Careers in Veterinary Science

Veterinary Science is the science of diagnosing, treating and curing the diverse types of diseases in birds and animals. A veterinarian's primary responsibility is to look after the health and welfare of the animals. Besides giving treatment, Vets perform surgery prevent spreading of diseases in animals by administering timely vaccination and medicines and give advice on care of pets and farm animals. Their activities may also include Animal husbandry- animal breed improvement by 'selection breeding' and artificial insemination, animal research in order to control spread of diseases transmitted through animals. The job also includes wildlife conservation, poultry management and health care.

Course Details
To be eligible for the Bachelor's in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc & AH) course, a candidate should have passed the class 12 examination with science subjects such as Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Admission to most veterinary courses is made on the basis of entrance examination conducted by the concerned universities. Veterinary Council of India conducts an 'All India Common Entrance examination' (AICEE) for admission to Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry (BVSc & AH) degree course. The duration of the BVSc & AH varies from four and a half years to five years, including the period of internship. For admission to master degree programme, an All India Entrance Examination is conducted by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR).

Career Prospects
Veterinarians can choose to work with the government animal husbandry departments, poultry farms, dairy farms, sheep and rabbit farms, piggery farms race clubs, stud farms, private and government veterinary hospitals and clinics. Dairy research institutes also require the services of veterinarians. Private practices of vets can flourish very well in urban areas. The government also employs veterinarians as public health professionals whose services are utilized in zoos, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries.

The Defense Services use horses, dogs, camels, etc. and therefore need the services of veterinarians. Various zoological research institutes employ veterinarians to conduct research and development in various departments. Veterinarians also can join academic institutions as a teaching faculty. Postgraduates in veterinary science can go in for further research and development in this sector.

Top Colleges Offering UG/PG/Other Courses
Several technical institutions and universities are offering various courses in Veterinary sciences. Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Uttar Pradesh; College of Veterinary Sciences, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar; Bombay Veterinary Science College, Mumbai; College of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (Anand Agricultural University), Anand, All India Institute Of Hygiene And Public Health, Kolkata; Chandra Shekar Azad University Of Agriculture And Technology, Kanpur;; Jawharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur; Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary & Animal Sciences (PGIVAS), Akola.

Remuneration
The remuneration of a veterinarian varies on the basis of his practice and the animals which are under his treatment. In government veterinary centers/hospitals fresh graduates are appointed as junior veterinary surgeon. Their starting pay scale ranges between Rs.10, 000 – Rs.15, 000 per month. A private practitioner may get lucrative monetary returns depending on his popularity and experience. He is able to earn Rs.40 - Rs.500 per patient, depending on the type of treatment the animal needs. As an Assistant Professor, a vet can earn a salary over Rs 12000 to Rs 25000 on reaching senior level.