Wednesday, December 5, 2012

What does a Vet Tech need to do to become a Veterinarian position?

Q. I'm interested in becoming a Veterinarian, I'm planning to enroll in LaGuardia Community College in the Spring so I can take their Veterinary Technology program. I was wondering what a Vet Tech would have to do to become a Veterinarian, how long it would take and where I can find a college for Animal Science, Biology or Zoology, (etc) that does not require a four year degree. Thank you!

A. Vet techs have to do the exact same thing that everyone else does to become a vet. Having a tech degree is useless when it comes to applying to vet school. None of the classes you take in tech school will transfer over to the pre-requisites to vet school.
It will take 6-8 hours with or without a tech degree. 2-4 years of undergraduate work and 4 years of vet school.
I don't really understand your final question about a college that doesn't require a four year degree. Are you asking about schools that have associates degrees in those fields?


What type of veterinarian works of aquatic animals?
Q. I am planning on going to school to be a veterinarian but would love to work on dolphins. whales etc. Does anyone know how to go about a career like that? Thanks

A. To become a Marine Mammal Veterinarian, you need as much experience working with animals, or vets, as you can (marine mammals, if you can. try volunteering at a marine mammal stranding center); go to college to take care of pre-vet requirements; go to vet school (one that at least has a teaching hospital for exotic animals, and/or one that has a residency/internship/externship with marine mammals); after vet school see about an internship, get an advanced degree, or find a job.

I hope the links below will be helpful.
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/aboutvets/education.asp
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/answer?qid=20090712110238AAZWFQB
http://www.avma.org/animal_health/brochures/veterinarian/veterinarian_brochure.asp
http://www.aavmc.org/vmcas/college_requirement.htm

http://www.marinemammalogy.org/
http://www.usc.edu/org/seagrant/pdfs/Guide.pdf
How to become a marine mammal veterinarian:
To become a marine mammal veterinarian, follow the basic curriculum and schooling of other veterinarians, but try to gain practical experience with marine mammals by volunteering at an oceanarium or zoo. A few veterinary schools are developing specialized course work in the area of exotic animal medicine, including marine mammals. For more information, contact the American Veterinary Medical Association and the International Association for Aquatic Animal Medicine.

http://iaaam.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=18
How Do I Get Into Aquatic Animal Medicine?
Advice and words of wisdom compiled and adapted from various responses by various IAAAM Board Members�

Welcome to the wonderful world of aquatic animal medicine! Just by asking your question you have joined a diverse group of people with interests in better understanding and caring for the oceans, lakes, rivers, streams and ponds that cover over 70% of our globe�s surface and the countless creatures that inhabit them. Humankind has left tire tracks on the planet Mars in our search for water- - the most essential nutrient. And the Hubble telescope has given us glimpses of the far reaches of space and time- - but we have yet to visit the deepest realms of the earth�s most precious aquatic environs. So keep asking those questions and enjoy the ride. Even the Hubble has been visited by an IAAAM member - a marine mammal veterinarian turned astronaut. Who knows where the journey may take you?

Unfortunately, there probably is no straight-forward or typical answer to achieving a career in aquatic or marine mammal medicine. First, no veterinary college has a comprehensive program for specializing in aquatic or marine mammal medicine. Most veterinary colleges (which is typically four years of dog, cat, cow, and horse medicine) sometimes have a sprinkling of non-domestic species classes that may include poultry, pet birds, lab animals, pocket pets, amphibians, reptiles, fish and sometimes marine mammals. After graduation the options are numerous, and include additional graduate work in fish or marine mammal medicine, private practice, or even a job at a facility with aquatic animals (though rarely does a new veterinary graduate get this type of position right away).

