What is a veterinarian?
A veterinarian is like a doctor, but for animals. They take care of animals, make sure they’re healthy, and help them when they’re sick or hurt. Veterinarians can work with lots of different animals, like pets, farm animals, and even wildlife. They have an important job because they keep animals healthy, which is good for the animals, their owners, and even the environment.
Duties and responsibilities
Veterinarians do a lot of things to help animals. They treat animals that are sick or hurt, give them medicine, fix broken bones, and even perform surgeries. They also help pet owners understand how to take care of their animals, like what to feed them and how to keep them healthy. Veterinarians use special tools to check what’s wrong with an animal, like ultrasound and X-ray machines, and they’re really good at figuring out what treatment will work best.
Work environment
Veterinarians work in different places depending on what animals they care for. Some work in clinics and help pets, while others might work on farms or with wildlife. Their job can be tough because they sometimes see animals that are very sick or hurt, but they work hard to make them better.
Typical work hours
Veterinarians often work a lot, and their hours can be irregular, especially if they need to help an animal in an emergency. Some veterinarians have more regular hours if they work in research or for companies that check on food safety. It’s a demanding job, but it’s also very rewarding because they get to help animals every day.
How to become a veterinarian
Becoming a veterinarian is like training to be a superhero for animals! It takes a lot of school, hands-on experience, and a big love for animals. Here’s how you can start your adventure:
Step 1: Get a college degree
First, you need to go to college and get a bachelor’s degree. You don’t need to study something specific, but subjects like biology or animal science are super helpful because you’ll learn a lot about animals and science.
Step 2: Work with animals
Before you can go to vet school, it’s a great idea to work with animals. You could volunteer at animal shelters, help out on farms, or work in vet clinics. This experience shows that you’re serious about working with animals and it gives you a peek into your future career!
Step 3: Ace the tests
Most vet schools want you to take the GRE test to see how well you handle tough questions. Doing well on this test is important to get into vet school.
Taking online courses is an excellent way to prepare for standardized tests. You may want to consider the following options:
- Offered on Udemy, this GRE Complete Prep course is a great choice for those seeking a high score on their GRE.
- If you’re worried about the math section of this exam, check out the course called GRE Math Prep.
- The Premium Prep Course is another great option when studying for the GRE. This fully-animated course will help you take the exam and achieve your maximum potential score.
Step 4: Go to vet school
Once you get into vet school, you’ll spend about four years there. The first part is mostly classroom learning, and later you’ll start working with animals directly during your clinical rotations.
Step 5: Pass the big exam
After vet school, you have to pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination (NAVLE). Passing this test means you’re officially a veterinarian and can start helping animals professionally.
Step 6: Consider specializing
If you really like a specific area, like animal skin problems or surgery, you can become an expert in that field. This means more training, but you get to do what you love most!
Step 7: Apply for jobs
With your degree and license, you’re ready to look for a job. Whether you want to work at a clinic, a zoo, or even do research, make sure your resume talks about all the cool things you’ve learned and done.
How much do veterinarians make?
The earning potential for a veterinarian can vary greatly depending on geographic location, education, experience, and acquired skills.
Highest paying industries
- Veterinary Care – $140,320
- Boarding Kennels and Grooming Salons – $112,950
- Social Advocacy – $119,150
- Support Activities for Animal Production- $110,030
- Zoos and Aquariums – $110,990
Highest paying states
- Hawaii – $129,834
- Massachusetts – $118,467
- Nevada – $117,651
- Rhode Island – $116,235
- Oregon – $114,509
The average national salary for a Veterinarian is:
$104,610
Types of veterinarians
Veterinarians aren’t just the friendly faces at the local clinic helping cats and dogs. There are tons of different types of vets, almost like in human medicine! The American Veterinary Medicine Association recognizes 22 specialties, from eye doctors for pets to emergency heroes who save animals in critical condition. Each specialty might take an extra 2-3 years of study, but they all do super important work. Here’s a quick look at some of these cool jobs:
Anesthesia and analgesia
These vets make sure animals don’t feel pain during surgery.
Animal welfare
These experts work to make sure animals are happy and treated right, blending science with caring for animals.
Behavior
If a pet has trouble behaving, these vets figure out why and help fix it.
Dentistry
Just like a dentist for people, but for pets! They take care of animals’ teeth.
Dermatology
Skin doctors for animals, helping pets with itchy or irritated skin.
Emergency and critical care
These vets work fast to save seriously sick or injured pets.
Internal medicine
They take care of pets with tricky illnesses that affect the insides, like the heart or lungs.
Laboratory animal medicine
These vets take care of animals in research labs, making sure they’re healthy and treated well.
Microbiology
These scientists study germs that make animals sick.
Nutrition
They know all about what foods are best for pets to eat.
