2 answers
Ashlynn
Student
Newton Falls, Ohio
3
Questions
Asked
245 views
How is veterinary and what is it like on a day to day basis ?
I was wondering how veterinary looks like during work hours because that is something that is a choice of a career. I like helping animals and people but I'm also curious on how the treatment process is? I'm also curious on how the collage process looks like and how the classes are?
Login to comment
2 answers
Sijoy Sagar
Program Manager
147
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Sijoy’s Answer
Hi Ashlynn,
It's fantastic that you are thinking about a career in veterinary medicine. This field combines science, compassion, and practical problem-solving. Here’s a peek into what a typical day might look like:
Morning: You will have appointments for wellness exams, vaccinations, and routine check-ups.
Midday: This is often when surgeries or procedures like spaying, dental work, or treating injuries take place.
Afternoon: You might handle emergency cases, follow-up visits, or consultations with pet owners.
Evening: You will review lab results, update patient records, and sometimes take urgent calls.
Every day is unique, with a mix of routine care and exciting emergencies, making it a rewarding profession.
Treatment Process:
Diagnosis: You will examine animals, discuss symptoms with owners, and sometimes order tests like blood work or X-rays.
Treatment: This might involve giving medication, performing surgery, or providing supportive care.
Follow-up: You will monitor recovery and advise owners on how to care for their pets at home.
Education Path:
To become a vet, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
Most students first earn a Bachelor’s degree in fields like biology or animal science.
Classes cover anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, and clinical practice, with a blend of lectures, labs, and hands-on training.
Internships and clinical rotations are crucial for gaining real-world experience before you graduate.
Steps to Take Now:
1. Focus on biology and chemistry in high school.
2. Volunteer at an animal shelter, farm, or veterinary clinic to gain experience.
3. Read about animal health and stay curious to make college classes easier later.
You are asking great questions at the perfect time, and this curiosity will guide you toward a rewarding and fulfilling career.
Wishing you clarity and encouragement as you explore veterinary medicine further.
It's fantastic that you are thinking about a career in veterinary medicine. This field combines science, compassion, and practical problem-solving. Here’s a peek into what a typical day might look like:
Morning: You will have appointments for wellness exams, vaccinations, and routine check-ups.
Midday: This is often when surgeries or procedures like spaying, dental work, or treating injuries take place.
Afternoon: You might handle emergency cases, follow-up visits, or consultations with pet owners.
Evening: You will review lab results, update patient records, and sometimes take urgent calls.
Every day is unique, with a mix of routine care and exciting emergencies, making it a rewarding profession.
Treatment Process:
Diagnosis: You will examine animals, discuss symptoms with owners, and sometimes order tests like blood work or X-rays.
Treatment: This might involve giving medication, performing surgery, or providing supportive care.
Follow-up: You will monitor recovery and advise owners on how to care for their pets at home.
Education Path:
To become a vet, you need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree.
Most students first earn a Bachelor’s degree in fields like biology or animal science.
Classes cover anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology, pathology, and clinical practice, with a blend of lectures, labs, and hands-on training.
Internships and clinical rotations are crucial for gaining real-world experience before you graduate.
Steps to Take Now:
1. Focus on biology and chemistry in high school.
2. Volunteer at an animal shelter, farm, or veterinary clinic to gain experience.
3. Read about animal health and stay curious to make college classes easier later.
You are asking great questions at the perfect time, and this curiosity will guide you toward a rewarding and fulfilling career.
Wishing you clarity and encouragement as you explore veterinary medicine further.
I appreciate you taking the time to answer this.
Ashlynn
Christina Owens
Senior Technical Writer/Career Identity Architect
34
Answers
Indianapolis, Indiana
Updated
Christina’s Answer
Ashlynn, if you love helping animals AND people, veterinary medicine is definitely worth exploring. 🐾❤️ One thing people sometimes don’t realize is that veterinarians work almost as much with people as they do with animals because every pet comes with a human who may be worried, confused, or emotional.
🐶 What does a typical day look like?
It can vary a lot depending on where you work. A veterinarian might examine pets, give vaccinations, diagnose illnesses, review lab results or X-rays, prescribe medications, treat injuries, perform surgery, and talk with owners about treatment options. Emergencies can also change the whole schedule!
🩺 What does treatment look like?
It usually starts with gathering information from the owner and examining the animal. Depending on the problem, the veterinarian may order bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasounds, or other tests. Then they use those results to determine what is happening and recommend treatment. That could mean medication, surgery, changes in diet, follow-up care, or sometimes referring the animal to a specialist.
🎓 What about college?
Becoming a veterinarian takes a significant commitment. You generally complete undergraduate coursework required for veterinary school and then earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Expect plenty of science along the way, including biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and eventually hands-on clinical training.
Before deciding, I would encourage you to get some real-world exposure. Ask a local veterinary clinic, animal shelter, rescue, or farm about volunteering, job shadowing, or opportunities available to someone your age. Seeing the work firsthand can tell you things no textbook ever could.
🔎 And pay attention to what you enjoy most while you're exploring. Maybe you love caring for animals, solving medical mysteries, comforting worried owners, working with your hands, or learning science. Those are clues to the skills you love—the ones that can sometimes make work feel less like "work."
You may discover veterinary medicine is exactly right for you. Or your love for animals might lead you toward veterinary technology, animal rehabilitation, wildlife conservation, animal behavior, research, or another career you haven't discovered yet. 🌱🐾
At your age, you don't need to have the final answer. Explore, ask questions, and collect clues about yourself. That's how you begin building a career identity that actually fits YOU. 🚀
To your success!
Christina Owens
Career Identity Architect
CoachOwens
🐶 What does a typical day look like?
It can vary a lot depending on where you work. A veterinarian might examine pets, give vaccinations, diagnose illnesses, review lab results or X-rays, prescribe medications, treat injuries, perform surgery, and talk with owners about treatment options. Emergencies can also change the whole schedule!
🩺 What does treatment look like?
It usually starts with gathering information from the owner and examining the animal. Depending on the problem, the veterinarian may order bloodwork, X-rays, ultrasounds, or other tests. Then they use those results to determine what is happening and recommend treatment. That could mean medication, surgery, changes in diet, follow-up care, or sometimes referring the animal to a specialist.
🎓 What about college?
Becoming a veterinarian takes a significant commitment. You generally complete undergraduate coursework required for veterinary school and then earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree. Expect plenty of science along the way, including biology, chemistry, anatomy, physiology, and eventually hands-on clinical training.
Before deciding, I would encourage you to get some real-world exposure. Ask a local veterinary clinic, animal shelter, rescue, or farm about volunteering, job shadowing, or opportunities available to someone your age. Seeing the work firsthand can tell you things no textbook ever could.
🔎 And pay attention to what you enjoy most while you're exploring. Maybe you love caring for animals, solving medical mysteries, comforting worried owners, working with your hands, or learning science. Those are clues to the skills you love—the ones that can sometimes make work feel less like "work."
You may discover veterinary medicine is exactly right for you. Or your love for animals might lead you toward veterinary technology, animal rehabilitation, wildlife conservation, animal behavior, research, or another career you haven't discovered yet. 🌱🐾
At your age, you don't need to have the final answer. Explore, ask questions, and collect clues about yourself. That's how you begin building a career identity that actually fits YOU. 🚀
To your success!
Christina Owens
Career Identity Architect
CoachOwens