Veterinary Specialties

[Emiloo4]

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What are all the different specialties available for veterinarians to pursue? I thought we could make a list and add on. I am personally interested in parasitology but am not really sure what specialty I would have the most exposure to that in 😕

GO!


Small Animal
Large Animal
Food Animal
Aquatic Animal
Internal Medicine
Ophthalmology
Dermatology
Pathology
.....


I mean we all know the basic ones, but what are some others that we may not all have been exposed to? I once sat on a plane next to two marine mammal ophthalmologists on their way back from Australia just to do an eye surgery on a Sea Lion 😍

 

[heylodeb]

I have to leave for work in 4 minutes so this is NOT an exhaustive list - just getting it going. 🙂


Small Animal
Large Animal
Food Animal
Aquatic Animal
Internal Medicine
Ophthalmology
Dermatology
Pathology (clinical, anatomic)
Surgery (soft tissue, orthopedic)
Neurology
Oncology
Behavior
Emergency Medicine
Critical Care

 

[Emiloo4]

I have to leave for work in 4 minutes so this is NOT an exhaustive list - just getting it going. 🙂


Small Animal
Large Animal
Food Animal
Aquatic Animal
Internal Medicine
Ophthalmology
Dermatology
Pathology (clinical, anatomic)
Surgery (soft tissue, orthopedic)
Neurology
Oncology
Behavior
Emergency Medicine
Critical Care

Thanks! Yeah, I didn't list everything I'm aware of either, just trying to get it started. 👍

 

[devyn]

Oncology
Surgery
Cardiology
Emergency Medicine/Critical Care
Behavior
Dentistry
Exotics
Equine
Lab Animal
Radiology
Zoo
Neuro
Repro

 

[Emiloo4]

Small Animal
Large Animal
Food Animal
Aquatic Animal
Internal Medicine
Ophthalmology
Dermatology
Pathology (clinical, anatomic)
Surgery
Soft tissue
Orthopedic
Neurology
Oncology
Behavior
Emergency Medicine/ Critical Care
Cardiology
Dentistry
Exotics
Equine
Lab Animal
Radiology
Zoo
Neuro
Repro
_______

 

[cuitlamiztli]

Because I am lazy: http://www.avma.org/education/abvs/specialty_orgs/default.asp 🙂

 

[Fly Racing]

Small Animal
Large Animal
Food Animal
Aquatic Animal
Internal Medicine
Ophthalmology
Dermatology
Pathology (clinical, anatomic)
Surgery
Soft tissue
Orthopedic
Neurology
Oncology
Behavior
Emergency Medicine/ Critical Care
Cardiology
Dentistry
Exotics
Equine
Lab Animal
Radiology
Zoo
Repro
Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (canine or equine)
Nutrition

I hope it ok that I removed a double listed item!
_______[/QUOTE]

 

[bbeventer]

Small Animal
Large Animal
Food Animal
Aquatic Animal
Internal Medicine
Ophthalmology
Dermatology
Pathology (clinical, anatomic)
Surgery
Soft tissue
Orthopedic
Neurology
Oncology
Behavior
Emergency Medicine/ Critical Care
Cardiology
Dentistry
Exotics
Equine
Lab Animal
Radiology
Zoo
Repro
Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (canine or equine)
Nutrition
Parasitology

 

[Emiloo4]

Because I am lazy: http://www.avma.org/education/abvs/specialty_orgs/default.asp 🙂

Oh sweet, that works too, thanks! 😀 I'll add those all and then call this thread pointless At least it can be a good reference for people like me who don't know how to find the information I'm looking for in such an obvious place

Anesthesia
Avian Small Animal
Aquatic Animal
Bacteriology/Mycology
Beef Cattle Practice
Behavior
Cardiology
Dairy Practice
Dentistry
Dermatology
Emergency Medicine/ Critical Care
Epidemiology
Equine
Exotics
Food Animal
Immunology
Internal Medicine
Lab Animal
Large Animal
Microbiology
Neurology
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedic
Parasitology
Pathology (clinical, anatomic)
Pharmacology
Preventive Medicine
Radiology
Reproductive Medicine (Theriogenology)
Soft tissue
Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation (canine or equine)
Surgery
Swine Health Management
Toxicology
Virology
Zoo Medicine

Cool! Thanks everyone! 👍

 

[PetPony]

Does Theriogenology count as a specialty? That's what I'm interested in. So far at least.

