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Doctors of Veterinary Medicine are
medical professionals whose primary responsibility is protecting the health and
welfare of both animals and people. Veterinarians diagnose and control animal
diseases, treat sick and injured animals, prevent the transmission of animal
diseases to people, and advise owners on proper care of pets and livestock. They
ensure a safe food supply by maintaining the health of food animals. Veterinarians
are also involved in wildlife preservation and conservation, and
public health of the human population. Today's Veterinarians are members of an important health profession. In taking the Veterinarian's Oath, a doctor solemnly swears to use his or her scientific knowledge and skills "for the benefit of society, through the protection of animal health, the relief of animal suffering, the conservation of animal resources, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge." Today more than 67,000 Veterinarians are professionally active in the United States. They provide a wide range of services in private practice, teaching, research, government service, public health, military service, private industry, and other areas.
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Veterinarians in private practice work to prevent
disease and other health problems in their patients. They examine animal
patients, vaccinate against diseases, prevent the transmission of animal disease
to people, and advise owners about ways to keep pets and livestock well nourished
and healthy. When health problems arise, Veterinarians must diagnose
the problem and treat the animal. Accurate diagnosis frequently requires
laboratory tests, radiography, and specialized equipment. Treatments may involve
a number of procedures including emergency lifesaving measures, prescribing
medication, setting a fracture, delivering a calf, performing surgery, or
advising an owner on feeding and care of the patient. Veterinarians also work in regulatory medicine, and they
have two major responsibilities: the control or elimination of certain diseases,
and protection of the public from animal diseases that can affect people. Working for the United States Department of
Agriculture's Food Safety and Inspection Service and for state and municipal
food inspection services, a Veterinarian’s job is to protect the public from
diseased livestock and unsafe meat and poultry. They ensure that food products
are safe and wholesome. To prevent the introduction of foreign diseases, Veterinarians employed by state and federal regulatory agencies quarantine and
inspect animals brought into the United States from other countries. They
supervise interstate shipments of animals, test for the presence of diseases,
and manage campaigns to prevent and eradicate many diseases such as
tuberculosis, brucellosis and rabies, which threaten animal and human health.
Department of Agriculture Veterinarians in the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service monitor the development and testing of new vaccines to ensure
their safety and effectiveness. Veterinarians in research seek better ways to prevent
and solve animal and human health problems. Many problems, such as cancer and
cardiovascular disease, are studied through the use of laboratory animals, which
are carefully bred, raised, and maintained under the supervision of Veterinarians. Laboratory animal
Veterinarians help select the best animal
models for particular research projects and ensure that the animals receive
proper care.
Veterinarians also work in the area of public health for city, county, state, and federal agencies. They help to prevent and control animal and human diseases and promote good health. As epidemiologists they investigate animal and human disease outbreaks such as food-borne illness, influenza, plague, rabies, AIDS, and encephalitis. They evaluate the safety of food processing plants, restaurants, and water supplies. Veterinarians in environmental health programs study and evaluate the effects of various pesticides, industrial pollutants, and other contaminants on people as well as animals.
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| Choosing a Veterinarian is an important decision. Thus, our goal is to assist you in making that decision. First of all, when selecting a Veterinarian, you may want to begin your search several different ways:
There are different types of Veterinary practices. You will need to determine which type of practice best suits your animal's needs:
Discuss your animal's medical history and particular problems you are concerned
with.
