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What is it like being a Vet?
#veterinary #veterinary-medicine #veterinarian #animal-health
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Elizabeth F’s Answer
Hello Wolfie Mae!
This is a great question, and it does not have a necessarily short answer. It completely depends on the area (where you live/work), the type of animals served (small animal, large animal (horses, large livestock (beef, dairy, hogs), smaller livestock (goats/sheep/llamas/alpacas) or poultry, whether you work for individual animal caretakers or for businesses, and type of practice (large group practice vs solo, general practice vs limited practice vs specialty, clinic/hospital vs ambulatory (truck/car based) or a combination. Veterinarians also work in research (finding out more about diseases that affect animals and people, as well as caring for animals involved in research programs), and in Public Health.
In small animal practice, most veterinarians work in group practices; whether small (2-3 vets per clinic) or large (some specialty hospitals have more than 20-30 vets!) You might work for several different clinics, or go to work at the same clinic each day. Some work in general practice - seeing everything from vaccines to rashes to injuries or surgeries. Some work in overnight emergency clinics, taking care of pets who are sick or hurt while their regular vet's office is closed. Some spend time in advanced training and specialise in one field (there are as many veterinary specialties as there are in human medicine - except maybe plastic surgery). There are some small animal veterinarians who do not work in a fixed clinic, but have a mobile practice and drive to individual houses to take care of pets. In addition, some small animal veterinarians work in animal shelters or rescue programs, taking care of medical problems, performing needed surgeries, and helping to get the animals ready for new homes or for sanctuaries.
In large animal practices, veterinarians may work solo or in small groups. In dairy practice, they usually start very early (like very early - 4 AM) and much of the time is doing breeding work, also nutrition or herd health consultations, and checking/ensuring milk quality. In beef cattle practice, most of the work happens in the feedlots and again involves nutrition, herd health, and problem-solving. There are some large animal practices that cater to smaller operations like family farms, smaller goat or sheep dairies, and 4-H/FFA operations. They tend to drive to multiple farms to see either individual animals or small herds. Livestock tend to be in rural or remote areas, so the driving time might be extensive. (time in the truck is a good time to think, listen to music or audiobooks, and enjoy the beauty of the area you work in.)
Solo or small group equine practice experiences can vary as well. Every day can be a different experience depending on what type of horses you see, and whether the clients are showing, breeding, or just enjoying them. In general, the smaller the practice, the more out-of hours emergency work you might see. I personally love that part but some people do not. In some areas, there are veterinarians who specifically handle the emergencies, but that is not as common as it is in small animal or human medicine.
Equine vets can be found in rural as well as urban areas. You might have a 30-60 minute country road drive between calls, or you might deal with Los Angeles or New York traffic! Sometimes you would be amazed at the places where people can keep their horses!
Race track veterinarians also start work super early - most racehorses are done with their workouts by 8 or 9 AM, so we need to start work when the barns do. They may work early, then go home for the middle of the day, and come back to check the horses at dinnertime (afternoon). Track vets might work by themselves or they might be part of a larger practice.
Large group or hospital or specialty practices can be a bit different. In general, everyone shares rotating emergency duty, or there is a designated emergency vet or interns. Each person in the practice might have a different specialty or area of interest (internal medicine, surgery, sports medicine, breeding work, dentistry, etc) or everybody might do a little of everything. There are practices that cater just to show horses, and the vets might actually move around the country during the year to be near the shows.
The great thing about large animal practice is that there are SO many different opportunities! The tough part is that it can be very physical, days can be long, and for some people it can be hard to manage with their personal life. Most large animal vets don't work shifts like small animal vets do, but in some places they might.
In addition to large animal or small animal practice, some vets work for wildlife centers or work on movie animals - their days are likely to be variable and you never know what might happen! Public Health or regulatory veterinarians might spend a lot of time on computers and phones, and they may need to travel to another site if there is an outbreak of disease. Veterinarians even work in food inspection and for the military!
If you are interested in being a veterinarian you can start checking out all of these different areas of work.
The AAVMC has good information on various careers in veterinary medicine: https://www.aavmc.org/becoming-a-veterinarian/
talk to veterinarians in various types of practices in your area. If you have animals in your life, it's likely that you know at least one veterinarian already.
