Veterinary medicine
From ArticleWorld
With the many recent advancements of technology, the field of veterinary medicine has changed dramatically. Procedures that were formerly only performed only on human patients, such as hip replacements and pacemaker implants, are now commonly performed on animals. Veterinary scientists also play a large part in many areas of research, and the quality and safety of our food depends largely on livestock health care and on site meat inspections
Veterinary medicine requires a diverse group to meet the needs of their patients. Like human medical teams, veterinary teams often consist of assistants and nurses. Assistants are well trained individuals who although not registered in most states, have completed course work from a school for veterinary assistants. Nurses, generally known as veterinary technicians, are registered with their home state. These professionals are qualified to assist with many medical procedures. With the wide variety of treatments and services available to pet owners, all of these team members are becoming increasingly in demand.
Education
Veterinary medicine is a very competitive and demanding field. Admission into veterinary school requires approximately 500 hours of veterinary experience in addition to undergraduate studies. Studies show that only one in three will be accepted into their chosen school, and undergraduate work can range from four years to as long as seven years. The first few years consist of mainly scientific training, while the latter portion is geared towards practical application, in a supervised setting. Upon completion, students receive the diploma and title Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) or Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris (VMD).
The emerging field of conservation medicine
Human medicine and veterinary medicine have, until now, always been two distinct fields. The emerging field of conservation medicine employs both. Multidisciplinary teams may include veterinarians, environmental scientists, researchers, clinicians as well as medical doctors. Masters and post graduate degrees in Veterinary Conservation Medicine have been available in Australia since 2004.