A veterinarian is a medical professional who diagnoses, treats and prevents disease in animals. In everyday English, a veterinarian is called a vet or a veterinary doctor, and in many Indian languages simply an animal doctor (for example, pashu chikitsak in Hindi). Vets care for pets, farm animals, wildlife and zoo animals, and also protect human health by controlling diseases that pass between animals and people.
Meaning of “veterinarian” and “vet”
- Veterinarian: a person qualified and licensed to practise veterinary medicine.
- Vet: the short, everyday form of veterinarian (and veterinary). In British English, “veterinary surgeon” is also used, even for vets who are not surgeons.
- Veterinary: relating to the medical care of animals, as in “veterinary clinic” or “veterinary medicine”.
The word comes from the Latin veterinae, meaning working animals or beasts of burden. Note that “to vet” something, meaning to check it carefully, is a different, figurative use of the same word.
What does a veterinarian do?
| Activity | Examples |
|---|---|
| Preventive care | Vaccinations, checkups, parasite control. See our pet health checkup guide |
| Diagnosis | Physical exams, blood tests, X-rays, ultrasound |
| Treatment | Prescribing medicines, wound care, hospital care |
| Surgery | Spay/neuter, tumour removal, fracture repair, dental surgery |
| Emergency care | Trauma, poisoning, breathing problems. See our pet emergency guide |
| Public health | Rabies control, food safety, zoonotic disease surveillance |
| Livestock health | Herd health, breeding, disease outbreaks |
| Client education | Nutrition, behaviour, end-of-life care |
Types of veterinarians
- Companion animal (small animal) vets: dogs, cats and other pets
- Exotic animal vets: reptiles, birds, rabbits and small mammals. See our exotic pet vet guide
- Large animal and livestock vets: cattle, buffalo, goats, sheep, pigs, poultry
- Equine vets: horses
- Specialists: internal medicine, surgery, cardiology, ophthalmology and more. See types of veterinary specialists
- Public health, research, industry and wildlife vets
Vet vs vet tech vs vet assistant
| Veterinarian | Vet tech / nurse | Vet assistant | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnose and prescribe | Yes | No | No |
| Perform surgery | Yes | Assist | No |
| Training | Veterinary degree | Technician programme | On-the-job or short course |
Read what does a vet tech do? for more.
How to become a veterinarian
You need a recognised veterinary degree and registration or a licence to practise. In India that means the BVSc and AH degree and State Veterinary Council registration; in the US, a DVM and a state licence.
How to choose a good vet
For pet owners, the most important question is not what a vet is called but how to find a good one. See how to choose the best vet for your pet.
Frequently asked questions
What is an animal doctor called?
An animal doctor is called a veterinarian, usually shortened to vet. “Veterinary doctor” and “veterinary surgeon” are also used.
Is a vet a real doctor?
Yes. Veterinarians complete a professional medical degree and are addressed as “Dr”, though they are licensed to treat animals, not people.
What is the full form of vet?
Vet is short for veterinarian (or veterinary surgeon). In a different context, “vet” is also short for “veteran”, which is unrelated.
Run a veterinary clinic?
Chenil is a free vet CRM for single-doctor clinics. It sends vaccination and checkup reminders automatically, keeps patient records in one place and handles appointments. See the features or book a demo.