Another option is to gain a year or two of hands-on private practice, and then apply for one of the internships in aquatic medicine that are available at a variety of facilities across the country. These include internships at places such as the National Aquarium in Baltimore (marine mammal, amphibians and fish), Mystic Aquarium (marine mammal and fish), Florida Aquarium (marine mammal and fish), The California Marine Mammal Center (all marine mammal), Delta Extension and Research Center (mainly catfish), or Prince Edward Island University in Canada (mostly fish and shellfish), etc.

In the mean time, we would suggest that you get as much education and practical experience along the way as possible. This might involve volunteering at aquariums, rehabilitation facilities, research labs, or aquatic animal facilities.

Finally, you may find useful the following publication put out by the U.S. Government (in print and on the Web) which gives lots of information on the future of particular careers and includes salary projections. Keep in mind that there will be listings for generic titles such as marine biologist or veterinarian, but very specific titles are not listed. This resource is usually kept in the Reference collection of all libraries. It's called the "Occupational Outlook Handbook". The Web version (and a quarterly update) is located at http://stats.bls.gov/ocohome.htm)

http://www.marinecareers.net/faqs.html
Q. I am researching a career in marine veterinary medicine. I was wondering if you have any information on this career?

A. The field of marine or aquatic veterinary science is certainly an exciting and growing field! We are in the process of profiling an aquatic vet on our website. Check out the following links to explore more about the field, colleges that offer programs to prepare students for this field, and professional organizations for aquatic veterinarians.

If you wish to do your own web searches, I'm sure you'll find even more sites. Search for veterinary science or aquatic animals science.

Cornell University�s Aquavet Program
zoo.vet.cornell.edu/public/aquavet

Publication: "Strategies for Pursuing a Career in Marine Mammal Science"
http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~smm/strat.htm

Association of Zoos and Aquaria
www.aza.org

University of Maine
www.ume.maine.edu/~animlvet/vetsci.htm

Auburn University
www.vetmed.auburn.edu

Tufts University (listing of cooperative programs in veterinary science)
http://www.tufts.edu/source/gradprog.html#v

University of California, Davis
animalscience.ucdavis.edu

Yale University
info.med.yale.edu/compmed/compmed/

General Info.
netvet.wustl.ed


http://www.seaworld.org/career-resources/info-books/zoo-careers/veterinary-care.htm
http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/juniormembership/focus_marty.html
http://www.musc.edu/mbes/faculty/bossart.html
http://www.marinecareers.net/profile_detail.php?id_prof=73

https://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/extension/aquatic/
https://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/extension/aquatic/education/

http://www.vetmed.ufl.edu/extension/aquatic/events/
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/marinemammal/
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ame/seaveti/index.html
http://conference.ifas.ufl.edu/ame/seavet2/
http://www.marvet.org/workshops
http://web.vet.cornell.edu/public/aquavet/
http://www.vetmed.lsu.edu/aquamed.htm

http://www.virmp.org/virmp/searchnew.aspx
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/residency_info/mammal.cfm
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/vmth/residency_info/zoomed.cfm
http://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/Clubs/WAAM/externships.html
http://www.seaworld.org/career-resources/externship/index.htm
http://www.vet.ohio-state.edu/1663.htm
http://vetmed.illinois.edu/vcm/zooresid.html
http://www.mysticaquarium.org/research/education
http://marinemammalcenter.org/about_us/internships.asp#externship
http://www.sheddaquarium.org/veterinary_services_internship.html
http://www.fiu.edu/~mmru/AlaskaIntern.htm
http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/internships/wdw/students/roles/animal_programs/animal_programs.html
http://disney.go.com/disneycareers/internships/wdw/students/roles/animal_programs/animal_program_roles/ap_roles.html
http://www.swbg-animals.org/connections/shared-video/on-the-job/index.htm?vID=v3
http://www.spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/interns.html
http://www.spawar.navy.mil/sandiego/technology/mammals/veterinary.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=msb8Iuz19Co

http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Marine-Mammal-Medicine-Second/dp/0849308399/ref=sr_11_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1224286822&sr=11-1

http://www.marinemammalcenter.org/learning/education/careers/colleges.asp
http://netvet.wustl.edu/vschool.htm#prevet
http://www.advising.ufl.edu/ohlpa/prehealth/resources/experience.html
http://www.umaine.edu/about/academicprograms/natsci.htm
http://animalscience.calpoly.edu/areas_of_study/zoo/index.asp


