Careers in Veterinary Science: Courses, Job Profiles, and Salaries

If you have a passion for animals and a love for science, becoming a veterinarian could be the perfect career choice for you.

But have you ever wondered, Who are veterinarians and what connection they have with animals?

Let’s Figure this out! Veterinarians are doctors for animals, who specialize in diagnosing illnesses and prescribe treatments to keep them healthy and fit.

Just as physicians who treat humans are called doctors, in the same way, those professionals who care for sick or injured animals are known as vets (veterinarians).

What is Veterinary Science?

“Veterinary is the branch of medicine that deals with diagnosing, treatment and prevention of diseases in animals”.

Veterinary medicine covers all types of animals either it is domesticated or wild. Veterinarians are trained professionals who specialize in this field, working in clinics, farms, research centers, and conservation areas to ensure animals live healthy lives.

Is there any career in working with animals?

Yes, Absolutely! If you have a love and passion towards animals care, they working as a veterinarian can be highly rewarding.

Veterinarian have diverse career opportunities in Government Hospitals, Private Clinics and Research centres. As a veterinary professional, you can also work for wildlife conservation, animal training, NGO’s and academic institutions.

But, How can i become a veterinarian?

The academic and professional requirements needed to become a veterinarian is given below in detail. In this article we have also discussed about Career scope, Courses, Colleges, Job Opportunities and Salary prospects.

Also Check – Courses After 12th Science

Veterinary Courses in India

Veterinary science is a vast field and courses are available at diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate levels. The course duration varies depending on the program.

For diploma courses, the course duration is generally 2 years. For UG program (B.V.Sc & AH) it is 5.5 years and for candidates pursuing PG in M.V.Sc is usually 2 years.

The courses offered under veterinary science are as follows:

Bachelor Courses:

• Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc & AH) – 5.5 years
• BV. Sc. in Animal Genetics and Breeding
• BV. Sc. in Animal Production & Management
• BV. Sc. in Veterinary Surgery & Radiology
• BV. Sc. in Veterinary Medicine, Public Health & Hygiene

Master Courses:

• Master of Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc) – 2 years
• MV. Sc in Veterinary Medicine
• MV. Sc in Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology
• MV. Sc in Veterinary Surgery & Radiology

Doctoral Courses:

• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Veterinary Medicine
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Veterinary Pathology
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology

Diploma Courses

• Diploma in Veterinary Pharmacy
• Diploma in Animal Husbandry

Eligibility Criteria

For admission to UG Courses, candidates must have passed 10+2 with Biology, Chemistry and Physics subjects.

For admission to UG courses, candidates need a minimum of 50% aggregate marks in 10+2 (relaxation for reserved categories as per norms).

For admission to PG courses, candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in veterinary science.

Admission Process

The admission to the Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc & AH) is done on the basis of National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG 2025).

It is mandatory for the candidates to qualify NEET UG for admission to B.V.Sc & AH courses in India. Earlier, the Veterinary Council of India conducted the all India pre veterinary Test (AIPVT 2025) for admission to Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc & AH).

Candidates who will qualify the NEET UG exam has to appear in the counselling process organized by the Veterinary Council of India (VCI). The VCI conducts counselling for the 15% All India quota seats.

The counselling for the 85% state quota seats will be organized by the individual state counselling body.

Veterinary Courses from USA

Candidates interested in pursuing a veterinary course from USA, must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Complete an Undergraduate Degree

• Complete undergraduate degree in either biological or physical sciences. Undergraduate degree must focus on the chemistry, biology, zoology, physiology, microbiology and anatomy.

Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)

• Earn the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) from American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) accredited veterinary schools. To become a veterinarian, you have to attain the degree in veterinary science that includes the study of 4-years in veterinary school.

Licensure

• After the completion of 4-year DVM, you are required to obtain licensure to practice in this profession . You have to appear the North American Veterinary Licensing exam (NAVLE) for obtaining license.

Eligibility to Practice

• Once you pass the NAVLE and fulfill any other state-specific requirements, you are eligible to practice as a veterinarian

Admission to US Colleges

All veterinary colleges doesn’t require bachelor’s degree for admission. Some of them requires a fixed number of undergraduate credit hours and pre-veterinary courses in organic chemistry, zoology, biology and physiology.

