Animals tend to be one of the best companions of humans. Not only are they friendly but also keep us secure from potential threats. Similar to humans, animals experience all sorts of diseases and it is the primary job of the owner to look after it. While keeping a pet animal, you must consider the best veterinarian out there to ensure that it is kept in the best health. Furthermore, if you are someone who loves working with animals and want to pursue a related career, let us help you find out what could work for you.
Below are the different types of veterinarian specialties for you to consider and scroll through to discover your future.
Analgesia & Anesthesia
While treating animals, they must be provided anesthesia. Only the right amount should be given, which otherwise could kill the animal. Therefore, even though any licensed veterinarian could administer anesthesia but the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia provides further training in the field. Animals tend to be comparatively more sensitive to humans. As a result, they need a specialist to work on them and carefully monitor afterward. Even a slight mistake or negligence could lead to serious consequences. For example, the doctors at Care Animal Hospital will keep pets in the hospital under their care until they’re fully recovered to ensure the process went smoothly.
Animal Welfare
Animal welfare veterinarians specialize in providing awareness to the public, particularly pet owners about the welfare of animals. Through constant research, they tend to keep themselves updated and help the public with ways through which they could look after their pets better. Not only do these individuals discuss animal welfare but they also apply ethics and implement knowledge wherever necessary. This makes them well-suited for jobs in universities, government, and other veterinary practices. It varies with the location, size, type of equipment, and equipment you intend to purchase for your start a veterinary practice.
Behavioral Medicines
As already mentioned, animals are similar to humans in many ways. They tend to have mood swings as well and sometimes display unusual behavior. Depending on the animal type, behavior differs in several ways. The most popular is disobedience. It is an act in which the animal usually declines to follow the task provided. For instance, huskies are known to be stubborn pets. The owner will spend hours trying to make his/her husky perform a simple task. Therefore, in such cases, behavioral veterinarians help identify the behavioral pattern of the animal by considering detailed histories. Once identified, medication is provided to counter the animal’s behavioral problem.
Clinical Pharmacology
Even though animals share a lot of things with humans, they differ in certain aspects as well. For instance, their digestive systems, brain, kidneys, heart and immune system, etc. react differently to medication and drugs. What might not affect a human, might kill the animal. Therefore, the drugs and medications even for animals undergo stringent research and regulation. Clinical Pharmacologists study and educate themselves regarding proper dosage and duration etc. so that the animals receive efficient and healthy treatment.
Dentists
Animal teeth are crucial to their survival. Their teeth are designed to take on almost everything put in their path. Additionally, since some animals are born to be fierce, they will either fight using their claws or teeth. Hippos usually fight with their teeth. While in rage mode, they tend to sink their teeth in the opponent to cause major harm. However, it could sometimes lead to a broken tooth or teeth. In such cases, the animal experiences serious discomfort and is unable to eat. As a result, the animal could die due to hunger and malnourishment. Dentists in this regard specialize in adjusting, cleaning, and extracting teeth so that the teeth remain as healthy as possible.
Dermatology
Skin diseases are pretty common in animals. Veterinary dermatology is much more than dealing with a couple of rashes. It is a completely different field that requires years of experience and specialization. Furthermore, skin diseases differ depending on animal species. Therefore, veterinary dermatologists need to have experience in not only dealing with one type but almost every type of animal. Moreover, veterinary dermatologists are also trained for allergies, immunology, and internal medicine. This is because skin problems mainly arise due to an already existing health problem.
Research Veterinarians
Research is a key factor when it comes to treating animals. It plays a huge part in developing and testing drugs and medicines to counter animal problems and diseases. In this respect, research veterinarians devote most of their time experimenting and testing to come up with better ways of treating animals. By making use of historical studies, findings, and techniques, they are able to discover new ways of improving health. In addition to that, research veterinarians could find themselves working for the government, universities, and research firms. This highlights the fact that it is one of the most lucrative roles for one to consider.
Food Veterinarians
Animals need to be provided healthy food to ensure that their digestive system and bone structure remains strong. Most people who opt to purchase cheap food, compromise on the quality and this could be harmful to the pet animal. Even though your pet may look healthy from outside but the inside story might be different. Additionally, people do not spend time and research about what they should be giving their pet animals to eat and this is exactly where food veterinarians jump in. Food veterinarians also look after animals that are consumed by humans on a daily basis. Sanitation, preventive care, and treating illnesses are some of the key things looked after. Since animals are consumed across the globe, food veterinarians tend to spend most of their time traveling.
Food inspection and Safety Veterinarians
Food inspection and safety veterinarians are responsible for keeping edible products safe. These people may also work with the government to ensure that livestock animals are kept in the best condition and are treated for illnesses. In some cases, animals may fall ill due to expired or infected food. In such cases, food inspection and safety veterinarians will have to quarantine animals to make sure they do not fall victim as well. Overall, the role of food inspection and safety veterinarians could not be underestimated as they are the ones behind ensuring that the livestock products we consume are healthy and safe.
Critical Care and Emergency Veterinarians
It is most often that animals experience accidents and injuries. Critical Care and Emergency veterinarians are trained to deal with such high-pressure situations. In such situations, each step stands in the way of life and death. Therefore, critical care and emergency veterinarians need to be sharp-minded and experienced enough to tackle the situation. Such individuals remain 24/7 alarmed and equipped in case an emergency case pops up, where every second count.
Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine veterinarians differ from normal veterinarians. They are specialists in treating uncommon and complicated diseases. Pet owners are referred to these individuals in situations where normal veterinarians are not able to diagnose or treat an animal. Internal veterinarians are able to go deep down into complex areas of the animal and perform technical procedures. Moreover, some internal medicine veterinarians may also specialize further in areas such as Oncology, Cardiology, and Neurology, etc.
Microbiology
Veterinary Microbiologists are the ones that sit in labs and work for hours every day to study bacteria and ways through which they could be fought. Every medicine, drug, or treatment provided to an animal is the result of successful research and study of veterinary Microbiologists. Since medicines and drugs could result in serious reactions and affect both humans and animals, therefore, veterinary microbiologists play a crucial role in protecting public health.
Pathology
It is not necessary that every disease could be identified through tests and exams. Sometimes pathology veterinarians will examine fluid or tissue samples to unroot the problem. This is a complicated process in which the samples or tissues are observed under microscopes to determine the behavior of cells and other microorganisms. Additionally, pathology veterinarians are also involved in research and developing medications that help animals recover efficiently. Similar to other veterinarians, pathology veterinarians shall also find themselves working in both private and government labs.
Radiology
Although the X-ray technology was created by humans for humans, however, it is available for animals as well. X-ray comes in use especially when an animal is pregnant and the owner wants to determine the number of babies and their health. Furthermore, if in case an animal has an internal injury or has swallowed something harmful, performing an X-ray would give the radiologist a perfect view and idea of what is wrong and how it could be solved.
Final Word
The veterinary world is full of interesting specialties for you to consider. Whether you are concerned about animal welfare, food supply or diseases, etc. there is something for everyone. Choose a field that is based on your interest but do not rush it. Part of becoming a successful veterinarian requires building trust with animals. It is a skill that takes time to develop. Therefore, choose your route wisely and get your hands on as much knowledge and experience as possible.