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Consumers’ Research Council of America has compiled a list of Top Veterinarians throughout the United States by utilizing a point value system. This method uses a point value for criteria that we deemed valuable in determining top Veterinary care professionals. The criteria that was used and
assessed a point value is as follows: |
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Experience: |
Each year the Veterinarian has been in practice |
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Education: |
Education, specialty training and continuing education |
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Professional Organizations: |
Membership in Veterinary organizations/affiliations |
Simply put, Veterinarians that have accumulated a certain amount of points qualified for the list. This does not mean that Veterinarians that did not accumulate enough points are not skilled at administering Veterinary care, but merely did not qualify for this list because of the points needed for qualification. Similar studies have been conducted with other professions using a survey system. This type of study would ask fellow professionals whom they would recommend; we found this method to be more of a popularity contest. For instance, professionals who work in a large office have a much better chance of being mentioned than a professional who has a small private practice. In addition, many professionals have a financial arrangement for back-and-forth referrals. For these reasons, we developed the point value system. Since this is a subjective call, there is no guarantee that this study that is 100% accurate. As with any profession, there will be some degree of variance in opinion: If you survey 100 patients from a particular physician on their level of satisfaction, you will undoubtedly hear that some are very satisfied, some moderately satisfied and some dissatisfied. This is really quite normal. We feel that a point value system takes out the personal and emotional factor and deals with factual criteria. We have made certain assumptions. For example, we feel that the more years in practice is better than less years in practice; more education is better than less education, etc. The top Veterinarian list that we have compiled is current as of a certain date and other Veterinarians may have qualified since that date. Nonetheless, we feel that the list of top Veterinarians is a good starting point for you to find a qualified animal healthcare specialist. No fees, donations, sponsorships or advertising are accepted from any individuals, professionals, Veterinarians, clinics, animal healthcare facilities, corporations or associations. This policy is strictly adhered to, ensuring an unbiased selection.
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Board Certification and Education
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Certification
Following graduation, Veterinarians must pass the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. State licensing boards set eligibility requirements; candidates must apply for NAVLE certification through their state boards. Graduates may continue clinical training through an internship or residency and must obtain state board approval before opening a clinical practice. An extended period of formal study is required
for board certification in a specialty, such as Though each specialty has its own specific requirements, board certification in general requires a Veterinarian to spend at least two to three years (sometimes more) immersed in that specialty field under the supervision of a current expert. Following the practical experience, the candidate must pass a stringent examination. Some specialties also require the veterinarian to pass a practical examination or to publish a paper on that specialty. Only after a candidate has successfully completed all the requirements can that individual become board certified in their chosen field. AVMA Board Specialties:
There are 27
accredited Veterinary colleges or universities in the United States. The
Veterinary curriculum focuses on biomedical science, including anatomy,
physiology, bacteriology, virology, medicine, and surgery. Programs also
include coursework in topics such as professional development, practice
management, and client relations. In most
colleges of Veterinary medicine, the professional program comprises two
phases. During the first phase, preclinical sciences, such as anatomy,
physiology, pathology, pharmacology, and microbiology are emphasized.
Most of the students' time is spent in classroom and laboratory study. The second phase of professional study is principally clinical. Students learn the principles of medicine and surgery in the classroom and through hands-on clinical experience. Students learn to apply their knowledge in a clinical setting under the supervision of graduate Veterinarians on the faculty. In the clinics, students treat animals, perform surgery, and deal with owners who use the school's clinical services.
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 Cats
have sharp teeth, equally effective for catching prey or inflicting deep
puncture wounds. Their bite carries bacteria deep into the wound
and the hole closes immediately, providing the bacteria an excellent
place to grow and multiply. Under the hair, these bite wounds are
almost invisible, so the first sign of trouble will probably be when you
notice lameness, pain and swelling, which means the wound has become
infected. The next stage, development of an abscess, happens quickly.
White blood cells, the body's natural defense against bacteria, move
into the area and start killing bacteria. Pretty soon we have dead
bacteria, dead white blood cells, and dead little bits of cat all
combined into a gooey mess. The rest of the body protects
itself from spreading infection by making a protective barrier around
this dead, gooey mess. This is an abscess.If close to the surface, the abscess will
eventually drain on its own. The central area of skin, deprived of
its blood supply, slowly dies and falls off, allowing pus to escape.
The animal feels better right away and the wound heals.
Unfortunately, the abscess usually comes back, because the wound heals
with some of the pus still inside. To prevent the long period of illness before an
abscess drains on its own, and to keep the abscess from coming back
afterwards, your Veterinarian will drain it surgically. Veterinarians usually open the abscess at the bottom and top, flush it
with an antibacterial solution, and insert a Penrose drain tube.
