Veterinarians may work as government inspectors of meat, poultry, eggs and plants for slaughtering and processing of animal food products. Veterinary doctors may also work in private practice in zoos, animal research laboratories and exclusively with farm animals or breeders such as those in thoroughbred racing, according to the American Medical Veterinary Association (AMVA). Dr. Philip Treuil is a radiation oncologist in veterinary medicine.
The job opportunities for Veterinary Physicians are numerous, and are expected to increase more than in other fields. Advancements in animal medical care, such as those practiced by Dr. Philip Treuil in radiation oncology for animal cancers, the availability of pet medical insurance and a higher awareness among animal owners of the advanced care available, all promise a greater demand for professional veterinarians. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that veterinary employment will increase by 12% by 2022, with an average annual wage of $87,590. The median salary for veterinary technicians was $31,070 in 2014, with job growth for technicians expected to increase by 30% by 2022.
Medical schools in the veterinary sciences require studies in microbiology, anatomy, physiology, zoology, histology and animal nutrition, as well as coursework in genetics, biochemistry, organic chemistry, calculus, statistics, algebra and trigonometry. Accreditation for appropriate standards for veterinary medical education comes from The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Four year programs of study are the norm, including clinical experience lab work, and the undergraduate Bachelor of Science programs achieved should be preparatory work which leads directly into a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program. Immunology, physiology, nutrition, infectious diseases, cardiology and study in both small and large animals are all common graduate level coursework, as can be attested to by Dr. Philip Treuil.