Veterinarian - How to become a Veterinarian

Veterinarian also called “Vet” in shortened form, is a qualified medical practitioner who has the ability to diagnose, treat and cure the diverse types of diseases in birds and animals. They are known as doctors for animals, both domestic and wild. Like in doctors for human being there are many different types of veterinarians for animals also; some work with small animals others with large farm animals and some for wild animals.

Although Veterinarians study to treat all animals, but sometimes work with a specific type of animals as specialists. Other veterinarians specialize in a particular type of medicine - for example, veterinary dermatologists work with animals with skin problems. Finally, some veterinarians do research on animal or human diseases.

If you want to become a vet you should have genuine love and compassion for animals. As animals cannot tell what they are suffering from, thus a good vet have to read the signs from the animal's behavior and diagnose the ailment. Vets must also be able to handle emergencies and work in physically disagreeable conditions, or in rural areas where working hours may be long and irregular, and working conditions uncomfortable.

Working with large animals requires physical stamina and quick body reflexes to tackle the animal's moody behavior and should be able to instinctively gauge the animal's condition.

A vet should have the ability to put the animals at ease, to do teamwork, have powers of observation and self reliance, adaptability, indifference to the occasionally disagreeable conditions of work. He needs to be extra sensitive and patient.

Thus to become a veterinarian requires a lot of hard work, dedication and spirit to sever the animal kingdom. Besides the prospective vet should be ardent disciplinarian, full of patience, commitment and self-confidence. If you have all these qualities in you then you are fit for being a vet as it is such a field that little careless ness on your part can take a precious life of an innocent animal.

Eligibility to become a Veterinarian  

To become a veterinarian one should possess any of the following degree

• Bachelor's degree in Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc.)
• Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS)
• Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVetMed)
• Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. & A. H.)

1. Educational Qualification

To be eligible for joining  any of the above given course the aspiring candidates should be 10+2 Class pass with Physics, chemistry and Biology (PCB) as main subjects and for institutions with at least 60% marks.

How to become a Veterinarian?

Step 1

Interested candidate has to appear in an entrance tests. Admission to most veterinary colleges is on the basis of results obtained in the entrance examination conducted by the concerned universities.

Veterinary Council of India conducts an 'All India Common Entrance examination' (AIPVT) for admission to first year Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) & Animal Husbandry (AH) degree course for filling up 15% of the total number of seats of each veterinary college of all states; about 36 colleges where Indian Veterinary council Act, 1984 extends.

This Entrance exam is usually held in the month of May each year. 

For admission to master’s degree programme, an All India Entrance Examination is conducted by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Step 2

After completing  any of these 4 to 4-1/2 years of degree courses involving various disciplines, like anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, nutrition, livestock management and production, production technology, pathology, microbiology, pharmacology, genetics and breeding, gynecology, surgery, medicine and animal husbandry extension, among others . He has to undergo three months internship usually at the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Service Complex (TVCSC) under the supervision of a senior clinician and in field veterinary hospitals on a rotation basis.

Besides they undergo a one-month practical training in livestock production and management at animal farms, then one-month training in poultry production and management and one-month training in livestock products’ technology and other services. Apart from learning to treat animals, training is also provided in dairying and poultry sciences. 

Step 3

After getting Bachelors degree one can go for post graduation, namely a Master in Veterinary Science. The Postgraduate course in Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc.) is a 2 year course and the candidate has the option to specialize in areas like medicine, surgery, anatomy, bacteriology, biochemistry, cardiology, dermatology, microbiology, molecular biology, anaesthesia, gynaecology, pathology, toxicology, virology pharmacology, etc. Other one can look for a job in pet care centers or Vet hospitals.

Veterinarian Job Description

Veterinarian job includes not only taking care of animal health but also includes scientific breeding and handling of livestock. Besides giving medicinal or oral treatment, vaccination and advice on care of pets and farm animals Vets perform surgery.

Their job profile also include Animal husbandry i.e animal breed improvement by 'selection breeding' and artificial insemination, animal research in order to control spread of diseases transmitted through animals; thus protecting the public from exposure to diseases carried by animals, wildlife conservation, poultry management and health care, livestock insurance and rural development.

In a broader sense a veterinary doctor has a major role in the conservation of livestock and domestic animal wealth. 

Veterinarian Career Prospects and Job Opportunities

There is very wide scope for veterinarians in the near future. Latest statistics  has shown that keeping pets is becoming a fashion now, the demand for private veterinary clinics is on the rise in both small town as well as metropolitan cities. An unprecedented growth in the poultry sector and animal products’ technology sector, resulting in an increased demand for veterinarians in different sectors of livestock and poultry. 

Veterinarian Salary

Increased demand for the veterinarian helped a sharp increase in their salary. Starting salary of a vet in present scenario is anywhere between Rs.25,000 to Rs.30,000. There is a lot of money in private practice as well and it only gets better for candidates as they win the trust of the animals owners.