What Does a Veterinarian Do Day to Day?

A veterinarian has a rewarding but challenging career. If you enjoy critical thinking, are not scared of hard work, and love animals, this is the perfect career for you. Prior to diving in, you should familiarize yourself with the typical day of a vet and the animals that they care for.

Training & Education Requirements

In order to become a vet, you must obtain a four-year college degree followed by a four-year program in order to receive a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. Additionally, you must pass a licensing exam and maintain all the requirements of your professional license. There are many perks and benefits available for vets. For example, did you know that disability insurance for veterinarians is available should something happen? These are all things you should educate yourself on after receiving the proper training and education required to become a veterinarian.

Daily Tasks

Whether an animal comes in for surgery or is admitted to the vet's hospital as a result of an illness from the night before, all animals will need to undergo a physical exam in the morning so the vet can design a treatment plan and determine any new findings. A physical exam simply consists of obtaining the medical history from the owner, taking the pet’s vitals, listening to the heart and lungs, and examining all parts of the animal to document anything abnormal.

If an animal undergoes surgery, it will need bloodwork which needs to be reviewed and approved by the vet. All surgical procedures are typically conducted first thing in the morning to allow the patient to recover throughout the day. The vet will also perform spays and neuters, mass removals, and even dental procedures throughout the day. Later on in the day, they may have appointments for puppy and kitten check-ups, vaccinations, and much more.

Vets are also entitled to lunch, but sometimes they use this time to return phone calls and check on animals who are hospitalized. Their afternoons are mainly spent seeing more patients that have appointments and discharging those who have had surgery earlier that day. Sometimes patients who come in and are seriously ill may need special tests or treatment. The vet’s job is to explain the results and findings from the tests once they come back and design a treatment plan. A vet’s job is to communicate with the pet’s owners regarding their illness.

Many vets stick around even after closing time to complete the day’s work. This may consist of checking in on any inpatients that have been admitted, returning calls, and completing medical records. Sometimes it may even include admin work.

If you have a passion for animals and love vet medicine, the challenges that come along with this career can be even more rewarding for you.