Veterinarian – Educational Rigors of the Profession

The Americans call the medical professional who practices veterinary medicine treating disorders, diseases and injuries in animals as Ashfield veterinarian. In England, the common name for the same medical professional who does the same work (and educational preparation to his profession) as veterinary surgeon. Many people can these professionals as vets.

In practical terms, these medical professionals care for the health of pets, livestock, and other animals in zoos, racetracks and in laboratories. Some veterinary specialists also protect humans from diseases carried by animals and conduct research on human and animal health problems.

These animal health professionals diagnose the health problems of animals, vaccinate them against diseases and do medications for those that are suffering from infections and other illnesses. They are also well-trained to treat and dress wounds, set fractures, perform surgery and advise owners on feeding their pets, their behavior and breeding habits.

Distribution

As per the American Veterinary Association, 77% of Ashfield veterinarian work in private practice treating pets mostly. They usually care for dogs and cats but they can and do work treating birds, reptiles, rabbits, and other animals that kids usually keep as pets.

16% of veterinarians work in private mixed with food animal practices. They usually see goats, pigs, cattle, sheep and other animals in addition to farm animals. 6% of them work exclusively with horses, especially those that are kept for racing.

Animal types  

There are also vets who work with food animals who drive to farms and ranches to do vet work and services to herds or individual animals. They usually work with ranch owners and managers in relation to animal production, feeding and housing issues.

They also treat wounds, set fractures, and do surgery including caesarian sections on birthing animals. Other vets are involved in food safety and inspection.

They are livestock inspectors who checks on these animals for signs of transmissible disease, those that are dangerous to humans as well. They can order quarantine measures, if needed.

Inspectors

Some vets work as meat, poultry and egg product inspectors doing their examination work in the slaughter and food processing plants where they check the carcasses of the animals for diseases. If needed, they can enforce government regulations on food purity and sanitation.

Some work on imported meat to check on the presence of unwanted diseases or other dangerous elements present (germs, spoilage, etc.).

Work conditions

Some vets are immune to working in private or in clinical practice usually for long hours and in noisy indoor environment. They sometimes deal with the emotional issues of owners. All the time, they are at risk when working with frightened animals or those in pain (kicked, bitten, and scratched).

For those vets working with food animals where they need to spend time driving to and from their offices or clinics in all types of weather. Sometimes, they treat animals in less than sanitary conditions in their natural habitats.

Like all licensed medical professionals, a veterinarian goes through the usually hard route for those in the medical field – long college preparations, internships, tough exams and starting with small salaries.