Should I be a livestock veterinarian?

Are you a compassionate person who loves farm animals?

Do you enjoy living and/or working on a farm?

If so, you might be an aspiring livestock veterinarian!

A livestock veterinarian specializes in treating animals typically found on farms and ranches, such as horses, cows, sheep, goats, and pigs.

Photo by Stefanie Poepken on Unsplash

On any given day, a livestock veterinarian might:

• diagnose and treat the illnesses of animals and care for their wounds

• prescribe medications, perform surgeries, and attend to births

• perform health and wellness exams

• provide information and advice to animal owners

1. Earn a Bachelor's degree in a related field such as animal science, biology, or pre-veterinary medicine.

2. Attend veterinary school to obtain a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DMV) degree. This is typically a four-year program that includes hands-on experience through internships and residency.

Private or Group Practice

Travel to farms and ranches to treat large animals.

Pharmaceuticals

Work in veterinary pharmaceutical research to develop, test, and supervise drug production.

Government

Work as a researcher for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), or related agencies.

Academia

Become a researcher and professor at a university's school of veterinary medicine. Serve in classrooms, clinics, and laboratories.

The average annual salary in the U.S. is $114,099 (USD).

The average annual salary in Canada is $103,687 (CAD).

You'll love it if you...

• have a passion for working with and improving the lives of animals

• are a compassionate effective listener and communicator

• are willing to travel to farms and work in various weather conditions

You might not if you...

• are afraid of working with large and sick animals

• don't want to go through at least 4 years of vet school after undergraduate studies

• don't like working long hours on nights and weekends

Maricris

• enjoys animals of all sizes

• volunteers at animal shelters and farms

• likes traveling and being "on the go"

• willing to be "on call" and treat animals during emergencies

Jason

• enjoys small animals, afraid of big ones

• no volunteer experience

• prefers to work remotely

• plans to work a set schedule: Monday through Friday, 8am-5pm

Are you ready to launch your career as a livestock veterinarian?