This device keeps the hole open, allowing pus to drain for a day or
two, and the abscess begins to heal. After removal of the drain
tube, the surgical openings will heal and all the infection will be
gone. Adult heartworms
are about six inches long, and live in the heart and large blood vessels
of the host animal, usually a dog. Adult male and female worms produce thousands of
microscopic baby worms, which live within blood vessels throughout the
host's body. These baby heartworms do not mature in
the animal where they were born. (If they did, the animal would
quickly die, and that would be the end of the heartworms.) Next, the mosquito bites another
animal, infecting the new host with adolescent heartworms, ready to
develop into adults. After six or seven more months, the life
cycle is complete. New adult male and female heartworms are producing
thousands more baby heartworms. There are no symptoms of heartworm
infection at all until
the disease is very advanced. At this stage, the symptoms are those
of congestive heart failure – dull coat, lack of energy, coughing,
difficulty breathing, perhaps fainting spells and an enlarged abdomen.
Your Veterinarian can prescribe one of three different drugs used for
once-a-month heartworm prevention.
In cold climates, wintertime prevention medication is not usually necessary.
Although heartworms can be fatal
and treatment for the disease involves risk, the condition is nearly
always curable. Treatment requires careful medical care and complete
rest at home afterwards. The first thing your Veterinarian
will do is evaluate your pet's condition, performing a physical
examination, laboratory tests and chest x-rays to evaluate the condition
of the heart and lungs. Your Veterinarian might find other health
problems that need attention first, but if the heartworm infestation is
very severe, they may want to modify their treatment plan. Each
stage of heartworm infestation must be treated separately. First the adult worms are eliminated by
giving a series of injections spaced out over a two day period.
Tapeworms are the most common intestinal
parasite of cats. Kittens become infected with them when they swallow
fleas; the eggs of the tapeworm live inside the flea. When the cat chews
or licks its skin as a flea bites, the flea may be swallowed. The flea
is digested within the cat's intestine; the tapeworm hatches and then
anchors itself to the intestinal lining. Therefore, exposure to fleas
may result in a new infection; this can occur in as little as two weeks.
Cats infected with tapeworms will pass small
segments of the worms in their stool. The segments are white in color
and look like grains of rice. They are about 1/8 inch long and may be
seen crawling on the surface of the stool. They may also stick to the
hair under the tail. If that occurs, they will dry out, shrink to about
half their size, and become golden in color. Tapeworm segments do not pass every day or in
every stool sample; therefore, inspection of several consecutive bowel
movements may be needed to find them. Your Veterinarian may examine a
stool sample and not find tapeworms, and then you may find them the next day.
FIV belongs to the same family of viruses as HIV
(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and immunodeficiency viruses in other
species. This family of viruses (Lentiviruses) is known for being
species-specific, for life-long infection, and for slowly progressive
diseases. FIV is not transmissible from cats to people, and HIV is not
transmissible to from people to cats. Risk factors for FIV include:
Older cats are more likely to be infected; the average age of cats with FIV is 5 years
at the time of diagnosis. Aggressive male cats that roam and fight with other cats are more likely to be
infected than females and nonaggressive males. Sick cats are much more likely to have FIV.
Free-roaming cats are more likely to be infected than indoor cats. When a cat becomes infected with FIV, there may be no clinical signs
for many years. However, 4 to 6 weeks after infection the white blood
cell count declines and at this point some cats will have swollen lymph nodes. Also, some cats have a fever, anemia, or diarrhea at this early
stage. FIV is toxic to a type of white blood cell, the T helper cell,
which is critical to a healthy immune system. This virus slowly depresses the function of the cat's
immune system, leading to chronic
health problems and opportunistic infections. Many FIV-positive cats
have chronic inflammatory conditions of the teeth and mouth. Other
chronic problems, such as diarrhea, pneumonia, skin disease, sinus
infections and some eye diseases as well as neurological problems have
been seen in FIV-positive cats. Rabies is a disease caused by a virus that can affect the
central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) of any kind of mammal, including humans. Flea infestations on small or weak pets can cause life-threatening anemia (iron-deficiency anemia,
decreased red blood cells circulating through the blood, which means a decreased oxygen level in the
blood). While grooming themselves, cats ingest about 50% of the fleas on their body. If the fleas carry pathogens, the cat
may become diseased. Fleas have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and
adult, but only adults live on pets. The eggs, larvae,
and pupae live in carpets and on blankets, so it is important to treat the pet's environment in cases of infestation. Bird owners are often advised to
clip the wings of their birds. A common first reaction is that
clipping is a cruel thing to do, but there are good reasons for it. First and foremost is the bird's
safety, but there are other reasons as well: Unclipped birds can easily panic and fly into windows, glass doors or mirrors, injuring themselves. They
can fly into kitchens and land on hot stoves, burners, and pans. They
can fly into overhead ceiling fans or dangerous electrical appliances.
