Are you an animal lover? What if you get an opportunity to promote the health and welfare of animals around you? People living in urban and rural areas keep pets for livelihood as well as companionship. In cities, pets are considered as a significant part of a family and people strive to provide their family pets with the best facilities and care. This has lead to an increased demand for veterinary medical professionals all across the world. Veterinary Science offers one of the most popular and rewarding careers for individuals with an interest in Medicine packed with a love for animals.
A veterinarian is a medical professional who protects the health and well-being of both animals and people. They diagnose and control animal diseases and treat sick and injured animals. They also advise owners on proper care of their pets and livestock. Veterinarians provide a wide range of services in private practice, teaching, research, government service, public health, military service, private industry, and other areas.
When taking the veterinarian's oath, a doctor solemnly swears to use his or her scientific knowledge and skills "for the benefit of society, through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge."
A Veterinarian:
In many respects, a veterinarian is similar to a paediatrician. Animals cannot talk like babies and children can't, and much of the clinical history is obtained from the owner or client, as a paediatrician would obtain from a child's parents. Excellent people skills and communication skills are required.
What cannot be obtained from the clinical history is acquired with the fingers, eyes, and smell. The ability to listen with a stethoscope and palpate with the fingers and hands will reveal much of the physical findings. The sense of smell is also important in detecting the fruity odour of the ketotic cow's breath, or the urea from the breath of a cat in renal failure.
What cannot be revealed by the history and exam is further supported by diagnostic tests like blood work, urinalysis, and faecal exams. Veterinarians are well trained in laboratory medicine and parasitology.
The general practice veterinarian spends one-third to one-half of his or her time in surgery. Animal neutering operations are done in most veterinarians' offices. Many veterinarians also perform orthopaedic procedures, bone setting, dentistry, and trauma surgery. Surgery requires good hand and eye coordination, and fine motor skills. A veterinarian's job is similar to that of a human doctor.