Veterinarians prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and disorders in animals and advise clients on the feeding, hygiene, housing and general care of animals. Veterinarians work in private practice or may be employed by animal clinics and laboratories, government or industry.
Veterinarians perform some or all of the following duties:
Diagnose diseases or abnormal conditions in animals through physical examinations or laboratory tests
Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds or performing surgery
Perform routine, emergency and post-mortem examinations
Inoculate animals to prevent diseases
Provide obstetrical and dental services
Advise clients on feeding, housing, breeding, hygiene and general care of animals
Provide euthanasia services
May supervise animal health technologists and animal care workers
May be responsible for overall operation of animal hospital, clinic or mobile service to farms
May conduct veterinary research
May enforce government regulations in disease control and food production including animal or animal-based food inspection.
Employment Requirments:
Two to four years of pre-veterinary university studies or, in Quebec, completion of a college program in health science and A four-year university degree in veterinary medicine and Completion of national certification examinations are required.
Provincial licensing is required.
Entry into research positions may require postgraduate study.
Additional information
The duties of veterinarians performing research may be similar to those of some biologists.
Courtesy of: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada