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Veterinarians, also known as Doctors of
Veterinary Medicine (DVM), diagnose and treat pets, livestock, and other
animals. They are concerned with controlling diseases in animal
populations, as well as preventing the transmission of animal diseases to
humans. Veterinarians are trained to examine animals for disease and
injury, perform surgery, prescribe medications and vaccinations, dress
wounds, and set broken bones. They are also responsible for advising pet
owners on the proper care and breeding of the animals they own. Some
veterinarians teach in a university setting, while others conduct research
on diseases that affect both animals and humans. They may also be called
upon to conduct autopsies on deceased animal to determine the cause of
death and if any larger public health risk may exist.
Veterinarians may specialize in a
particular area of care such as public health, meat/livestock inspection,
avian medicine (birds/poultry), laboratory animal care, private practice,
or research and development. Veterinarians may have a general practice
which treats all types of animals or a more selective practice that treats
certain types of animals such as horses and cattle. They usually have the
ability to work well with many types of animals and are able to calm the
animal as well as the pet owner. Individuals interested in veterinary
medicine should be compassionate, respectful, confident, and detail
oriented.
Work Environment:
Veterinarians may work in private
practice or with other professionals in a group practice. Some are
employed by government agencies, private industries, medical colleges and
universities, zoos, research laboratories, public health agencies, and
pharmaceutical companies. Many work long hours including evenings and
weekends.
High School Preparation:
High school students interested in
becoming a veterinarian should take courses in biology, algebra, geometry,
physical science, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics, nutrition, physics,
English, physiology, statistics, trigonometry, health occupations/medical
professions education, and computer skills.
College Requirements:
Individuals interested in veterinary
medicine should complete a 4-year undergraduate degree before applying to
veterinary school. Admission into veterinary school is highly competitive;
therefore students must have a high grade point average, high scores on
entrance examinations, and experience working with animals. To become a
licensed Veterinarian, an applicant must graduate from an accredited
college of veterinary medicine and pass national and state licensure
examinations.
Students interested in veterinary
medicine should contact schools for information on admission and course of
study.
For educational institutions in
Mississippi
offering this course of study click here.
Career Outlook:
Employment opportunities for
veterinarians should be excellent over the next decade. The U.S.
Department of Labor expects an increase of 21% - 35% in the number of job
openings through the year 2012. The need to replace veterinarians who
retire or leave the profession for other reasons will create as many jobs
as the overall growth in the job market. Pet owners are also becoming more
aware of advanced care, such as preventative dental care and intensive
care, and are more willing to take advantage of such nontraditional
services. The largest growth in the job market will be for small animals
and household pets because the demand for large animal veterinarians has
declined over the past several years.
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Salary:
Average Annual Salary
$85,100
Salary Range
$52,200 - $120,000
Professional Organizations:
American Veterinary Medical Association
1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL
60173-4360
Phone: (847) 925-8070
www.avma.org
Association of American Veterinary
Medical Colleges
1101 Vermont Ave. NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 371-9195
www.aavmc.org
Mississippi Veterinary Medical
Association
209 S. Lafayette Street
Starkville, MS 39759
Phone: (601) 324-9380 |
