Depending on who you ask, there are 73,000+ or over 121,000 veterinarians in the U.S.
Those figures prove vets are in demand; after all, there are more animals than humans on Earth. They’re also the only doctors trained to protect animals and people.
And because there are so many animals on the planet, there are also many types of veterinarians.
We’ll explain the primary ones below, so read on.
Companion-Animal Veterinarians
Companion-animal vets are doctors whose focus is on small animals. They’re also known as small animal vets.
You can think of these vets as primary care doctors for small animals. They work primarily with dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, and other small animals. They diagnose illnesses, treat wounds, perform surgery, prescribe medicines, and give vaccines.
Choosing a veterinarian for your furry family member often means opting for this type of vet. And if you look up “vet near me” online, the ads and marketing for veterinarians you’ll see are likely for these vets. That’s because these animal doctors comprise the largest segment of vets.
Large Animal Veterinarians
Like small animal vets, large animal vets prevent, treat, and diagnose animal diseases. The chief difference is that large animal vets work with farm animals. These include cattle, horses, sheep, alpacas, and pigs, among many others.
Large animal veterinarian jobs also include monitoring animal product safety. For example, they ensure cow’s milk is safe for humans. Vets do this by keeping the animals that produce them healthy.
Veterinary Specialists
A veterinary specialist is a vet with additional training in a specialization. These include dentistry, bone health, and surgery, to name a few.
All in all, the American Veterinary Medical Association recognizes over 40 vet specialties.
Vet specialists often run their very own veterinary practice. Their clinics may serve only specific species, such as canines or felines. Some may offer general and specialized (e.g., dental or surgical) care.
Vet specialists often work with companion-animal vets, especially if patients need specialized equipment. For example, say your furry family member needs surgery. In this case, your primary vet would work with a surgery vet.
Research Veterinarians
Research vets study animal welfare by working with animals of various species. One of their primary goals is to find better ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat animal health issues.
For example, research vets study animal diseases like cancer, heart disease, and arthritis. While many treatments are available for these, they strive to find safer alternatives.
Research vets also delve into the link between animal and human health. For instance, they study zoonotic illnesses, diseases that spread from animals to humans. These are common, accounting for about 60% of infections affecting humans.
Research vets also study vaccines aimed at bettering animal health. They also work with other firms to develop medicines for animals and humans.
All Types of Veterinarians Are Essential
From companion-animal to research veterinarians, all types of veterinarians are essential healthcare workers. After all, they’re experts not only in animal welfare but also in human health. At the very least, if not for them, people won’t have anyone to turn to when their furry family members get sick.
Thus, if you think you can be someone “fur parents” can turn to, consider becoming a veterinarian.
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