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Careers in Veterinary Medicine
What do Veterinarians Do?
• Primary purpose is to serve society –
guardians of animal welfare
• Dealing primarily with health and
disease of vertebrates – including man
(Zoonotic Diseases)
1. Prevent Disease (MOST IMPORTANT)
2. Diagnose Disease
3. Treat Disease
What do Veterinarians Do? Cont.
• Prevent Disease (Most Important)
– Zoonotic Diseases
• Disease that can transfer from animals to humans
• Example: Lyme Disease
– Foodborne Diseases
• Disease transferred to an animal or human by food
• Example: Salmonella
– Foreign and Emerging Diseases
• Diseases that are seen in other countries, BUT NOT the United States
• Example: Foot and Mouth Disease
• Diagnose Disease
– Veterinarians work to develop diagnostic tests to help us identify sick
or diseased animals in a population.
• Treat Disease
– Veterinarians research new ways to treat diseases.
Foot and Mouth Disease
Education in Veterinary Medicine
• First steps (High School):
– Spend time with a vet to see if this is what you want to
pursue
– Get involved with school activities and clubs (EX: FFA
and 4-H)
• Find a University
– Complete an undergraduate program (4 years) that
prepares you for vet school
– Work hard, make good grades, stay involved with
veterinary sciences and practices
• Complete Veterinary School
– About 4 years
– Receive License
• Optional Specialty:
– Continue on with school to specialize in your interest
– Examples: Surgery, exotic, or pharmacology
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6415nxQgps
Different Types of Careers
• Private Practice
– Own your own business/practice
• Specialization
– Undergo additional training to become board certified in
specialties like animal behavior, dentistry, pathology, etc.
• Product Development
– Assist in developing safe products for animals
– Company: animal drug and health companies
• Research and Education
– Research for preventatives against diseases
– Professor at any University
• Nonprofit work
– Volunteering and pro bono
Private Practice
• Small Animal
– Companion animals
• Example: Dog or Cat
• Large Animal
– Livestock species
• Example: Equine, Bovine, Sheep and
Goats
• Exotic Animal
– Examples: amphibians, birds, or
reptiles
• Specialization Private Practice
– Only certain species treated
– Example: Equine only, Feline only,
Reptile only Practices
Examples of Specialization
• Anesthesiology
– Additional study in anesthetizing animals for surgery
– Job: hired by vet clinics to assist with surgeries
• Surgery
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Additional training in surgical procedures
Some specialization in species or types of surgeries
Example: Colic surgery in horses
Job: Hired by universities or large scale vet clinics for specific surgeries
• Zoological Medicine
– Emphasis on “zoo” animal health
– Job: Work for Zoos
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmUEwLDah2o
Government Career
• Military
– Send veterinarians across seas to
ensure the health of military animals
and low income community animals
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSQd
YEnpJsU
• Food Safety
– Quality control of products
– Safety of products
• Job: Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC)
• Animal Importation
– Regulate animals going across state
borders and into new states
– Regulate animals leaving or coming
into the country
• Job: United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA)
Product Development
• Work for companies to develop over the
counter medications for companion or
livestock species
– Example of Products: arthritis preventatives,
coat supplements, or hoof supplements
Research and Education
• Research at a University
– Research different treatment options and
methods
– Research for prevention against diseases
• Professor at a University
– Educate young veterinary enthusiasts
– Teach classes that interest you and help
students accomplish their veterinary
dreams
Nonprofit
• Travel around the world and help third world
countries companion and livestock animals
• Help with natural disasters
– Donate time and energy to help families with sick or
injured pets during unexpected events
• Examples: Vet-I-Care Organization, ASPCA, AHA,
Rocky Mountain Conservation Center,
International Fund for Animal Welfare, Inc., The
Wildcat Sanctuary, Save A Forgotten Equine, Lost
Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, FIXNATION INC,
Oak Hill Animal Rescue Inc. etc.
What’s the Difference?
• Licensed Veterinarian Technician
• Certified Veterinarian Assistant
• Veterinarian Assistant
Know the Difference!
• Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) states
the difference:
• Registered Veterinarian Technician:
– A person who has completed a program (commonly a twoyear associates degree) and is certified by Texas State
Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TSBVME)
• Certified Veterinarian Assistant:
– A person who has completed a program through TVMA
and is certified by the TVMA and hired by a licensed vet
• Veterinarian Assistant:
– A person who is hired by a licensed veterinarian, is NOT
certified, but can still perform animal care tasks
How to Become a
Registered Veterinarian Technician
• Must Renew your registration every year
with
– Fee
– Possible hours of continued education
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
•
Pass a jurisprudence exam (exam covering
the laws you are expected to abide by)
Be at least 18 years of age
Have graduated from an educational
institutions program that is accredited by
the American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA)
Have passed the national exam Veterinary
Technician National Exam (VTNE)
Not disqualified under this chapter or
board rule
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDbbbq
rEOI8
How to Become a
Certified Veterinarian Assistant
• 3 levels of Certification
• Required renewal every year
– Fee
– Verification of current employer in the veterinary field
• Level 1 (High School FFA/4H):
– At least 300 hrs of work under a DVM or RVT
– Gaining and demonstrating the hands-on skills listed on
the Skills Validation Checklist
– Exam Application and Skills Validation Checklist completed
and approved by the DVM or RVT
– Successful completion of the certification examination
• More information at:
Certified Vet Assistant website
Vet Assistant Video
Ethics
• Every licensed veterinarian is expected to follow the
Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (the Principles)
• Veterinarians should aim to always relieve stress and
minimize pain in every patient they treat
• In any emergency the veterinarian has the right to provide
any essential treatment needed by the animal if their life is
in danger or to relive any suffering
– Limited to euthanasia
• It is unethical to claim any certification or license received
through veterinary medicine if NOT received
– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luKFkDqeBcQ
• More information on ethics and conduct can be found at
– https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Principles-ofVeterinary-Medical-Ethics-of-the-AVMA.aspx
Expectations in the Workplace
• Depending on where you work will determine
required clothing and work habits.
– Scrubs and comfy, closed toed footwear is more
common.
• The type of clinic (ex: large, exotic or small) will
determine the amount of physical work that will
need to be done.
• Be prepared to get messy and to be on your feet
all day.
Safety In Veterinary Medicine
• Personal Safety
– Learning how to restrain animals safely and
properly can avoid personal injury by the
animal
– A dog is going to take a different restraint
technique than a cat
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KKvciCEIHs
– A cat is going to take a different restraint
technique than a dog
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFS2BOrKeDY
– Learning how to safely handle sharps (ex:
needles) will prevent you from injuring
yourself
• More Safety can be found on the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention’s Website:
– http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/veterinary/
Website References
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http://asci.uvm.edu/?Page=current/careers.html
http://www.goarmy.com/amedd/veterinarian.html
http://www.vet-i-care.org/
http://tvma.org/
http://tvma.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticle
nbr=13#.UeVVNY2G18E
• http://tvma.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticle
nbr=12#.UeVYu42G18E
• https://www.avma.org/KB/Policies/Pages/Principlesof-Veterinary-Medical-Ethics-of-the-AVMA.aspx
• http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/veterinary/
Video References
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSQdYEnpJsU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmUEwLDah2o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6415nxQgps
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFS2BOrKeDY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KKvciCEIHs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luKFkDqeBcQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqZNwmHrBZM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDbbbqrEOI8