2.5 Branches of Study in Veterinary Medicine
Branches of Study
Just like there are many branches of the animal’s body there are many branches of study within veterinary medicine. In the clinical setting, there are many areas a doctor, technologist, and support staff could specialize in. The clinic, as a whole, could focus on specific areas of medicine or even specific species only. In a general veterinary practice, you may see a variety of conditions or problems, along with wellness and health exams. Veterinarians trained in Canada have a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), which is a four-year degree completed after a minimum of two to three years of university. Veterinarians are qualified to treat any animal species (apart from humans) and can pursue further education to specialize in different areas of medicine and/or species (for example, small animal surgery or equine internal medicine). Patients are often referred to these veterinary specialists when further insight or specialized skills could be beneficial, much like your own doctor sending you to a specialist for treatments or procedures. Primary care veterinarians who work with dogs and cats are known as companion animal veterinarians. This type of veterinary practice might be compared to a family doctor’s or general practitioner’s office. These veterinarians’ complex training allows them to work in many areas because they have knowledge of all the body systems. Other veterinarians might choose to work with large animals, zoo animals, or avian and exotic species.
Example
A common type of rural clinic is a mixed animal clinic. This clinic would see small and large animals as patients. Other rural clinics include large animal clinics, where they focus on bovine and equine patients. Lastly, an equine practice would involve only treating horses.
Specific terms are used to describe the areas of study. The suffix -ology means “the study of” and -ologist means “specialist.”
Branch of Study Terms
Anatomy: The study of body structure
Anesthesiology: The study of anesthesia
Biology: The study of life
Cytology: The study of cells
Cardiology: The study of the heart
Dermatology: The study of skin
Etiology: The study of the cause of diseases or pathologies
Histology: The study of tissue at a microscopic level
Oncology: The study of cancer
Parasitology: The study of parasites
Pathology: The study of disease
Pharmacology: The study of medications and drugs
Most veterinary clinics have “in-house” pharmacies where most medications can be prescribed and dispensed to the client immediately after the appointment. For more on medications, refer to Chapter 6.1: Introduction to Medications.
Physiology: The study of body function
Radiology: The study of body imaging
Toxicology: The study of toxic substances
Key Concept
Many root words can be combined in branches of study to mean more than one area of study.
Examples:
Histopathology: The study of disease in tissue at a microscopic level
Gastroenterology: The study of the gastrointestinal tract
| AREAS OF STUDY | SPECIALIST |
|---|---|
| cardiology | cardiologist |
| dermatology | dermatologist |
| ophthalmology | ophthalmologist |
| oncology | oncologist |
| pathology | pathologist |
| radiology | radiologist |
| toxicology | toxicologist |
Additional Areas of Study
Dentistry: A branch of medicine that focuses on oral health.
Emergency and critical care: Prompt medical care by a doctor with emergency and critical care training required for patients with serious injuries or life-threatening conditions.
Nutrition: Specialty training in the health and wellness of animals, including managing diets and establishing nutrition plans; could include research in pet food development and work in both research facilities and veterinary clinics.
Sports medicine: Similar to human sports medicine, doctors with this specialty care for a broad group of animals with demanding physical roles such as agility or hunting dogs, or horses that compete in equestrian sports; this modality works in partnership with rehabilitation.
Integrative or complementary medicine: In addition to practicing “western” medicine, which uses surgery and pharmacology to treat illnesses, some veterinarians have additional training in integrative medicine, which includes (but is not limited to) acupuncture, massage, physical manipulation, laser therapy, food as medicine, and Chinese herbs. These practices can be very beneficial when integrated with western medicine. Traditional Chinese veterinary medicine looks at patients as a whole, determines underlying patterns that could be leading to the issues the animal is having, and works to balances those.
Rehabilitation: Over the years, rehabilitation has become a big part of the overall health of all our animals and is used to treat a wide variety of conditions and diseases. Using techniques from underwater treadmills to massage therapy, specialty rehabilitation clinics can be found in almost every big city, and the field is growing rapidly. Much like in human medicine, specific rehabilitation is tailored to the needs the of animal.
Clinical Insight
A veterinary office assistant (VOA) is trained in wide range of duties, from reception to working directly with the doctors. The VOA is the first contact with clients because they answer phones and check in clients. The role varies from clinic to clinic depending on the size and needs of the clinic. Roles typically include communicating with clients, maintaining records, admitting and discharging clients (when appropriate), recognizing medical emergencies, maintaining cleanliness, scribing for the DVM or RVT, and communicating the nutritional needs of patients to the clients. A VOA may also be referred to as a VMA (veterinary medical assistant) or may have a completely different role in the clinic. VMAs are more likely to assist DVMs and RVTs in the treatment area with procedures such as bloodwork or X-rays. Caring for animals that are hospitalized is a big part of the VMA’s role. This role may be combined with the VOA role and may look different depending on the expectations of the clinic.
A registered veterinary technologist (RVT) is trained in performing radiographs, anesthesiology, preoperative and postoperative duties, laboratory testing, filling and administering medications among many other duties. In Figure 2.7, the cat was sedated, prepped for surgery, and intubated by the RVT with the VMA assisting. Monitoring devices are hooked up for the whole surgery, and the RVT would continue to monitor the anesthesia while the veterinarian is completing the surgery.
Exercise
Attribution
Unless otherwise indicated, material on this page has been adapted from the following resource:
Sturdy, L., & Erickson, S. (2022). The language of medical terminology. Open Education Alberta. https://pressbooks.openeducationalberta.ca/medicalterminology/, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0
Image Credits
(Images are listed in order of appearance)
Horse dentistry2003 by Stefan Isaacs, CC BY 2.0
Dog at veterinary clinic by Unknown, Pixabay licence
Medications by JeongGuHyeok, Pixabay licence
Canine Acupuncture (10235821203) by Rhona-Mae Arca, CC BY 2.0
Racing dog by herbert2512, Pixabay licence
Cat in surgery by Kelly Robertson, NorQuest College. Used with permission.
a horse
a cow
is a state of controlled, temporary loss of sensation or awareness that is induced for medical or veterinary purposes
pertaining to the stomach and intestines
pertaining to the mouth
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