Veterinary

Read the text to find out what the job of veterinarians involves. Complete the diagram:

Veterinarians care for the ­­­­­health of pets, livestock, and animals in zoos, racetracks, and laboratories. They diagnose animal health problems; vaccinate against diseases, such as distemper, rabies, foot-and-mouth disease and anthrax; medicate animals suffering from infections or illnesses; treat and dress wounds, including cesarean sections on birthing animals; set fractures; perform surgery; and advise owners about animal feeding, behavior, and breeding. Veterinarians of all types euthanize animals when necessary.

Some veterinarians use their skills to protect humans against diseases carried by animals and conduct clinical research on human and animal health problems.

Others work in basic research, broadening our knowledge of animals and medical science, and in applied research, developing new ways to use knowledge.

Most veterinarians work on farms to provide veterinary services for herds or individual animals. Much of this work involves preventive care to maintain the health of the animals.

Some veterinarians who work in private medical practices treat small animals. Small-animal practitioners usually care for companion animals, such as dogs and cats, but also treat birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, and other animals that can be kept as pets.

About one-fourth of all veterinarians work in mixed animal practices, where they see pigs, goats, cattle, sheep, and some wild animals in addition to companion animals.

Veterinarians who treat animals use medical equipment such as stethoscopes, surgical instruments, and diagnostic equipment, including radiographic and ultrasound equipment. Veterinarians working in research use a full range of sophisticated laboratory equipment.

Veterinarians contribute to human as well as animal health. A number of veterinarians work with physicians and scientists as they research ways to prevent and treat various human health problems. For example, veterinarians contributed greatly in conquering malaria and yellow fever. Today, they determine the effects of drug therapies, antibiotics, or new surgical techniques by testing them on animals.

Some veterinarians are involved in food safety and inspection. Veterinarians who are livestock inspectors, for example, check animals for transmissible diseases, such as E. coli, and may quarantine animals. Veterinarians who are meat, poultry, or egg product inspectors examine slaughtering and processing plants, check live animals and carcasses for disease, and enforce government regulations regarding food purity and sanitation.

Veterinarians often work long hours. Sometimes they have to deal with emotional or demanding pet owners. When working with animals that are frightened or in pain, veterinarians risk being bitten, kicked, or scratched.

(http://www.bls.gov)