Like most health care fields, the veterinary profession has become multi-tiered. Veterinarians may now specialize in various disciplines including:
- surgery
- internal medicine
- radiology
- anesthesiology
- ophthalmology
- dermatology
- cardiology
- oncology
If your animal develops a problem or injury requiring advanced care and procedures, your primary veterinarian or emergency room veterinarian may refer you to a veterinary surgeon.
Veterinarians wishing to specialize in surgery must complete an additional four years of advanced surgical training in the form of a one-year internship and a three-year surgical residency. Candidates are required to meet specific training benchmarks, conduct and publish research, and pass a rigorous three-day examination.
This process ensures adherence to the highest professional standards. Only then does the veterinarian earn the title of Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons and the right to be called a specialist in veterinary surgery.
Veterinary surgeons are dedicated to providing the very best in surgical care. They also act as a resource for your primary veterinarian by providing consultations on difficult or unusual cases. With their advanced training, these specialists offer expertise that ensures the best possible outcome for the animal and animal owner.