Admission to veterinary schools is also offered on the basis of satisfactory score in the admission test namely Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Medical Common Admission Test (MCAT) or Veterinary College Admission Test (VCAT).

Top Veterinary Science Colleges in India

• Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh
• Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Bidar, Karnataka
• Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (GADVASU), Ludhiana, Punjab
• Bombay Veterinary College, Mumbai, Maharashtra
• College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Thrissur, Kerala
• Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (RAJUVAS), Bikaner, Rajasthan
• West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences (WBUAFS), Kolkata, West Bengal
• Anand Agricultural University, Anand, Gujarat
• Chhattisgarh Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya (CGKV), Durg, Chhattisgarh

Jobs & Career

Become a veterinarian and create a difference!

Veterinarians work in private clinics, animal hospitals, research laboratories and academic institutions. As the people are getting more aware about the importance of pet care the demand for qualified veterinarians is increasing.

Veterinarians are not only involved in diagnosing and treating illnesses but also play a key role in preventive care, vaccinations and overall well-being of pets and animals.

Veterinarians are very high in demand especially in the developed countries like Canada, US Germany and Uk. The career scope of veterinary science is large and is growing rapidly in the developing countries like India and China.

Duties of Veterinarians

• The job of veterinarian is not just limited to healing the illness of animals but it is expanded to research work also.
• Veterinarians also carries out research about diseases in animals and formulation of drugs.
• Being a veterinarian, they have the duty of providing education and suggestion to pet owners about general medical care and routine vaccines of animals.
• Their job duties include treat and heals the wounds of animals.

Veterinary Specializations

You can choose your career as a veterinarian in any of the following specializations.

Companion animal veterinarians – They usually work in private hospitals and provides treatment to pet animals like dogs, cats, birds, etc.

Equine veterinarian – They generally work with horses and provides medical treatment to them.

Food animal veterinarians – Here, veterinarians treats the illness and injuries of farm animals like pig, cattle, ships and literate the farm owners about fooding and other health practices.

Food safety & Inspection Veterinarians – This type of veterinarians are generally involved in the research of finding and preventing diseases that is transmissible among animals and between animals and humans.

Research Veterinarians – They work in laboratories and involved in the research of finding new technical surgical techniques.

The Job Title of veterinarian includes the following:

• Veterinarian Assistant
• Veterinarian Technician
• Veterinary physician
• Veterinarian food inspection specialist
• Associate veterinarian
• Veterinary surgeon
• Veterinary pharmacologist
• Veterinary epidemiologist
• Veterinary neurologist
• Veterinary dermatologist
• Veterinary services manager
• Dairy- Veterinary sales advisor
• Business Head-animal nutrition

Salary

The salaries of veterinary professional are very competitive and mostly depends on the factors like experience, location, specialization, and the type of practice (private clinic, research, or government).

The salary of veterinarian may vary country to country. In developed countries the veterinarian are very high in demand and often paid handsomely.

The starting salary of veterinarian is around $60,000 to $80,000 per annum in USA and increases as per experience and specialization.

In India, the salary of a veterinarian is in the range Rs 40,000 to 80,000 per month depending upon the type of practice and experience.

Professionals running their own clinics can earn high salaries depending upon the services, client volume and consultation fees.

Books & Study Materials

Here, some books are recommended for the preparation of veterinary medicine and are listed below:

• Quick Reference to Veterinary Medicine by William R. Fenner
• Veterinary Medical Terminology by Dawn E. Christenson
• Text Book of Veterinary Internal Medicine by Abdel Khalek El – Sheikh, Hamed Attia, Hatem Selim
• An illustrated guide to Veterinary Medical terminology fourth edition by Janet Amundson Romich
• Veterinary Microbiology: Bacterial and Fungal Agents of Animal Disease first edition by J. Glenn Songer
• Veterinary Medicine: A Textbook of the Diseases of Cattle, Horses, Sheep, Pigs and Goats by Otto M. Radostits
• Applied Veterinary Clinical Nutrition by Andrea J. Fascetti

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