Veterinary Course | Everything you should know about it!

As humans, we can help animals in need when they cannot help themselves. Many people want to help animals on a larger scale and choose to become veterinarians. As a veterinary doctor or nurse, you can help animals and look after their well-being. A veterinary course is a popular choice among students who wish to study medicine and are fond of animals. There is a lot you need to know to become a successful veterinarian, so read this blog and learn it all!

Why choose a veterinary course?

Before getting into the course details, understand why you should opt for it and what to expect from it-

1. A chance to help animals

If you are planning to pursue a career in veterinary medicine, you get an opportunity to promote the health and welfare of animals. Additionally, you treat them, care for them, provide relief from traumatic injuries or chronic illnesses. 

2. Interesting work

Every day is exciting and interesting for a veterinarian. Since you get to examine different animals, interact with them, and see a variety of injuries and conditions, every day is a new opportunity.

3. Excellent salary

Studying veterinary courses can indeed be quite expensive, but you must also remember that it is a respected job and offers a high-paying salary. Veterinarians can expect a salary range between $50,000 and $200,000 per year. If you have any additional training or board certifications, you can earn more than this.

4. Community interaction

Vets have a lot of exposure and can build connections with many people. They have opportunities to educate and advise owners, and it is a rewarding job because you can see happy clients. You will also learn to deal with different situations, and it is always great to work with people who share the same interests as you. 

6. Professional independence

As a veterinarian, you can work for an established clinic or start your practice and work independently. As an independent vet, you will have a flexible schedule and can continue working and pursue academics simultaneously. Moreover, it is essential to know your strengths and specialize in the area you like the most.

7. Lifetime learning

As a veterinarian, you will continue to learn new things, such as technologies, treatments, and techniques. Vets must take up annual courses for certification since the industry is constantly evolving. You must keep up with it to provide the best possible care for your patients.  

8. Lucrative career 

Your veterinary background allows you to transition into various other roles with different organizations. You can be part of wildlife agencies, laboratories, academic institutions, and even the military. Therefore, the broad spectrum of knowledge in this course helps you immensely.

Veterinary course subjects 

The discipline of veterinary science is vast, and there are several subjects that you will have to study. The syllabus may vary between universities, but the common ones are as follows-

• Biochemistry in Animals
• Animal Histology 
• Veterinary Myology 
• Animal Husbandry 
• Veterinary Hygiene
• Pharmacology
• Veterinary Gynecology 
• Veterinary Reproduction  
• Anesthesiology
• Ethics and Animal Welfare 
• Animal, Birds, and Aquatic animal diseases 
• Veterinary Surgery
• Veterinary Epidemiology 
• Animal Nutrition 
• Animal Genetics 

Veterinary course details

To begin with, let’s look at the veterinary course eligibility. This usually differs from region to region, but certain qualifying factors remain the same everywhere.

• You must have passed 12th grade from a recognized institution with at least 50% marks. 
• You can also pursue veterinary diploma courses after class 10th. 
• Must have studied a combination of Physics, Chemistry, and Biology in 12th standard to appear for a veterinary course entrance exam. 
• The undergraduate veterinary course duration can be anywhere between 4-6 years.
• You can also enroll for a veterinary science undergraduate degree if you have completed your undergraduate degree in any other field.
• Veterinary course fees widely vary all over the world. The average cost of a four-year veterinary school can be about $200,000 to $275,000 in the USA. However, it is more affordable in Asian countries and could be just around $500 to $1500.
• You can also choose to study online veterinary courses.

Top universities to study veterinary courses

The following are some of the top universities in the world to study veterinary science. You can find undergraduate and graduate programs in various specializations at these universities. Some of them also offer research programs for those who wish to enter the research part of the field.

1. University of California
2. University of Cambridge
3. The University of Glasgow
4. The Royal Veterinary College, University of London
5. University of Guelph, Canada
6. Michigan State University

Veterinary course admission 

Once you have chosen the university or college and selected the course and program you are looking for, apply for admission. You must also fill up the veterinary course application form and pay the application fee. 

Appear for a veterinary course entrance exam, then wait for the results. Lastly, if you get the required percentage in the veterinary course exam, you will be eligible for admission and appear for the counseling session conducted at the university. 

What are the skills required to study a veterinary course?

A few essential skills you may need to develop in order to pursue a veterinary course are-

• Empathy is a key skill for someone willing to study veterinary medicine. You must have the ability to understand your patients’ problems, especially because animals may not be able to express things on their own. This is challenging, but you will have to look for signs of distress and other symptoms in the animals to make an accurate diagnosis. 
• Patience is another important skill that you must have if you are pursuing a career in the field of veterinary.
• Communication skills are required in most jobs, but it is critical to have as a veterinarian. Since you will have to deal with different people and elaborate on certain problems, the animal is going through having good communication can be beneficial.

What’s next?

• If you have plans to become a veterinarian, you must start young.
• You must have an interest in science and build a strong foundation that can help you in the future.
• The veterinarian course is vast and allows you to work for different organizations, learn, and grow with time.
• There are also several new-age technologies that you must stay updated with.
• Remain focused, and you can make it to the top with all the skills and expertise!

We hope this blog helped you with all your queries related to a veterinary course! Have more doubts? Reach out to us or drop a comment below!

Liked this blog? Read more: 6 things you should know about becoming a veterinary doctor.

FAQ

Q1. How many years is a veterinary course?

Answer- The duration of veterinary courses largely depends on the country you study in and the university. On average, the undergraduate degree takes about 2 to 4 years, and the master’s degree is completed within two years.

Q2. Which are the best veterinary courses?

Answer- The following are the best veterinary courses-

• Bachelors of Veterinary Science
• Bsc. Veterinary Biology
• Bachelors of Veterinary Science (Animal Nutrition)
• Bachelors of Veterinary Science (Veterinary Microbiology)

Q3. Which country is best for this course?

Answer- There are various countries to pursue a veterinary course. However, the top countries for this course are the US, UK, Netherlands, Germany, and Canada.