A veterinarian doctor is a doctor who is qualified to treat diseased or injured animals. They are the doctors of the animal kingdom. For all the animal lovers, who also enjoy studying science (biology), a career might be the perfect fit for becoming a veterinarian doctor. Veterinarian doctors have doctorates in veterinary medicine, and their doctoral education includes a practice of treating all animals including house pets, wild animals, street animals, aquatic animals, and all the animals present in the animal world. If an animal lover chooses this career, then he/she is the best fit and can understand the animal problems in a better way, as animals are not able to communicate with words, they need to be treated with better care and understanding which is easy for an animal lover.
The veterinary career is typically a tough path, and also requires sympathy towards the animal world, to accurately and minutely treat the animals. To begin with the veterinary career, a student requires to study for four years of bachelor’s degree, then attend a veterinary school for four years to gain experience in the field. A veterinarian doctor would also require a license to practice as a veterinarian doctor in the field, for which the doctor needs to pass an examination.
To pursue a career as a veterinarian doctor, a student needs to :
- School-level preparations :
Students who wish to study in a veterinary school, need to take science as their major subject after the 10th standard. Taking science classes like biology, anatomy, chemistry, physics, and animal science. A student can also opt for a Diploma in Veterinary Medicine after completing the studies till the 10th standard.
- College-level preparations :
After completing the 12th standard, a student can pursue a bachelor’s degree in a veterinary college. A student must have a science background which covers the main subjects like Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Anatomy and animal sciences. Some vet colleges also require students have a study background in Humanities, Social Sciences, or Mathematics.
Students can also enroll in extra activities like joining a summer class, helping in an NGO that s associated with animal welfare, taking online lessons regarding animal help may help in increasing the GPA (Grade Point Average).
- Veterinary school or DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) preparations :
After pursuing a bachelor’s degree in veterinary Sciences, one needs to attend a veterinary school, where one needs to learn about laboratory work, classroom lessons, and clinical practice. The main subjects to learn in a veterinary school are animal anatomy, physiology, behavioral diseases, preventative care, methods for diagnosing and treating animals for three years. In the fourth year, the student needs to gain hands-on experience in a veterinary clinic or animal hospital and observe experienced doctors. One can gain good working experience under the supervision of experts and licensed veterinarians. A student also needs to take a Veterinary Licensing Examination along with the state license to practice veterinary medicine.
A DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) program deals with a variety of subjects such as Animal Anatomy, physiology, veterinary Neurobiology and Genetics, Immunology, Zoology, Radiology, and Parasitology. The course generally lasts for 4 years which includes 3 years of preclinical studies and instructions and the final year comprises clinical training which involves, Anesthesiology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Dentistry, and Surgery practices and training. A student can gain as much exposure as possible and achieve the best clinical experiences in order to become a fine veterinary doctor.
The topics covered under the DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) program are as under :
- Gross Anatomy
(It is the study of anatomy at the visible or macroscopic level)
- Parasitology
(It is the scientific discipline concerned with the study of the biology of parasites and parasitic diseases including the distribution, biochemistry, physiology, molecular biology, ecology, evolution, and clinical aspects of parasites)
- Radiology
(It is a branch of medicine that uses imaging technology to diagnose and treat diseases.)
- Pharmacology
(It is a branch of science that deals with the study of drugs and their actions on living systems.)
- Ophthalmology
(It is a branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases and disorders.)
- Veterinary Physiology
(Veterinary Physiology deals with the investigation of animal systems and the functioning of these biological systems.)
- Animal Behavior
(Animal behavior includes all the ways animals interact with other organisms and the physical environment.)
- Animal Health and Disease
(This field deals with animal diseases which are impairment of the normal state of an animal that interrupts or modifies its vital functions.)
- Food Animal Medicine
(In this field the Veterinary community is involved in Food Supply Veterinary Medicine that helps to protect the health and welfare of animals that produce eggs, milk, meat, wool, and other animal products.)
- Veterinary Practice
( Veterinarians play an important role in protecting animal welfare, animal health, public health as well as the environment and provide a wide range of services that are required for animal world protection. This all comes under veterinary practices.)
- Optional Training :
After obtaining the DVM (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) license, a student can also pursue additional training in a specialty course or subject. Veterinary doctors can also apply for an internship or even enter a residency program to become advanced practice specialists.
- Obtaining a License in Veterinary Medicine :
Obtaining a License in Veterinary Medicine is the end of the process towards becoming a veterinary doctor. After obtaining the DVM degree, a student needs to submit an application and pay the required fees for a Veterinary Licensing Examination along with the State Exam that covers state laws and regulations.
