How to Become a Veterinary Surgeon

In the United States, a veterinary surgeon is a veterinarian who specializes in surgery. Most vets in the United States can do basic surgery, but as veterinary medicine becomes more involved and more specialized, many vet practices are now turning to specially trained veterinary surgeons for major surgeries on animals. If you already plan on becoming a veterinarian and want a specialized field, veterinary surgery may be for you.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Go to college. You will need good grades and a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BS (Bachelor of Science) in a science major (biology or chemistry preferred) in order to get into veterinary school. Some veterinary schools will highly recommend a Master's Degree as well.

2. Attend veterinary school. Veterinary schools are extremely competitive, so you will need to work very hard to get into a good veterinary school and then work very hard to get through your classes.

3. Become a veterinarian. Since veterinary surgery is a specialty of veterinary medicine, you will have to become a vet before you can become a surgeon. Becoming a veterinarian requires attending veterinary school and becoming board certified by passing a rigorous national examination and then an examination specific to your state's requirements.

4. Plan on getting your ACVS (American College of Veterinary Surgeons) diploma. This means you are a board certified veterinary surgeon. To reach this you must have completed a three-year residency program, meet training and caseload requirements and have your research published in veterinary publications. After you do this, you must sit for and pass an examination.

Tips & Warnings

• In the United Kingdom, a veterinary surgeon is a basic vet.

Resources

• Go to ACVS (American College of Veterinary Surgeons) for more information.
• Go to the American Veterinary Medical Association for more information.