Small birds, able to get into smaller spaces, have flown into open
cupboards and drawers and been locked in or have gotten trapped behind
refrigerators, while others have drowned in open toilet bowls. There are
many things around our homes that are toxic or dangerous to birds –
lead paint, household cleaners, etc. A bird that can fly can reach such
items more easily. There is no end to the number of dangerous and lethal
items that your bird may find attractive or edible.
Baby birds should not be clipped
until they have learned to fly, which gives birds confidence,
enables them to properly develop their chest muscles, teaches them
balance and enables them to learn how to maneuver and land safely. Birds have very
light, fragile bones which can easily be injured by a clumsy landing or
a fall. Birds should be re-clipped when
their feathers have grown back enough so that they can fly more than a
few feet. This is usually after a molt, and for most birds, about once a
year. If clipping is done during a molt, then some of the clipped
feathers may still continue to grow out, and new feathers may grow in
as well. If you wait until the molt is complete there should be a need
for only one clipping. However, if your bird is flying, you may not be
able to wait and will have to do multiple clippings. The only feathers that should be
clipped are the primary flight feathers, which are the ten long feathers
on the outermost part of the wing. After the clipping, your bird will
still be able to fly a couple of feet. This enables him to protect
himself from a fall by giving him enough lift to land safely. If
clipped too drastically, he won't be able to maneuver to avoid hitting
something dangerous, or to break his fall. As a result he may injure his
beak, breastbone or wings or even break a leg as he plummets to the
ground.
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There are several reasons to neuter a pet. One significant reason is to prevent pet overpopulation. There are far more cats and dogs in the United States than there are available homes and stray cats and dogs overburden animal shelters. Other reasons for neutering include the following:
When to neuter a pet Cats and dogs must be in good health, be at the right age for neutering, and must be up-to-date on all vaccinations. Cats should be tested for feline leukemia and feline immunodeficiency virus before the procedure. In most cases, the procedure is performed when the animal is about 6 months of age. Animal behaviorists generally agree that neutering pets prior to sexual maturity is the best way to decrease undesirable behavior. There is currently a move in the Veterinary community toward early age neutering. Scientific studies suggest that early age neutering is no more of a risk than performing the surgery at 6 months, provided the animal is healthy. Neutering can also be performed on older pets. Depending on the pet's age, the Veterinarian may perform presurgical tests to make sure that the pet can be safely anesthetized. Many anesthetic drugs are metabolized in the liver and kidneys, so it is essential that the liver and kidneys be functioning normally. Female pets should be spayed for all the same reasons listed above.
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 Euthanasia is a method of humane killing which is sometimes
employed when animals have a terminal illness or severe injury and are not expected to recover, especially if the
animal is in pain or its quality of life is seriously compromised. This procedure is also known as having an animal “put to sleep.”
In rare cases, euthanasia may be necessary if an animal is vicious and dangerous, despite the efforts of the owners and professionals to modify its behavior.Pet and livestock owners might decide to euthanize when an animal is suffering significantly due to injury or terminal illness, is overly aggressive, or when the owner is no longer able to keep or care for the animal and is unable or unwilling to find a new home for it. Additionally, many stray animals, in particular, cats, are euthanized due to overpopulation and the lack of adoptive homes. For most pet owners, the decision to euthanize a pet is extremely difficult. For this reason, it's important to choose a veterinarian you trust and who shows understanding and compassion. If you have young children, it's best to include them in the decision. Having a pet euthanized without telling children the truth about it can make the animal's death even harder for them. The euthanasia procedure itself is almost always carried out by injecting a painless, death-inducing drug. Before the fatal injection, many veterinarians will give the animal a tranquilizer. During this time, you may wish to hold your pet until the doctor is ready to proceed. After your pet is gone, it's natural to experience grief and loss. There are many books, organizations, and support groups dedicated to consoling those who've lost a pet. Don't hesitate to seek help if you need it. |
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Veterinarians work in a lot of different sectors. In the
United States, approximately 75% of all Veterinarians are in private practice.