 

[sarah1029]

Does Theriogenology count as a specialty? That's what I'm interested in. So far at least.

Yep, repro was listed 🙂

 

[PetPony]

Yep, repro was listed 🙂

Didn't see it. Thanks.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Now, a better question for those considering specializing - how many of these are just "focus" areas versus actual specialties (ie, you need to do a residency and/or be officially boarded by a national organization?) Some of these governing organizations do not require a residency, only that you work for a certain number of years in the field, some of them only want you to pass a test, etc. This may make a different for those interested.

 

[PetPony]

Yea, I didn't really understand all of that. How do I prove I've been working enough in the field of repro to be counted as specialized?

 

[Emiloo4]

Now, a better question for those considering specializing - how many of these are just "focus" areas versus actual specialties (ie, you need to do a residency and/or be officially boarded by a national organization?) Some of these governing organizations do not require a residency, only that you work for a certain number of years in the field, some of them only want you to pass a test, etc. This may make a different for those interested.

👍 If anyone has information like this, please add! 😀

 

[Psittacidae]

Now, a better question for those considering specializing - how many of these are just "focus" areas versus actual specialties (ie, you need to do a residency and/or be officially boarded by a national organization?) Some of these governing organizations do not require a residency, only that you work for a certain number of years in the field, some of them only want you to pass a test, etc. This may make a different for those interested.

If avian medicine required a residency, I'd be less inclined to pursue it. Or, I may have put off starting this journey until I had more savings to draw from during a residency. As a nontrad, its very important to me to get back to earning somewhat normal wages as quickly as possible after vet school. That being said, as a self professed "bird lady" I'd probably do whatever was required to make my avian vet dreams come true 🙂 Luckily for me, after a few years working in a setting that takes avian patients regularly and passing an exam, I can become board certified without an internship/residency.

 

[PetPony]

Is it possible to work after graduation because you don't want to specialize, but go back after a few years to do a residency/internship because you changed your mind?

 

[Psittacidae]

Is it possible to work after graduation because you don't want to specialize, but go back after a few years to do a residency/internship because you changed your mind?

Great question! Would love someone to answer this as well

 

[prevetdreamer]

Is it possible to work after graduation because you don't want to specialize, but go back after a few years to do a residency/internship because you changed your mind?

I am fairly certain this is a legitimate possibility. I know of a few vets that went right into practice after graduation, but a few years down the road decided to pursue a specialty. As far as I know it worked out just fine for them.

WhtsThFrequency, I believe that the areas such as small, large, avian, exotics, etc do not require an actual internship, residency, or test. They are just focus areas. Things like neuro, repro, and zoo animal require additional education/residency after vet school, along with a boards examination. I could be wrong, but this is my understanding from what I have found on the web (this is what I do in my free time lol). If anyone has more knowledge on the matter, feel free to correct me!

 

[prevetdreamer]

Also, you could always focus your education in vet school towards a specific "specialty", but not do the additional education and examination. You would have additional knowledge and proficiency in the topic, perhaps more so than someone who focused on more general information, but wouldn't technically be a specialist. I know of a few vets who did this and although they weren't board certified specialists, they were able to provide a higher level of care in their particular topic. Does that make sense at all?

ex: One of the veterinarians I worked with just did general small animal, no specialty. But during vet school he focused his education, especially clinicals, towards orthopedic surgery. Because of this, the clinic was able to provide in house TPLOs and other such surgeries that other vets may have to send out to a specialist because they don't have the adequate experience to perform them.

 

[shortnsweet]

Is it possible to work after graduation because you don't want to specialize, but go back after a few years to do a residency/internship because you changed your mind?

