Veterinarians take the human-animal bond seriously. It is one of the profession’s primary concerns, reflected in the oath taken by new veterinarian. They also conduct research and discovery, developing treatments or vaccines for animal diseases that can impact people’s health as well. These researchers are employed at colleges, universities, private industry and governmental agencies.
They also advise public health officials on zoonotic diseases, which are those that can be transferred from animals to people. They often work in public health agencies and the military.
Human-Animal Relationships
Veterinarians in government agencies like the CDC investigate disease outbreaks and work to develop programs to protect the public from illnesses that can be transmitted by animals. They also serve as disaster responders, helping communities prepare for and recover from natural or manmade disasters.
Disease Diagnosis
A medical diagnosis begins with an analysis of symptoms. Symptoms may be related to thousands of different diseases, or they can evolve in the course of disease progression.
Veterinary doctors diagnose illnesses and injuries in pets, livestock, zoo animals and wildlife, including wild creatures like deer, elk, hedgehogs and squirrels. They also play a key role in public health by preventing animal-based diseases from spreading to people.
Veterinarians have made many significant contributions to human and veterinary medicine. They have isolated oncoviruses, bacterial agents that cause botulism and salmonella poisoning, developed propofol, a widely used anesthetic induction drug, and surgical techniques such as hip-joint replacement and organ transplantation. Moreover, they have worked to ensure a safe food supply by reducing transmission of animal diseases to humans.
Treatment
Veterinarians work in public health investigating outbreaks of disease such as food-borne illnesses, influenza and rabies. They also serve as epidemiologists in city, state and federal agencies to protect people and animals from environmental contaminants such as industrial pollution and pesticides.
Veterinary care and research facilities must have policies in place that ensure prompt treatment of animal injuries or illness, investigation of unexplained death or euthanasia. Procedures to be performed must be clearly defined, and procedures must be well documented in a laboratory animal program manual.
If a veterinarian charges for services that are beyond your budget, talk with the animal hospital to see if they can offer a payment plan or referrals to other more affordable options. Some charities also help pet owners with their veterinary bills.
Prevention
Veterinarians help ensure a safe food supply for people by inspecting livestock and monitoring meat-packing plants. They also work to prevent the transmission of animal diseases to people, including tuberculosis and brucellosis. In addition, veterinarians have developed surgical techniques, such as hip-joint replacement and organ transplantation, that have been used on people.
Veterinary workers must follow standard precautions to avoid exposure to zoonotic pathogens, such as bacterial, viral and fungal infections, and helminthic parasites. This includes wearing protective clothing, sanitizing hands frequently and regularly using disinfectants, and separating sick animals from healthy ones.
Vaccinations, parasite control and nutritional counseling are important aspects of preventive care. Some veterinarians must work around strong cleaning chemicals, such as acetamine compounds (Acetone(r)), chromium salts and nickel salts, formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide/phenol solutions (Lysol(r)), betadine or chlorhexidine, and sodium hypochlorite/chlorine bleach (bleach). This can result in skin and respiratory irritation.
Management
Veterinary medicine has made many important contributions to human health, including reductions in transmission of diseases from animals to humans, food safety, and the development of techniques like permanent artificial limbs. Veterinarians are also responsible for promoting pet ownership, which is beneficial to both pets and owners.
Some veterinarians specialize in specific areas of animal care. For example, veterinary oncologists treat cancer in animals by using chemotherapy and surgical procedures. Similarly, avian veterinarians are specialists in the medical care of birds and work with both companion and wild bird species.
Other veterinarians conduct research and develop new treatments and vaccines for animal diseases. These scientists may work in universities, government agencies or private industry. The work can be physically demanding, requiring veterinarians to lift and restrain animals as well as perform surgeries under various environmental conditions.