Veterinarians

Veterinarians have an array of responsibilities when it comes to their occupation. A vet will have to make sure that an animal is diagnosed and treated all without being able to hear the symptoms from their patients’ mouths. A vet will dispense medication, perform x-rays, set broken limbs, perform surgery, and cleanse wounded areas. A veterinarian is also responsible for relaying important information to the animal’s owner so that proper medical care can be continued after leaving the office. There is a sensitivity that accompanies this profession because the animals cannot speak for themselves, and also because many people view their domestic pets as part of their family.

There are different types of veterinarians, small animal vets, large animal vets, mixed animal vets, and clinical animal vets. Small animal vets usually deal with domestic animals such as dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, etc. Small animal veterinarians are usually clinical vets as well, although you will find some that will refer patients to a clinical vet that specializes in operating on animals. A large animal veterinarian will usually deal with livestock like horses and cows. Lastly, a mixed animal vet is for sheep, pigs, snakes, and any other random animal that you are unsure of where to take them. There are veterinarians that work with scientists and laboratories in order to perform research while others choose to work in zoos and on farms.

There are risks when working with animals that should always be considered. Many people rescue pets, or have no working knowledge of a pet’s history and a vet takes the chance of being bit or scratched at anytime making him or her susceptible to many diseases. Also, a veterinarian is required to work for long hours and often times be on call twenty-four hours a day because it is hard to tell how serious an animal’s condition may or may not be. You will find that many vets have partners in their practice for this particular reason.

Schooling is particularly hard for veterinarians. There is an additional three years after college in order to complete a specialized degree in animal medicine. Admittance to veterinarian school is a standardized test comparable to the MCAT, although the MCAT is accepted as well. Veterinarians have a large emphasis on the sciences including zoology and microbiology. The good news is that once the schooling is completed, the high demand for veterinarians makes it easy to find a job within the industry.