• Most veterinarians care for dogs and cats.dog image by Dragomir Uzunov from Fotolia.com
  
  Veterinarians are medical professionals who diagnose and treat diseases and other medical problems in animals. They may be generalists, or they may specialize according to animal types such as pets, farm animals, zoo animals, laboratory animals or other specific types. Some veterinarians also work in clinical and applied research fields. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about 77 percent of veterinarians in private practice treat pets--mostly dogs and cats. Knowing about a veterinarian's daily tasks can help pet owners better understand exactly what kind of care their pets may have access to, as well as help prospective veterinarians decide whether the job is right for them.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Much of a veterinarian's time is spent diagnosing problems in animals, including illness, injury and congenital conditions. To do this, the vet may need to perform a physical exam, draw blood from the animal, or perform X-rays. Veterinarians may also need to examine blood, waste, tissue or other material to determine the cause of a problem. Vets who work on farm or zoo animals may need to travel to examine their patients, as transporting large animals may be prohibitive.
  
  

Treatment

• Veterinarians also prescribe and administer treatment. They may give medications, dress wounds, set fractured bones and perform surgery on animals. Vets also administer preventive medical treatments, including vaccinations, anti-parasitic treatments and spaying and neutering. During these treatments, they may need to anesthetize or restrain the animal.
  
  

Education

• Many veterinarians not only provide medical care for animals, but also provide information for their owners. A veterinarian needs to advise owners on the health and correct care of their animals, and may be required to explain medical terminology in plain language. Some veterinarians also participate in programs to educate the general public about the benefits of veterinary care, especially procedures such as vaccination and neutering.
  
  

Paperwork

• A veterinary office maintains paperwork on each animal. After an appointment, a veterinarian usually fills out records on the animal's health, to be filed for later reference. Veterinarians also depend on accurate paperwork to be able to provide proof of vaccination or treatment for animals that will be traveling abroad, or for owners who legally need this information to own their pets. Research veterinarians are expected to keep extensive records on their animals for future use.