Veterinarians

Description

Veterinarians diagnose and treat animal injuries, diseases and disorders, and advise on preventative action. They may work in practices, specialising according to their location in either a rural or urban area, or in the public sector or associated industries such as pharmaceuticals, food production or drug regulation.

Qualifications

Typical tasks

• examines animals, diagnoses condition and prescribes and administers appropriate drugs, dressings, etc., and arranges or undertakes any necessary x-ray or other tests;
• inoculates animals against communicable diseases;
• administers local or general anaesthetics and performs surgery;
• investigates outbreaks of animal diseases and advises owners on feeding, breeding and general care;
• euthanases old, sick, terminally ill and unwanted animals;
• performs tasks relating to food safety policy, regulation of veterinary drugs, quality control of veterinary products;
• performs ante-mortem inspection of animals destined for the food chain, and animal post-mortem examinations;
• carries out expert witness work and undertakes teaching of veterinary students;
• maintains records, raises and forwards reports and certificates in compliance with current legislation.

Common job titles