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Veterinarians play a major role in the healthcare of pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals. Some veterinarians use their skills to protect humans against diseases carried by animals and conduct clinical research on human and animal health problems. Others work in basic research, broadening the scope of fundamental theoretical knowledge, and in applied research, developing new ways to use knowledge. Whichever route you choose, your employment prospects as a Murdoch Veterinary Science graduate are bright.

Veterinary Surgeons

Most veterinarians perform clinical work in private practices. These veterinarians predominately or exclusively treat small animals. Small-animal practitioners usually care for companion animals, such as dogs and cats, but also treat birds, reptiles, rabbits, and other animals that can be kept as pets. Some veterinarians work in mixed animal practices, where they see pigs, goats, sheep, and some non-domestic animals in addition to companion animals. Veterinary Surgeons diagnose and treat animals, medically and surgically, to prevent disease, cure sickness and injury, and improve their state of health. The work also involves prescribing medicines, acting as an anaesthetist and radiographer, as well as a surgeon. Much of the work is carried out in the surgery in consultations with owners and their animals. The work environment can vary from a clean, pleasant surgery, to owners' homes or outdoors, often in adverse conditions. These veterinarians usually drive to farms or ranches to provide veterinary services for herds or individual animals. Much of this work involves preventive care to maintain the health of the animals. These veterinarians test for and vaccinate against diseases and consult with farm or ranch owners and managers regarding animal production, feeding, and housing issues. They also treat and dress wounds, set fractures, and perform surgery, including caesarean sections on birthing animals. Veterinarians euthanize animals when necessary. Other veterinarians care for zoo, aquarium, or laboratory animals.

Veterinary Scientist

Veterinarians can contribute to human as well as animal health. Veterinary Scientists work with physicians and scientists as they research ways to prevent and treat various human health problems. For example, veterinarians contributed greatly in conquering malaria and yellow fever, solved the mystery of botulism, produced an anticoagulant used to treat some people with heart disease, and defined and developed surgical techniques for humans, such as hip and knee joint replacements and limb and organ transplants. Today, some determine the effects of drug therapies, antibiotics, or new surgical techniques by testing them on animals.

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