Help, Please!

[simbaismydog]

---

Members don't see this ad.

Hello Everyone
I'm studying Veterinary Science in India. I'm in my 4th Year and have another year to go before I complete my degree.
As opposed to DVM, the UG degree they offer here is called Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. & A.H.). It is a 5 year course, which includes a 6 month Internship prgramme.
My ambition is to work as a Vet in a Zoo or Sanctuary.
I am interested to apply for a Masters' degree in Australia, UK or the U.S in Wildlife, or Clinincal Medicine or Surgery.
I am not sure how the system works there, or how the departments are classified. Also, I have heard that a B.V.Sc degree may not be accepted abroad and that you need to appear for certain exams for it to be accepted. I have an average CGPA, not excellent.
Can anyone please guide me as to how I should go about it?
Also, is it really essential I do a masters? Will I be eligible for an externship in any zoo or veterinary clinic abroad after I complete my degree?
Thanks a lot in advance.

 

[hygebeorht]

I am not sure - current students or int'l students may be able to answer this better - but I think that if you pass the necessary exam you will be eligible to practice in the US. Aside from any immigration issues, I don't see why you would be less able to find externships, internships, or other opportunities, although zoo medicine is very competitive.

I do not believe a Master's would be necessary for what you want to do, but I'm not really there yet. Any current vet students or int'l students with information out there?

 

[simbaismydog]

Thanks, hygebeorht.
are you studying in the U.S.?

 

[RinTinTin]

I am not a current student, but last year I worked with a tech who had graduated from veterinary school in India. He worked as a tech while he studied for the exam. He passed the exam and got an internship at a university here in the US. I don't know exactly what the exam is called that foreign veterinary graduates have to pass, but you can probably find more information in the veterinary forum than here in the pre-vet forum.

 

[hygebeorht]

Thanks, hygebeorht.
are you studying in the U.S.?

I will begin veterinary school in the fall in the US. Also, what RinTinTin says is probably true. Check out the vet forum as well!

 

[RinTinTin]

Also, from what I've just read it looks like foreign veterinary graduates have to pass multiple exams including the NAVLE which is the licensing exam that all veterinarians have to take to practice in North America.

 

[jlindp]

I'm not a foreign student, but I believe the test you have to take is the Basic and Clinical Sciences Examination (information here: ECFVG). There's a couple of steps for certification and completion of the NAVLE is not one of those. However, to practice in the U.S., you must pass the NAVLE and then the state boards (whatever state you want to practice in).

As far as applying for a Master's degree, that's going to be dependent on the university you want to apply to. I know that Michigan State, Texas A&M, Auburn, and Oregon State have some great programs in Wildlife Management/Ecology/Conservation, etc. You'd just have to get in contact with program advisors at each school.

Hope that helps. Good luck with the rest of your studies!

 

[jlindp]

Also, is it really essential I do a masters? Will I be eligible for an externship in any zoo or veterinary clinic abroad after I complete my degree?
Thanks a lot in advance.

Also, no. I don't think it would be necessary (or very relevant) to do a Master's to be eligible for a veterinary externship, regardless of type/location. I think your main goal is completing the requirements for ECFVG certification.

 

[twelvetigers]

You have to pass either the ECFVG or the PAVE. The PAVE is not accepted in all states. The AVMA website is probably a good place to do some researching.

 

[hopefulinva]

If you intend to work as a zoo vet in the US, it's my understanding that you'll be expected to have completed a residency.

I haven't done a ton of poking around, but what I have seen (as per the American Association of Zoo Vets - here: http://www.aazv.org/ ), most residencies run to about 3 years and require a 1 year internship prior to application to the residency program.

These internships and residencies are incredibly competitive, and even once you've completed them, the job market is also very competitive; a lot of people who get zoo vet jobs keep them 'til they retire.

I'm not sure where on the hierarchy your degree would place you, but I would imagine they'd still like to see an internship/residency on your resume.

(People who are more in the know, please correct me!)

 

[dyachei]

If you intend to work as a zoo vet in the US, it's my understanding that you'll be expected to have completed a residency.

I haven't done a ton of poking around, but what I have seen (as per the American Association of Zoo Vets - here: http://www.aazv.org/ ), most residencies run to about 3 years and require a 1 year internship prior to application to the residency program.

These internships and residencies are incredibly competitive, and even once you've completed them, the job market is also very competitive; a lot of people who get zoo vet jobs keep them 'til they retire.

I'm not sure where on the hierarchy your degree would place you, but I would imagine they'd still like to see an internship/residency on your resume.

(People who are more in the know, please correct me!)

correct, but most people have issues finding jobs with zoos and residencies and it is becoming common to need a small animal internship before your exotics internship