Veterinär

A veterinarian, commonly referred to as a vet, is a licensed medical professional who practices veterinary medicine. They diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and injuries in animals, promote animal welfare, and contribute to public health through surveillance of zoonotic diseases and safe food chains. In Swedish, the profession is called veterinär.

Education and regulation: In most countries, becoming a veterinarian requires completing an accredited veterinary degree such as Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM or equivalent), Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc), or Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVet), followed by licensure or registration. Prerequisites usually include undergraduate science coursework; graduates must pass national or regional licensure examinations and participate in ongoing continuing education to maintain practice status.

Duties: Veterinary work encompasses clinical care for companion and food animals, surgery, anesthesia, dentistry, reproductive services, preventive medicine, nutrition, and behavior assessment. They perform diagnostics using laboratory tests, imaging, and endoscopy, perform treatments, provide palliative care, and may assist with euthanasia under compassionate circumstances. They also maintain medical records and communicate with animal owners about prognosis and welfare.

Practice settings: Veterinarians work in private clinics and hospitals, farms, zoos, wildlife facilities, universities, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and government or public health agencies. Many specialize in areas such as small animal care, large animal or equine practice, or veterinary diagnostic specialties; others work in research or policy roles. One Health emphasizes connections among animal, human, and environmental health.

Specialization and advances: After additional training, veterinarians may pursue board-certified specialties in fields such as internal medicine, surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, oncology, cardiology, or radiology. Veterinary science also contributes to food safety, zoonotic disease control, and biomedical research, underpinning vaccines and therapies used in human medicine. The profession continues to evolve with technology such as digital imaging, genetic testing, and telemedicine.