About Veterinary Care

An Overview of Veterinary Medicine

The word "veterinary" can be traced back to Latin veterinarius, meaning "of beasts of burden." It is an adjective meaning "of, relating to, practicing or being the science and art of prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease and injury in animals…" according to Merriam-Webster online.

Veterinary medicine is a somewhat broad field that involves the research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries affecting animals. This may include domestic animals such as dogs, cats and other household pets as well as farm animals and even exotic animals. A veterinarian may provide routine care or emergency treatment depending on an animal's specific needs. For any pet owner, rancher or breeder, finding the right veterinarian may be an important aspect of maintaining the health of one's animal or animals. In addition to using this website to find a local vet, we welcome you to use it as a source of basic and helpful information relating to veterinary care.

What does a veterinarian do?
A veterinarian, depending on his or her area of specialty and services offered, may provide a wide range of medical and other care to diagnose and treat illnesses and injuries in animals. Some of these services may be preventative in nature, such as vaccinations. Some may involve life-saving treatment after an accident or serious illness. In all, a veterinarian should provide the care that will preserve an animal's overall health and well-being.

Types of Animals Treated
Veterinary care may apply to virtually any type of animal, from a tabby cat to a cow to a salamander – and every species in between. Some of the most common animals treated include cats, dogs, birds, horses and other large animals, farm animals, reptiles and exotic animals. Because species may vary dramatically from one another, some veterinarians focus solely on one group or type of animal, such as small household pets versus exotic animals.

Types of Services Offered
Veterinary services will vary depending on the particular doctor or practice as well as the needs of the community. In rural areas, for example, there may be more of a need for large animal veterinary care for livestock on ranches. In cities, household pets may be the primary focus of a veterinary clinic. Some of the specific services a veterinary hospital may offer may include vaccinations, emergency services, boarding, euthanasia, grooming, routine check-ups, spaying/neutering and dentistry.

Find a Veterinarian in Your Area

If you are looking for a local veterinarian, you can use this directory to locate and compare facilities that offer the specific veterinary services you need. The quality of veterinary care your pet or animal receives will be directly related to the professional or facility you choose.

Click here to find a local vet.