How many years of college does is take to become an Equine Veterinarian?
Q. About how many years of college do I need to become an Equine Veterinarian? Also, what are some ways that could help me in the future in becoming a sucessful Equine Vet that I can do now? Like volunteering or something? I am just now going into High school and I play on trying my hardest to get all A's

Becoming an Equine Veterinarian is my main goal.

A. I'm posting the best resource I've found presenting a very thorough outline of every aspect of what is involved in becoming an equine vet in the US. It should answer any and all questions you have. The reason admission into vet school is so competetive is because there are only 28 vet schools in the US. ..............

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos076.htm

Add..........Currently there is no post-doctoral course of study specific to equine veterinary medicine, but I believe that the University of Illinois is considering development of such a program.


What does a veterinarian do for a daily day and well is it challenging to get in the field?
Q. Also how many years to be a veterinarian and what do you learn what do you reccomend for a college student interested in the field what should i do? Also what do you reccomend me to do like to see magazines or vetenarian books? Is this a stressful job and well are the studies in a vet school hard or heavy to understand? Would you recoomend me study this if i have a bad household and parents fighting alot???

A. First of all, your household has no bearing on your education. If your parents fight a lot, just stay out of it. Go to your room or go outside and hang out with friends.

A veterinarian must finish high school and go to the university. In America, the study is 8 years (4 years at the regular university and 4 years afterwards in veterinary school). In Europe, the study is usually 6 years.

After you finish school, you must pass a board examination in order to get your license to practice veterinary medicine. Usually, you begin by joining a clinic with other veterinarians who will help you if you have any questions. After a few years, you will have a lot of experience and you can start your own clinic.

There are two types of veterinarians - small animal and large animal. Small animals are housepets, including cats, dogs, guinea pigs, hamsters, birds, rabbits, ferrets, etc. Large animals are farm animals, such as sheep, goats, cows, pigs, and horses.

Some veterinarians specialize. For example, a large animal veterinarian might specialize in horses while a small animal veterinarian might decide to specialize in exotic birds.

Is it stressful? Like any profession, there are good days and bad days. Most veterinarians schedule surgery in the morning and then see patients in the afternoon. Small animal veterinarians usually have clinics and pet owners brings their animals to the clinic, so the veterinarian usually doesn't make house calls. But large animal veterinarians are always on the move from one farm to another. Horse veterinarians usually have a clinic where sick horses can get surgery or other care.

If you want t be a veterinarian, then you should pay special attention to science and math.

Another career working with animals is a veterinary assistant. After graduating high school, you apply at a college (university) and you study for 2 or 3 years. A veterinary assistant is a good choice for people who don't want to be at the university for many years. But keep in mind, a veterinarian makes more money. However, a veterinary assistant is still a good job and similar to a veterinarian. You can think of a veterinary assitant like being a nurse. You assist with surgery, take care of the patients, administer medication, and help the doctor.

If you are in America, then as a college student, you should major in biology, animal science, or biochemisty your first four years at the university and then apply to veterinary school (graduate school). If you are in Europe, then you should learn as much biology and chemistry as you can before you apply to the university.

There's lots of interesting books about veterinarians. You can surf the web or visit a university nearby. Go to the academic bookstore and ask the salesperson to give you list of textbooks used in veterinary school. Right now, you might find them difficult to read, but just browse through them at the bookstore to get an idea.

A book you might want to buy is a basic book on animal science. There are books about animal science for high school students and university students. Get a basic book. One that says something like this: INTRODUCTION TO ANIMAL SCIENCE.

Good luck!





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