Most large animal veterinarians look after livestock health, including - goats, cattle, pigs, sheep, and horses. It’s a common scenario but a veterinarian can choose to treat other wild animals of their interests too. Such veterinarians are certified in their domain, having ample knowledge of diagnosing and treating the illness in livestock species the most. Generally, they get calls from farms to visit large animals and treat them. They are highly preferred to offer customized medical treatments using truck outfitters for complete security.
General duties of a large animal veterinarian –
Such veterinarians are recognized for conducting research followed by health exams, providing vaccinations, and precise medicine accordingly. Most commonly, their duty involves x-rays, healing suture wounds, ultrasounds, and executing surgeries.
When it comes to treating the reproductive health issues of the breeding stock, a large animal veterinarian executes thorough monitoring, artificial inseminations, pre-purchase examination, and treating other birth-related problems in the livestock breed. The nature of their job demands them to travel from one farm to another while keeping a check on all medical equipment and inventory available all the time.
Some challenging factors lead to long work hours, and they may have to attend to urgent patients on weekends. This profession is demanding as restraining, handling, and treating large-sized animals is a different experience than treating pet animals.
Promising Career Options –
Majorly, veterinarians work on treating small animals like cats or dogs. In this context, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says, more than 75% of veterinarians practice privately for small animals. And a small percentage of 10% is willing to treat exotic animals like - lizards, snakes, and other dangerous animals.
Many veterinarians prefer to opt for porcine, equine, bovine, and other wild animals when talking about large animals. This may be a challenging job, but it’s rewarding too. Experienced veterinarians find it interesting to deal with such animals due to complications that require experience and proficiency.
Besides, an individual having a veterinarian degree can opt to work as an animal educator, pharmaceutical sales representative, research assistant, research scientist, government meat inspector, and much more. Here, ensure that you carry disability insurance for veterinarians, making you eligible to attend and treat animals whenever you feel like it. This can be a complementary back to your profession, so you work freely.
Overall professional associations –
AVMA (the American Veterinary Medical Association) is the leading veterinary organization that represents up to 80,000 doctors. Besides, a board-certified veterinarian in a specific area like critical care, ophthalmology, surgery, oncology, etc., can uplift the career with in-depth knowledge and certifications. This can help you grab some of the prominent designations available in your vicinity.
Overview –
The profession of a veterinarian is challenging but incredibly rewarding too. When talking about veterinarians, people often restrict their thought process to treating animals. But when you get into the details, you see there are many subcategories of a veterinarian. And among them there are significant animal veterinarians who look after livestock breeds. It is one of the promising career options to pursue, opening many career gateways for you.