What are the Different Types of Veterinarians and What Do They Do?
Learn all about the various career options for aspiring veterinarians and animal health providers.
Veterinary medicine is a vast and exciting field, offering numerous career paths for those passionate about animal health and welfare. Whether you envision yourself treating beloved pets or contributing to global public health, veterinary careers are as diverse as the patients they serve. Animal veterinarians also work across a wide range of environments, including veterinary hospitals, clinics, research settings and field-based roles.
This article will delve deeper into the different types of veterinarians and the unique roles they perform. You’ll gain a clearer picture of where a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree might lead and a comprehensive answer to the question: what do veterinarians do?
Different Types of Veterinarians
Veterinary medicine isn’t a one-size-fits-all profession. While you probably already have a good sense of what a vet is, aspiring veterinarians can explore numerous specializations and distinctive career paths based on their interests and goals. Let’s explore some of the primary types of veterinarians and their responsibilities.
Companion-animal veterinarians
Companion-animal vets are among the most recognized types of veterinarians, as they provide care for household pets like dogs, cats, birds and rabbits. Their services include vaccinations, wellness exams, diagnostic testing, and minor and major surgical procedures. These professionals play a vital role in supporting the human-animal bond, which has proven benefits for mental and emotional well-being.
In addition to medical treatment, companion-animal vets educate pet owners about proper nutrition, preventive care and behavioral issues. Their work not only supports the health of pets but also enhances the quality of life for their owners by helping them maintain a healthy, happy companion.
Veterinary specialists
Veterinary specialists focus on advanced fields such as surgery, dermatology, cardiology, oncology and neurology. These veterinarians often pursue extensive additional training, including internships and residencies, before achieving a board certification in their specialty.
This expertise allows them to address complex cases that general practitioners may not be equipped to handle. For example, a veterinary oncologist might develop a customized treatment plan for a pet with cancer, while a veterinary surgeon might perform intricate orthopedic procedures.
Veterinary specialists frequently work in referral hospitals and collaborate closely with primary veterinarians to ensure comprehensive care.
Food-animal veterinarians
Food-animal veterinarians work primarily with livestock, such as cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. They are responsible for maintaining the health and welfare of these animals, which are integral to agricultural production. These veterinarians help ensure that food animals are free from diseases, which is essential for public health.
Their duties include vaccination, disease prevention and reproductive health management. For instance, the expertise of a food-animal veterinarian may be called upon to synchronize estrus cycles among cattle – a common practice to increase efficiency in livestock production. These vets also educate farmers about best practices in animal care and biosecurity.
Food safety and inspection veterinarians
These veterinarians are also essential for public health, as they oversee the safety and quality of animal-derived food products. They work with government agencies like the USDA or FDA, inspecting processing plants, ensuring compliance with health regulations and monitoring for potential foodborne illnesses.
Their work helps prevent contamination and ensures that food products are safe for human consumption. Food safety vets also contribute to developing policies and protocols that uphold the integrity of the food supply chain.
Research veterinarians
Research veterinarians work at the intersection of science and animal health. They contribute to advancements in veterinary medicine, pharmaceuticals and public health by conducting studies on diseases, vaccines and treatments. Their work often overlaps with human medicine, particularly in areas like zoonotic diseases – illnesses that can transfer between animals and humans.
These veterinarians may be employed by universities, research institutions or for research projects backed by government agencies like the CDC. Their efforts not only benefit animals but also contribute to broader societal goals, such as controlling disease outbreaks and improving medical treatments.
Wildlife veterinarians
Wildlife veterinarians treat and manage the health of wild animals, usually in conservation projects, zoos or rehabilitation centers. They handle injuries, disease control and population health monitoring. Work often supports broader veterinary fields of work linked to conservation and ecosystem health.
Equine veterinarians
Equine veterinarians are specialists in horse health who work in stables, farms and equine hospitals. They treat injuries, manage lameness, provide reproductive care and handle emergencies like colic. The role involves travel between sites and often appeals to veterinarians with an interest in equine sports, like racing and show.
Exotic animal veterinarians
Exotic animal veterinarians treat non-traditional pets like reptiles, birds and small mammals. They work in specialist clinics, zoos or referral hospitals, handling species-specific diseases, nutrition issues and husbandry-related conditions.
Emergency and critical care veterinarians
Emergency and critical care veterinarians manage urgent, life-threatening cases in emergency clinics and veterinary hospitals. They provide trauma care, surgery and intensive monitoring of critically ill animals. This is a fast-paced area within veterinary fields of work.
“Never believe that animals suffer less than humans. Pain is the same for them that it is for us. Even worse, because they cannot help themselves.”
