Veterinary science is a specialized branch of animal sciences which deals with the health and nutrition of the animals; prevention and treatment of animal diseases; scientific breeding and handling of poultry and livestock; performing surgical procedures on diseased and injured animals; administration of timely vaccination and medicines of animals and all other related fields.

A person who practices veterinary science is known as a veterinarian and one should have minimum a B.V.Sc degree to practice as a Veterinary Doctor or Veterinarian or Vet. This is a most suitable career choice for animal loving people and pet owners.

Bachelor’s and Masters Degree programmes in Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc/M.V.Sc.) are offered in almost all agricultural and veterinary universities. Various specializations available for veterinary graduates are in animal microbiology, animal toxicology, animal physiology, animal pharmacology, infectious animal diseases, animal genetics, or other similar fields.

Most of the people with a veterinary degree prefer to work in research and development organizations as veterinary scientists and research officers. Major career opportunities available in this field are as veterinary doctors in zoo and animal parks, as research scientists in veterinary laboratories, as animal inspectors in government’s animal husbandry departments, as veterinary doctors in veterinary hospitals and private veterinary clinics, as quality managers in livestock and poultry industry and pet food manufacturing units etc.  Veterinary graduates are very much in demand in pharmaceutical laboratories and drug companies which specialize in animal medicines and research. An experienced veterinary doctor can practice as a veterinary consultant where his major job profile is to provide timely advice on care of pets and farm animals.

Veterinary doctors with higher qualifications are involved in more serious professional activities such as monitoring research work related to livestock health and their safety, the quality analysis of animal food, production of animal medicines, vaccines and drugs, animal cloning and stem cell research.