Veterinarian

Veterinary Science is a medical profession that deals with the control of disease in animals. It also involves the breeding and scientific handling of livestock. Veterinarians can choose to work in urban areas, either in hospitals or they can set up their own veterinary clinics.

Those who join government service are also often required for extension programmes at the block level, to educate and encourage live-stock farmers to build up the quality of their animal stock. Veterinary doctors are also employed in the dairy sector, pharmaceutical companies, poultry farms, animal welfare societies, as well as in the Army Remount Veterinary Corps (RMC).

Most veterinarians perform clinical work in private practices and spend more than 50 percent of their time treating small animals, such as dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits and other animals that can be kept as pets. Some veterinarians work in mixed animal practices, and may also see pigs, goats, sheep and other nondomestic animals.
Veterinarians in clinical practice 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, and advise owners about animal feeding, behavior and breeding.

SKILLS

Veterinarians must understand the behavior of domestic animals and wildlife and know animal husbandry policies and procedures.
Veterinarians should be able to perform medical tests and accurately interprets results, keep training current in use of new medical technologies, and quickly make decisions in emergencies.
They should have an affinity for animals and the ability to get along with animal owners.

EDUCATION

The duration of the B.V.Sc course varies from 4 ½ to 5 years, which includes the period of internship.
The Postgraduate course in Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc.) is a 2 year course, for which the candidate has to choose an area of specialization. There is a wide array of subjects to choose from, namely - medicine, surgery, gynecology, pathology, pharmacology, etc.

OUTLOOK

The avenues of employment open for Veterinary doctors include :

1. In various hospitals / clinics and health departments,

2. In the Remount Veterinary Corps,

3. As Public Veterinary Health professionals,

4. As wildlife and Zoo Veterinarians,

5. As managers of animal and poultry farms,

6. In private veterinary clinics etc.,

7. Teaching / research in concerned areas of specialisation,

8. Private practice / self-employment.