Guide to Veterinary Specialties: Explore Available Career Paths
Learn how future veterinarians can achieve their career goals.
Introduction to Veterinary Medicine Specialties
For aspiring veterinarians, the field of veterinary medicine offers a wide range of exciting career paths, many of which focus on specific areas of animal health. Veterinary specialties allow professionals to hone their expertise and make a significant impact in the field of animal healthcare. Whether you dream of caring for household pets, conserving wildlife or managing the health of aquatic species, veterinary medicine provides many opportunities to make a difference.
If you’re just beginning your journey in veterinary medicine, it’s helpful to understand what a veterinarian is and the critical role they play in animal care. From there, exploring various specialties can help you discover where your passions align with professional opportunities.
Popular Veterinary Specialties
Anesthesia and Analgesia
Veterinary anesthesiologists specialize in administering anesthesia and managing pain for animals undergoing surgical procedures. They develop tailored anesthetic plans, monitor patients during surgery and ensure safe recovery post-operation. Their expertise is vital in minimizing risks associated with anesthesia and enhancing patient comfort.
Exotic Animal Veterinary Medicine
Exotic animal veterinarians care for non-traditional pets such as reptiles, birds and small mammals like ferrets or hedgehogs. They possess specialized knowledge to address the unique health needs of these species, including dietary requirements, habitat considerations and disease management.
Aquatic and Marine Veterinary Medicine
Aquatic veterinarians are dedicated to the health of marine and freshwater species, including fish, amphibians and marine mammals. They may treat injuries, monitor health in aquaculture systems and work to preserve aquatic species. The demand for this specialty has grown, as awareness of aquatic ecosystems increases.
Wildlife and Conservation Veterinary Medicine
Wildlife veterinarians focus on the health of wild animals, often collaborating with conservation organizations to protect endangered species and their habitats. These specialists may work in zoos, wildlife rehabilitation centers or remote environments, combining advanced veterinary care with ecological preservation.
Internal Medicine
A veterinary internal medicine specialist diagnoses and treats complex diseases affecting major organ systems in animals, such as the heart, liver and kidneys. They often address challenging cases that require advanced testing and treatments, including chronic illnesses and systemic disorders.
Surgery: Orthopedic, Soft Tissue and More
Veterinary surgical specialists perform a wide range of surgical procedures, from orthopedic surgeries like fracture repairs to soft tissue operations involving organs and tumors. Veterinary surgery can be a critical intervention to improve or save an animal’s life.
Behavioral Medicine
Veterinary behaviorists specialize in understanding and modifying animal behavior issues, such as aggression, anxiety and compulsive disorders. They often work alongside pet owners to develop behavior modification plans and improve the bond between animals and humans.
Unique and Emerging Veterinary Specialties
Oncology (Cancer Treatment)
Veterinary oncology specialists treat animals with cancer, offering chemotherapy, radiation and surgical interventions to extend and improve quality of life. This growing specialty mirrors advancements in human cancer care.
Cardiology
Veterinary cardiologists specialize in heart and vascular diseases in animals. They perform diagnostic procedures like echocardiograms and develop treatment plans for conditions such as heart murmurs, arrhythmias and heart failure.
Dermatology
Veterinary dermatology addresses skin, ear and nail disorders in animals. They diagnose and treat conditions like allergies, infections and autoimmune diseases, often working with chronic cases that require specialized care.
Ophthalmology
Veterinary ophthalmology focuses on eye care, with specialists diagnosing and treating conditions like cataracts, glaucoma and retinal diseases. This specialty often involves microsurgery and innovative treatments to preserve or restore vision.
Pathology
Veterinary pathologists study diseases through the examination of animal tissues and bodily fluids. They play a crucial role in diagnosing diseases, understanding their progression and contributing to research that advances veterinary medicine.
Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation
This specialty focuses on the treatment and prevention of injuries in athletic animals, such as racehorses and working dogs. Veterinarians in this field use therapies like physical rehabilitation, hydrotherapy and acupuncture to optimize performance and recovery.
Theriogenology (Reproduction)
Theriogenologists specialize in animal reproduction, including fertility evaluation, artificial insemination and managing reproductive disorders. They work with breeders and conservation programs to support successful animal reproduction.
How to Choose a Veterinary Specialty
Selecting a veterinary specialty should align with your interests, skills and career aspirations. Consider the following steps:
- Self-Assessment: Reflect on your passions within veterinary medicine. Do you prefer clinical practice, research, surgery or working with specific species?
- Research: Investigate various specialties to understand their scope, required training and daily responsibilities.
- Experience: Gain hands-on experience through internships, externships or volunteering in different fields to assess what suits you best.
- Mentorship: Seek guidance from experienced veterinarians in your areas of interest to gain insights and advice.
Career Outlook for Specialized Veterinarians
Specializing in veterinary medicine can enhance career prospects and earning potential. The demand for veterinary specialists is growing, driven by advancements in medical technology and increased awareness of animal health. Specialists are often sought after for their expertise in complex cases that general practitioners may not be equipped to handle.
A DVM degree opens doors to diverse range of veterinary jobs, including roles in academia, research, veterinary assistant jobs and industry practitioner roles. Veterinary specialists often command higher salaries compared to the average veterinarian wages due to their advanced training and skills. Whether you choose surgery, oncology, dermatology or other, the field offers opportunities for personal growth and meaningful work.
Which Veterinary Specialty is Right for You?
For aspiring vets, understanding how to prepare for a career in veterinary medicine is essential. Strong foundations in science, hands-on experience with animals and dedication to academic excellence will help pave the way towards a successful career in veterinary medicine.
Choosing the right veterinary specialty is also a personal decision that depends on your interests, strengths and long-term goals. Whether you’re passionate about working with exotic animals, advancing cancer treatments or specializing in internal medicine, the field of veterinary medicine offers countless opportunities to make a difference.
St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine (SMUSVM) is dedicated to helping aspiring veterinarians achieve their dreams. Our accelerated Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree program provides the foundational knowledge, hands-on experience and individualized support needed to pursue a successful career in any veterinary specialty.
Want to learn more about our school? Check out this testimonial from an SMUSVM student:
Then, when you’re ready, contact us to ask any questions or take advantage of our easy-to-use portal to start your application today!
FAQs About Veterinary Specialties
Veterinary specializations like veterinary surgery, veterinary oncology and veterinary cardiology are among the highest paid. Specialists in these areas often earn significantly more than general practice veterinarians due to their advanced training and expertise.
Exotic animal veterinarians treat non-traditional pets and wildlife, including reptiles, amphibians, birds and small mammals. They also care for zoo animals and sometimes work in wildlife rehabilitation.
Both veterinary and medical degrees are rigorous, but veterinary students must learn to treat multiple species, each with unique anatomical and physiological differences. This makes veterinary training uniquely challenging in comparison to human medicine.
Small animal veterinarians, who primarily care for pets like dogs and cats, are the most common type of veterinarians. They make up the majority of general practicing vets and play a vital role in companion animal health.