What is this Job all about?
This field deals with the control and treatment of diseases of animals. Besides giving treatment, Vets (short for Veterinarians or Veterinary Doctors) perform surgery; prevent spread of disease by administering timely vaccination and medicines. Their activities in Animal husbandry are – animal breed improvement by ‘selective breeding’ and artificial insemination. Due to modern diseases like Mad Cow, H5N1 – Avian flu or disease caused to humans due to a chicken epidemic – HINI due to swine (pig), epidemic has led to major animal research, in order to control spread of diseases transmitted through animals; thus protecting the humans from exposure to diseases carried by animals. There is research also going on for antidotes for snake bites etc.
Can you go for it?
Love and compassion for animals is a MUST. The area of coverage is vast, but it depends on each Vet, what he/she would prefer to concentrate on. Some Vets prefer to deal with domestic pets, i.e. dogs, cats, birds, etc. Some prefer dealing with livestock – cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, etc. Some others prefer dealing with animals in a zoo, game parks, some prefer dealing with sporting animals, i.e. horses, camels, dogs. However, working with large animals requires a strong physique and lots of stamina. Animals tend to be erratic, especially when they are unwell and, therefore, the Vet requires good understanding as also strong reflexes. Some go in for Research (http://www.haffkineinstitute.org) to improve the quality of the animals and some go for teaching.
Is there a future in this field?
There is a tremendous scope in this field. Many people keep pets – so this by itself offers tremendous scope. The Governments are focusing on increasing meat, poultry production, due to ever increasing demands. Quality of livestock takes a new meaning; as with better livestock you have better production of meat and various by-products.
Where to begin?
A candidate should have passed the Std. XII examination with Science subjects i.e Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
In Goa
Goa does not have a Veterinary College. Therefore, the Directorate of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Panjim, has negotiated with Government of India, whereby students from Goa are allocated some seats reserved for them in Veterinary Colleges in India. If you are interested in getting one of those seats you must contact the Animal Husbandry Department in Panjim.
Outside Goa
Diploma program is offered only in Rajasthan.
Animal Husbandry Diploma Program (AHDP)
Swami Laltanand School of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Dausa (Rajasthan)
Khari Kothi Mohalla, Dausa (Dausa Dist.)
The Degree program B.V.Sc. & AH – Bachelor’s Degree in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry.
This is a 5½ year program. After 4 years of theory and practicals, the last phase is ‘hands on’ training.
Selection: Admission is on the basis of results obtained in the entrance examination conducted by the concerned universities.
Veterinary Council of India conducts an ‘All India Common Entrance examination’ (AICEE) for admission to first year Bachelor of Veterinary Science & Animal Husbandry (B.V.Sc. & AH) degree course for filling up 15% of the total number of seats of each Veterinary College of all States; about 36 Colleges where Indian Veterinary Council Act, 1984 extends. This Entrance exam is usually held in the month of May each year.
The Masters program (M.V.Sc.) (2 years) also has an All India Entrance Examination conducted by the Indian Council for Agricultural Research (ICAR). You could opt to specialize in areas like medicine, surgery, anatomy, bacteriology, biochemistry, cardiology, dermatology, microbiology, molecular biology, anaesthesia, gynaecology, pathology, toxicology, virology, pharmacology, etc.
For jobs in the research and teaching areas, a Post-graduate Degree in Veterinary Science and Animal Husbandry is a minimum qualification, while a Ph.D. is preferred.
Degree Programs in Maharashtra & Karnataka States
Bombay Veterinary Science College, Mumbai (Maharashtra)
Parel , Mumbai – 400012
College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Udgir, (Maharashtra)
Udgir, (Latur Dist.) – 413517
College of Veterinary Science and Animal Science, Parbhani,(Maharashtra)
Parbhani (Parbhani Dist.) – 431402
Krantisinh Nana Patil College of Veterinary Science, Satara, (Maharashtra)
Shirval , Satara, (Satara, Dist.) – 412801
Nagpur Veterinary College, Nagpur (Maharashtra)
Seminary Hills, High Land drive , Nagpur (Nagpur Dist.) – 440006
Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (P.G.I.V.A.S.),Akola (Maharashtra)
P.G. Institute Punjabrao Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola (Akola Dist.) – 444001
University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore (Karnataka)
Gandhi Krishi Vignan Kendra, Bellary Road , Bengaluru (Bengaluru Dist.) – 560065
Veterinary College, Bengaluru, (Karnataka)
Hebbal , Bangalore (Bangalore (Bengaluru Dist.) – 560006
Employment Avenues
Private practice, teaching, Government – including the Defense service, Hospitals, Animals farms ,etc. are the various options Vets have. Besides regular practice, vets can also take up research work with Government or Pharmaceutical industries. Corporates appoint Vets for drug development, i.e. Antibiotics and vaccines. Opportunities exist in agri-business, marketing, pet food manufacturing industries and in management of industries dealing with animal feed, animal products, milk and meat products processing industries, etc.
Monies
A Vet can earn between Rs. 20,000/- to 75,000 p.m.
A private practitioner may get lucrative monetary returns depending on his popularity and the number of years of experience. He may be able to earn Rs. 500 – Rs. 2000 per patient, depending on the type of medical treatment the animal needs.
Please do not be satisfied with just acquiring a Degree/Diploma – try and enhance your CV by doing online learning programs (with a certificate) of programs relevant to your choice of career. Your chances of employment will be much better than just a plain degree/diploma.
Please check this website under other details for places you can learn online. Also try and develop your confidence by doing a public speaking training program with people like Toast Masters International.
For government jobs: please check : http://www.employment-newspaper.com/