Veterinary Surgeon Qualifications
Veterinary surgeons are licensed veterinarians who perform advanced surgeries on animals such as dogs, cats, horses and birds. Spaying and neutering, clipping ears and tails, and de-clawing are among the most common surgical procedures that veterinary surgeons perform. They typically begin their careers as general veterinarians and later specialize in surgery. Becoming a veterinary surgeon requires many years of study as well as relevant on-the-job experience.
Other People Are Reading
-
Formal Education
-
Formal education for a veterinary surgeon usually begins with a bachelor's degree, though not all veterinary schools require it. Aspiring veterinary surgeons should pursue a bachelor of science degree in a field such as biology, zoology or chemistry. Bachelor's degree or not, all veterinary surgeons in the United States need a doctor of veterinary medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited institution. Admission to veterinary school is contingent upon completion of between 45 and 90 undergraduate semester hours in related fields. Applicants must also take the GRE, MCAT or VCAT, depending on the school they are applying to. The DVM degree typically takes four years to complete, and students study a range of subjects, such as animal behavior, animal nutrition, veterinary pathology, veterinary pharmacology and veterinary microbiology.
Residency
-
Like human doctors, most veterinarians complete a residency program, at which point they specialize in a chosen area of the field. Those who wish to specialize in surgery often do their residency program under the tutelage of a veterinary surgeon. The residency program usually takes between three and four years to complete, during which time aspiring veterinary surgeons assist with and perform their own operations under the supervision of a licensed professional. In some cases, future veterinary surgeons specialize in some other area of veterinary science during their residency, gain experience in the field and then specialize as surgeons later in their career.
-
Certification
-
To become a licensed veterinary surgeon you must become board certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, or ACVS. This requires completion of a three-year residency, fulfillment of training and caseload requirements, and publication of research in a veterinary publication. Applicants must also pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Exam, an eight-hour test consisting of 360 multiple-choice questions.
Skills and Personal Qualities
-
Veterinary surgeons must possess a certain skill set to succeed in the career. One of the most important skills is the ability to handle and interact well with animals of all sizes and temperaments. Experience working in animal shelters, farms, dog pounds, zoos and other such institutions is highly recommended. Veterinary surgeons should love animals and be committed to animal health and well-being. Strong manual dexterity is also extremely important, as the complex and detailed procedures of veterinary surgery tend to require a steady, even hand.
-
References
- Photo Credit chat malade image by margouillat photo from Fotolia.com
