Veterinary Medicine
Does Veterinary Medicine suit me?
Studying Veterinary Medicine
In veterinary medicine, the medical treatment of animals is the central focus. This includes the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, healthcare maintenance, animal nutrition, and breeding. If you’d like to work with animals as patients, this is the right field of study for you.
Veterinary medicine is based on scientific disciplines such as chemistry, biology, and physics. You’ll also acquire a comprehensive knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and food science. Additionally, you’ll learn about the legal and ethical aspects of animal husbandry and protection.
Studying veterinary medicine usually provides insights into different areas in which animals are treated—whether it be pets, farm animals, or wild animals. An important part of this field of study will be practical training, including surgical and examination methods. You’ll also need soft skills to advise animal owners.
Veterinary medicine as a field of study often offers specializations in areas of application, including, for example, small animals, horses, or zoo animals. You can also specialize on animal food processing. Typical degree programs include environmental and veterinary medicine, veterinary medicine, or small animal medicine.
Personal requirements | Veterinary Medicine
- Interest in natural sciences and medicine
- Enjoy working with animals
- Analytical way of thinking
- Empathy and a sense of responsibility
- Care and patience
Study Choice Test
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Take the testTypical course content | Veterinary Medicine
- Medicine terminology
- Biochemistry
- History of veterinary medicine
- Parasitology
- Food science including food hygiene
- Pharmacology and toxicology
- Animal disease control and infection epidemiology
- Imaging diagnostics and laboratory tests
- Animal breeding and husbandry
- Forensic veterinary medicine
Career prospects | Veterinary Medicine
As a veterinarian, you’ll usually work in veterinary practices, clinics, or in the agricultural industry. You can also find employment in zoos or wildlife stations. Your patients may include small animals, large animals, or farm animals: you’ll administer vaccinations, diagnose diseases, and treat injuries.
Other tasks include animal welfare, animal disease control, or food monitoring and production. You can also work at slaughterhouses or breeding farms, for example. You may also pursue a career in research, including at animal testing facilities.
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