How Does a Veterinarian Spend a Typical Workday?
A Veterinarian Starts the Workday
A small animal veterinarian opens the clinic early so clients can drop off pets for procedures before they go to work. Any animals that have been hospitalized overnight are a top priority. The veterinarian administers any necessary medical treatments or medicines. Update calls are given to the owner's of any pets that are hospitalized.
Treating Pets and Large Animals
The bulk of a veterinarian's workday involves hands on treatment of pets. A vet usually specializes in either small or large animals. Small animal vets stay in the clinic and treat clients, while large animal vets travel to farms. The medical procedures can vary from vaccinations to surgery to dental work. Small animal veterinarians learn to do it all and practice it daily. A vet student may choose to specialize while in college.
Working With Pet Owners
Worried pet owners and farmers are dealt with daily by veterinarian's. Using a good bed side manner is crucial when building a veterinary practice. Small animal owner's become very attached to their pets, so stress levels run high during a medical crisis. Farmers could lose thousands of dollars or more on a sick animal. Veterinarians must use grace under pressure and exude confidence without arrogance. Sometimes there is nothing medically they can do for an animal. Teaching pet and livestock owners preventative health measures is also up to the veterinarian. Treatments for pest infestation and common bacterial infections change continually.
Consulting With Other Veterinarians
Like human doctors, animal doctors consult with each other throughout cases for better diagnosis and treatment options. Most local veterinarians know each other in some capacity and work toward animal health as a common goal. Using the Internet is part of the process, but a closer source is necessary for major pet problems.
Researching Animal Health Advances
Reading and research fills any spare time for a veterinarian. Advances in pet medicine come daily in today's world of international sharing of ideas. Reading stacks of magazines is often the evening duties. Recording research findings is a critical part of the workday. Veterinary medical information has to be reported timely to assist as many pets as possible.
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