Veterinary medicine encompasses the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and control of disease in animals. This field of science encompasses all aspects of animal care including husbandry, breeding, research into nutrition, food safety and product development as well as examination and treatment for domesticated and wild species alike.
American Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners (ABVME) recognizes five specialties within veterinary medicine, such as food animal medicine, large animal medicine, small animal medicine, equine medicine and exotic animal medicine. Each specialty offers specific expertise such as anatomy, physiology, microbiology, pharmacology pathology hematology and immunology; additionally there are intersections with fields like epidemiology biochemistry infectious disease environmental medicine etc.
Veterinarians care deeply about all animals – from domesticated house pets and wildlife to livestock and farm animals. Additionally, veterinarians are dedicated to improving animal health ranging from newborn hamsters all the way up to adult elephants. Furthermore, their work helps ensure profitability in farming and ranching operations by maintaining herd health and improving product quality.
Veterinarians must complete extensive coursework in the sciences during their college careers, typically including biology, chemistry, math, computer science statistics and social sciences. Admission into veterinary schools can be highly competitive – most require applicants possessing at least a bachelor’s degree with specific undergraduate prerequisites before being considered for admission; additional standardized tests such as Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) might also be administered as prerequisites to admission.
Veterinarians use various tools, such as radiography, ultrasound, blood work and laboratory analyses, to diagnose and treat animal patients in clinical environments. Furthermore, they have training in surgery, anesthesia, ophthalmology and dentistry.
Research with animal models plays a pivotal role in advancing veterinary medicine. Animal models provide scientists with insight into the mechanisms underlying a variety of diseases while serving as valuable resources for drug discovery and product development. UW SVM stands at the forefront of this One Health initiative with internationally-recognized faculty who produce discoveries that benefit both humans and animals alike.
UW SVM prides itself on being a model of community service and outreach, beyond academic offerings. Through various initiatives to assist pet-owners better understand and care for their animals – such as its Center for Pet Owner Education and Training (CPET), its programs work to educate people on proper nutrition, feeding and behavior of dogs and cats as well as offer free vaccinations – as well as outreach programs geared at children, families and remote areas using telemedicine – it strives to be a global leader in improving animal and human health and wellbeing alike! Through all its activities the School of Veterinary Medicine strives to be at the forefront in advance animal health while furthering health in both animals as well as people alike!