Most veterinary schools offer open house or preview days, and may have faculty who can visit schools for career days. (many non-university vets also enjoy helping with career days)
This is a great question, and it does not have a necessarily short answer. It completely depends on the area (where you live/work), the type of animals served (small animal, large animal (horses, large livestock (beef, dairy, hogs), smaller livestock (goats/sheep/llamas/alpacas) or poultry, whether you work for individual animal caretakers or for businesses, and type of practice (large group practice vs solo, general practice vs limited practice vs specialty, clinic/hospital vs ambulatory (truck/car based) or a combination. Veterinarians also work in research (finding out more about diseases that affect animals and people, as well as caring for animals involved in research programs), and in Public Health.
In small animal practice, most veterinarians work in group practices; whether small (2-3 vets per clinic) or large (some specialty hospitals have more than 20-30 vets!) You might work for several different clinics, or go to work at the same clinic each day. Some work in general practice - seeing everything from vaccines to rashes to injuries or surgeries. Some work in overnight emergency clinics, taking care of pets who are sick or hurt while their regular vet's office is closed. Some spend time in advanced training and specialise in one field (there are as many veterinary specialties as there are in human medicine - except maybe plastic surgery). There are some small animal veterinarians who do not work in a fixed clinic, but have a mobile practice and drive to individual houses to take care of pets. In addition, some small animal veterinarians work in animal shelters or rescue programs, taking care of medical problems, performing needed surgeries, and helping to get the animals ready for new homes or for sanctuaries.
In large animal practices, veterinarians may work solo or in small groups. In dairy practice, they usually start very early (like very early - 4 AM) and much of the time is doing breeding work, also nutrition or herd health consultations, and checking/ensuring milk quality. In beef cattle practice, most of the work happens in the feedlots and again involves nutrition, herd health, and problem-solving. There are some large animal practices that cater to smaller operations like family farms, smaller goat or sheep dairies, and 4-H/FFA operations. They tend to drive to multiple farms to see either individual animals or small herds. Livestock tend to be in rural or remote areas, so the driving time might be extensive. (time in the truck is a good time to think, listen to music or audiobooks, and enjoy the beauty of the area you work in.)
Solo or small group equine practice experiences can vary as well. Every day can be a different experience depending on what type of horses you see, and whether the clients are showing, breeding, or just enjoying them. In general, the smaller the practice, the more out-of hours emergency work you might see. I personally love that part but some people do not. In some areas, there are veterinarians who specifically handle the emergencies, but that is not as common as it is in small animal or human medicine.
Equine vets can be found in rural as well as urban areas. You might have a 30-60 minute country road drive between calls, or you might deal with Los Angeles or New York traffic! Sometimes you would be amazed at the places where people can keep their horses!
Race track veterinarians also start work super early - most racehorses are done with their workouts by 8 or 9 AM, so we need to start work when the barns do. They may work early, then go home for the middle of the day, and come back to check the horses at dinnertime (afternoon). Track vets might work by themselves or they might be part of a larger practice.
Large group or hospital or specialty practices can be a bit different. In general, everyone shares rotating emergency duty, or there is a designated emergency vet or interns. Each person in the practice might have a different specialty or area of interest (internal medicine, surgery, sports medicine, breeding work, dentistry, etc) or everybody might do a little of everything. There are practices that cater just to show horses, and the vets might actually move around the country during the year to be near the shows.
The great thing about large animal practice is that there are SO many different opportunities! The tough part is that it can be very physical, days can be long, and for some people it can be hard to manage with their personal life. Most large animal vets don't work shifts like small animal vets do, but in some places they might.
In addition to large animal or small animal practice, some vets work for wildlife centers or work on movie animals - their days are likely to be variable and you never know what might happen! Public Health or regulatory veterinarians might spend a lot of time on computers and phones, and they may need to travel to another site if there is an outbreak of disease. Veterinarians even work in food inspection and for the military!
If you are interested in being a veterinarian you can start checking out all of these different areas of work.
Elizabeth F recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Vishnupriya’s Answer
I am not a Vet but definitely regret for not choosing Vet when life offered. Being a pet parent I see Vet Doctors far more happy compassionate satisfied than Humans. Go for it if you are planning to