For sure possible.

In fact, that is what the majority of UK vets do (most are shocked when US students say they are going directly into internships/residencies). Many go into mixed or private practice for a few years, then decide which direction they really want to go in. The power of the vet degree. 🙂

 

[Emiloo4]

For sure possible.

In fact, that is what the majority of UK vets do (most are shocked when US students say they are going directly into internships/residencies). Many go into mixed or private practice for a few years, then decide which direction they really want to go in. The power of the vet degree. 🙂

Yeah this is more along the lines of what I'd like to do.

 

[kakurubird]

Is it possible to work after graduation because you don't want to specialize, but go back after a few years to do a residency/internship because you changed your mind?

Obviously, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure a large proportion of residencies require some sort of internship or time in general practice beforehand. So, yes, it would be possible, as far as I know.

 

[PetPony]

I was thinking about trying to get one of those food animal jobs, where part of your debt is forgiven for every year you work. Get some debt out of the way before it accumulates too much more interest. And then go back and specialize.

Btw, those gov't programs. Are they like the IBR where you are taxed for the money you are forgiven?

Of course, all of this depending on whether those jobs are still available and me actually getting one. Hahaha.

 

[PetPony]

Obviously, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure a large proportion of residencies require some sort of internship or time in general practice beforehand. So, yes, it would be possible, as far as I know.

I've heard of having to do an internship, but never about a bet working first and then going back to school. That's why I was asking.

 

[jmo1012]

Obviously, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure a large proportion of residencies require some sort of internship or time in general practice beforehand. So, yes, it would be possible, as far as I know.

yes it is totally possible BUT for most people who go straight into practice, the thought of taking a huge pay cut and having a horrible schedule discourages going back to an internship/residency

 

[nyanko]

For sure possible.

In fact, that is what the majority of UK vets do (most are shocked when US students say they are going directly into internships/residencies). Many go into mixed or private practice for a few years, then decide which direction they really want to go in. The power of the vet degree. 🙂

US students are generally older when we graduate from vet school, though, (not even counting the career changers/non-trads) so that might explain some of this difference. A lot of the Type A crazies who go to vet school over here feel like they must accomplish X by Y age and get kind of antsy about it if they can't.

 

[jemappellejane]

Def don't need anything other than your degree to work with exotics, it's just a preference. We had a doc that saw all smalls, but also exotics. After she left, no one was "comfortable" enough to see exotics, so they're not welcome anymore

 

[shortnsweet]

US students are generally older when we graduate from vet school, though, (not even counting the career changers/non-trads) so that might explain some of this difference. A lot of the Type A crazies who go to vet school over here feel like they must accomplish X by Y age and get kind of antsy about it if they can't.

Oh for sure. I intend on going straight into an equine internship (though the equine world is funny that way), I was merely pointing out that it is possible, and not unheard of back home in the states 🙂

 

[jmo1012]

Def don't need anything other than your degree to work with exotics, it's just a preference. We had a doc that saw all smalls, but also exotics. After she left, no one was "comfortable" enough to see exotics, so they're not welcome anymore

this greatly depends on what you mean when you say "exotics." if you're someone looking to companion and pocket pets, then sure you don't need anything, but if you want exotics as in zoo/wildlife/exclusive pocket pets, you're going to need more simply because its such a tough field to break into (for exclusive, it's all about having the experience to offer a wider range of services needed to keep a business afloat).

 

[Bill59]

In the US, "Specialist" is generally considered to mean a board-certified specialist in one of the ABVS specialties (cuitlamiztli provided a link), This usually means a formal training program in the form of an internship and residency and passing an examination. A few specialties such as ABVP have non-residency programs.

Just because someone only treat horses, for example, does not mean they are an equine specialists and calling yourself a specialist in that instance is frowned upon and even prohibited in some states, because it's confusing to the public. This is usually handled by stating "Practice limited to equine" or whatever area.

In most states, the law doesn't make any distinction. A licensed veterinarian can practice veterinary medicine in any area -- surgery, equine, theriogenology, exotics ... whatever. It's up the the veterinarian to recognize what areas of practice they are competent in.

