Veterinary Medicine is a noble profession. However, there seems to be a misconception about the course especially in this part of the world called Nigeria. It is not uncommon to see students trying to cross over to other Faculties or students declining golden opportunities to study this course. When a vet is mentioned to an average Nigerian, what comes to his mind is either a dog doctor or cat doctor. Little do we all know that the field of Veterinary Medicine entails much more. You might want to have your seat to learn and unlearn.
Veterinary Medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, disorders and injuries in nonhuman animals. Veterinarian (a person that studied Veterinary Medicine) can leverage his skills in treating animals to secure different careers in this contemporary era. Careers open to veterinarians are but not limited to the following:
Private Practices
Unlike many other professionals where one gets to further their studies before they can stand on their own, Veterinary Medicine gives us the liberty to swing into private practices almost immediately after induction as one is licensed to have his or her own clinic where small or companion animals like dog and cat or large animals like horse and cow or even mixed i.e small and large animals could be diagnosed and treated. Private practitioners are responsible for vaccinating animals against diseases and giving advice to his or her clients about their animals. They serve as link between pet, livestock and their owners. However, business skill is required to ensure great success in this arena.
Teaching and Research
Just like many other professions, you can choose to be a lecturer or a researcher. Veterinarians in this career are specialized on training future veterinarians. They do not only work in universities and colleges but also in research institutes. Making researches can be very lucrative as one gets to make money and also contribute to developing knowledge in the field of study. However, to attain this career, veterinarians are required to further their studies after DVM(Doctor of Veterinary Medicine) degree.
Public Health
Veterinarians are not only responsible for animal health but also human wellbeing. Veterinary contribute significantly to public health. Public health veterinarians can work for government agencies like Centre of Disease Control(CDC), NAFDAC (Veterinary drug department) monitoring animal and human diseases. In addition, they serve as barrier preventing transfer of diseases (Zoonotic diseases) from animals to humans by ensuring that animals products are safe and wholesome for human consumption.
Military
Yes, don't be surprised, Veterinarians can work in the military. They serve military mostly in three general ways. Clinical practises, food safety and research. Vet provide necessary treatment for military animals especially dogs which can be used to detect mine and drugs. Food to be eaten by the military members are also examine by the veterinarians so as to prevent food-illness. vet research and investigate toxic chemicals and infectious risk to protect military.
Food safety
Food safety which means handling, preparing and storing of food in a way to best reduce the risk of individuals becoming sick from foodborne illness. Veterinarians can work in almost every section of food industry that ensure food safety like research and development section, laboratory testing and even marketing of the food product. Inspection of food products like egg, dairy product, meat and also testing and treating of animal diseases are done by vet. Veterinarians also serve as advisers to farmers on housing, feeding and general health.
Pharmaceutical
Veterinarians also have great opportunity in pharmaceutical companies. They are in charge of researching, creating and testing of animals’ drugs and other products such as vaccines and antibiotics. In addition to research, vet can also market veterinary products.
Bayer and Pfizer are multinational pharmaceutical companies of animals and humans medicine which employ relatively large amount of veterinarians worldwide.
Government
Almost all the aforementioned areas are wide open for veterinarians Under government. Food safety, public health and teaching and research veterinarians are noble opportunities where veterinarian can secure job under government. Veterinary government hospital employ vet. public health and food supply also need them to vet the food before supplying to the public.
Job opportunity for veterinarians are countless but if one is not informed, one would believe that treating cats and dogs are the only vacancy for veterinarians. Vet is quite beyond that. Having learnt this, I’m sure you all want to study vet and if you already are, this is the best time to inform your tailor to add shoulder pad to your dress as vet is a noble profession and will always bear its nobility till eternal.
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