What Are the 5 Types of Veterinary Practitioners?
You might be curious about which types of veterinarians are available, regardless of whether you are looking to get a pet or already have one. There are five main types, including food-animal vets, companion animal veterinarians and sports medicine and rehabilitation vets, orthopedic veterinarians and veterinarians who are specialists in the treatment and care of animals. These veterinarians can provide care for animals in all areas. It is a difficult decision to choose the right veterinarian for your pet. Learn about the different types of veterinarians and how to find one that can meet your needs.
Companion animal veterinarians
Veterinary services for companion animals have been evolving rapidly in the past 30 years. These services include preventive care and surgical procedures, diagnosis and treatment of medical issues in cats, dogs, or birds.
There are currently about 38,329 veterinarians working in private practice. This includes private practice veterinarians, veterinarians who work for animal health care companies and hospital veterinarians.
The demand for companion animal veterinarians will increase as more veterinarians work in private or part-time practice. To meet this growing demand, several models have been suggested.
One model is to increase the number of DVMs from other sectors who switch to companion animal medicine. Another model is that companion animal practices can increase their use of paraprofessional staff. These practices can better serve client needs and require fewer DVM FTEs.
According to the committee, the number of companion animal veterinarians required in 2016 will be between 50,805 and 65,950. The demand for these veterinarians is based on the number of pet visits expected to be made during that year.
Food-animal veterinarians
The safety of the nation’s food supply is dependent on the work of food-animal veterinarians. They ensure that animals raised for human use are safe and prevent foreign animal diseases spreading to farm lands. A shortage of veterinarians for food animals can threaten the health of consumers.
Over the last 20 years, the number American veterinarians working in food-animal practices has decreased. In 2007, 4,042 AVMA members worked in food-animal-predominant practice. This group includes veterinarians who treat animals that are raised for human consumption as well as veterinarians who treat horses, cattle, and other species.
The AVMA categorizes food-animal professionals into three categories: large animal, mixed-food, and companion-animal. Large-animal veterinarians provide care for animals raised for human consumption, including calves, pigs, horses, and goats. They are found in the Midwest’s grain states.
Research veterinarians test the safety of animal medications, inspect livestock, and quarantine infected animals. They might work for government agencies or biomedical research companies. They may also teach veterinary students.
Rehabilitation and sports medicine
The interdisciplinary field of veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation includes non-surgical therapies that can improve the fitness of animals of all levels. This specialized field can also improve the quality of life for pets and animals of all ages.
As the name suggests, veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation is a relatively new specialty field. It is an interdisciplinary field that addresses the needs of working animals, which have a variety of special needs. Veterinary sports medicine and rehab is different from human sports medicine. This includes non-surgical approaches to rehabilitation and orthopedic management.
The field of veterinary sports medicine and rehabilitation continues to grow. It is one of the most favored specialties in veterinary medical. Veterinary sports medicine specialists are adept at repairing damaged muscles and bones, helping athletes to improve their performance and return injured animals to good health.
There is a new specialty college that has popped up in recent years: the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (ACVSMR). This specialty college was founded in 2010, as the name suggests. The American Veterinary Medical Association has rules and policies for specialty organizations.
Orthopedics
Veterinary orthopedics is a specialty of veterinary medicine that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions in animals. These conditions include osteoarthritis, bone fractures, spinal injuries, muscle injuries, nerve disorders, and other skeletal deformities. These conditions can affect horses and dogs as well as cats.
Musculoskeletal conditions in animals are often difficult for doctors to diagnose. The condition can be diagnosed with a few simple tests. These include limping, a depressed appearance, or a joint that is clearly dislocated.
Orthopedic surgeries are performed on animals to improve their mobility and prevent them from suffering from amputation. The surgery can also repair broken bones and joint deformities. The animal is not aware that the surgery is being performed.
An orthopedic care team will closely monitor any animal that requires orthopedic surgery. They will be provided with daily updates on their prognosis. They will be administered pain medication and closely monitored during their recovery. Most pets can go home once their pain is under control.