Veterinarians diagnose and treat sickness, disease and injury in companion animals like dogs, cats, rabbits, caged birds and other small pets. They provide clinical and surgical care and disease surveillance to small animals. Additionally, veterinarians communicate and educate pet owners about disease and preventative measures.
Responsibilities: Veterinarians are responsible for providing clinical and surgical care and disease surveillance to small animals, prescribing and administering medications and setting fractures, administering vaccinations and drawing blood for testing, euthanizing terminally ill or fatally wounded animals, performing reproductive surgeries like spay or neuter procedures, giving technical advice on products for small animals or pets, operating medical equipment like X-ray machines and ultrasound technology, advising on measures to prevent the occurrence or spread of diseases, adhering to standard safety protocols and maintain a clean, sterile environment, communicating and educating pet owners about disease, preventative, and behavior, and performing site visits as needed.
Education Requirements:
Recommended High School Courses:
Agriculture Education
Science (Animal, Biology, Chemistry)
Mathematics
Education/Training:
Bachelor’s degree in Animal Nutrition, Animal Science, Biology, Chemistry, Zoology or other related major (required, before doctoral program acceptance)
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (required)
Certifications for Therapy, Ophthalmology, Anesthesiology, or Neurology can be considered (optional)
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