Job Description and Responsibilities Veterinarians are doctors and scientists who care for pets, livestock, sporting and laboratory animals and protect humans against diseases carried by animals. These professionals use their skills and knowledge to diagnose medical problems, dress wounds, set broken bones, perform surgery, prescribe and administer medicines and vaccinate animals against diseases. They also advise owners on care and breeding.
Most veterinarians work in private practice.
The majority will specialize in small companion animals such as dogs, cats and birds and some will have a general practice treating all types of animals. Some veterinarians will specialize in epidemiology or animal pathology to learn to control diseases transmitted through animal food products and to deal with problems of residues from herbicides, pesticides and antibiotics in animals used for food. Employment Outlook Employment of veterinarians is expected to grow faster than average through 2005. The number of family pets is increasing and thus, the need for more care. The level of care is also increasing with more technology available.