An Animal Hospital Serving Maryland

A Pet Vet or veterinarian career path is anything but easy as some are prone to believe. First obstacle is being admitted to one of the 28 certified veterinary schools in the United States. There is a big demand right now (2011), for all animal doctors but especially the cat vet, the emergency vet and the 24 hour vet, and, as we all know, when demand is up, admittance criteria goes up.

An average of eight years of advanced schooling is the second obstacle a potential candidate has to face. On top of that, anyone wanting to specialize has to undertake additional schooling. Becoming a veterinary surgeon does not happen by taking a test.

Speaking of testing, after graduation, the new veterinary school graduate has to take extensive tests in order to be certified, no small task for most. Okay, you've made it past the schooling, what's next? More schooling or working with experienced vets. Be prepared to learn all there is to learn about people management, you'll need it. The pet vet may work on animals but the real work is with their owners.

A veterinarian must make a lifelong commitment to higher education, pretty much the same as a human doctor.

What Exactly Is Asked Of The Animal Vet?

When an animal is sick, vets may examine it to find out why. They look for clues in the way an animal looks, acts, and smells. They make diagnoses based upon detected symptoms since animals cannot tell us "where it hurts". This means you must be up on your problem solving skills. Cat diarrhea may be quite apparent but cat diabetes is not. It's your job to figure out what's wrong. The pet and its owner is counting on you.

A pet vet will use everything at his or her disposal to make the correct diagnosis. From blood tests, x-rays, and physical exams, nothing is spared. The vet then decide what kind of pet medication or treatment the animal needs.

Veterinarians also use preventative measures to ensure the animal enjoys an optimum quality of life. Cat vaccines and senior cat care are now becoming more commonplace now that more owners are investing in wellness plans. Cats have always been thought of as aloof and able to care for themselves, but we are now finding out that this is not the case. They need out help just like out canine friends. They need a cat vet who understands their specific issues.

Some Other Services a Pet Vet Will Be Asked to Provide

Expect to perform surgeries. You'll fix broken bones, take out tumors, replace knees and hips, and more. Vets also treat and cover accident-related wounds and injuries. Most vets treat small pets, including dogs, cats, and gerbils. Expect to engage in microchipping, teeth cleaning for dogs, working with ultrasound machines, and administering rabies vaccinations among others.

If you chose to be a mobile veterinarian or to work in zoos and aquariums, you may be asked to do more that usual, such as get in the enclosure with a bad-tempered 600-lb gorilla. His temper arising from the huge cavity he's nursing.

Animal doctors are also called upon to perform other healthcare functions not directly related to pet hospitals and clinics. They may work with government and other agencies as animal inspectors or performing scientific research in laboratories.

Because animals do get injured or sick at anytime, the animal doctor often work long hours and on weekends. Let's face it, a pet vet has a job that's more of a calling than employment. Luckily for their families, they do get paid to do it.