Veterinary science
A “vet”, short for veterinarian, is a qualified medical practitioner who has the ability to diagnose, treat and cure the diverse types of diseases in birds and animals.
What do vets actually do?
A veterinarian’s job includes not only taking care of animal health, but also scientific breeding and handling of livestock. Besides giving medicinal and oral treatment, administrating vaccinations and giving advice on care of pets and farm animals, vets also perform surgery. The job profile of a vet also includes animal husbandry and research on animals in order to control the spread of diseases transmitted through animals; thus protecting the public from exposure to diseases. A vet may also work in the fields of wildlife conservation, poultry management and health care, livestock insurance and rural development.
In a broader sense, a veterinary doctor has a major role in the conservation of livestock and domestic animal wealth.
How can one become a veterinarian in India?
To become a veterinarian, one should possess any of the following degrees: Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science , Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (BVMS) ,Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine or Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry.
To be eligible for joining any of the above given courses, the aspiring candidates should have passed their 10 + 2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) as main subjects with at least 60% marks.
Admission is on the basis of entrance tests conducted by the concerned universities. The Veterinary Council of India conducts an ‘All India Common Entrance examination’ for admission to the first year usually held in the month of May each year. One popular book that you can consult for the All India PVT (Pre Veterinary Test) is the highly rated
‘Self Study Guide for PVT’ by Arihant Experts.
For admission to Master’s degree programmes, an All India Entrance Examination is conducted by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR). After getting Bachelors degree one can go for post-graduation, namely a Master in Veterinary Science which is a 2 year course.
After completing any of these courses one has to undergo a three months internship usually at the Teaching Veterinary Clinical Service Complex (TVCSC) .Besides this, students have undergo a one-month practical training in livestock production and management at animal farms, poultry production and management and training in livestock products’ technology and other services. Apart from learning to treat animals, training is also provided in dairying and poultry sciences.
Indian Veterinary Research Institute – [IVRI], Bareilly , National Dairy Research Institute – [NDRI], Karnal , College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences – [CVAS], Bikaner, Banaras Hindu University – [BHU], Varanasi are some of the top veterinary colleges of India.
Courses –
- V.Sc. [Bachelor of Veterinary Sciecne]
- V.Sc. [Master of Veterinary Science]
Colleges / Institute –
- Indian Veterinary Research Institute-, Bareilly
- National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal
- Veterinary College and Research Institute, Chennai
- College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner
- Mumbai University, Mumbai
Job Roles –
- Maintains animal health by diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries.
- Determines the nature of disease or injury by examining pets and/or large animals.
- Restores animal health by treating animals surgically or medically.
- Prevents rabies, brucellosis, and other disorders by testing animals and providing inoculations.
- Promotes health of animals by advising animal owners about sanitation measures, feeding, and general care.
- Documents actions by completing and updating forms, reports, and animal records and reporting diseases to public health officials.
- Enhances clinic reputation by accepting ownership for accomplishing new and different requests, exploring opportunities to add value to job accomplishments.