Doctor of Veterinary Medicine

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Name	Doctor of Veterinary Medicine
Abbreviation	DVM, VMD
Type	Professional doctorate
Field	Veterinary medicine
Duration	Typically 4 years post-baccalaureate
Prerequisites	Undergraduate coursework
Countries	United States, Canada, others
Related quals	Bachelor of Veterinary Science, Master of Veterinary Science

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine is a professional doctoral degree for veterinarians in several countries, including the United States and Canada. It qualifies graduates to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease in a wide range of animal species. The degree is the terminal credential required for licensure to practice veterinary medicine in these regions, analogous to the Doctor of Medicine for human physicians.

Overview

The degree is awarded upon completion of a rigorous professional program accredited by bodies like the American Veterinary Medical Association Council on Education. Historically, the first school to grant the degree in North America was the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine in 1876. Other institutions conferring the degree include the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, which awards the Veterinariae Medicinae Doctoris, and the University of California, Davis. The curriculum integrates foundational sciences such as anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology with extensive clinical training. This model ensures graduates meet the high standards set by professional organizations and state veterinary medical boards.

Education and training

Prospective students must complete extensive undergraduate prerequisites in subjects like biology, chemistry, and physics before applying to competitive programs. The professional program typically spans four years, with the first two focusing on biomedical sciences and the latter two on clinical rotations. Students gain hands-on experience at teaching hospitals like those at Colorado State University or the University of Georgia. Many programs also offer opportunities for research in fields like infectious disease at institutions such as the National Institutes of Health. Following graduation, most new veterinarians complete a one-year internship at facilities like the Animal Medical Center in New York City to refine their skills before independent practice or specialization.

Licensing and regulation

All graduates must obtain a license from the jurisdiction where they intend to practice, which involves passing the North American Veterinary Licensing Examination. Individual states or provinces, such as California or Ontario, may have additional examinations or requirements administered by their veterinary medical board. Continuing education is mandatory for license renewal, ensuring practitioners stay current with advancements from organizations like the World Organisation for Animal Health. Regulatory bodies, including the United States Department of Agriculture, also set standards for veterinarians involved in public health roles or food safety inspection.

Specializations

After earning the degree, veterinarians can pursue board certification in various specialties through organizations like the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. Recognized specialties include veterinary surgery, overseen by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons, and veterinary internal medicine, governed by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine. Other fields include veterinary dermatology, veterinary oncology, and veterinary emergency and critical care. Specialists often work at referral centers like the Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston or in academia at schools like the University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine.

Roles and responsibilities

Holders of the degree work in diverse settings, including private companion animal practices, equine medicine facilities, and food animal production systems. They are integral to public health, working for agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on zoonotic disease control. Responsibilities range from performing surgery and prescribing medication to conducting research for pharmaceutical companies like Zoetis. Many also serve in the United States Army Veterinary Corps or with organizations such as the Humane Society of the United States in animal welfare roles.

Professional organizations

The primary professional association in the United States is the American Veterinary Medical Association, which advocates for the profession and publishes the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. Other significant bodies include the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association and state associations like the California Veterinary Medical Association. Specialists belong to colleges such as the American College of Veterinary Pathologists. International collaboration occurs through entities like the World Veterinary Association and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the United Kingdom.

Category:Veterinary medicine Category:Doctoral degrees Category:Health care occupations