How do I become a veterinarian?
For a start, in order to become a veterinarian, you need great grades in high school.
It takes years of study and lots of memorizing facts so generally, to qualify you will
need to be pretty brainy to get a head start. Naturally a love for animals helps - after
all, you will be looking after them all your life. There are other things that selectors
will look at eg previous experience with animals, background situations but there
usually is a requirement for good grades in subjects like biology and science.
How do I become a veterinarian if I live in America?
If you live in America, then to become a veterinarian, you will need to do 4 years of college, and then another 4 years in veterinary school and then pass a veterinary medical board examination before you qualify. There are also requirements for you to take state board examinations if you are planning to practice in another state aside from the one you took your board examination in.
How do I become a veterinarian if I live in Australia?
There has been talk in the veterinary field in Australia to make it a post graduate course which means that it will start following the 4 years of a science-based pre-veterinary course and then followed by another 4 years of proper veterinary medical training. As yet, most veterinary schools in Australia still follow the 5 years veterinary medicine course in order to become a qualified veterinarian.
Once I become a veterinarian, does that mean I can treat all species of
animals?
Yes it does, but because most of what you study in the veterinary course covers domestic species eg dogs, cats, pocket pets, cows, sheep, horses, birds/poultry, if your heart is set on more exotic animals like dolphins, seals and lions, then generally what happens is that you would go on further to take a diploma course in zoo medicine or marine biology. These places are few and far between as they often require you to be 'attached' to a particular zoo or ocean park to qualify.
Do you ever stop studying once you become a veterinarian?
The simple answer is no. You will need to continually keep up with the new techniques and medical treatments available and drug therapies available. These change quite often and you will need to go on 'continuing education' courses. Generally what happens is that you decide which areas within the veterinary field you are most interested in and focus on those eg you may have an interest in pocket pets like hamsters or rabbits, so you would keep up to date on the various treatments and diseases discovered in that area and attend conferences that focus on this. If you decide that you want to become a veterinary specialist eg dermatology (skin), cardiology (heart) then you will have to take further examinations which if you pass will then qualify you as a specialist in that area.
What do you like most about becoming a veterinarian?
That would most definitely be the fact that my job is working with animals that I love. Looking after them and seeing the happy faces of owners and pets alike is the most rewarding thing about being a veterinarian.
What do you like least about becoming a veterinarian?
That would be the times when I have to put animals down either because there are no loving homes for them or because they are so ill that it is the kindest thing to do for them. Either way, it's always hard to say goodbye.
Ask a vet plans available
- Ask the online vet a question for just $8.95; or
- Sign up for a one month membership for just $19.95 and ask the online vet unlimited questions about your pet.
- Find answers to common pet health and behavior questions $3.95/article
- Read up on previous ask the vet pet health questions for just $3.95
Vet question of the day
Add to
Cat scratching and licking till she is bald
My Cat (18mo female Ragdoll cat) began scratching and licking all the hair until she was bald in many areas.She has these scaly Dark areas . I have a cattery so i have many cats ,The vet cannot find any thing on her to explain what is going on. She dug around her neck area so it was bleeding . we treated it and put a plastic guide around her neck . He gave her Steroids he said would last about 3 weeks It has only been a little over a week and she is scratching again . What can it be and what do I do ? - Click
here to read the answer
More
pet
health questions
Pet Care Articles and Pet Supplies Deals
| Dogs - dog care | 
Sign
up for the Ask the Vet newsletter
- Click
hereWe're in the news! Read full article here. |