Of those, about 58% are engaged in exclusively small animal practice, where they treat only household animals. 19% are involved in general, or mixed, animal
practice. Their patients include all types of pets, horses, and livestock. 18%
limit their practice to the care of farm animals or horses.
More than 3,500 Veterinarians are professors, teaching
at schools and colleges of Veterinary medicine. In addition to teaching, Veterinary school faculty members conduct basic and clinical research, provide
various services to the public, contribute to scientific publications, and
develop continuing education programs to help graduate Veterinarians acquire new
knowledge and skills.
following:
surgery, ophthalmology,
pathology, radiology and medicine. Medical subspecialties include
cardiology, oncology, and neurology.
A
mosquito bites the infected animal, sucking up baby heartworms- this is what
the worms have been waiting for. During the next month, the
heartworm babies within the mosquito grow into heartworm adolescents, a stage partway
between baby and adult. 
Intestinal parasites are common problems of pet
health in cats. Fortunately with good petcare they can easily be
treated and prevented. Kittens can become infected with parasites almost
as soon as they are born. For example, the most prevalent source of
roundworm infection in kittens is the mother's milk. The microscopic
examination of a stool sample will usually help to determine the
presence of intestinal parasites. Even without a stool sample, your Veterinarian may recommend the use of a broad spectrum deworming product
that is safe and effective against almost all of the common worms of the
cat. It is given immediately and repeated in about 3-4 weeks, because the
deworming medication only kills the adult worms. Within 3-4 weeks the
larval stages will have become adults and will also need to be treated. Cats
remain susceptible to reinfection with hookworms and roundworms.
Periodic deworming throughout the cat's life may be recommended for cats
that go outdoors. 
Feline Immunodeficiency Virus was first
discovered in 1986 in a California cattery where some cats appeared to
have an illness similar to AIDS (Acquired ImmunoDeficiency Syndrome) in
people. It appears likely that FIV has been present in cats for many
years. The rate of infection varies from about 1% in healthy cats to as
high as 14% in ill cats. FIV is often found in cats that test positive for the
Feline Leukemia Virus.
FIV is transmitted primarily through deep, penetrating bite wounds. A
mother cat may transmit the virus to her newborn kittens during
gestation, passage through the birth canal, or nursing. FIV can also be
transmitted through the transfusion of contaminated blood.
Rabies is caused by a virus that is usually spread through contact with an infected
animal's saliva.
In the United States, the rabies virus is found almost exclusively in wildlife. Bats, raccoons, skunks, foxes, and coyotes
|are the most common hosts of rabies. The animals most likely to be affected can vary by region, although bats are becoming
a primary source of infection among humans in many areas of the United States.
Signs of rabies in animals may include having excessive saliva or sometimes, foaming at the mouth, paralysis,
or behavioral changes (such as shyness when the pet was friendly) or
absence of fear of humans in a wild animal.
Fleas and ticks are ectoparasites – parasites that live on or burrow into their hosts' skin. Parasites live at least
part of their life cycles at the expense of host organisms. They can cause blood loss, skin irritation, allergies, and
disease. 
For most of us, losing
a bird
would be a very painful thing, especially if we are very close to the
pet; it would be even worse if the loss could have been prevented. An open
door or window is an invitation to an unclipped bird. No matter how
tame, birds will fly out and may be lost forever. Some of us take our
birds out in the sun, transport them to the Vet, or take them with us
on a trip. In all these situations, no matter how careful we are, an
opportunity to fly away may present itself. Clipping a bird's wings is
an easy way to reduce the possibility of such a loss.