What do veterinarians and vet nurses do?
Veterinarians
Veterinarians look after the health and well-being of animals.
They not only diagnose, treat, prevent and investigate animal disease and injury but are trained in all aspects of the general management of animals.
Many veterinarians own or work in a practice. This requires a variety of management and business skills.
Veterinarians must learn to be good communicators (while their patients are animals, their clients are humans) and work well with others, including veterinary nurses, receptionists, and administrators.
Most veterinarians concentrate on at least one field, such as companion animals, horses or livestock.
Many focus on special interests within these fields, such as surgery, medicine, ophthalmology, and dentistry.
Veterinary science is a lifestyle as well as a career. Veterinarians work hard and long and must keep up with developments in their chosen field through continuing education and training.
Vet nurses
Veterinary nurses assist veterinarians in the treatment and care of animals needing medical and/or surgical attention.
Veterinary nurses work as part of a team in veterinary consulting rooms, surgeries and hospitals.
To be a vet nurse, you need to enjoy working with animals. You must be able to handle animals with confidence and patience.
You should be able to make accurate observations and have good communication skills, good organisational skills and must be able to work as part of a team.
Some of the tasks Vet nurses may perform include:
- assist veterinarians during consultations, examinations, and treatments
- restrain animals while the veterinarian examines or treats them
- prepare animals for anaesthesia and surgery by clipping and shaving their fur or hair and disinfecting or swabbing the skin
- assist veterinarians in administering and maintaining anaesthesia and, during surgical procedures, by handling instruments; swabbing blood; monitoring anaesthetics; oxygen and intravenous fluids; applying post-operative dressings
- perform diagnostic laboratory tests, including urine and faecal tests and simple blood tests, and assist veterinarians to produce diagnostic radiographs
- place animals in cages for recovery from operations and monitor their condition
- give medication to animals under the direction of a veterinarian
- bathe, brush, feed and exercise hospitalised animals