Ophthalmology
Eye doctors for animals, helping pets see better.
Pathology
They study samples from pets to figure out what’s making them sick.
Pharmacology
These vets work on making medicines that are safe for animals.
Poultry
These vets take care of chickens and turkeys, making sure the eggs and meat are safe to eat.
Preventive medicine
They work to keep pets from getting sick in the first place.
Radiology
They use X-rays and scans to see what’s wrong inside a pet’s body.
Sports medicine and rehabilitation
Helping injured pets or sports animals get back on their feet.
Surgery
For complex operations that go beyond the basics.
Theriogenology
Reproductive health experts, helping with animal pregnancies and births.
Toxicology
These vets deal with poisons and how to treat pets that have been exposed.
Veterinary practitioners
Some vets focus just on certain types of animals, like birds or reptiles.
Zoo medicine
These vets take care of zoo animals and wildlife, making sure they’re healthy.
Top skills for veterinarians
Being a veterinarian is a lot like being a super-doctor for animals. It takes a bunch of important skills to be good at this job. Here are some of the key skills every vet needs to have:
Medical knowledge
Vets need to know a ton about animals’ bodies and health. They learn about how animals work, what gets them sick, and how to fix it. This knowledge helps them figure out what’s wrong with an animal and make them feel better.
Communication skills
Vets talk a lot—not just to pets, but to their owners and other people who help take care of the animals. They need to explain things in a way that makes sense to everyone, even if they don’t know a lot about animal health.
Problem-solving abilities
Sometimes, vets face tricky situations where they have to figure out the best way to help an animal. They need to think fast and make smart choices.
Manual dexterity
Vets do a lot of hands-on work, like surgeries or giving treatments. They need to be really good with their hands to make sure they do these tasks well and keep animals safe.
Compassion
Vets need to be really caring because they work with animals that might be scared or in pain, and with people who are worried about their pets. Being kind and understanding makes everything a bit easier for everyone.
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Veterinarian career path
The journey to becoming a veterinarian is exciting and full of opportunities. Here’s how you can climb the ladder in the vet world:
Start small
Many vets begin as veterinary assistants or technicians. This early experience is super important because it teaches you the basics of animal care and how vet clinics operate.
Become a vet
After you finish vet school and get your license, you’ll start working as a real veterinarian. At first, you’ll probably work with other experienced vets who can show you the ropes and help you get more comfortable with making decisions on your own.
Specialize
Once you’ve got some experience, you might decide to learn even more about a specific part of veterinary medicine like surgery or skin care for animals. Specializing can mean more school and tests, but it also means you can do more for animals and usually earn more money.
Move up
After years of hard work, you might become a senior vet or even run a part of a veterinary clinic. In these roles, you’d help guide younger vets and manage big parts of the clinic like surgery schedules or patient care standards.
Branch out
Some vets decide to start their own clinics, which is a big step but can be really rewarding. Others might go into teaching, research, or work for companies that make animal health products.
Similar job titles
Position trends and outlook for veterinarians
The world of veterinary medicine is always changing, thanks to new tech, how we feel about our pets, and important health issues. Here’s what’s shaping the future for veterinarians:
- Tech savvy: New gadgets and ways of treating animals, like digital imaging and less-invasive surgeries, are becoming more common. Vets today need to know how to use these cool tools to take the best care of our furry friends.
- Pets are family: These days, we really love our pets and treat them like family members. This means more people are willing to pay for top-notch care, preventive treatments, and special services for their pets. This trend is creating more jobs for vets who specialize in things like dental care or eye health for pets.
- Public health heroes: Vets are super important in keeping everyone healthy—not just pets. They help tackle big issues like diseases that can spread from animals to people, food safety, and how to use antibiotics wisely. That’s why there’s a growing need for vets in public health, research, and making policies.
Employment projections for veterinarians
Looking ahead, the job outlook for veterinarians is really bright. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that vet jobs will grow by 19% through 2031. That’s a lot faster than most other jobs. People are spending more on their pets and we’re getting more treatment options all the time. Plus, more pets mean we need more vets. So, if you’re thinking about a career as a veterinarian, it’s a great time to get into this field. You’ll get to help animals every day and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to grow your career.
Veterinarian career tips
If you’re aiming to be a vet or just started in the field, here are some practical tips to help you excel and make the most of your career:
Boost your communication skills
As a vet, you’ll talk a lot with pet owners, your team, and other pros. Being able to clearly explain medical stuff and show that you really understand the worries of pet owners is crucial.
Be compassionate
Compassion isn’t just nice to have; it’s essential. You’ll meet lots of pets and people who are having a rough time. Showing that you genuinely care can really make a difference.
Keep learning
et medicine changes fast, with new treatments and tech popping up all the time. Staying up-to-date helps you give the best care to your animal patients.
