Veterinarians (NOC 3114)
Description
Veterinarians prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and disorders in animals and advise clients on the feeding, hygiene, housing and general care of animals. Veterinarians work in private practice or may be employed by animal clinics and laboratories, government or industry.
Return to top
Example Titles
- small animal veterinary specialist
- veterinarian
- veterinary inspector
- veterinary pathologist
- veterinary physiologist
- zoo veterinarian
>> View all titles
Return to top
Classified Elsewhere
- Biologists and Related Scientists (2121)
- Veterinary and Animal Health Technologists and Technicians (3213)
Return to top
Duties
Veterinarians perform some or all of the following duties:
- Diagnose diseases or abnormal conditions in animals through physical examinations or laboratory tests
- Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds or performing surgery
- Perform routine, emergency and post-mortem examinations
- Inoculate animals to prevent diseases
- Provide obstetrical and dental services
- Advise clients on feeding, housing, breeding, hygiene and general care of animals
- Provide euthanasia services
- May supervise animal health technologists and animal care workers
- May be responsible for overall operation of animal hospital, clinic or mobile service to farms
- May conduct veterinary research
- May enforce government regulations in disease control and food production including animal or animal-based food inspection.
Return to top
Skills
Veterinarians need the following skills and abilities:
Essential skills:
- ability to relate well to a wide range of people and gain their confidence
- ability to work independently and as a member of a team
- good problem-solving and decision-making skills
- emotional stability, maturity, integrity, reliability, and realistic self appraisal
- ability to cope with stressful situations
- good listening and observational skills
- good verbal and written communication skills
- knowledge of computers
- good problem-solving and decision-making skills
- physical health, stamina and strength, and manual dexterity
Technical skills:
- supervisory skills in directing and instructing staff
- administrative skills such as basic accounting, human resources and materials management
- may be required for veterinarians operating their own practice
Return to top
Employment Requirements
- In Manitoba, two to four years of pre-veterinary university studies, a four-year university degree in veterinary medicine is required.
- Completion of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association national certification examinations are required.
- Provincial licensing with the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association is required.
- Entry into research positions may require postgraduate study.
Return to top
Terms & Conditions
Veterinarians work indoors as well as outdoors. The two major (but not exclusive) forms of veterinary practice are large animal clinics in agricultural areas, and small animal clinics that focus on domestic pets.
Veterinarians who practice small animal veterinary medicine normally keep regular office hours, although evening work is common. Those who practice large animal veterinary medicine are frequently on 24 hour emergency call and may work evenings, weekends or holidays. In Manitoba slightly less than half (39%) are self-employed.
Return to top
Earnings
$47,800 per annum - starting
$71,400 per annum - average
$108,600 per annum - high
Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.
Return to top
Education / Training
The following universities offer courses leading to the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) Note that applicants may be required to take the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) in order to apply to the following programs:
- University of Saskatchewan, Western College of Veterinary Medicine. As a result of an agreement with Saskatchewan, thirteen Manitoba residents per year may enter the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM) at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, if all other entrance criteria are met. Applications must be made directly to the college. The minimum entrance requirement is two years of post-secondary education, with many Manitoba residents having completed a Bachelor's degree from the University of Manitoba, the University of Winnipeg, or Brandon University prior to admittance. http://www.usask.ca/wcvm/
- University of Guelph (Ontario) - Ontario Veterinary College. http://www.ovc.uoguelph.ca/
- University of Montreal (French instruction). http://www.medvet.umontreal.ca/pathologie_microbiologie/beluga/anglais/default_ang.asp
- University of Prince Edward Island - Atlantic Veterinarian College (PEI). All applicants are required to supply official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) results with their application. http://www.upei.ca/avc/
Return to top
Career Paths
Veterinarians may specialize in areas such as domestic pets, birds, reptiles, exotic animals or large farm animals.
Veterinarians most typically operate or work in private practice but may be employed in research organizations or zoos.
Return to top
Outlook
Employment prospects for veterinarians are expected to be good in the period 2010 to 2014. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 325.
In recent years there has been an increase in hog production which consequently increased the demand for veterinary services. Larger livestock operations, the increased emphasis on scientific methods of breeding and animal management, and the importance of maintaining disease free stock for export, make the veterinary professional a key resource for livestock farming operations.
The Federal Disease Laboratory (Health Canada) includes an animal disease section and offers employment opportunities for veterinarians with advanced degrees, interested primarily in the research component of Veterinary Medicine. New graduates who are willing to work in large animal clinics in rural or isolated areas will have better than average employment prospects.
Jobs for veterinarians are found throughout Manitoba, although the areas of specialization are more focussed on domestic pets in urban areas and commercial livestock in rural areas. A proportionally larger number of jobs are located in Winnipeg, South-Eastern Manitoba and South-Western Manitoba. Most veterinarians work in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (89%) and the remainder in Public Administration (9%) and Educational Services (3%).
Return to top
Employment by Age Group
Return to top
Employment by Industry
Return to top
Employment by Region
Return to top
Employment by Gender
Return to top
Employment by Aboriginal Self-Identification
Return to top
Employment by Visible Minority
Return to top
Please Note - The source for above charts is the 2006 Census.
Professional Associations, Unions, and Regulatory Bodies...
Return to top