1. Careers in Veterinary Medicine

2. What do Veterinarians Do?
Primary purpose is to serve society – guardians of animal welfare
Dealing primarily with health and disease of vertebrates – including man (Zoonotic Diseases)
Prevent Disease (MOST IMPORTANT)
Diagnose Disease
Treat Disease

3. What do Veterinarians Do? Cont.
Prevent Disease (Most Important)
Zoonotic Diseases
Disease that can transfer from animals to humans
Example: Lyme Disease
Foodborne Diseases
Disease transferred to an animal or human by food
Example: Salmonella
Foreign and Emerging Diseases
Diseases that are seen in other countries, BUT NOT the United States
Example: Foot and Mouth Disease
Diagnose Disease
Veterinarians work to develop diagnostic tests to help us identify sick or diseased animals in a population.
Treat Disease
Veterinarians research new ways to treat diseases.
Foot and Mouth Disease

4. Education in Veterinary Medicine
First steps (High School):
Spend time with a vet to see if this is what you want to pursue
Get involved with school activities and clubs (EX: FFA and 4-H)
Find a University
Complete an undergraduate program (4 years) that prepares you for vet school
Work hard, make good grades, stay involved with veterinary sciences and practices
Complete Veterinary School
About 4 years
Receive License
Optional Specialty:
Continue on with school to specialize in your interest
Examples: Surgery, exotic, or pharmacology

5. Different Types of Careers
Private Practice
Own your own business/practice
Specialization
Undergo additional training to become board certified in specialties like animal behavior, dentistry, pathology, etc.
Product Development
Assist in developing safe products for animals
Company: animal drug and health companies
Research and Education
Research for preventatives against diseases
Professor at any University
Nonprofit work
Volunteering and pro bono

6. Private Practice Small Animal Large Animal Exotic Animal
Companion animals
Example: Dog or Cat
Large Animal
Livestock species
Example: Equine, Bovine, Sheep and Goats
Exotic Animal
Examples: amphibians, birds, or reptiles
Specialization Private Practice
Only certain species treated
Example: Equine only, Feline only, Reptile only Practices

7. Examples of Specialization
Anesthesiology
Additional study in anesthetizing animals for surgery
Job: hired by vet clinics to assist with surgeries
Surgery
Additional training in surgical procedures
Some specialization in species or types of surgeries
Example: Colic surgery in horses
Job: Hired by universities or large scale vet clinics for specific surgeries
Zoological Medicine
Emphasis on “zoo” animal health
Job: Work for Zoos

8. Government Career Military Food Safety Animal Importation
Send veterinarians across seas to ensure the health of military animals and low income community animals
Food Safety
Quality control of products
Safety of products
Job: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Animal Importation
Regulate animals going across state borders and into new states
Regulate animals leaving or coming into the country
Job: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

9. Product Development
Work for companies to develop over the counter medications for companion or livestock species
Example of Products: arthritis preventatives, coat supplements, or hoof supplements

10. Research and Education
Research at a University
Research different treatment options and methods
Research for prevention against diseases
Professor at a University
Educate young veterinary enthusiasts
Teach classes that interest you and help students accomplish their veterinary dreams

11. Nonprofit
Travel around the world and help third world countries companion and livestock animals
Help with natural disasters
Donate time and energy to help families with sick or injured pets during unexpected events
Examples: Vet-I-Care Organization, ASPCA, AHA, Rocky Mountain Conservation Center, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Inc., The Wildcat Sanctuary, Save A Forgotten Equine, Lost Dog and Cat Rescue Foundation, FIXNATION INC, Oak Hill Animal Rescue Inc. etc.

12. What’s the Difference? Licensed Veterinarian Technician
Certified Veterinarian Assistant
Veterinarian Assistant

13. Know the Difference!
Texas Veterinary Medical Association (TVMA) states the difference:
Registered Veterinarian Technician:
A person who has completed a program (commonly a two-year associates degree) and is certified by Texas State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (TSBVME)
Certified Veterinarian Assistant:
A person who has completed a program through TVMA and is certified by the TVMA and hired by a licensed vet
Veterinarian Assistant:
A person who is hired by a licensed veterinarian, is NOT certified, but can still perform animal care tasks

14. How to Become a Registered Veterinarian Technician
Must Renew your registration every year with
Fee
Possible hours of continued education
Pass a jurisprudence exam (exam covering the laws you are expected to abide by)
Be at least 18 years of age
Have graduated from an educational institutions program that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
Have passed the national exam Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE)
Not disqualified under this chapter or board rule

15. How to Become a Certified Veterinarian Assistant
3 levels of Certification
Required renewal every year
Fee
Verification of current employer in the veterinary field
Level 1 (High School FFA/4H):
At least 90 days of work under a DVM or RVT
Gaining and demonstrating the hands-on skills listed on the Skills Validation Checklist
Exam Application and Skills Validation Checklist completed and approved by the DVM or RVT
Successful completion of the certification examination
More information at:
Certified Vet Assistant website
Vet Assistant Video

16. Ethics
Every licensed veterinarian is expected to follow the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics (the Principles)
Veterinarians should aim to always relieve stress and minimize pain in every patient they treat
In any emergency the veterinarian has the right to provide any essential treatment needed by the animal if their life is in danger or to relive any suffering
Limited to euthanasia
It is unethical to claim any certification or license received through veterinary medicine if NOT received
More information on ethics and conduct can be found at

17. Expectations in the Workplace
Depending on where you work will determine required clothing and work habits.
Scrubs and comfy, closed toed footwear is more common.
The type of clinic (ex: large, exotic or small) will determine the amount of physical work that will need to be done.
Be prepared to get messy and to be on your feet all day.
What other rules or expectations do you think employers have?

18. Safety In Veterinary Medicine
Personal Safety
Learning how to restrain animals safely and properly can avoid personal injury by the animal
A dog is going to take a different restraint technique than a cat
A cat is going to take a different restraint technique than a dog
Learning how to safely handle sharps (ex: needles) will prevent you from injuring yourself
More Safety can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Website:

19. Veterinary Precautions Case Study
“Compendium of Veterinary Standard Precautions for Zoonotic Disease Prevention in Veterinary Personnel”
Review Introduction as a class

20. Group Activity
Each group will read their assigned section of the article and will be responsible for establishing the 5 most important things your classmates need to know about safety in a vet clinic.
Divide into groups:
Zoonotic Disease Transmission
Veterinary Standard Precautions: Personal Protective Actions and Equipment
Veterinary Standard Precautions: Protective actions during Veterinary Procedures
Veterinary Standard Precautions: Environmental Infection Control
Employee Health
Creating a Written Infection Control Plan