Your fuzzy kid just swallowed something that you are pretty sure they were not supposed to swallow, and now you are starting to be scared for them. So, you whip out your cell phone and search up “best vet near me” and are given a list of veterinarians that operate within the chosen area.
But, even then, how do you know which one to pick? Sure, you could check the ratings, but even then you may not get the best doctor for your situation. The reason? There are actually multiple different types of vets out there, and you want to be sure you have the right one. Here are three of the most common types of vets that you should know the difference between.
Food Animal Vets
Food animal vets are specially trained to work with large herds of food animals, such as cows or pigs. They specialize in making sure that the animals are healthy and taken care of so that they will make suitable meat for consumption. They will administer vaccines to the herd when necessary and treat them as they need.
These vets are important to us all since they are responsible for keeping our meat supply safe for us all to eat. Without their watchful eyes on these herds, entire farms could easily be wiped out with diseases, and shortages of meat would be much more prevalent. Therefore, these guys can not be underestimated when it comes to their importance.
Vet Specialists
Vet specialists is a term that encompasses a whole subsection of various types. Surgeons, anesthesiologists, and even animal dentists are all considered to be veterinary specialists. Basically, a specialist is a vet who has received training and acquired specialty equipment for a specific area of veterinary medicine and made it their main focus.
Your vet may refer you to a veterinary specialist if your pet has a requirement that they cannot fulfill. Specialists also work alongside other vets or vet specialists in the same practice so that they can offer a wider array of services within their offices.
Companion Animal Vet
A companion animal vet or your typical vet’s office veterinarian is just that; what you likely think of when you think of the term veterinarian, to begin with. These men and women are essentially like a primary care or family doctor that is trained for house pets of all types, shapes, and sizes. They run tests, diagnose, treat, prescribe medicines, and anything a human doctor would do, only for animals.
These specialists are the ones you take your pet to see when you have an issue, and they may send you on to another doctor if your pet’s specific situation is outside their field of expertise. But, for most of your pet’s needs and issues, the companion animal vet will be able to help them. You want your shedding kiddos to live a long and healthy life, and these folks can help you make that happen.
Call The Right Vet, Get The Right Help Faster
Simply being aware of the many different types of vets out there can help to make sure you get the right one for your pet, no matter what species they are or what issue they may be having. Knowing different types can help you reach the right person to help your pet in a much faster manner.
An internet search is likely to yield mostly results for the companion vet, but could also include any other type of vet. So take the time to call them before you start following the GPS to the address. Might save you a trip to talk to the wrong guy.
