Monday, December 10, 2012

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!


Are there any websites where you can post questions to a veterinarian or expert about cat issues?
Q. I keep running into these websites that seem like they can be very helpful as to my question about my cat, but every oneof them say how much will you pay or make you pay before you even know if they can help you. Does anyone know of a FREE site where you can ask the experts on cats??

A. BECOS LIFE ISN'T FREE

PS , KUNZY


What is the healthy weight range for cats?
Q. I weighed my cat today, and she came in at 7.8 lbs. She is a Birman breed, quite a dainty little thing. Is 7.8lbs a healthy weight for my pet?

What weight ranges are healthy for different sized cats, or different breeds of cat?

A. "Healthy weight" actually has little to do with the cat's weight in pounds, and more to do with the body condition. Having never seen your individual cat, nobody can really tell you if 7.8 lbs is appropriate or not.

Body condition is measured on a scale of either 1 to 5 or 1 to 9. Most veterinarians will assess your pet's body condition at every visit, and use that scale to decide how much in pounds the cat should weigh.

Here's a nice little chart I found online explaining the body condition scale in more detail. This particular chart uses the 1 to 5 scale.

http://www.cathelp-online.com/health/bscore.php

As always, if you have further questions, you can come back here, or visit your veterinarian for a check-up and a diet consult.


I will be traveling with a cat on a long flight soon and was wondering if anyone has ever used cat sedatives?
Q. What kind of sedatives are out there for cats? Are there any harmful side effects? Does anyone know any good vets in the San Diego area?

A. Hi there...please check with the airline you will be flying as most will not transport sedated animals. This is something we encountered with nearly every airline domestic and international.

Here's an article written by the American Veterinary Medical Assoc about this:
http://www.avma.org/careforanimals/animatedjourneys/livingwithpets/sedate.asp
Don't Sedate or Tranquilize Pets Traveling By Air

American Humane Association Cautions Veterinarians and Pet Owners

Many pet owners may decide to take the family pet along on their trips. A well-planned trip with the family pet can be fun; however, if air travel is involved, leaving pets at home with a good pet sitter may be a much better option.

Pets are just like people who sometimes become anxious when they don't travel frequently. This leads some owners and veterinarians to question whether administering sedatives or tranquilizers to dogs or cats prior to flight is a good idea. According to national and international air transport organizations, as well as the American Humane Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association, in most cases the answer is "no"!

"An animal's natural ability to balance and maintain equilibrium is altered under sedation," noted Dr. Patricia Olson, DVM, Ph.D., director of veterinary affairs and studies for the American Humane Association. "When the kennel is moved, a sedated animal may not be able to brace and prevent injury."

Whether flying in the cabin or with cargo, animals are exposed to increased altitude pressures of approximately 8,000 feet. Increased altitude, according to Olson, can create respiratory and cardiovascular problems for dogs and cats who are sedated or tranquilized.

"Brachycephalic (short-faced) dogs and cats are especially affected," noted Olson. "Although thousands of pets are transported uneventfully by air, airline officials believe that when deaths do occur they often result from the use of sedation."

The American Humane Association cautions veterinarians to carefully consider the use of tranquilizers or sedatives for their clients who are considering air transportation for their family pet.

We have found that most cats will naturally feel somewhat stressed for approximately 30-40 minutes and then sleep the remainder of their travels so sedating isn't actually necessary.

Traveling tips: http://www.sniksnak.com/cathealth/travel.html





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