Veterinary Science
Veterinarians are medical doctors for animals. They help animals become well by examining, diagnosing and treating diseases through medication, training and surgery. When an animal is too sick or injured to be treated a veterinarian can also relieve the animal's suffering either by giving palliative care (similar to hospice care in humans) or by administering humane euthanasia with the owner's permission.
What is the pay scale?
The average pay scale of a veterinarian is 40,000 to 95,000 dollars annually. The median pay is 65,360 dollars, though an incredible 300,000 dollars can be earned by those who own private practises. Yes, becoming a vet will lead to an average pay, however it is a extremely fulfilling job and is always better than sitting behind a desk.
What is the job forecast?
Over the five years to November 2017, the number of job openings for Veterinarians is expected to be below average (between 5,001 and 10,000 jobs available). Job openings can arise from employment growth and people leaving the occupation. Veterinarians have an above average proportion of full-time jobs (78.4 per cent). For Veterinarians working full-time, average weekly hours are 45.8 (compared to 41.3 for all occupations) and earnings are above average - in the seventh decile. Unemployment for Veterinarians is below average. Veterinarians are mainly employed in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, Health Care and Social Assistance and Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing.
Is it a stressful job?
Being a vet can be stressful at times, because of the lives that are at risk when an surgery is underway. The job can also be considered depressing as euthanasia is done often to relieve animals of pain and suffering.
What qualities are deemed suitable for this job and what are the skills required?
Having a passion for animals is an absolute must. Becoming a vet requires years of dedication and hardship, having a passion for animals would get you through your years at university and ensure you love working.
What is the uniform?
Depending on the area of veterinary service you are involved in the uniform will differ. Small animal vets tend to wear causal business attire or scrubs, also a white lab coat. Large animal vets often wear causal clothes underneath coveralls. Equine vets tend to wear business casual clothing. Remember surgery can be messy, so it is essential that scrubs and facial masks are worn. Long hair must be tied up.
What are the working hours?
On average veterinarians will work 40-50 hours per week. Schedules are often flexible and will often run over weekends.
What are the duties?
This occupation may include associated occupations with varying tasks. You’d treat animals medically and surgically, and administering and prescribing drugs, analgesics, and general and local anaesthetics. You’d have to determine the presence and nature of abnormal conditions by physical examination, laboratory testing and through diagnostic imaging techniques including radiography and ultrasound. You’d performing surgery, dressing wounds and setting broken bones. You would have the task of rendering obstetric services to animals. You’d participate in programs designed to prevent the occurrence and spread of animal diseases. You would have to inoculate animals against, and test for, infectious diseases and notifying authorities of outbreaks of infectious animal diseases. You’d perform autopsies to determine cause of death. It would be your obligation to advise clients on health, nutrition and feeding, hygiene, breeding and care of animals. You’d provide professional services to commercial firms producing biological and pharmaceutical products. It may specialise in the treatment of a particular animal group or in a particular specialty area such as cardiology, chiropractic, dermatology or critical care.
How to achieve your goal?
At Melbourne University you are required to undertake the Bachelor of Science or Biomedicine as an undergraduate for the approximate time of three years. After completing those three years you'd then move into, if you were good enough, the Doctor of Veterinary Science. Therefore you'd spend 7 years in university.
How much do the veterinary courses cost to undertake?
The average cost to undertake the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is $197,784 for four years, full time.
What subjects do you need to undertake in high school?
It is important that you achieve highly in school as your ATR score must be about 90 to get into the Bachelor of Science. The prerequisites include: Units 3 & 4: A study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or at least 25 in any other English, and a study score of at least 25 in Mathematical Methods or Specialist Mathematics and in one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics; OR Units 3 & 4: A study score of at least 30 in English (ESL) or 25 in any other English, and a study score of at least 25 in both Mathematical Methods and Specialist Mathematics. Applicants intending to progress to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine are encouraged to complete VCE Units 3 and 4 in Chemistry or equivalent.
What university studies must you undertake?
There is only one university in Victoria that offers the course of veterinary science, Melbourne University. Other universities that offer veterinary science are Murdoch University, James Cook University, Charles Sturt University, University of Adelaide, University of Queensland and the University of Sydney.
Which Australian universities offer courses in your field of choice?
Melbourne, Queensland, Adelaide, Charles Sturt, James Cook, Murdoch and Sydney Universities all offer courses in veterinary science.
Is the job fulfilling?
Depending on wether you enjoy the company of animals and people, you will either hate or love the job. It is very tiring and stressful though it’s not worth it if you don’t enjoys the company of animals and fellow vets. Imagine being able to give a poor soul another shot at life? Wouldn’t it be amazing! Using artificial ligaments you could reconstruct the body of a dog or cat. Being a vet would defiantly be a fulfilling career as you are saving and improving the lives of animals, great and small.
What is the drop out rate at university?
It is extremely hard to achieve becoming a vet, it takes more than a love of animals! Therefore many students drop out as they believe the job is not worth the work required. Unfortunately there is a higher depression level rate amount veterinary science students than their peers. This is because of the 70+ hours of PRAC, study and lectures that are required of every student per week.
What fields of veterinary science are available?
There are many different fields in Veterinary science. You work at a small animal practice, mainly working with dogs and cats. You can also work with exotic animals such as birds, reptiles, wildlife, zoo animals, rabbits and guinea pigs. There are large animal practices which deals with horses, and live stock. You can also specialise in different fields like Cardiology, Orthopaedics, Dentistry, Dermatology, Neurology, Internal Medicine, Holistic, Opthamology, Nutrition, Toxicology, drug research, genetics, emergency care, Oncology and Pharmacology.
Bibliography
http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/
http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/futurestudents/how.html
http://www.vet.unimelb.edu.au/futurestudents/dvm.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veterinary_medicine
http://www.ava.com.au/public-1