Surgery
Veterinarians spend their workdays doing surgical procedures. These can vary from the basic spay and neuter procedures to the decapitation of animals suspected of having rabies. Many veterinarians set aside certain times of the day (usually mornings) or certain days of the week for performing surgeries.
Lab Work
Veterinarians spend their workdays looking over lab results. Stool samples, urine tests and blood work all need to be reviewed in order to give the correct diagnosis and prescribe the best treatment. Veterinarians rarely do the actual lab work themselves but can spend hours interpreting the results.
Training Staff
Veterinarians spend their workdays training staff members. Veterinarians are responsible for training veterinary technicians, veterinary assistants and laboratory assistants in how their particular practice works. They may also train other employees such as animal behaviorists, groomers and the like. Even though these employees have been trained in their specialty, they will not know specifically what this particular practice expects of them.
Volunteering
Veterinarians spend their workdays doing pro bono work for animal shelters and rescues. Many veterinarians volunteer their time and skills to local animal shelters and rescues. They will check over the animals placed up for adoption as well as help with the selection of animals to be put up for adoption. Veterinarians can also assist with training of animal shelter and rescue employees and volunteers. They can teach different types of animal-related classes to the community such as responsible pet ownership classes.
Medical Procedures
Veterinarians spend their workdays doing medical procedures. In addition to surgical procedures, veterinarians also administer medications, set broken bones and do dental work. Veterinarians spend countless hours doing "well checks" on their clients' animals and pets.
Educating Clients
Veterinarians spend their workdays educating clients. Veterinarians will teach their clients about responsible pet ownership, administration of medications at home and the importance of spaying and neutering animals and pets. They will explain procedures, animal behavior and signs to look in a sick animal or pet.
Paperwork
Veterinarians spend their workdays doing paperwork. Veterinarians will log all procedures, medical notes on charts and concerns about an animal's health or behavior. Depending on the size of the practice, some veterinarians schedule appointments, take care of billing and bookkeeping and perform other duties normally assigned to a secretary or receptionist in larger or busier practices.
Continuing their Education
Veterinarians spend their workdays continuing their education. Veterinarians are constantly learning. Whether attending actual classes at a university or attending seminar and workshops, they continue to learn more about their field.
Teaching
Veterinarians spend their workdays teaching in universities. Not all veterinarians have a private practice. Some teach classes at a school of veterinary medicine or a college that offers a veterinary technician program. Veterinarians may even have a part-time practice and teach part-time.
Research
Veterinarians spend their workdays doing research. Some veterinarians work in research facilities. Whether they are doing research to improve the lives of animals or of people, they provide animal care for the subjects of the research. Research facilities include universities, pet food manufacturers, pharmaceutical companies and zoos.
Traveling
Veterinarians spend their workdays traveling from client to client. Many veterinarians have mobile practices. These are not necessarily limited livestock. Veterinarians travel to care for the pets of shut-ins, service animals working in hospitals, nursing homes and hospices as well as wildlife reserves and rescues.
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