Louis J. Camuti, the first vet in the U.S. to devote his entire practice to cats.
Where Do Veterinarians Work?
Veterinarians can be found in a wide variety of workplaces, reflecting the diverse roles they can hold. Here’s an overview of where veterinarians most often practice their skills:
- Private clinics and hospitals: Most companion-animal veterinarians work in private clinics or animal hospitals. These facilities are equipped to provide preventive care, emergency treatments and surgeries. Many veterinary hospitals also house advanced diagnostic tools like X-rays and ultrasound machines, enabling comprehensive patient care.
- Farms and rural areas: Food-animal veterinarians frequently work on-site at farms or in rural communities, where they provide services like herd health management and emergency care. Their work is critical to sustaining the agricultural industry and ensuring food security.
- Zoos and aquariums: Zoo veterinarians specialize in the care of exotic and wild animals. They work to treat illnesses, manage breeding programs and educate the public about wildlife conservation. These professionals often collaborate with conservation organizations to protect endangered species.
- Government agencies: Veterinarians employed by agencies like the USDA or CDC focus on food safety, disease control and public health. They monitor zoonotic diseases and help prevent outbreaks that could affect both animals and humans.
- Research labs: Research veterinarians work in laboratories, conducting experiments that advance scientific knowledge in veterinary and human medicine. Their work may include studying diseases, developing vaccines or testing the safety of new pharmaceuticals.
Whatever your eventual place of work, the journey to becoming a vet starts with veterinary school.
How Much Do Different Types of Veterinarians Make?
Your income as a vet will depend heavily on the specialty you choose, where you practice (geographically) and whether you work in private practice, academia or government services.
General practice veterinarians often earn in the range of $100,000 to $130,000 USD annually in the United States. Specialists can earn significantly more, and fields like veterinary surgery, oncology and emergency/critical care often command salaries between $150,000 and $250,000 USD or higher, reflecting the additional years of residency training required.
Interested in pursuing career success as a practicing vet?
Explore the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program at SMUSVM!
Veterinary Hospital vs. Veterinary Clinic: What’s the Difference?
While veterinary hospitals and clinics both provide essential animal care, they differ in scope and resources. Veterinary hospitals are larger facilities equipped to handle advanced medical cases, surgeries and emergencies. They often operate 24/7 and house specialists in various fields.
Veterinary clinics, on the other hand, focus on routine care like wellness exams, vaccinations and minor procedures. They are ideal for regular check-ups and preventive care. Both types of facilities are integral to the veterinary profession, offering complementary services to meet the needs of animals and their owners.
Which Veterinary Specialty is Right for You?
Choosing between different types of veterinarians depends on the patients you want to work with, the environment you thrive in and the lifestyle you’re after. Whether you’re drawn to the pace of an emergency clinic, the relationships built in general practice, or the impact of public health and research, there is a path in this field that fits your strengths and goals.
During veterinary school, you’ll be exposed to classes and clinical rotations that can help you determine whether pursuing a veterinary specialty or committing to general practice is the right move for you.
No matter which path you choose, there are benefits an challenges. Small animal practice offers consistent client connection but can mean long hours. Surgical and critical care roles are deeply fulfilling but emotionally demanding. Wildlife, zoo and exotic medicine is exciting but highly competitive.
Become a Veterinarian at St. Matthew’s University
Veterinary medicine offers a world of opportunity for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in animal healthcare. At St. Matthew’s University School of Veterinary Medicine (SMUSVM), aspiring vets receive the training and support needed to excel in this rewarding field.
Founded in 2005, SMUSVM has delivered veterinary education and early hands-on training for 450+ Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program graduates. SMUSVM alumni have become practicing veterinarians in the U.S., Canada and internationally.
For a glimpse of our Basic Science learning environment on the island of Grand Cayman, and to hear insights from a practicing alum, check out this testimonial video:
Then when you’re ready to embark on this exciting journey, start your DVM program application!
You can also contact us with questions or choose a time to hear from admissions at an upcoming webinar.
FAQs About Veterinary Careers
Yes, veterinarians are doctors (when they hold a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree) who diagnose, treat and perform surgery on animals.
Veterinary specialists tend to earn the highest salaries in the field. Surgeons, cardiologists and oncologists are among the top earners, with salaries often ranging from $150,000 to $250,000 USD in the United States.
Yes, many veterinarians choose to focus their careers on specific animal species or animal groups. Common examples include equine vets who work exclusively with horses, feline-only practitioners and exotic animal specialists who treat birds, reptiles and small mammals.
It depends on the practice. Companion animal vets primarily treat dogs and cats, while large animal vets work with livestock such as cattle, pigs and sheep. Some vets in mixed practice treat a broad range of species across both small and large animal medicine.