Veterinary Doctor

Roles and responsibilities

Examine animals and check their health status

Diagnose illnesses and determine the best treatment

Dress wounds of injured animals

Perform dental, ophthalmic and orthopedic surgeries

Vaccinate animals to prevent diseases

Spay and neuter cats and dogs as needed

Prescribe medication

Advise pet owners on nutrition, preventive healthcare and general care

Conduct home visits occasionally, in case of emergency

Update client records

Requirements and skills

Work experience as a Veterinarian, Veterinary Technician or Veterinarian Assistant

Experience conducting various types of surgeries, vaccinations and health checks on animals
1. Diagnosing and Treating Animals:
Physical Examinations: Conduct thorough physical exams of animals to assess their health and identify potential issues.
Diagnosing Illnesses: Use diagnostic tools (e.g., x-rays, blood tests, ultrasound) and clinical skills to diagnose conditions affecting animals.
Treatment and Surgery: Provide medical treatment, prescribe medications, perform surgeries, or administer vaccinations to treat diseases, injuries, and other health concerns in animals.
Pain Management: Ensure animals experience minimal pain during treatment and recovery, using appropriate pain relief methods.
2. Preventative Care:
Vaccination: Administer vaccinations to prevent common illnesses in animals, including rabies, distemper, and parvovirus.
Parasite Control: Advise pet owners or farmers on the prevention and treatment of parasites (e.g., fleas, ticks, worms) in animals.
Health Screenings: Conduct routine check-ups for healthy animals to monitor and maintain their well-being and prevent future health issues.
3. Surgical Procedures:
Performing Surgery: Veterinarians may perform surgeries to treat injuries, remove tumors, spay or neuter animals, or correct congenital conditions.
Post-Surgery Care: Provide post-operative care and follow-up appointments to ensure animals recover properly and without complications.
4. Client Education and Consultation:
Animal Health Advice: Advise pet owners or farmers on how to care for their animals, including feeding, exercise, and overall well-being.
Behavioral Guidance: Offer advice on animal behavior, including training, socialization, and resolving behavioral problems.
Emergency Care Guidance: Provide support to pet owners or farmers in emergency situations, offering advice on how to handle urgent health problems until professional help is available.
5. Record-Keeping and Documentation:
Patient Records: Maintain detailed medical records of animals, including history, diagnoses, treatments, and vaccinations. These records are essential for tracking progress and continuity of care.
Legal Documentation: Ensure all required legal documentation is completed for specific treatments, such as vaccination records or health certificates for travel.

Desired candidate profile

Emergency and Critical Care:
Emergency Treatment: Provide urgent care for animals that have been injured or are suffering from acute illnesses. This includes stabilizing their condition and providing immediate medical attention.
Critical Care: Monitor animals in intensive care, administering treatments and ensuring that their needs are met.
Research and Education:
Veterinary Research: Participate in research to develop better treatments, preventive measures, and diagnostic tools for animal health.
Continuous Learning: Stay updated on the latest advancements in veterinary medicine, techniques, and technologies through continued education, attending conferences, and reviewing current literature.
Key Skills and Attributes for a Veterinarian:
Medical Knowledge: Extensive knowledge of animal anatomy, physiology, diseases, treatments, and surgical procedures.
Problem-Solving Skills: Ability to diagnose and treat a wide range of animal health conditions.
Compassion and Empathy: A genuine love for animals and an ability to understand and address the emotional and physical needs of both animals and their owners.
Communication Skills: Strong verbal communication skills to explain medical conditions, treatments, and preventive care to pet owners, farmers, or colleagues.
Manual Dexterity: Excellent hand-eye coordination and surgical skills for performing medical procedures and surgeries.
Attention to Detail: The ability to notice subtle signs of illness, injury, or abnormal behavior that might indicate a health issue.
Stress Management: Ability to manage stressful situations, especially when dealing with emergency cases or critical health situations.
Time Management: The ability to handle multiple cases efficiently while providing quality care.