Small Animal Veterinarians Summary of Their Jobs By: Stephanie Cook, Birgen Johnson, and Allison Hagen

Basic Tasks To care for sick animals, injured animals, or animals who are in need of help “On call”- to be working

Examination Scales- a tool used to check a patient’s weight Thermometer- a tool used to take a patient’s temperature Stethoscope- a tool used to listen to a patient’s heart

Anesthesia Rebreathing Anesthesia- An inhalation anesthesia technique where a portion of exhaled gases are inhaled after carbon dioxide has been removed Non-Rebreathing Anesthesia- A technique for inhalation anesthesia where valves exhaust all exhaled air from the circuit.

Problems with Animals Euthanasia- putting an animal to sleep forever Immunization- a process where a patient’s immune system becomes equipped against bad germs (Syringe- a needle used to inject fluids into a patient’s blood to help them) Cardiac Arrests- where the normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively ends.

Blood Test Used to check if a patient’s blood has enough red and white blood cells (to make sure they are healthy) To check for diseases such as Lyme’s disease, Heart Worm disease and Rabies

More Tools Scalpel- a sharp blade used to make incisions Forceps- a tool used to grab blood vessels Sutchers and Thread- used to sew an animals wound or cut back together

Salary and Conditions Average salary- $60,000-$70,000 per year Average work hours- 40-80 hours per week Average number of patients- 25 patients per day (9,000 patients per year) Most veterinarians own a private practice (their own business)

Schooling Must have graduated from elementary school, junior high school (middle school), high school, and have at least 4 years of college Must graduate with a DVM (Doctor of Veterinarian Medicine Degree)

Possible Majors Oncology- the study and treatment of tumors Neurology- the study and treatment of the nerves and the nervous system Radiology- the science of X-Rays and radiation Cardiology- the study of heart disease

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