How to become a Veterinary Doctor

Every animal lover in their teenage would have thought to become a veterinary doctor and helping animals. If you are one of them, this article will provide answers to “How to become a Veterinary Doctor in India?”.

From this article, you can understand the roles and responsibilities, veterinary course eligibility, career options, and salary of veterinary doctors in India. 

India is an Agriculture and Cattle dependent country and has a growing demand for Veterinarians.

The demand is proportionally growing in both rural and urban areas. With pets becoming part o families and cattle-based income, Veterinary Science is of utmost importance for both human and animal safety. Know more about Veterinary Science careers in India. 

Who is a Veterinary Doctor?

A veterinary doctor is a healthcare professional who diagnoses, treats, cares for, and prescribes medication for animals.

They attend to animals suffering from natural or contagious causes or injured in accidents and violence.

Like humans, doctors specialized in treating animals are Veterinary doctors or Veterinarians. They treat pets and domestic animals like cattle and also wild animals including stray animals. 

Skills Required to Become a Veterinary Doctor

    • Caring attitude towards animals and their wellbeing.

    • Strong Communication and Interpersonal skills

    • Empathy towards animals and pet owners

    • Efficient time management

    • Good Organizational skills

    • Ability to understand and explain animal medical terminologies

    • Good handle on machinery and lab equipment

    • Provide accurate and genuine diagnosis

Types of Veterinarians

1. Veterinary Specialists

There are different specialties in Veterinary Science such as Anesthesiology, dentistry, pathology, and surgery. Veterinary specialists are veterinarians who excel in one or more core specialties and deal with veterinary science. They can also adopt animal-specific specialties such as cats, dogs, cattle, poultry, or wildlife. 

2. Companion Animal Veterinarians

These veterinarians specialize in domestic and small animals such as dogs, cats, rabbits, and pet animals usually in the vicinity of humans. The primary focus is on treating wounds, administering vaccines, diagnosing illnesses, performing surgery, and prescribing medications for pets and domestic animals. As part of their job role, they also euthanize animals to spare them from suffering. 

3. Food-Animal Veterinarians

Food-Animal Veterinarians work alongside cattle raised for the purpose of meat and dairy. To ensure that consumer products are safe, these Veterinarians work in cattle farms, poultry, zoos, and ranches. They focus on the prevention and control of diseases in animals meant for consumption. 

4. Food Safety and Research Veterinarians

They are employed by regulatory authorities such as the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), local municipalities and corporations, health departments, etc. They inspect livestock and animal-related products like eggs, dairy, and meat. They verify outbreaks and quarantine or cull animals to control the spread of diseases. 

5. Research Veterinarians

Research veterinarians can be generally found in animal pharmaceutical companies, biomedical research firms, government organizations, or universities. They work as research and academic faculty. 

Roles and Responsibilities of a Veterinarian

    • Assess and examine animal patients and diagnose their medical concerns. 

    • Collect specimens and conduct laboratory tests.

    • Perform surgery, treat wounds, and prescribe medicines.

    • Perform different diagnostic tests.

    • Administer routine vaccinations and educate pet and cattle owners on care and diet for the animal. 

    • Investigate offences and crimes against animals 

    • Conduct autopsies on animals during outbreaks and euthanize animals to spare them from pain and suffering. 

    • Maintain records of treatment for an animal and reexamine during further visits. 

    • Assist in stray animal population control. 

Eligibility to Become a Veterinary Doctor

There are certain veterinary doctor qualifications to be able to meet the veterinary doctor eligibility criteria in India. They are:

    • Passed 12th or +2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects.

    • Clear All India Pre-veterinary Test (AIPVT) or All India Combined Entrance Test conducted by ICAR and secure admission to Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc) course.

    • Bachelor of Veterinary Science in different specialties

    • Master of Science (M.Sc) or Master of Veterinary Sciences (M.V.Sc)

    • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Different specializations in Veterinary Sciences are

    • Veterinary Pathology

    • Animal Husbandry

    • Animal Nutrition

    • Veterinary Microbiology

    • Veterinary Medicine 

    • Animal Genetics and Breeding

    • Veterinary Surgery and Radiology

    • Veterinary Gynaecology and Obstetrics

    • Veterinary Parasitology

How to Become a Veterinary In India? – A Step-by-Step Guide

Here is the step-by-step to becoming a Veterinarian in India.

