How to Become a Small Animal Veterinarian

A small animal veterinarian works in a variety of settings, including private clinics, hospitals, animal shelters and mobile clinics. Those wishing to become a veterinarian should be prepared for years of hard work and quite a large cost, as the career is considered one of the most expensive ones in the U.S. today. The work of a small animal veterinarian includes dealing with all species that live in the city, from the small gecko to dogs and birds.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Study the required 4 years to obtain an undergraduate degree before applying to veterinary school. Put special focus on chemistry and take any additional courses that will push your GPA to at least 3.5, as the entrance requirements for veterinary schools are extremely strict.

2. Attend veterinary school for 4 additional years and make sure you take a variety of electives that focus on small animals, including exotics, pocket pets and birds. If you want to specialize in a particular type of animal rather than treating the general population, you should concentrate on electives related to specific diseases and treatments.

3. Decide if you want to keep studying to achieve a specialization, such as ophthalmology, pathology, pharmacology or dermatology. All specialties require further formal training, practice and examinations. Specialists should expect up to three years of additional studying before they can become certified.

4. Be ready to spend up to 2 years in entry-level jobs after you graduate. This is an important part of your education and a requirement before you can take the board's examination. If you want to open your own veterinary practice, you should wait until you have the experience of working in a few different settings.

5. Consider specializing in exotic pets, the largest growing sector in veterinary medicine. This is a particularly popular area of practice in large cities, and one that requires constant education and professional advancement, but also one that provides a lot of rewards, both economic and professionally.

6. Consider spending part of your practice time working at mobile clinics. This type of medical assistance, offered everywhere from local pet shops to animal shelters, will give you the chance to deal with all types of animals and encounter a variety of situations.

Tips & Warnings

• You will need to pass additional examinations if you want to practice veterinary medicine in a different state than where you graduated. Examinations vary from state to state, so it's important to find out in advance the specific requirements for the area.

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