Veterinarian

Overview

Who is Veterinarian?

Veterinarians are trained medical professionals who are involved in animal health care and veterinary medicine. They diagnose and treat medical conditions, diseases, deformities, and injuries of animals including house pets, livestock, wildlife as well as laboratory animals and those in zoos. They tend to the healthcare and wellbeing needs of the animal by providing treatments as well as prescribing preventative measures. In their efforts to serve the animals, veterinarians also promote public health by addressing animal-borne diseases that can be transmitted to humans.

Not only that, but they also help the owners to take care of their animal companions by educating them on proper care of their pets and livestock, as well as help them foster healthier relationships with their animals. They can opt to specialize in a particular species or group of animals. They can choose to focus either on small animal medicine that serves house pets or large animal medicine that tend to livestock or wildlife.

Typical day at work

What does Veterinarian do?

A veterinarian is a medical professional who is responsible for the health and well-being of both animals and people. They treat ill and damaged animals and diagnose and control animal diseases. They also give pet and livestock owners information on how to care for their animals appropriately.

In private practice, teaching, research, government service, public health, military duty, private business, and other disciplines, veterinarians provide a wide range of services. Orthopaedic operations, bone setting, dentistry, and trauma surgery are all common procedures performed by veterinarians. Fine motor abilities and hand-eye coordination are required for surgery. The duties of a veterinarian are comparable to those of a human doctor.

Veterinarians diagnose and treat animals when they have health concerns. Laboratory testing, radiography, and specialist equipment are typically required for accurate diagnosis. Emergency lifesaving measures, providing medication, setting fractures, delivering, conducting surgery, or counselling an owner on the food and care of the animal are all examples of treatments.

• Examine the animal to detect symptoms and determine the nature of the injury/ disease
• Perform physical examinations and diagnostic tests such as X-ray, urinalysis, parasitology, ultrasound, haematology
• Provide a diagnosis for the animal’s condition and outline the treatment plan for the same
• Communicate medical information about the animal to its owners in an easy to understand the manner
• Educate the owners of the animal on the recommended diet and lifestyle choices for the animal as well as post-treatment care if any
• Perform treatment procedures such as surgery, dressing wounds, fixing fractures
• Prescribe appropriate medications for the animals for managing pain and aiding recovery
• Administer vaccinations to the animals and provide preventative care
• Performing euthanization procedures when necessary
• Maintaining medical records for each client

Abilities & aptitude needed

What are the skills, abilities & aptitude needed to become Veterinarian?

Veterinarians must be patient and compassionate individuals who are committed to working for the wellbeing of animals. In order to accurately gather information about the animal’s condition, a veterinarian must possess sharp observation skills to perceive non-verbal cues. Extensive theoretical and practical knowledge about veterinary medicine and science is crucial for veterinarians. They should be well versed with the information and techniques required to diagnose and treat animals, as well as preventative healthcare measures. They should possess strong communication abilities in order to elicit critical information about the animal’s medical history, lifestyle, and diet.

They must have the analytical skills to synthesize medical information and make meaningful interpretations for diagnosing and treatment planning. In order to function efficiently, a vet must have time management and organization skills. Manual dexterity is also required for them to be able to skilfully perform treatment procedures and handle medical instruments for the same. They should be methodical and solution-oriented individuals who are committed to practicing the highest standard of medicine.

Courses

Which course I can pursue?