Different types of Equine Veterinarians.?

Question

I know there are differnet types of equine Veterinarians- are there any that do not require the ability to preform surgery?

Yes, mulereiner, I am squeamish at everything. I know there was a vet at MSU large animal clinic that did not have to do surgery, and I was hoping there was more than one. I would like tobe a vet, but need help getting over my squeamishness.

Answer 1

A general practitioner veterinarian would not necessarily have to do surgery, unless they wanted to, but theyw ould most likely have to sew up some really nasty stitches, and probably help with some foalings too. Both things can be quite bloody and gory, not for the faint of heart if you are squeamish.

However, if you are truly too soft gutted to do any bloody work, you could always look in to becoming a vet with the Federal Government. The FDA vets usually only deal with paperwork, checking opn positive EIA horses, dealing with outbreaks and other contagious diseases. You might see some gross stuff, but you probably wouldn't need to get your hands dirty.

Answer 2

All equine vets need to be able to geld a horse and sew one up in an emergency or even do a tracheotomy . But surgeries for colic, arthroscopic surgery on joints or putting screws in broken legs, or throat surgeries for example all require some kind of clinic setting with a real surgical and recovery room and a full staff to assist. Not every vet does this kind of work. I do know vets that are surgeons that do these kinds of surgeries plus normal vet work. I'm sure depending on location some vets may be required to perform more than tasks in an area where there is no clinic close by but any of those surgeries listed above that were performed outside of the sterile setting of an operating room would not bode well for the patient as the chances of infection would be huge. So as a vet your probably not going to be able to avoid blood but won't neccessarily need to perform major surgery.

Answer 3

Is there a reason your asking this, are you squeamish at blood?

The only reason I ask that is because, my career is xray and now ultrasound. I absolutely cannot handle cut off fingers, fingernails missing, disfigured extremities and surgery too. I have been known to pass out a time or 2 in my job, and they still love me lol. The morgue was just excrutiating and usually an army of transporters went with me, just to help me with moral support as I'm gagging.

I do know my limits and you know, not everyone has a rock solid stomach to do these things. I cleverly covered the things that I knew would make me puke and die. I never had to look at them.

I am now in ultrasound and wayyyyyyyyy easier on my life to do that. I can handle blood, just not the other things I described.

Sometimes the jobs that we most want in life only help to show us the jobs we will excel at. Had I not gone into xray, I wouldn't of gotten into Ultrasound etc.

Back to your question, most vets do have to preform surgery, especially if your in a rural setting. But what I wanted to show you, is there is other ways of fulling your dream to work with animals other than being a full blown vet. They do have xray/ultrasound for animals especially at the larger city facilities. Don't give up your dream to work with them, you just may have to tweak it a little to get what your intended for.

Good luck to you.

Answer 4

There are the equine rehab vets: it is pretty self explanatory they take help to rebuild the horses strength and training after a serious injury. Usually involves experience in Equine Massage and Training

Answer 5

You may have to demonstrate the ability to graduate from vet school. But if you can do that, there's no reason you couldn't say you won't do surgery if it's your own vet clinic.

But why would you not want to do surgery, if that's the best treatment for the horse?

Answer 6

That would be a Veterinary Assistant. A Vet unable to preform surgery would be a farst!