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.

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 euthanises 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

Educational Requirements

Entrants will require a university degree in veterinary science and registration as a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Pre-entry experience in a veterinary practice may be required for entry to a university veterinary school.