A veterinarian, also called a veterinarian, deals with the research, diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases in the broadest sense. Basically, depending on the location and area of responsibility, rural veterinarians and small animal veterinarians are distinguished. In order to work as a veterinarian, a relevant university degree must be completed.
What is a veterinarian?
A veterinarian, also called a veterinarian, is concerned with the research, diagnosis and treatment of animal diseases in the broadest sense. Veterinarians, known in technical terms as veterinary surgeons, are state-licensed animal health practitioners. Their mission is to prevent or alleviate animal suffering, maintain the health of animals of all kinds, and protect humans from harm caused by animal disease. Before working as a veterinarian, students must complete at least ten semesters of university study. After completing a corresponding dissertation, graduates bear the title of Dr. med. vet. They can already specialize in one of the fields during their studies. These are decided either according to the field of activity (internal medicine, dentistry, etc.) or according to the type of animal to be cared for. Specialization in the treatment of farm animals or small animals is also possible, although these are not specialties in the strict sense.
Treatments and therapies
Veterinarians have primarily the task to care for animals to the extent that their health is maintained and possible diseases are treated professionally. Which tasks are carried out by them in detail depends, among other things, on whether a specialization has taken place and which animal species are cared for at all. A rural veterinarian deals with vaccinations, obstetrics, claw trimming and the treatment of common diseases that occur in farm animals. The topic of species-appropriate husbandry, to which the veterinarian must pay attention, also plays a very important role here. Veterinarians in small animal practices have very similar tasks: They look after small pets such as cats, dogs, rodents and birds and are responsible here, for example, for fur and claw care, castration or sterilization or the treatment of species-specific diseases and complaints. These include digestive disorders as well as allergic reactions, colds or cancer. In small animal practice, the emotional attachment of pet owners to patients must also be considered. If veterinarians are employed in research or in the food industry, for example, special attention is paid to the scientific aspect of veterinary medicine. Hygiene and the related prevention of epidemics must also not be neglected; this area of responsibility is also assumed by the official veterinarian, among others.
Diagnostic and examination methods
Veterinarians use, depending on their individual field of application and task, quite different diagnostic and examination methods. These now hardly differ from those used in human medicine. In addition to a visual examination of the patient and a detailed discussion with the animal owner, depending on the symptoms and suspicions, a blood or urine test may be performed. Imaging procedures such as ultrasound or X-ray examinations or computer tomography are also used in veterinary medicine today to detect fractures, internal injuries or inflammations, tumors or similar. If surgery is necessary, the veterinarian uses an appropriate anesthetic, depending on the animal’s species and size, to sedate the animal. The surgical instruments used in a surgical procedure also differ at most in size from those used in human medicine. Because animals do not always hold still during the necessary, and sometimes sometimes unpleasant, examinations in the veterinary office, it is more often necessary in veterinary medicine to administer anesthetics (albeit in small doses) in order to make an accurate diagnosis or to perform certain procedures.
What should the pet owner be aware of?
When choosing the right veterinarian, pet owners should pay attention to how well the veterinarian in question is familiar with the particular species. Not every small animal practice is equally experienced in treating different types of animals. The veterinarian’s interaction with the individual animal and also with the pet owner provides information about whether there is a sufficient level of empathy.Last but not least, the question of the right veterinarian is not only a professional one, but also a personal one. Therefore, before the first actual treatment appointment, a conversation should take place, if possible, in which professional competencies are clarified and, ideally, a relationship of trust is established.
