By: Kristy Goh | Edited by: Lisa Foo
In the eyes of the general public, veterinarians are widely recognized for treating sick and injured companion animals. However, veterinarians are involved in many areas often behind the scenes. Are you interested in being a veterinarian and curious about how you can contribute to society as a graduated veterinarian? Read this article to find out!
Upon mention of the word “veterinarian”, most people will have conjured up in their minds an image of an animal doctor at the clinic who treats injured companion animals or does health check ups for pets. However, there are many veterinarians who work in lesser known jobs which the public may be unaware of. Veterinarians are educated to protect the health of both animals and people. Here’s a list of some of the roles that veterinarians play in our society!
- Veterinarians in clinical practice
These veterinarians are involved in treating and maintaining the health of companion animals, production animals, animals used in sports such as horses, production animals such as pigs, cows and sheep. In veterinary school, future veterinarians learn how to diagnose and treat basic diseases in animals ranging from companion animals (dogs, cats) to production animals (cows, sheep, pigs, poultry), to exotic animals (birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, zoo animals). All veterinarians are general practitioners upon graduation from veterinary school, but they can later on choose to specialise in a specific species of animal or in a specific field of medicine. In Singapore, most veterinarians in clinical practice are small animal veterinarians. Some small animal veterinarians also choose to further specialise in fields such as internal medicine, emergency and critical care, surgery or neurology, often through additional years of study and examinations. Some veterinarians also choose to work in shelters and take care of community animals.
- Veterinarians involved in food safety
Veterinarians are employed by national food agencies to ensure food safety and quality. Veterinarians in this sector work together with other professionals such as analysts, food technologists and microbiologists to ensure regulatory requirements are met and that food safety hazards such as drug/pesticide residues and environmental contaminants are controlled. Some of these veterinarians also conduct farm visits to ensure that animals are kept in hygienic conditions and provide awareness and training to livestock producers regarding the responsible and prudent use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry. These veterinarians are also involved in meat inspection and are involved in surveillance of animal diseases and zoonoses, hence playing an important role in public health as well.
- Veterinarians involved in teaching
These veterinarians are often employed by veterinary colleges to research, teach, as well as care for the animals in veterinary teaching hospitals. In Singapore, polytechnics that offer diplomas in veterinary nursing/technology also employ veterinarians to educate the future veterinary nurses. These veterinarians are involved in grooming the next generation of veterinarians and veterinary nurses.
- Veterinarians involved in research
Veterinarians are employed by universities, colleges and governmental agencies to find new ways to diagnose, treat and prevent animal and human disorders. Pharmaceutical and biomedical research firms also employ veterinarians to develop, test and supervise production of drugs for human and animal use. Some veterinarians also monitor the health of laboratory animals. Veterinarians are also employed by companies such as pet food companies to formulate nutritionally balanced diets for pets.
- Veterinarians in ethics and policy making
Veterinarians are also involved with ethics committees that review applications for animal clinical trials. Animals that are imported from overseas are often held at quarantine centres for a fixed period of time to reduce the risk of disease transmission. Some veterinarians are also employed by the government and are involved in monitoring the health and doing checkups on animals which are quarantined in facilities upon importation from overseas. Some veterinarians are also consulted by policymakers regarding laws on animal welfare and cruelty.
- Veterinarians in Public Health
Veterinary epidemiologists investigate animal and human disease outbreaks and develop programs to prevent the spread of disease. These veterinarians often work together with many stakeholders involved in human health, environmental health as well as international governmental agencies.
In conclusion, these are the 6 main areas of work veterinarians are involved in. These categories are not mutually exclusive, as some veterinarians are simultaneously involved in work that spans across different categories, for example in clinical practice, teaching and research. But regardless of the career path that each veterinarian decides to embark on, all veterinarians are ultimately involved in maintaining and improving the health and welfare of animals under their care. Veterinarians play important roles in public health and controlling disease transmission between animals as well as from animals to humans, hence contributing greatly to the One Health initiative.
The Animal Welfare Station 