ABOUT THE ROLE
A veterinarian surgeon, often shortened to vet, is a physician for animals and a practitioner of veterinary medicine. Veterinarians provide healthcare for animals, including livestock, pets (birds, cats, dogs, etc), and zoo, sporting and laboratory animals. Most perform clinical work in private practices. Of these, most work with small animals, treating injuries and illness, and administering inoculations and health checks.
Many careers are open to those with veterinary degrees many may choose to specialise in medical disciplines such as surgery, dermatology or internal medicine, after post-graduate training and certification.
A small number of private practice veterinarians work exclusively with large animals, and in particular horses and cows. These veterinarians usually drive to stables, farms or ranches to provide services for individual animals or herds. This involves treatment for conditions or injuries, plus preventive care to maintain herd health, such as inoculation. They also consult with owners on animal management. The role of a vet can be broken down into veterinary surgeon and veterinary nurse.
EMPLOYABILITY
In many respects a veterinarian is similar to a paediatrician. Animals cannot talk like human beings, and much of the clinical history is obtained from the owner or client as a paediatrician would obtain the medical history from a child’s parents, therefore excellent people skills, and communication skills are required.
What cannot be obtained from the clinical history is acquired with the fingers, eyes, and smell. The ability to listen with a stethoscope and palpate with the fingers and hands will reveal much of the physical findings. The sense of smell is also important, in detecting the fruity odour of the ketotic cow’s breath, or the urea from the breath of a cat in renal failure.
What cannot be revealed by the history and exam is further supported by diagnostic tests like x-ray, C.T., M.R.I., blood work, urinalysis, and faecal exams. Veterinarians are well trained in laboratory medicine and parasitology. Vets frequently work long hours and with animals that are frightened or in pain, vets risk injury on a daily basis. Veterinary surgeons require good hand and eye coordination, and fine motor skills.
CAREER ENTRY
A degree in veterinary science/medicine (and registration as a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) ) is required to practise as a vet. There are seven institutions that currently offer this qualification. These are:
- University of Bristol
- University of Cambridge
- University of Edinburgh
- University of Glasgow
- University of Liverpool
- University of Nottingham (awaiting RCVS approval)
- Royal Veterinary College, London
Degree courses are generally five years in length (six in some schools). Fees will depend on individual circumstances so applicants should check with the institutions where they intend to study. The entry requirements for the courses will differ between universities. In general, biology at A-Level is an essential requirement for all of the courses, as well as one or two out of chemistry, physics and maths. The minimum grades required are usually two As and a B, although some universities ask for three As. As far as GCSEs go, it depends on the entry requirements for each university.
Some universities will consider applicants who have relevant vocational qualifications, such as a BTEC Diploma in Animal Science with distinction grades. Some universities will accept applicants without the relevant A-Level or vocational qualifications due to special six-year programmes. In the first year of these programmes, the basics learnt at A-Level will be covered to prepare the students for the five-year course.
Veterinarians working in public health and research spend more time in offices and laboratories, dealing with people rather than animals.
Some veterinarians also work in public health and research at universities.
Specific places of work according to profession are as follows.
EMPLOYERS AND SALARIES
As well as working in veterinary surgeries, vets are also employed in other sectors. These include education and research, government agencies animal charities (such as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) and the Peoples Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) ) and pharmaceutical companies.
Vets either work from a surgery or by visiting animals in their living environments, such as a farm or stables. Some vets carry out home visits.
According to the Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons , the average starting salary package is between £30,380 and £39,500. This package may include a salary of £18,000 – £20,000, a car and accommodation. Further training and experience can increase salary from £20,000 to £35,000. Senior vets can earn around £48,000, depending on the size of the practice.
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