Many aspiring veterinarians have a heart for animals and a desire to improve the lives of companion pets, livestock, and wildlife, but not everyone has the stomach for surgical procedures. So, are there veterinarians that don't have to do surgery? While many vets perform routine surgical procedures, other animal specialists spend their careers outside of the operating room.
It’s important to note that before immersing themselves in vet school, many hopeful veterinarians feel uncertain about the idea of performing surgery. Through extensive hands-on training and earning an accredited degree from Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine’s (Ross Vet) Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program can help you build your practical skills and gain confidence in the surgical suite.
What Does a Traditional Veterinary Doctor Do?
Conventional vets take on a wide variety of roles in animal care, including medical treatment, diagnostics, and even surgery. Preventative medicine, client education, and critical or emergent care may also feature prominently in their daily routines. However, many different veterinary specialties allow vets to focus on niche sectors of the field.
Small-animal clinics often come to mind when people think of traditional vets, but these practitioners can work in diverse settings, including animal shelters, behavior clinics, agricultural sites, and at sea.
Family Pet Medicine Versus Agricultural and Wildlife Medicine
Over 70% of practicing vets in the United States work with companion animals and family pets. Their routine tasks typically include performing examinations, administering vaccinations, and treating animals for illnesses and injuries.
Other vets work primarily with livestock or wildlife. Agricultural veterinarians may manage herd health, disease control and prevention, and food safety among cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry. Wildlife vets often work in animal sanctuaries, zoos, and national parks to enable conservation and care of the creatures within their domain.
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Which Veterinary Medicine Careers Require You to Perform Surgery?
Do all vets really have to do surgery? No, but many do. Here are some veterinarians that typically perform surgical procedures as part of their routine responsibilities:
General Veterinary Practice
Many general vets perform surgical spay and neuter procedures, biopsies, and mass removals as part of their regular practice.
While routine surgery is a normal part of many general veterinarian practices, it may be possible to find an employer who is willing to offer a certain degree of flexibility in duties and responsibilities. Veterinary offices with several surgical specialists may hire a veterinarian who is uncomfortable with the idea of performing surgical procedures. However, entering the workforce expecting to avoid surgery could hurt a veterinarian’s earning potential and employability.
Emergency and Critical Care
When animals are involved in accidents or experience life-threatening medical events, surgery may be required. In many cases, these procedures take place in fast-paced, high-stakes environments, requiring veterinarians who thrive under pressure.
Surgical Specialists
Of course, surgical veterinarians regularly perform surgery. They may specialize in orthopedics, neurosurgery, soft tissue, rehabilitation and sports medicine, or another concentration. Others may focus on equine procedures, wildlife, large animals, or small animals.
Ophthalmology
Veterinary ophthalmologists treat a wide variety of eye conditions, including cancer, glaucoma, infections, and diseases. Surgery is often required to treat complex conditions and advanced ocular disease.
Dentistry
Veterinary dentists attend to injuries and diseases affecting the mouth, teeth, and jaws. These vets may extract teeth, treat gum infections, and perform surgery on the jaw, gums, and other oral structures.
Zoological Medicine
Zoo vets are typically responsible for comprehensive medical care of all the animals in their facility. These veterinarians often perform surgery to preserve the health and wellness of creatures big and small, meeting the unique needs of wild animals in captivity.
Which Veterinary Medicine Careers Do Not Require You to Perform Surgery?
You might be curious, “Are there veterinarians that don't have to do surgery?” The answer to this question is, “Yes.”
Internal Medicine
Internal medicine veterinarians, or veterinary internists, solve complex diagnostic problems in animals suffering from chronic conditions like gastrointestinal disorders, asthma, diabetes, hypo- and hyperthyroidism, and much more. They primarily focus on improving an animal’s quality of life either independently or as part of a team of specialists who create a comprehensive care plan.
Toxicology
Veterinary toxicologists study the effects of harmful substances on pets, livestock, and wildlife. They may help identify contaminants, treat animals for exposure to dangerous chemicals, or determine the safety of medications on animals. They help prevent animals from being poisoned by evaluating the safety and efficacy of new animal feed additives, current animal food labels, and claims being made to the public about animal food.
Pharmacology
Veterinary pharmacologists focus on animal medications, drug interactions, and the short- and long-term effects of drugs on various animal species. They help refine medication made specifically for animal use, and can contribute to the development of new medications, vaccines, and treatment options.
Anesthesiology
Veterinary anesthesiologists play an essential role in surgical procedures, but they don’t actively operate on animals. Instead, they ensure animals are properly sedated during surgery using carefully calculated dosages of general anesthetics. They monitor the patient’s vitals throughout the procedure and assist with pain management once the operation is complete.
Radiology
Veterinary radiologists are experts at using advanced imaging techniques and interpreting the results. General vets often rely on these experts to help with the process of diagnosing animals using X-ray, CT, and MRI results. Veterinary radiologists can use these images to identify health problems that may not be identified with bloodwork or a physical exam. They may also be able to assist when surgeons perform ultrasound-guided procedures or biopsies.
Clinical Pathology
Veterinary pathologists examine tissue samples and biological fluids for diagnostic purposes. Veterinary pathologists rarely perform surgery on living animals, but may occasionally dissect animals postmortem to determine cause of death or better understand disease progression and risk of transmission to other animals and humans.
Research
Although some research vets do perform surgery as part of their diagnostic procedures, others focus on different aspects of clinical investigation, such as disease transmission, immunology, and gene expression.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Veterinarians Have to Perform Surgery?
Before earning a DVM degree, you must learn basic surgical skills to do routine operations like spay and neuter procedures. However, you don’t necessarily have to perform surgery in your professional practice as a veterinarian. Vets in clinical pathology, diagnostic imaging, academia, epidemiology, and pharmaceutical sectors rarely conduct hands-on operations.
Do Veterinary Surgeons Need Additional Training After Completing a DVM?
Yes. In order to become a board-certified veterinary surgeon, you must complete a one-year internship followed by an applicable residency program lasting three to four years. Then, you must pass certification exams, such as those offered by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons (ACVS).
Are There Benefits to Vets Performing Surgery?
Veterinarians who perform surgery may enjoy higher earning potential and more expansive career opportunities than those who do not perform surgery. If you choose to do surgery, you can expect a high demand for your specialized skills. Additionally, you may experience greater professional fulfillment, as successful surgeries can be highly rewarding.
Start Training for a Veterinary Careers
Ross Vet has helped thousands of students prepare for careers in veterinary medicine. Whether you choose to perform surgery or opt for a specialty that doesn’t incorporate operative procedures, a career as a veterinarian can open doors to an exciting future. Our Vet Prep program can give you a jump-start on your DVM degree, offering students who pass a guaranteed spot in our DVM program. Or, you can apply for admission today!
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