Because there are thousands of species of domesticated animals and many types of medical procedures, veterinarians must choose between several areas of specialization. Veterinarians most often specialize into two general areas of animal medicine, which can be most easily distinguished by the size of the animals they treat. More than one-half of all veterinarians treat small animals, such as cats, dogs, hamsters, birds, snakes, rabbits, and other common household pets. Many of these professionals also specialize further, treating mainly canine and feline species. In most communities in the country one can find a local veterinarian to treat their favorite pet. Another 10 percent of veterinarians concentrate on large animals, which include farm livestock such as horses, cows, cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. These doctors maintain the health of herds and other livestock by providing vaccinations against disease, performing surgery, performing birthing techniques such as artificial insemination and embryo transplants, and monitoring the sanitary, health, and feeding conditions. Other veterinarians specialize in medical areas and techniques such as anesthesiology, radiology, pathology, neurology, microbiology, and cardiology. Some serve as laboratory researchers and use animals to search for ways to control illness and disease in both humans and animals.
RELATED PROFESSIONS
- Veterinary Technician
- Laboratory Animal Technician
- Livestock Inspector
- Toxicologist
- Veterinary Meat Inspector
- Poultry Veterinarian
- Bacteriologist
In addition to a medical degree, all veterinarians must have a license to engage in private practice. Students who have completed all the scholastic requirements for the doctor of veterinary medicine degree must then pass state and national licensing examinations in order to practice. These exams are both written and oral. Some states will issue a license to a veterinarian already certified in another state. Federal and state agencies that hire veterinarians may also require applicants to pass an examination. Check with the federal government, state, or state agency on specific licensing requirements.
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), listed at the end of this chapter, is the major professional society that certifies all 27 university veterinary programs and works with federal and state agencies to ensure standard licensing procedures. The AVMA also supports student chapters throughout the country.
Most veterinarians are small animal specialists who work in either their own private practice or an animal clinic or hospital. These are usually pleasant and comfortable facilities. Veterinarians are scattered throughout the country in urban, suburban, and rural settings, although rural veterinarians tend to have a general practice. Many veterinarians return to the vicinity of their home to practice. They also work long hours, often well over 40 hours per week, because they are often on-call day and night. The working conditions for those going into research are similar to private practitioners, although they tend to work fewer hours.
Large animal veterinarians most often work in rural areas near farms and other agricultural centers. This type of work occurs mostly outside or in unheatedbams and stables. Large animal veterinarians also must own their own truck or other heavy-duty vehicle because they haul medical equipment and animals. These veterinarians also work long hours, averaging more than 50 hours per week, and are exposed to possible injuries from large animals, diseases, and hazardous substances.