A veterinarian is a medical doctor who specializes in the care of animals. Veterinary medicine is often considered a subdiscipline of conventional medicine. Veterinarians are trained to provide medical care for animals, including prevention and treatment of disease and injuries; diagnosis (including physical examination); management (including surgery); nutrition counseling; behavior counseling; preventive medicine; dentistry/oral health management; ophthalmology (eye care) including glaucoma screening programs for dogs over six years old.
In addition to veterinary care, veterinarians may also provide veterinary pharmaceuticals such as vaccines or antibiotics as well as treat injuries sustained during hunting activities such as gunshot wounds or falls from heights caused by dogs chasing game like rabbits.