Introduction
The pet industry is growing at an alarming rate with more and more people welcoming pets into their homes. Besides, farm animals and livestock are also essential components, contributing to the overall expansion of the animal care sector.
So, if you are the one who is an animal lover and passionate about promoting the health and welfare of animals, a career as a Veterinary Doctor is an ideal choice for you.
Now, if you wondering about how to become a Veterinary Doctor, then keep reading as this blog will provide you with all the essential details.
Who is a Veterinary Doctor?
A Veterinary Doctor, also known as a Veterinarian, is a medical professional who specialises in diagnosing, treating, and preventing illnesses and injuries in animals. They provide medical care to a wide range of animals, including pets, livestock, and wildlife.
Veterinarians perform surgeries, administer vaccinations, prescribe medications, and offer advice on animal care and nutrition. They play a crucial role in ensuring the health and well-being of animals and can work in various settings such as private clinics, animal hospitals, zoos, farms, and research facilities.
Types of Veterinary Doctor
There are various types of Veterinary Doctors, each specialising in different areas of animal health.
Some of the common types are listed below:
- Veterinary Assistant
- Veterinary Supervisor
- Food Animal Veterinarians
- Equine Veterinary Doctors
- Research Veterinary Doctors
- Companion Animal Veterinarian
- Exotic Animal Veterinarians
- Wildlife Veterinarians
- Food Safety and Inspection Veterinarians
- Veterinary Technologist, etc.
Career Scope as Veterinary Doctor
Veterinary Doctors have a huge career scope in India. According to a report by Statista, a global data analytics company, India had over 27 million pet dogs in 2021. This number is expected to reach over 43 million by 2026.
The pet care sector in India is growing rapidly, with more people becoming pet owners. This has led to an increase in the number of veterinary clinics and hospitals to meet the ever-increasing demand.
The Indian Animal Health Industry is also booming, with a value of around INR 7000 Crore and over 50 companies operating in the sector. Animal husbandry has long been important to India’s economy, alongside agriculture.
Besides, livestock is vital to India’s economy, contributing around 4.5% to the country’s GDP. Approximately 16.44 million people are directly employed in this sector.
These trends highlight the rapid growth of the veterinary sector in India, creating job opportunities for those passionate about animal care.
Role & Responsibilities of Veterinary Doctor
The primary responsibility of Veterinary Doctors is to diagnose and cure the animals. Their daily task involves educating the animal owners about pet nutrition, breeding and reproduction of animals, and performing surgeries on animals as and when needed.
Some of the other responsibilities of a Veterinary Doctor include:
- Giving vaccinations to animals
- Performing diagnostic tests
- Analysing the medical tests of the animals and giving treatment based on the results
- Providing emergency care to animals
- Engaging in animal health research, etc.
Employment Scope Career Options for Veterinary Doctor
There are many career options in veterinary science. You can become a Veterinary Receptionist, Assistant, or Supervisor, Veterinary Sales Manager, or Livestock Development Officer, among other roles.
A career in this field offers many opportunities because you can work in places like animal shelters, private clinics, and public health research groups.
Companies such as Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology, Diagnostics, Clinical Research Services, Animal Foods, and Agrochemical industries also often recruit Veterinary Doctors.
Some of the top companies that recruit Veterinary Doctors include:
- Vivaldis Health and Foods Pvt. Ltd., Pune
- Veko Care Pvt. Ltd., Pune
- Terzetto Pharma Metrics
- CRPF Paramedical Department
- The Indian Veterinary Association
- Agriculture Insurance Company of India Limited
- Utkarsh Global Foundation, Mumbai
- PETA India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
- Amul Dairy, etc.
Salary Range
The salary of Veterinary Doctors depends upon experience, expertise, location, and the level of education. It also depends upon whether you are working in the private sector, in government hospitals, or having your clinic.
As a fresh graduate, a Veterinary Doctor can earn an annual package of around 5 lacs in India. As you progress in your career and gain experience, Veterinary Doctors can earn a package as high as 10 to 12 lacs per annum.
