VETERINARIAN

Veterinarian Job Description: Veterinarians or doctors of veterinary medicine diagnose, and treat diseases and injuries of pets, such as dogs and cats, and farm animals, such as cattle or sheep: The veterinarian examines the animal to determine nature of disease or injury and treats the animal surgically or medically. A veterinarian tests dairy herds, horses, sheep, and other animals for diseases and inoculates animals against rabies, brucellosis, and other disorders. They advise animal owners about sanitary measures, feeding, and general care to promote health of animals.
Other aspects of the Veterinarian job description are research, teaching, or production of commercial products. Some Veterinarian's specialize in prevention and control of communicable animal diseases and can be designated Veterinarian, Public Health (medical service). Some Veterinarian's specialize in diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases, using roentgen rays and radioactive substances, and may be designated as a Veterinary Radiologist (medical service).
Working Conditions
Veterinarians in private or clinical practice often work long hours in a noisy indoor environment. Sometimes they have to deal with emotional or demanding pet owners. When working with animals that are frightened or in pain, veterinarians risk being bitten, kicked, or scratched.

Veterinarians in large-animal practice spend time driving between their office and farms or ranches. They work outdoors in all kinds of weather and may have to treat animals or perform surgery, under unsanitary conditions.

Veterinarians working in nonclinical areas, such as public health and research, have working conditions similar to those of other professionals in those lines of work. These veterinarians enjoy clean, well-lit offices or laboratories and spend much of their time dealing with people rather than animals.

Veterinarians often work long hours. Those in group practices may take turns being on call for evening, night, or weekend work; solo practitioners may work extended and weekend hours, responding to emergencies or squeezing in unexpected appointments.

Training and Qualifications -to be a Veterinarian
Like physicians, candidates who wish to become doctors of veterinary medicine must complete the equivalent of 4 years of pre-veterinary education and then attend a 4 year college of veterinary medicine. The prerequisites include biology, chemistry, animal nutrition, zoology and other college courses.
While not required many veterinarian's also attend a 1-2 year internship as a way to gain experience and knowledge after graduation. Veterinarian's who wish to specialize and become board certified must attend a 3-4 year internship and specialized study.
Admission to Veterinary school is very competitive. Successful candidates usually apply to more than 2 schools.
Job Description - Veterinarian:
Veterinarians provide healthcare for pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals. Most perform clinical work in private practices. Of those, the majority work with small animals while a few work with large animals, including food animals, only.

Educational Requirements - Veterinarians:
To become a veterinarian one must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine. Although many schools admit applicants who don't have a bachelor's degree, having one will increase your odds of getting accepted. There is keen competition for entry into this four year program.
Other Requirements - Veterinarians:
All States and the District of Columbia require that veterinarians be licensed before they can practice.
Advancement Opportunities - Veterinarians:
Most veterinarians begin as employees in established practices and when they become experienced, set up their own practice or purchase an established one.

A Day in a Veterinarian's Life:
On a typical day a veterinarian working with small animals, for example dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles, in clinical practice will: * diagnose animal health problems; * vaccinate against diseases, such as distemper and rabies; * medicate animals suffering from infections or illnesses; * treat and dress wounds; * set fractures; * perform surgery; * advise owners about animal feeding, behavior, and breeding; * euthanize animals when necessary;
On a typical day a veterinarian working with large animals, primarily horses and cows, will: * provide preventive care to maintain the health of food animals; * test for and vaccinate against diseases; * consult with farm or ranch owners and managers on animal production, feeding, and housing issues; * treat and dress wounds, set fractures, and perform surgery;

Vet installing tracking microchip to a chihuahua | Vets clinic, for pets and small animals neutering a pregnant stray cat, prepping the cat model | A photo of a female veterinarian with dog | Country veterinarian weights unhappy dog on a scale in clinic | Veterinary surgery | Veterinarian performs surgery on cat | Vet treats horse hoof | A veterinarian uses a stethoscope in a sedated cat at a Pet Hospital in Condesa, Mexico City, Mexico | Dog receiving vaccination from veterinary surgeon | Veterinary woman with a vaccination pass |