Network, Network, Network
Meeting other vets and joining groups like the American Veterinary Medical Association can open doors to new ideas, advice, and opportunities.
Manage stress well
Being a vet can be super stressful. Learning how to handle stress will keep you happy and healthy, and ready to tackle whatever comes your way.
Make smart choices quickly
Sometimes, you’ll need to make tough calls fast. Working on your decision-making skills will help you choose the best path forward in tricky situations.
Pay attention to the details
Small things can make a big impact in vet medicine. Being careful and attentive helps you catch things others might miss.
Understand the business side
If you dream of running your own clinic one day, you’ll need some business savvy. Learning about management, marketing, and finances can set you up for success.
Stay fit
Being a vet can be physically tough. Staying in good shape helps you do things like lift or hold animals safely and keeps you from getting hurt.
Where the veterinarian jobs are
Top companies
- Banfield Pet Hospital
- VCA Animal Hospitals
- BluePearl
- U.S. Department of Agriculture
- National Veterinary Associates
Top states
- California
- Texas
- Florida
- New York
- Pennsylvania
Top job sites
- zengig
- Indeed
- AVMA Career Center
- iHireVeterinary
FAQs
What qualifications are typically required for a veterinarian role?
To become a veterinarian, you typically need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or VMD) degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine. Admission to veterinary school is competitive and generally requires a bachelor’s degree and completion of prerequisites in science courses. After earning a veterinary degree, all states require passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination, and some states have additional requirements for licensing.
What skills are important for a veterinarian?
Important skills include strong problem-solving skills, as they need to diagnose complex medical problems in animals that can’t communicate what they’re feeling. Communication skills are also crucial, as these individuals must communicate effectively with pet owners about treatment options and care instructions. They should also have strong manual dexterity for performing surgeries and other procedures, and emotional resilience, as they often deal with stressful situations, such as euthanizing animals or dealing with distressed pet owners.
What are the typical duties of a veterinarian?
Their typical duties include conducting examinations to diagnose illnesses and injuries in animals, administering vaccines to prevent diseases, performing surgeries, and educating pet owners on general care, medical conditions, and treatments. They also often prescribe medication and treat wounds. Some may specialize in a particular type of veterinary medicine, such as small animal practice, large animal practice, wildlife medicine, or research.
What role does a veterinarian play in public health?
Vets play a crucial role in public health by controlling animal and human diseases, ensuring the safety of food supplies, and promoting conservation. They conduct research to prevent and treat animal diseases, many of which can spread to humans. Those who work in food safety and inspection ensure that animal products destined for human consumption are safe.
What’s the difference between a small animal veterinarian and a large animal veterinarian?
Small animal veterinarians typically work with pets such as dogs, cats, and small mammals, while large animal veterinarians treat livestock and other large animals, such as horses and cows. Large animal veterinarians often travel to farms or ranches, and they focus more on herd health management as well as individual animals. On the other hand, small animal veterinarians typically work in clinical settings and interact more with pet owners.
What is a specialty in veterinary medicine?
A specialty in veterinary medicine is a focus area that requires additional training and certification beyond the general veterinary degree. These specialties include internal medicine, surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, oncology, and more. To become a specialist, they typically need to complete a residency program in their chosen specialty and then pass a board certification exam.
What ethical considerations must a veterinarian keep in mind?
Veterinarians, like all medical pros, face various ethical considerations in their work. They must ensure they provide the best possible care for their patients while also considering the wishes and financial constraints of the pet owners. They also often face ethical decisions related to end-of-life care and euthanasia. Additionally, vets are responsible for reporting cases of animal abuse or neglect and must adhere to laws and regulations associated with the practice of veterinary medicine.
What are some challenges a veterinarian might face?
They can face various challenges, including dealing with emotionally difficult situations, such as sick or dying animals, and managing the stress of emergency or high-stakes situations. The high cost of veterinary school and the potential for student loan debt can also be challenging. Vets also often need to manage business and administrative tasks, especially if they own their practice.
What’s the role of a veterinarian in animal behavior and training?
In animal behavior and training, they might diagnose and treat behavioral problems, provide advice on basic training, or refer pet owners to qualified animal trainers or veterinary behaviorists. They can help determine if a behavior is normal or indicative of a medical problem, and they may prescribe medication if appropriate.
How does a veterinarian participate in wildlife conservation?
Contributing to wildlife conservation in several ways, they can work in zoos or wildlife rehabilitation centers, where they treat injured or ill wildlife and work to reintroduce animals into their natural habitats. They may also be involved in research related to wildlife diseases, population management, or the impacts of environmental changes on wildlife health. Some work with conservation organizations or government agencies to develop and implement wildlife management and conservation plans.