Dave Sjeklocha, DVM

Merck Animal Health

Dr. David (Dave) Sjeklocha grew up on diversified farming and ranching operations in Iowa and Missouri. After graduating high school, he worked in a small cattle feedyard in Missouri, checking cattle, treating sick cattle, managing feed, etc. At age 25, he decided to pursue his Bachelor’s degree and his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. He graduated from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1994. 

Since then, his practice focus has been on beef cattle production management and medicine. His practice has included clients in Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, Texas and Oklahoma; and evolved into a cattle feedyard consulting specialty. Dr. Sjeklocha has extended considerable effort to promote animal welfare and antibiotic stewardship. In 2011, he joined Cattle Empire of Satanta, KS, as Operations Manager of Animal Health and Welfare. In October of 2018, Dr. Sjeklocha Joined Merck Animal Health as part of their beef cattle technical services team. 

Dr. Sjeklocha has been very active in leadership roles within the veterinary profession. He is a member of the Academy of Veterinary Consultants (AVC) where he has served on the Board of Directors and the Membership Committee. He also chaired the Beef Cattle Health and Well Being committee and served as President of the AVC. For the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP), he has served as Program Moderator, Program Coordinator, Chairman of the Animal Welfare Committee, and is the current Vice President of the association.  He has spoken nationally and internationally on the topics of animal welfare and antibiotic use. 

Dr. Sjeklocha has received the Beef Cattle Institute’s “Beef Cattle Veterinarian of the Year” from Kansas State University in 2011 and the 2013 Academy of Veterinary Consultants’ “Consultant of the Year” awards. 

He has been married to Sheri for 37 years and they have three children and three grandchildren.