What Are the Duties of Veterinarians?
Veterinarians are the doctors we trust with our pets. There are about 90,000 vets in America. Spot, Mittens and Birdie hate visiting them, but they're essential to their health and well-being.
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Function of the Vet
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Kittens are just one of the animals that need to see their friendly veterinarian. According to the U.S. Labor Bureau, veterinarians diagnose and treat animals with health problems, provide vaccinations, medicate, perform surgery and provide animal owners with information concerning the health, behavior and feeding of the animal.
Where Do Vets Work?
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Some work with rodents, like hamsters. Most veterinarians work in a typical office with a lab and assistants, where they see patients. Other vets may travel to ranches and farms, or zoos.
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Let's Go to the Zoo!
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Their work includes farm animals. Zoo veterinarians are responsible for the continuing health of the animals seen at zoos and aquariums. Some veterinarians work with animals for human food supply, such as cows and pigs.
Which Animals Are Treated?
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Some vets only work with horses. The vast majority of veterinarians work with animals commonly kept as pets, such as cats, dogs, rodents or birds. A small percentage of vets work exclusively with horses.
Other Uses for Veterinary Science
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The American Veterinary Medical Association says some veterinarians work closely with human physicians and scientists to reduce transmittable diseases and other interspecies issues. Some work exclusively to train and teach new veterinary students. Some are employed by universities and science labs to do research.
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