veterinary

Veterinary medicine is the branch of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, disorders, and injury in animals. Veterinarians care for companion animals, livestock, wildlife, and other animal species, and they may work in private clinics, hospitals, research facilities, farms, zoos, or public health settings. The field encompasses preventive care, diagnostic testing, surgery, dentistry, anesthesia, radiology, pharmacology, and palliative and critical care; it also covers welfare and behavioral issues.

To practice, veterinarians earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM, or equivalent such as VMD) from an accredited college of veterinary medicine. After graduation, licensure is required in the jurisdiction where they work, typically involving national or regional examinations and ongoing continuing education.

Many veterinarians pursue specialty training in areas such as small animal medicine, large animal medicine, exotic or wildlife medicine, veterinary oncology, surgery, dermatology, ophthalmology, dentistry, internal medicine, or pathology, often earning board certification through recognized specialty colleges.

Beyond clinical care, veterinarians contribute to public health by monitoring and controlling zoonotic diseases, ensuring food safety and animal welfare, and conducting biomedical research. The One Health concept recognizes the interconnected health of people, animals, and the environment.

Formal veterinary education began in the 18th and 19th centuries in Europe, leading to established schools and professional regulatory bodies. Today, veterinary associations and licensing boards guide practice standards, ethics, and continuing education worldwide.