 

[jemappellejane]

this greatly depends on what you mean when you say "exotics." if you're someone looking to companion and pocket pets, then sure you don't need anything, but if you want exotics as in zoo/wildlife/exclusive pocket pets, you're going to need more simply because its such a tough field to break into (for exclusive, it's all about having the experience to offer a wider range of services needed to keep a business afloat).

Yes, thank you, and absolutely. As far as I'm concerned (having about 90% of my experience from a small animal practice), exotics = hamster/rabbit/iguana/turtle/ferret/etc. <---- which is totally bogus, if you ask me!! lol

 

[sunnex3]

just a quick reply...
a) can definitely do an internship after some years in private practice. one of the interns where i work right now came to her internship after a few years of doing relief work for banfield, and also doing vets without borders in india for a little while.
b) i know one doctor where i work right now who did an internship and even completed her residency in ECC, but never was board certified -- but she is definitely a different level in terms of the care she provides in the ICU, because of her specialized experience. and you can be a surgeon whose "practice is limited to surgery" - we have a couple of those where i work, who completed a residency but never were certified -- but they perform the same surgeries that the board certified ones do.

 

[jemappellejane]

this greatly depends on what you mean when you say "exotics." if you're someone looking to companion and pocket pets, then sure you don't need anything, but if you want exotics as in zoo/wildlife/exclusive pocket pets, you're going to need more simply because its such a tough field to break into (for exclusive, it's all about having the experience to offer a wider range of services needed to keep a business afloat).

Yes, thank you, and absolutely. As far as I'm concerned (having about 90% of my experience from a small animal practice), exotics = hamster/rabbit/iguana/turtle/ferret/etc. <---- which is totally bogus, if you ask me!! lol

 

[jemappellejane]

Fail.

 

[sunshinevet]

b) i know one doctor where i work right now who did an internship and even completed her residency in ECC, but never was board certified -- but she is definitely a different level in terms of the care she provides in the ICU, because of her specialized experience. and you can be a surgeon whose "practice is limited to surgery" - we have a couple of those where i work, who completed a residency but never were certified -- but they perform the same surgeries that the board certified ones do.

Yep and in that case they can refer themselves as "board eligible" if they have completed the required residency but haven't sat the exams 🙂 From what I gather, the exams are a horrible drawn out process that suck out your soul, so some people choose never to sit them!

 

[Tco87]

I know you can go back and do an internship/residency after you've been practicing for a while, but a vet I worked for pointed out that it's easier for most people to get letters of recommendation while you're in school because you're "fresh" in the minds of a larger pool of veterinarians/specialists.
Although, I suppose that depends on you and what kind of relationships you develop in school. I know someone who graduated in 2010 and several of the clinicians at her school remembered her when she went to visit recently.

 

[PetPony]

I can see what you mean. But we'll see what works. 🙂

 

[Bill59]

Yep and in that case they can refer themselves as "board eligible" if they have completed the required residency but haven't sat the exams 🙂 From what I gather, the exams are a horrible drawn out process that suck out your soul, so some people choose never to sit them!

It may be different in Australia, but in the US, the term "board eligible" is frowned upon. It's too vague, it's confusing to the public and implies there are degrees to being a board-certifed specialist. But you are either board certified are you aren't. And if you don't pass the exams you aren't.

Just like you are either a licensed veterinarian or you aren't.

 

[Hotfillyky]

If avian medicine required a residency, I'd be less inclined to pursue it. Or, I may have put off starting this journey until I had more savings to draw from during a residency. As a nontrad, its very important to me to get back to earning somewhat normal wages as quickly as possible after vet school. That being said, as a self professed "bird lady" I'd probably do whatever was required to make my avian vet dreams come true 🙂 Luckily for me, after a few years working in a setting that takes avian patients regularly and passing an exam, I can become board certified without an internship/residency.

I'm right there with you in all respects Psittacidae. I didn't know about that last part though so good to know.👍