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Veterinary Medicine

Veterinarians play a major role in the healthcare of pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals. Some veterinarians use their skills to protect humans against diseases carried by animals and conduct clinical research on human and animal health problems. Others work in basic research, broadening the scope of fundamental theoretical knowledge, and in applied research, developing new ways to use knowledge.

There is a growing need for vets with post-graduate education in particular specialties, such as molecular biology, laboratory animal medicine, toxicology, immunology, diagnostic pathology, or environmental medicine. The veterinary profession also is becoming more involved in aquaculture, comparative medical research, food production, and international disease control.

Related career titles

Animal nutrition specialist
Animal pharmaceutical sales representative
Feed lot veterinarian
College/University faculty*
Laboratory animal medicine technologist
Physiologist
Private practice veterinarian
Public health administrator
Researcher
Regulatory medicine
Specialized veterinarian
Veterinarian
State/national animal health positions
Veterinary inspector
Veterinary medicine education
Veterinary technologist
Wildlife manager
Zoologist

*additional training required for these occupations

Related veterinary medicine links