Discover 4 Farming, Animals & Conservation Jobs

WORKING IN FARMING, ANIMALS & CONSERVATION

Working as a Veterinarian

A veterinarian takes care of the health of animals, treats injuries and diseases by prescribing veterinary medicine or through conducting veterinary surgery. Veterinarians care for and improve animal health by diagnosing and treating diseases such as cancer, heart disease, obesity, arthritis, respiratory diseases and many other diseases that animals can face.

Pets are generally treated by veterinarians working in a private clinical practice or animal hospital.  They treat animals in exactly the same manner that doctors and surgeons provi...

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WORKING IN FARMING, ANIMALS & CONSERVATION

Working as a Veterinarian

A veterinarian takes care of the health of animals, treats injuries and diseases by prescribing veterinary medicine or through conducting veterinary surgery. Veterinarians care for and improve animal health by diagnosing and treating diseases such as cancer, heart disease, obesity, arthritis, respiratory diseases and many other diseases that animals can face.

Pets are generally treated by veterinarians working in a private clinical practice or animal hospital.  They treat animals in exactly the same manner that doctors and surgeons provide treatment for humans. Typically, veterinarians look after cats and dogs (as these are the most popular pets in the United States) but they also treat other animals such as birds, reptiles, amphibians and other mammals.

As well as household pets, a number of private veterinarians treat farm animals working with pigs, cattle and sheep that are typically reared as a food source.  Some other animals also have specialist veterinarians, for example an equine veterinarian usually works exclusively with horses. On farms and ranches, veterinarians spend much of their time treating diseases and injuries and vaccinating against diseases. They will also advise owners and managers on feeding, accommodation and general health practices.

Food Safety Inspector Veterinarians enforce state food safety regulations, control livestock and animal products against serious animal diseases, provide vaccines to treat animals, conduct research to improve animal health and enforce animal welfare standards. They also help to design animal health programmes that are designed and managed to prevent diseases that can be transmitted between animals and humans.

Research veterinarians work in laboratories researching the effects of drugs and therapies on animal health. They can test new surgical techniques and conduct tests to prove the effectiveness of drug therapies. They can also explore how food and animal-borne diseases can be prevented, controlled or eliminated. Some veterinarians become teachers in secondary schools and universities and work with veterinary students.

How to become a Veterinarian

To become a veterinarian takes a considerable amount of study and practical experience. As animals are unable to communicate in any meaningful way that a human can comprehend, veterinarians therefore have to become experts at diagnosing an illness in an animal purely on examination. 

To study to become a veterinarian you will typically undertake a program that lasts four years and includes classrooms, laboratories and clinical components. Although not compulsory, most applicants have a bachelor's degree from a veterinary college. Universities of Veterinary Medicine generally require applicants to attend courses in many scientific disciplines such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, geology, botany, zoology and geophysics. Most programs also require a course in humanities and social sciences.  Students usually spend the last year of a four-year course in clinical rotations at veterinary centres and hospitals. Most programs include clinical rotation at a veterinary center or hospital.

Approvals to veterinary programs are competitive, and according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), fewer than half of applicants are generally accepted in the top 100 veterinary colleges in the United States.  

Every veterinarian must have a license to practice in the United States, but approval requirements vary from state to state. Some states require prospective veterinarians to complete an accredited veterinary program and pass the North American Veterinary License Examination. Veterinarians who work for the state or federal government also need a state license, though each agency has different requirements.

Few states accept licenses from other states, so veterinarians wishing to be licensed in another state must pass a state test. Most states require a national audit and have state audits that cover state laws and regulations.

Manual dexterity is important for vets as they need to control their hand movements and treat injuries and operations with precision. Anyone who tests animals to determine the effectiveness of drugs or therapies also needs excellent diagnostic skills. In addition, veterinarians also need strong problem-solving skills, because they are needed to find out what a sick animal can do.

No matter the environment, all veterinarians must behave in accordance with the best practices of their profession, such as respect for human health and animal safety. The veterinarian must be compassionate when working with animals and their owners, especially when they work with them. They must treat animals with kindness and respect and be sensitive in their dealings with their owners.

The decision to euthanize a sick animal can be difficult and the veterinarian must decide whether to treat an injury or disease of the animal. Strong communication skills are essential for veterinarians, who need to be able to discuss their recommendations, explain treatment options to pet owners and give instructions to their staff. They must discuss the best course of action for each animal and its owner, as well as their recommendation.

Management skills are important for veterinarians operating private clinics and laboratories, as well as for those working in business areas such as hospitals, veterinary clinics and animal care centres. These areas can be located in a private clinic or laboratory or in a veterinary clinic.

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