How to Become a Veterinary Doctor?
Becoming a Veterinary Doctor needs a formal education, training, hard work, and dedication.
Candidates need to follow the below steps to become a Veterinary Doctor.
- Complete Higher Secondary Education: It is the first step towards becoming a Veterinary Doctor. Candidates need to clear the higher secondary education (Grade 10+2) from the Science stream with a good percentage and from a recognised board. The subjects chosen in 10+2 grade must be Physics, Chemistry, and Biology. Candidates can also pursue a veterinary diploma course after completing class 10.
- Appear for NEET Entrance Exam: After passing the grade 12, candidates need to appear for the NEET entrance exam. It is mandatory to clear the NEET exam for enrolling into the college. NEET exam can be taken either after passing grade 12 or your veterinary diploma program.
- Complete the Bachelor’s degree: After clearing the NEET exam, candidates can seek admission into colleges and complete their Bachelor’s education. Numerous colleges in India offer undergraduate courses in Veterinary Science.
- Internship: Candidates can do an internship of 6 months to 1 year after completing the BVSc degree. Internships are important for gaining practical experience and honing clinical skills under the supervision of experienced veterinarians.
- Obtain the License: It is the final step for becoming a Veterinary Doctor in India. License can be obtained by registering with the Veterinary Council of India (VCI). Candidates can apply for a license after completing the internship and submitting the necessary documents. Also, they can start practicing as a Veterinary Doctor once they receive the license.
Eligibility Criteria and Entrance Exam for Veterinary Science Course
Veterinary Science is a full-time degree course just like the MBBS course. So, candidates must fulfil the following criteria before enrolling for the course:
- Candidates applying for undergraduate (UG) courses must have completed 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as the core subjects. Also, they should have achieved at least 55% from a recognised board.
- Those applying for postgraduate (PG) courses should have a BVSc degree from a recognised university or college with a minimum of 50%.
Apart from the eligibility criteria, candidates also need to clear the entrance exams. The entrance exams vary as per the college. NEET, AAU VET, OUAT, and RPVT are the most common entrance exams conducted for seeking admission to the Veterinary Science course.
Skills Required to Become a Veterinary Doctor
Unlike humans, animals cannot verbally communicate their symptoms and feelings. So Veterinarians must rely on observation, tests, and physical exams to diagnose and treat them.
Besides they also need skills such as effective communication, animal handling, attention to detail, surgical expertise, time and business management, critical thinking, empathy, and excellent diagnostic skills to treat animals.
Top Colleges for Veterinary Science Course
Selecting a college with good job placement opportunities is important for a successful career. This helps you achieve your dreams and succeed in the future.
Numerous colleges in India offer Veterinary Science courses. Some of the top colleges are listed below:
- Maharashtra Animal and Fishery Sciences University (MAFSU), Nagpur
- Bombay Veterinary College, Parel
- Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science (KNPVC), Satara
- College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Parbhani under Marathwada University
- College of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry, Anand
- Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU)
- Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya, Mathura – UP
- West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata
- Madras Veterinary College, Chennai
Fees for Veterinary Science Course
Bachelor in Veterinary Science (BVSc) is an undergraduate program of 5 years. The course fees mainly depend on the institute, location, and whether you are pursuing it from a private or government college.
The fees in government colleges in India are much less than the private colleges.
- Government colleges — Rs. 30 to 50k per year (1.5 lacs to 2.5 lacs for 5 year course)
- Private colleges — Rs. 1 to 3 lacs per year (5 to 15 lacs for 5 year course).
Apart from the course fees, candidates may also need to incur hostel fees if they prefer to pursue the degree from distant cities.
Conclusion
A career as a Veterinary Doctor is rewarding for those who have a deep love for animals and care for their overall well-being. It’s a profession that presents new challenges every day. But at the same time, one also gets opportunities to make a positive impact on society.
From caring for beloved pets to safeguarding the health of livestock and wildlife, Veterinarians play a crucial role in ensuring the welfare of animals.