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Who is a Veterinarian?
A veterinary doctor treats animals of all shapes and sizes. Some may specialise in treating domestic or farm animals, while others may work with pathology or animal dentistry. A veterinary doctor needs to be, above all, a calm and caring person. They play an important role as they have to maintain a relaxed demeanour while working with animals that are unwell or injured. They also have to remain calm while dealing with worried and stressed animal owners.
In this day and age, animals are considered to be a member of the family. And as a result, their diagnosis and treatment is of utmost importance. Families put the lives of their pets into the hands of their veterinarians and hence, the need for skilled vets has increased.
What is a Vet's Job Description?
Earlier, due to a shortage of skilled veterinary doctors, most did all the tasks around a clinic. But more recently, there has been an increase of specialisations amongst vets. A vet's duty is to the patient and to ensure that the animal they are treating is comfortable and in no pain. Some of the other tasks of a veterinary doctor include:
- Examining animals and diagnosing them
- Based on diagnosis, deciding on a treatment plan
- Applying bandages and dressing the animal's wounds, including stitches, plasters, etc.
- Performing surgeries including spaying and neutering, dental, orthopaedic, and eye surgeries
- Vaccinating animals to prevent diseases
- In case of emergencies, making home visits to treat animals
- Advising pet owners on how to take care of their pet's diet, medication, and general healthcare
- Updating and maintaining animal health care records
What Skills are Needed to be a Veterinary Doctor?
Veterinary doctors need skills that lie beyond their medical knowledge and ability to treat animals. Because they are constantly interacting with the owners of the animals as well, a good bedside manner is essential. Some of the other skills they need include:
1. Good Communication Skills
They must be able to communicate and work well beside their coworkers to explain treatment plans. They also need to remain calm and clearly explain the animal's diagnosis to the owners. A calm demeanour and clarity with explanations is a must. They should also be able to explain medical terminology clearly and in simple language.
2. Problem Solving Skills
A diagnosis does not always come easily and often, a veterinarian must think outside the box. Rather than get frazzled, a vet must use problem-solving skills and create a plan to treat the animal.
3. Flexibility
A vet's working hours may change based on their patient load and the availability of their colleagues. They must be available to work weekends and holidays if required.
What are the Benefits of being a Veterinarian?
Being a veterinary doctor, much like other careers, has its ups and downs. However, the joy that comes with helping an animal and easing their pain is unsurpassed. Here are some more benefits of being a vet:
1. Job Satisfaction
You get to take care of and treat animals. Seeing an animal eased out of pain and helped by your actions brings a certain kind of joy. It pushes a vet to work harder and focus on their patients.
2. Competitive Salaries
Private veterinary clinics can pay good salaries, and skilled, well-spoken veterinary doctors are always in demand. Animal owners are now paying closer attention to their pets and are willing to pay for effective treatments. Becoming a veterinary doctor is therefore a lucrative profession.
3. Option to Run a Private Practice
There is always the option of running a private practice for any vet. This allows flexibility with work hours and the opportunity to expand the business.
How to Become a Veterinary Doctor after 12th
There are two points at which an aspiring vet can pursue a future in veterinary medicine. They can apply for a diploma degree after Class 10 or take the NEET UG exam after 10+2 and pursue a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH), a 5.5-year programme including a mandatory internship. The BVSc & AH degree is regulated by the Veterinary Council of India (VCI), established under the Indian Veterinary Council Act 1984. Here are the ways to go about both:
Veterinary Diploma
Aspirants can opt for these diplomas after Class 10 and, after two years, appear for the NEET UG exam. These diplomas train interested individuals in veterinary sciences and animal husbandry (the science of taking care of farm animals).
NEET UG Exam After 10+2
BVSc & AH colleges across India admit students through the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET UG), conducted by NTA. The 15% All India Quota seats are filled by the Veterinary Council of India (VCI) through its own centralised counselling, while the remaining state-quota seats are filled by respective state authorities. NEET UG 2026 is scheduled for 21 June 2026.
What Education is Required to be a Veterinarian?
As mentioned above, aspirants can take one of two routes — a diploma after Class 10 or the NEET UG exam after 10+2.
Veterinary Diploma Courses
- Diploma in Dairy Farming
- Diploma in Veterinary Lab Technician
- Diploma in Animal Husbandry and Dairying
- Diploma in Veterinary Pharmacy
After completing the diploma, individuals can opt to start working or appear for the NEET UG exam.
NEET UG Exam After 10+2
There are many colleges in India offering BVSc & AH after the NEET UG result. Some prominent ones include:
- Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University
- College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Udaipur
- Guru Angad Dev Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Ludhiana
What are the Entrance Exams Required to Become a Veterinary Doctor?
For those who choose to apply to a veterinary degree after 10+2, they must take the NEET UG exam. The details are as follows:
| Requirements | NEET UG Exam |
|---|---|
| Subjects Studied in 10+2 | Pass 10+2 or equivalent with Physics, Chemistry, Biology/Biotechnology, and English as core subjects from a recognised board |
| Maximum Age Limit | No age limit |
| Subjects Tested | Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany |
What Specialisations Can One Do After a BVSc & AH Degree?
After completing the BVSc & AH degree, one can continue to study further by pursuing a Master of Science (M.Sc) or a Master of Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc). No NEET PG exam is required for enrolment in these programmes. Some of the specialisations available include:
Master of Science (M.Sc):
- M.Sc in Veterinary Parasitology
- M.Sc in Veterinary Pharmacology & Toxicology
- M.Sc in Veterinary Public Health
- M.Sc in Veterinary Anatomy & Histology
- M.Sc in Veterinary Gynaecology & Obstetrics
Master of Veterinary Science (M.V.Sc):
- M.V.Sc in Veterinary Public Health
- M.V.Sc in Livestock Production and Management
- M.V.Sc in Animal Biotechnology
- M.V.Sc in Animal Genetics and Breeding
- M.V.Sc in Biostatistics
Loans for Students
Banks across the country offer students loans for their higher studies with interest rates starting from 7.5%. There are also organisations such as Propelld offering 100% digitised private student loans.
