Qs About Vets
 

Otis had to go to the vet like three times in one month for freak things. I already posted about those, but my questions are....

......how much less (or more?) schooling do they have to go through than an MD....like do they really attend medical school?
My bf and I got into a discussion about DVMs, and how they have much harder work than a regular MD because animals can't tell you what's wrong with them, plus DVMs have to study for all sorts of different animals, not just humans.

Plus, everytime I went, the bill was $250, $400, $95. Do DVMs make as much money as, say, a pediatrician?

What an interesting profession.

Everything you said is true. I worked for a vet several years ago. Their knowledge is incredible. They don't make as much as a human M.D., but live quite comfortable.

Like how long do they ahve to go to medical school to become qualified?

The amount of schooling is about the same 7 years. difference is you start right out in vet school. You don't have to go to pre-med and then get into a med school. usually in your last couple years you specialize as either small animal or large animal, but you are trained in both. As far as I know vets make a lot less than doctors, people aren't willing to spend as much on pets as on themselves. Some of my facts may be off. I looked at being a vet when i was a kid but changed my mind when i got sick during a declawing.

It seems vets have to know a LOT more about different kinds of animals, and breeds than a human doctor! It's quite amazing the knowledge they possess (at least a good one!). :)

Here's some stuff I found:
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How do I become a veterinarian if I live in America?

If you live in America, then to become a veterinarian, you will need to do 4 years of college, and then another 4 years in veterinary school and then pass a veterinary medical board examination before you qualify. There are also requirements for you to take state board examinations if you are planning to practice in another state aside from the one you took your board examination in.

Once I become a veterinarian, does that mean I can treat all species of animals?

Yes it does, but because most of what you study in the veterinary course covers domestic species eg dogs, cats, pocket pets, cows, sheep, horses, birds/poultry, if your heart is set on more exotic animals like dolphins, seals and lions, then generally what happens is that you would go on further to take a diploma course in zoo medicine or marine biology. These places are few and far between as they often require you to be 'attached' to a particular zoo or ocean park to qualify.
Do you ever stop studying once you become a veterinarian?

The simple answer is no. You will need to continually keep up with the new techniques and medical treatments available and drug therapies available. These change quite often and you will need to go on 'continuing education' courses. Generally what happens is that you decide which areas within the veterinary field you are most interested in and focus on those eg you may have an interest in pocket pets like hamsters or rabbits, so you would keep up to date on the various treatments and diseases discovered in that area and attend conferences that focus on this. If you decide that you want to become a veterinary specialist eg dermatology (skin), cardiology (heart) then you will have to take further examinations which if you pass will then qualify you as a specialist in that area.

http://www.ask-the-vet.com/become-a-veterinarian.htm

Wow..great info, FastEddie! Thanks!

Think it's too late for a second career?

Actually...I wouldn't want to be a vet, people bringing in sad hurt dogs and stuff.

Add on to what fast eddie said.. I think if you are a good vet, you would want to keep up on the new techniques and go back to school or at least take classes from time to time as medicine is always changing.. My vet is away now learning new things..