Veterinarian Job Responsibilities

---

A veterinarian (abbreviated as vet) is a trained and licensed health professional who treats, examines, analyzes, and explores various types of diseases and medical issues of all types of animals viz., pets, farm/poultry animals, wild/non-domesticated species, zoo animals, aquatic species, etc. The animal healthcare expert practices medical treatments which are a lot more different from those used for humans. He is skilled and knowledgeable about the veterinary practices and his job is a bit challenging than the physicians or general doctors because of the inexpressive or uncommunicative nature of the animals.

A comprehensive number of vets today operate in animal hospitals and animal infirmaries. However, some of them closely operate with the pharmaceutical companies to provide help in research work and develop medicines and vaccines for animals while others are hired by the federal and state government authorities for meat inspection work. The occupation has an element of nobility added to it which inspires the professionals to work with non-profit organizations and communities where they medically monitor and care for the endangered species.

In order to effectually treat, provide good healthcare, and eliminate diseases in animals, these animal doctors strongly rely on relevant diagnostic examinations, personal investigations, and the client's viewpoints or observations. They carry out various medical examinations such as acute toxicity, skin corrosion, toxicokinetics and metabolism, reproductive toxicity, pyrogenicity, etc., along with blood tests and x-ray examinations.

Apart from furnishing quality welfare and health treatments to animals, the vets are also responsible for informing the animal owners about competent animal disease preventive measures to protect both the humans and animals from the spread of several hazardous maladies and illnesses.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Diagnosing, examining, and treating animals
• Cleaning and dressing the wounds of injurious animals
• Educating the owners about the healthcare of animals
• Conducting surgeries if required and accurately executing the anaesthesia procedures
• Coordinating with the state and federal governments during epidemics which affect the animals
• Keeping a close watch on the animals that are brought in for treatment and reporting to the authorities if they are infected by any dangerous disease
• Assisting in the study and analysis of endangered species and educating the local population about the protection/preservation of such species
• Functioning with the government officials as health inspectors
• Helping in the neutering of animals
• Performing euthanasia (or painless killing) in case of poor life quality or irreversible diseases

Qualifications

• A degree in doctor of veterinary medicine or science related subjects namely, animal science, biology, molecular biology, etc.
• Any certification course from American Veterinary Medical Association
• Legal license from the state the professional is operating in

Extra Skills

• Good knowledge about the administration of injections, anesthetics, drugs, and other medications
• Sound diagnostic and research analysis skills
• Knowledge about operating lab equipment and performing dissections of animal body parts

Career Advancement

The veterinarians usually enjoy a satisfying number of job opportunities in animal practices, zoos, animal conservation/preservation facilities, and government veterinary centers. With relevant certifications, they can move into different fields such as public health, diagnostic investigation, animal medicine research, and private practice.

Here is the List of Related Topics:

• Kennel Attendant Job Description