Veterinarian work involves many, many different duties. This article with describe some of the things veterinarians do an an average day.
Career Overview
A veterinarian career includes providing healthcare for animals of all descriptions. Some veterinarians specialize, treating only dogs or cats; some treat large animals such as horses. Some veterinarians may even work with zoo, laboratory or sporting animals. Most choose to work in private practice and take care of people's pets.
Daily Veterinarian Tasks
Veterinarian jobs involve many daily tasks. They include:
- Diagnosing illness
- Administering vaccination
- Medication sick or wounded animals
- Dressing wounds
- Setting fractures
- Performing surgery
- Taking blood and tissue samples
- Advising owners on animal health
- Providing paperwork for animals traveling abroad
- Coping with afterhours emergencies
A large animal veterinarian conducts his work in the stable, or on the farm. His duties are much the same, but they must be carried out on site, as horses and livestock cannot be brought into a clinic for treatment.
Hours and Compensation
Veterinarians typically work long hours. In group practices, they must take turns being on call for evenings, nights, weekends and holidays. Large animal veterinarians have long commutes, and must work outdoors, in bad weather and in unsanitary conditions. Salary prospects, however, can be good, especially once the veterinarian has enough experience to establish his own practice.