Education and Career Forum

I do not really understand or differanciate between veterinary medicine or veterinary technology. I would like to know th differance

HELLO,

Veterinary medicine is the branch of science that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder and injury in animals. The scope of veterinary medicine is wide, covering all animal species, both domesticated and wild, with a wide range of conditions which can affect different species.

Veterinary medicine is widely practiced, both with and without professional supervision. Professional care is most often led by a veterinary physician (also known as a vet, veterinary surgeon or veterinarian), but also by paraveterinary workers such as veterinary nurses or technicians. This can be augmented by other paraprofessionals with specific specialisms such as animal physiotherapy or dentistry, and species relevant roles such as farriers.

Veterinary science helps human health through the monitoring and control of zoonotic disease (infectious disease transmitted from non-human animals to humans) and veterinary scientists often collaborate with epidemiologists.

Veterinary technology is career focused on the nursing aspects of veterinary medicine. If your ultimate goal is to be a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), the veterinary technology courses will not meet the undergraduate requirements for most veterinary school admissions.


Purdue Veterinary Technology program is fully accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and is a science based veterinary nursing program offering a Bachelors and Associate degrees.


As an integral part of the veterinary team, veterinary technicians and technologists perform a wide range of veterinary skills:

• Radiology
• Nursing care, including pre and post-surgical care
• Anesthesia
• Client education

While a majority of veterinary technicians and technologists enter the profession in private veterinary practice, there are many other employment opportunities with a Veterinary Technology degree:

• Humane Societies and animal control facilities
• Industry
• Biomedical Research
• Veterinary Supply Sales

Technicians credentialing (certification, licensure, or registration) is required in the majority of states in the United States. Candidates for credentialing must pass a national and/or state examination. Most states require that only graduates of Veterinary Technology programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) are eligible to take the national credentialing exam and to become credentialed Veterinary Technicians.

GOOD LUCK

namaste,
A veterinarian (North American English) or a veterinary surgeon (British English), often shortened to vet, is a physician for animals and a practitioner of veterinary medicine. Veterinarians have extensive medical knowledge and diagnose and prescribe treatment for medical conditions as well as perform surgery.

A veterinary technician (also called a vet tech), is a person trained and licensed to assist veterinarians. Veterinary technicians cannot diagnose, prescribe or perform surgery which falls under the practice of veterinary medicine. Their duties including nursing care of patients, inducing and maintaining anesthesia, surgical assisting, laboratory diagnostic testing, sample collection, patient monitoring in hospital, client education, etc.