just another discertation

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Traci
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Post by Traci »

I'm not talking about quantity or length of time it requires to get a DVM degree, residency, etc. I'm talking about the quality. Vets must learn about several different species in the process, not to mention the various levels of medicine for each species.
..........Traci
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davet
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i was kinda duimb i think cause i had 5 years of

Post by davet »

college (two degrees, then four years of vet school and then 6 months internship divided into two , three month units..but if i were to specialize in surgery or what ever it would have been another year, depending....my brother did race horse practice so he did the four and four and then one year in kentucky....but like MD's we have to obtain so many hours of continuing ed each year...i was licensed in three states and for some reason these CE course did not over lap, ie one state would accept one course and the other two did not...very confusing..but if i had to do it over again, i would still do the same thing...i originally wanted to be either a human orthopod or gyney guy but after spending a month in the army hospital, i decided i liked animals better and went back to my original desire..vet med....Hmmm, story of my life, how bout that
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k9Karen
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I get it.

Post by k9Karen »

Traci wrote:I'm not talking about quantity or length of time it requires to get a DVM degree, residency, etc. I'm talking about the quality. Vets must learn about several different species in the process, not to mention the various levels of medicine for each species.
Even if all you plan to take care of in your practice is exotic birds, for example, you still have to learn about dogs, cats, rabbits, cows, pigs, horses, etc. Which in some ways are similar, but also very different. I understand now. Thanks
"A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." ~ Josh Billings.
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Julie B.
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Amen, davet.....msg

Post by Julie B. »

good post about the medications AND about vets and their education, etc. you and Traci have hit the nail on the head. We have to learn a multitude of species. Of course we aren't required to do an internship or residency (ah, if only I was younger and didn't have a hubby waiting for me to graduate), but those that do are in post graduate training for 8+ years!! Speaking of all the species, I am doing my Large animal medicine and surgery rotations this month (after my finals). I am very excited. I thought i'd want them over with, but I am very much looking forward to them. Our board exams cover ALL species. Also, we owe just as much in educational loans as our MD counterparts, but make MUCH less. Oh well, that's what you get for choosoing veterinary medicine over human medi ine. Can you tell we went out for beers tonight after 2 exams? next one is Sunday(exam that is, not beers!)
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davet
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hey.Julie B--good luck on your exams but remember

Post by davet »

there are very few questions about hangovers....good luck
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Traci
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Re: I get it.

Post by Traci »

k9Karen wrote:Even if all you plan to take care of in your practice is exotic birds, for example, you still have to learn about dogs, cats, rabbits, cows, pigs, horses, etc. Which in some ways are similar, but also very different. I understand now. Thanks
Exactly. But it's not really similar as you say, there are so many differences between the species, plus take into consideration pharmacology, that's a whole other area! Even if an equine vet, for example, has his/her accomplished practice for equine only, chances are that vet is going to need his/her prior education for other pets more than once in his career.

Our clinic is small animal, plus exotics. But, our vets will handle equine emergencies outside of the clinic, zoo visits/exams/surgeries, wildlife, and any living critter that comes into the doors. It's also an on-going learning process, learn something new about a different species every single day :)
..........Traci
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