Small animal medicine concentrates on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pet diseases. Services are usually provided in offices, animal hospitals, or clinics. A few veterinarians make house calls. Veterinarians for large animals specialize in the health care needs of horses and agriculture animals, and advise ranchers and farmers on proper care and management of livestock. Much of their work is done at the owner's ranch, farm, or home.
Veterinarians also work in specialized fields.
Those in the public health field work to protect people from animal transmitted diseases. Veterinarians employed in government inspection services insure that meat, poultry, and dairy products are fit for human consumption. Veterinarians with careers in research look for better ways to prevent and solve both animal health and human health problems. Still other choices include careers in the United States armed forces, veterinary colleges, zoos, animal theme parks, space and marine biology, medical research facilities, racetracks and other private industries. Approximately 75 percent of California Veterinarians are in private practice.