Veterinary Science

"Popo hasn’t been feeling well for the last few days. I am going to take him to the doctor today" - if this is what you heard your neighbour say to her husband, don’t assume that Popo is their 5 year old son. In this case, it is their pedigreed Bulldog and the doctor in question is your neighborhood veterinarian (and you thought only you could have a doc?)

Growing awareness about wildlife preservation, pet care, and animal psychology (wild stuff, boss!) has opened new opportunities in providing medical care for animals and birds. With the great demand for Poultry and dairy products, medical care of these animals has assumed importance. The study of animal diseases and cure, involving both medical and surgical forms of treatment is what Veterinary Science is all about. All kinds of birds and animals in the wild, kept as pets or nurtured for commercial purposes - are treated by Veterinarians.

Veterinary Science can be pursued after 10+2 (Physics, Chemistry, Biology). Dairy Technology and Dairy Engineering, however, require a combination with mathematics. The course is of 4 years duration with a year’s practical internship (compulsory).

M.V.Sc. can be pursued after B.V.Sc. through an All India Competitive Exam. Specialization during M.V.Sc. can be done in Animal Anatomy, Biochemistry, Animal Biotechnology, Animal Husbandry, Animal Economics, Microbiology, Animal reproduction and livestock extension etc. Students can also appear for Biotechnology entrance after the completion of heir B.V.Sc.

Vets work in diverse settings - in the agricultural sector, government animal husbandry departments, poultry and dairy farms, private and government veterinary hospitals/clinics. They also work with the Armed Forces, Border Security Force, for the care of mounted regiments which have dogs, horses, camels, mules etc. Stud farms and agriculturists also employ veterinary scientists. Private practice and teaching in colleges are other lucrative options. Wildlife sanctuaries and zoological parks too employ the services of Vets.

The work of a Vet revolves around the prevention and control of disease in animals, inoculating and vaccinating reared animals, implementation of livestock breeding and nurturance programmes. Vet surgeons do postmortems and operations. Preventing disease among animals, research of biological products, food, pharmaceutical products, work in animal genetics and breeding is what researchers do. You should be prepared to work both in the rural as well as urban settings.

It goes without saying that you should have love and concern for animals, if you are thinking on the lines of choosing this field as a career. Moreover, a combination of the qualities of a scientist and a medical practitioner is what this profession demands. Sensitivity and perception will 
help you in dealing with mute animals and so will good mental ability, research acumen and patience, if you plan to take up research.