on Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome in Commercial Herds. Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association, 2005; 226, No. 10: 1707 - 1711.
Gondim LFP, McAllister MM, Anderson-Sprecher RC, Bjorkman C, Lock TF, Firkins LD, Gao L, Fischer WR: Transplacental Transmission and Abortion in Cows Administered Neospora caninum oocysts. Journal of Parasitology, 2004; 90(6): 1394-1400.
Amass SA, Firkins LD, et al (16 additional authors listed in alphabetical order): Educating the Next Generation of Swine Veterinarians: Needs and Strengths. Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association, 2004; 224, No. 9: 1422-1425.
Paul AJ, Hutchens DE, Firkins LD, Borgstrom M: Dermal Safety Study with Imidacloprid/Moxidectin Topical Solution in the Ivermectin-Sensitive Collie. Veterinary Parasitology, 2004; 121/3-4: 285-291.
Paul AJ, Hutchens DE, Firkins LD, Keehan C: Dermal Safety Study with 10.0% Imidacloprid/0.08% Ivermectin in the Ivermectin-Sensitive Collie. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2004; 65: 277-278.
Hassan ME, Smith GW, Ott RS, Faulkner DB, Firkins LD, Ehrhart EJ, Schaeffer DJ: Reversibility of Deleterious Effects of Gossypol on Reproductive Characteristics of Peripubertal Bulls. Journal of Theriologenology, 2004; 61: 1171-1179.
Firkins LD, Weigel RM: A Retrospective Study of Risk Factors for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Infection and Disease in Swine Herds in Illinois during the Early Years of the Pandemic. Journal of Swine Health and Production, 2004; 12(1): 23-28.
Goldberg TL, Lowe JF, Milburn SM, Firkins LD: Quasispecies Variation in Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus during Natural Selection. Virology, 2003; 317: 197-207.
Lowe JF, Firkins LD, Banerjee M, Goldberg TL: A Novel Biopsy Technique for the Collection of Ante Mortem Tonsil Samples in Swine. Journal of Swine Health and Production, 2003; 5: 229-232.
Firkins LD, Jones CJ, Keen DP, Arends JJ, Thompson L, Skogerboe TL, King VL: Preventing Transmission of Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis Infestations from Sows to Nursing Piglets by a Prefarrowing Treatment with Doramectin Injectable Solution. Veterinary Parasitology, 2001; 99: 323-330.
Isaacson RI, Firkins LD, Weigel RM, Zuckermann FA, DiPietro JA: Effect of Transmission and Feed Withdrawal on Shedding of Salmonella typhimurium among Experimentally Infected Pigs. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 1999; 60: 1155-1158.
Firkins LD, Weigel RM, Biehl LG, Hahn EC: A Field Trial Evaluating the Immunogenicity of Pseudorabies Virus Vaccines with Deletions for Glycoproteins G and E. American Journal of Veterinary Research, 1997; 58: 976-984.
