When we have sore throats, pain, or fever, we go to the doctor. We might have a cold, the flu, or something more serious. However, when animals are sick they can’t tell us what’s wrong, and because their biology is different from ours, we have to take them to specially trained animal doctors, called veterinarians (or vets).
Veterinarians treat sick and injured animals, provide preventive medical services, and give advice about animal care and breeding to owners. They may specialize in the care and treatment of either small or large animals.
Small animal veterinarians deal mostly with household pets, such as dogs, cats, birds, rodents, and even reptiles. They usually work in cities and have owners bring their animals to a clinic or office-place.
Large animal veterinarians, who commonly work with horses, cows, pigs, sheep, and other farm animals, often have mobile practices. They may travel all over the countryside at all hours of the day and night, performing urgent procedures on sick or injured animals. This type of veterinarian does much of their work with food-producing animals on large, corporate-run farms.
The day-to-day work of veterinarians involves examining animals, making diagnoses, doing blood tests or x-rays, treating animals’ diseases or injuries, performing necessary surgery, and preventing animal illness through vaccinations. They are also often called upon to help very old, sick, or unwanted animals die in a relatively pain-free way.
Some veterinarians work with companies that develop and produce food or drugs to keep animals healthy. Others are employed by the government to inspect livestock for diseases. Quite a few take part in medical research projects that use animals as test subjects.
NOC Code: 3114