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 Veterinarians provide healthcare for pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals. Most perform clinical work in private practices. Of those, the majority work with small animals while a few work with large animals, including food animals, only.
To become a veterinarian one must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) from an accredited college of veterinary medicine. There is keen competition for entry into this four year program.
On a typical day a veterinarian working with small animals, for example dogs, cats, birds, and reptiles, in clinical practice will:
diagnose animal health problems;
vaccinate against diseases, such as distemper and rabies;
medicate animals suffering from infections or illnesses;
treat and dress wounds;
set fractures;
perform surgery;
advise owners about animal feeding, behavior, and breeding;
euthanize animals when necessary;
On a typical day a veterinarian working with large animals, primarily horses and cows, will:
provide preventive care to maintain the health of food animals;
test for and vaccinate against diseases;
consult with farm or ranch owners and managers on animal production, feeding, and housing issues;
treat and dress wounds, set fractures, and perform surgery;
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