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Becoming a Veterinarian

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Submitted By Devyn8
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Devyn R. Fowler

Oct. 01, 2014

ENG 101

Becoming a Veterinarian

Animals have been a major part of my life for as long as I could remember. Even as a

baby, I was surrounded by all types of animals; dogs, cats, lizards, birds. Etc. The passion I have

for animals inspired me to me to want to become a veterinarian. A veterinarian “is a person who

is trained to give medical care and treatment to animals: an animal doctor” (Merriam-Webster). I

can find no better career path for me then helping animals that are injured/in need of medical

attention. If you weren’t aware, there are five main veterinarian jobs; livestock, companion,

exotic, mixed, and lab animals. My interest lies only between two of the five jobs: livestock and

companion. Knowing the differences and similarities between the two will help me better

understand these jobs and also help me make a final decision on which specific career path to

study.

Livestock veterinarians specialize in exactly that, livestock animals (cows, horses, etc.).

“Livestock veterinarians examine, diagnose, and treat individual livestock animals/herds”

(DegreeDictionary.org). Another aspect would be treating animals that will be used for food.

With that being said, a livestock veterinarian must “enforce food safety standards, check for

transmittable diseases and quarantine animals as necessary” (DegreeDictionary.org). “Other

duties include giving vaccinations and handing out medication, as well as treating injuries,

surgery, delivering newborns, and also offering advice to owners regarding breeding, housing,

nutrition, and behavior problems”( DegreeDictionary.org). Another must know aspect is the

educational requirements to become a livestock veterinarian. In order to become a livestock

veterinarian “you must first complete undergraduate prerequisite courses, which may include

Devyn R. Fowler

Oct. 01, 2014

ENG 101

inorganic and organic chemistry, biology, physics, nutrition, microbiology, genetics, social

science, English, and mathematics. It is also recommended that you earn a bachelor’s degree due

to the fact that admission is highly competitive. You will also need to take an admission exam,

which could be the Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT), the Graduate Record

Examination (GRE) or the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). While enrolled in a

veterinary medicine program, you will take courses in anatomy, physiology, pathology,

immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, nutrition and ethics during your first two years.

During your final two years, you will receive clinical training in surgery, anesthesia, dermatology,

ophthalmology, radiology, critical care and euthanasia. Upon completion of your program, you

will earn a Doctors of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M) degree” (DegreeDictionary.org). Another

must know aspect in becoming a livestock veterinarian is their salary. “The Bureau of Labor

Statistics reported that veterinarians earned a median salary of $79,050 a year in 2008. Salaries

ranged from $61,370 to $104,110 for the middle 50 percent of veterinarians.”(EHow.com). With

all this being said, companion veterinarians still need to be discussed.

Unlike a livestock veterinarian, and companion veterinarian specializes in house pets

(dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and reptiles). Similar to livestock veterinarians, companion

veterinarians diagnose diseases and other health problems in pets. Companion vets, like

livestock vets, also might give vaccinations, prescribe and administer medications, perform

surgeries, set fractures, treat wounds and euthanize terminally ill animals. Additionally,

companion veterinarians communicate with pet owners, which could involve teaching them to

deal with their pets' behavior issues or advising them on breeding or feeding issues”

Devyn R. Fowler

Oct. 01, 2014

ENG 101

(EducationPortal.com). Educational aspects of becoming a companion vet differ from that of a

livestock vet. “During their undergraduate years, aspiring companion vets should take

numerous courses in the sciences, including chemistry, organic chemistry, biology, physics,

nutrition, microbiology, zoology and physiology. Many veterinary schools also require that

students complete courses in mathematics, English, humanities and social sciences. It's also

important that applicants have some experience working with animals and that they've

completed one of the following standardized tests: the Veterinary College Admission Test

(VCAT), the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Medical College Admission Test

(MCAT). After earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from an accredited veterinary

school, veterinarians must obtain licensure, with the exception of some vets who work for state

or federal government agencies. Licensing requirements vary by state, but all states require a

passing score on the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam. Before beginning to practice,

recent graduates might choose to undertake a 1-year internship, which can provide an

opportunity to strengthen necessary skills and might lead to better paying positions later on.

New veterinarians who wish to specialize in an area like internal medicine, dentistry, oncology

or dermatology may opt to complete a 3- to 4-year residency program and then test for board

certification in their specialties” (EducationPortal.com). Another major difference between the

two jobs is their salary. Companion veterinarians earn a median annual salary of $84,460 as of

May 2012, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)” (EducationPortal.com).

Both vets are unique in their own way, and also have similarities as well.

Devyn R. Fowler

Oct. 01, 2014

ENG 101

Companion vets and livestock vets also have similarities between themselves. Both must

examine, diagnose, and treat the individual animal, and do what’s best for the animal. Doing

what’s best for the animal may not be the easiest thing to do, but is the right thing to do.

Whether that be euthanizing the animal or performing surgery, the animals best interest is

always going to be on these vets mind.

While comparing the livestock veterinarian to the companion veterinarian, I have

learned that either path way will be difficult, and will take hard work. Knowing this, I am up

for the challenge and will strive to achieve my goal of becoming a veterinarian. With that being

said, during my research I have also decided which specific vet job I would like to pursue, and

that is the companion vet. I am excited for the journey that awaits me, and cannot wait till I see

the results.

Devyn R. Fowler

Oct. 01, 2014

ENG 101

Bibliography Page

“Veterinarian.” Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.

"Livestock Veterinarian: Career Definition, Employment Outlook, and Education

Requirements." DegreeDictionary.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2014.

“Small Animal Veterinarian: Salary, Duties and Requirements.” EducationalPortal.com. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2014

“The Average Salary of a Large Animal Veterinarian.” EHow. Demand Media, 02 Nov. 2010.

Web. 01 Oct. 2014

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