    1. To become a veterinary doctor after completing 10th, take 12th standard in science stream with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as main subjects. 
    2. After completing the 12th, take an entrance exam for veterinary doctor- All India Pre-Veterinary Test (AIPVT) conducted by the Veterinary Council of India. 
    3. Enroll for Bachelor in Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc) course with different specializations.
    4. Enroll in a Master’s program in Veterinary Science.
    5. For advancement, one can enroll in a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) program.  

Career Opportunities for a Veterinary Doctor

There are multiple specialities in Veterinary Sciences and different job titles depending upon their work profile. Some of the designations in the hierarchy are.

    • Veterinary trainee

    • Jr veterinary Surgeon

    • Veterinary Doctor

    • Senior Veterinary Surgeon

    • Livestock Development Officer

Top Veterinary Colleges in India

The top colleges to pursue Veterinary courses in India are:

    • Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Bareilly

    • National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal

    • Veterinary College and Research Institue (VCRI), Chennai

    • Veterinary College, Bengaluru

    • Annamalai University, Chennai

    • College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner

    • BIRSA Agriculture University, Ranchi

    • Junagadh Agricultural University, Junagadh

    • Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (TANUVAS), Chennai

    • West Bengal University of Animal and Fishery Sciences, Kolkata

Salary of a Veterinary Doctor in India

The average veterinary doctor’s salary in India is Rs.5.4L per annum and can range up to Rs.22L per annum depending upon specialty and expertise. The salary of a Veterinarian widely depends on academic accomplishments. 

The entry-level salary of a veterinarian with a Bachelor’s degree is Rs.3.6L per annum and ranges up to Rs.6L per annum for Ph.D. candidates. The majority of the veterinarians in India serve in Government Institutions, Organizations, Regulatory Authorities, and Private hospitals.  

Veterinarians can also start their own practice from clinics in both rural and urban areas depending upon their area o specialization. 

Pros and Cons

Pros of becoming a Veterinary Doctor:

    • Good work-life balance

    • Rewarding career

    • High paying profile

    • Positive career prospect

    • Opportunity for private practice

Cons of becoming a Veterinary Doctor:

    • Physically demanding profile

    • Hazardous workspaces

    • Allergy and viral concerns

    • Emotionally challenging 

Summary

    • A Veterinarian specializes in animal medicine and healthcare. Veterinary Science is a high-paying career option with a good work-life balance.

    • A Veterinary doctor can find employment opportunities in Government institutions, Organizations, Cattle farms, Poultry, Zoos, Ranches, and Animal Welfare Organizations. 

    • The demand for Animal healthcare professionals is rising in both rural and urban areas in India. Pursuing a career in Veterinary science is a promising and satisfying career option. 

Frequently Asked Questions

A Veterinarian is a good career option in India. The demand for veterinary doctors is rising both in urban and rural areas.

NEET is not required to pursue Veterinary Science. The entrance exam for admission into Veterinary Courses is the All India Pre-Peterinary Test (AIPVT) conducted by the Veterinary Council of India.

The majority of the Veterinary Sciences institutions in India accept the All India Pre-veterinary Test (AIPVT) or All India Combined Entrance Test conducted by ICAR.

MBBS is not required to become a Veterinary Doctor. However, one needs to complete Bachelor’s program in Veterinary Sciences.

Becoming a Veterinarian is not easy and the course is emotionally and physically challenging.

There is no gender bias in becoming a Veterinary Doctor in India. Anybody with passion and empathy towards animals can be a veterinarian.

Yes, there is an age limit of 25 years to secure admission to Veterinary courses as laid out by the Veterinary Council of India. 

The average salary of a veterinary Doctor in India is Rs.5.4L per annum.

Being a Veterinarian has good earning potential provided years of experience and a veterinary specialty.

Being a Veterinarian is a stressful job and often requires attending emergency cases.

Read the article above to find out how to become a veterinary doctor in India.

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