Thanks partly to better medical care, pets are living longer than ever before. A pet rabbit can live to be about 9 years old. A dog can live to be 16, and a cat can live to be 20. Animals get many of the same treatments and operations that people get. For example, dogs and cats with heart problems can get pacemakers to help their hearts beat properly.
Pets can also get chemotherapy for cancer.
Most animal doctors receive 9 to 13 years of training. They attend four years of college, four years of veterinary school, and one to five years of hands-on training. Some everyday things are poisonous to pets. Animals have died from eating chocolate, human medicines, and antifreeze from cars. Many animals need medical help after they swallow household objects.