Veterinary Medicine

Studying veterinary medicine at third level involves a great deal of dedication: the high entry points required are an indication of this. Students with a genuine interest in this area should not be discouraged by this however as any difficulties encountered pay off in the long run, both personally and financially.

A veterinarian’s day can comprise of anything from delivering a foal to performing tests on a much-loved family dog; a certainty of the job is that each day will be different and rewarding. There is a great sense of helping nature along in all the tasks. Those with a love of the outdoors often make good candidates for the profession, as environmental protection is an everyday concern of a veterinarian.

Those in possession of a respect and love for animals and aren’t afraid of hard work should keep veterinary medicine in mind; read on to find out more information…

Education
The only course in veterinary medicine in Ireland is a degree offered by UCD. The course takes five years and 550 CAO points are typically required.
 
The first and second years of the course teach basic knowledge in animal handling, welfare, nutrition, breeding and management. In the third and fourth years, you study the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and control of diseases in domestic animals and birds. The final year is spent gaining practical experience in animal surgery and medicine, diagnostic imaging, anaesthesiology and clinical pathology. Veterinary students undertake professional work and gain experience in a veterinary practice between academic years and during vacation periods.

There is also a three-year Bachelor of Science in Veterinary Nursing offered by the Athlone Institute of Technology and Diploma in Veterinary Nursing by University College Dublin. The CAO points required for AIT are around the 370 mark, while points requirements do not apply to the UCD diploma, instead a certain amount of passes at Leaving Cert level must be achieved. Subjects on these courses include Anatomy, Physiology, General Veterinary Nursing, Surgical Nursing, and Business Administration.

FETAC certified animal care and management courses are also available from St John’s Central College (www.stjohnscollege.ie) in Cork.

Options after Qualification
There is currently full employment for university graduates in veterinary medicine and nursing. Graduates can enter into practices that specialise in small animals or farm livestock, but most choose mixed practice, which is a combination of the two.

There are also many specialist postgraduate qualifications available for vets to increase and update their skills throughout their career.

Veterinary training also opens up a number of non-practice career opportunities. Veterinary training provides an outstanding background for those who wish to pursue a career in biomedical research, which includes both veterinary and human medicine.

The Work
Veterinary surgeons and nurses look after the needs of ailing, sick or injured animals. Different experts may specialise in small animals, farm animals or equine practice, or in exotic animals, wildlife, laboratory animals, poultry or aquaculture.

Vets specialising in small animals run open surgeries, where members of the public can bring their pets for treatment. Vets diagnose problems, treat the animal and, if necessary, perform surgery. They also offer advice to owners about nutrition and how to take care of their pets properly.

The farm animal side of the business involves vets making personal visits to farms. They treat specific cases, oversee animal births, vaccinate animals against disease and advise on animal care.

Vets can specialise in specific areas, such as the equine or zoological industry, food hygiene or the control of infectious disease (e.g. foot-and-mouth).

Some veterinary medicine graduates work for the government or official agencies, making sure that farmers and animal owners are keeping their animals healthy and in suitable conditions, while others can be involved in food hygiene and inspection.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment
A love of animals is obviously the predominate characteristic needed; this interest must be combined with a determined nature, given the amount of study involved in the process of qualification.

A certain amount of resourcefulness will aid any veterinary surgeon or nurse in the course of their employment; a strong stomach will be invaluable in some situations! Ability with science subjects will also stand to anyone pursuing this avenue.

Some vets work in a clinic environment, while others travel to farms, zoos or other places to administer treatment. The hours can be irregular, you have to work in all kinds of weather, and you may be on call during weekends or at night.

The Money
Veterinary graduates (particularly those with specialist postgraduate training) can command high salaries. Newly qualified veterinary surgeons are paid around €35,000 a year. More senior veterinary surgeons typically earn €50,000 to €60,000, although this can rise to as much as €110,000.

Jargon
Rabies: A fatal virus disease of warm blooded animals including man, that affects the brain and is spread in the saliva of infected animals
Ataxia: A lack of muscle coordination, usually causing an abnormal or staggered gait. 
Animal Husbandry: The application of scientific principles to animal breeding
Anaesthesiology: The science of making animals (or people) lose sensation without losing consciousness
Vaccinate: To make an animal (or a human) safe from an infectious disease

Job Titles
Veterinary Surgeon
Veterinary Nurse

Further Resources
UCD School of Agriculture, Food Science & Veterinary Medicine
Belfield
Dublin 4
Phone: 01 7166245
Web: www.ucd.ie/agfoodvet  
Email: john.buckley@ucd.ie

Veterinary Ireland
13 Kilcarberry Park
Nangor Road
Dublin 22
Phone: 01 457 7976
Web: www.veterinary-ireland.org
Email: vetireland@eircom.net

Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA)
National Animal Centre
Derryglogher Lodge
Keenagh
Co. Longford
Phone: 043 250 35
Web: www.ispca.ie
Email: info@ispca.ie

Bairbre O’Malley Veterinary Hospital
Kilmantain Place
Bray
Co Wicklow
Tel: 01 272 3857
Web: www.veterinary.ie

Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries & Food
Agriculture House
Kildare Street
Dublin 2
Tel: 01 607 2000
Web: www.agriculture.gov.ie
Email: info@agriculture.gov.ie