Devoted to the protection of animal and human health

Canada has more than 8,000 veterinarians – highly skilled professionals who have devoted their professional lives to providing veterinary medical services to animals including pets, livestock, birds, wildlife, exotic animals and aquaculture.

Almost 75% of Canada’s veterinarians work in private practice. Close to 40% work exclusively with small animals while approximately 35% work in large and mixed animal practice.

Veterinarians are also involved in many other activities that protect both animal and human health. They provide important services:

Protecting Our Companion Animals

One of the most important roles of the veterinarian is to protect the health and well being of our companion animals. Household pets have a positive impact on family dynamics and are valued members of many Canadian families. People across Canada, from children to seniors, rely on the expertise of veterinarians to provide utmost care for their companion animals.

A Day in the Life of a Veterinarian

The duties of a veterinarian are as varied as the species of animals they serve. A private practitioner’s work involves assessment of animal health through history and physical examination, backed-up with many years of veterinary medical training and diagnostic tools. A veterinarian may diagnose illnesses, interpret diagnostic tests and imaging studies such as x-ray films, treat illnesses and injuries, perform surgery, vaccinate animals to prevent diseases, or provide dentistry services. One of their most important roles is to advise owners about the proper feeding and general care of their animals, providing advice on the health, nutrition, behaviour, and hygiene of animals.

Dedication and Expertise

Veterinarians must be well prepared to treat illness or injury in a wide variety of animal species. The veterinarian’s patient might be a child’s pet dog, a steer in a large feedlot, or an orangutan in the zoo. To meet such varied demands, veterinarians must undergo intensive training including the following:

For more information on Canadian Veterinary Colleges contact:

The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA)
www.canadianveterinarians.net

Canada’s veterinarians are represented by the CVMA, a national professional association that encourages veterinarians to uphold high medical and professional standards and supports them in their practices. The CVMA promotes veterinary medicine to the public, advocates responsible use of animals, provides professional development opportunities, publishes scientific journals, establishes nutritional standards for pet foods and administers the National Examining Board examination.

Licensing Bodies Uphold The Highest Standards Of Excellence

Provincial licensing bodies such as the College of Veterinarians of Ontario (CVO) regulate the practice of veterinary medicine to protect the public interest. Licensing bodies are financed in full by the license fees of veterinarians. The role of the CVO and other licensing bodies is to license veterinarians, inspect and accredit veterinary facilities and maintain the high standards of the veterinary community. Licensing bodies establish and maintain standards of practice and, should it be required, discipline veterinarians who are guilty of professional misconduct.

Protecting Human Health Too

Whenever people interact with the animal kingdom, chances are that one or more veterinarians will be involved. These dedicated professionals are not only responsible for the well-being of animals, but for the health and safety of society at large. Here are some examples:

Contributions To Human Medicine

Many breakthroughs in human medicine started with veterinary research into the prevention and treatment of animal diseases. To ensure the animals are treated humanely, all medical research facilities employ veterinarians.

Food Animal Practices

Herd health programs are vitally important to livestock production, where there is growing emphasis on preventive medicine. By adopting the health maintenance recommendations of their veterinarian, livestock and poultry producers can reduce losses and improve productivity.

Virtually all Canadian food animal producers belong to respected industry associations that provide Quality Assurance Programs and On-Farm Food Safety Programs. These extensive programs provide important guidelines for producers to follow to ensure that the food they produce is safe and of the highest quality.

For more info: see the Quality Assurance Backgrounder, part of Food Safety Facts

Disease Control Programs

Veterinarians working for the Canadian government are responsible for the control and eradication of contagious animal diseases, especially diseases that can infect man. For example, government veterinarians administer rabies control and quarantine programs. Through the dedicated efforts of veterinarians and livestock producers, major livestock diseases such as tuberculosis have been virtually eradicated, greatly improving Canadian food production.

Food Production

Government and industry veterinarians work closely together to assess the safety and effectiveness of new animal health care products. These products must first meet Canada’s stringent regulatory requirements before being introduced to the marketplace. Veterinarians advise livestock and poultry producers on the proper use of animal health products to help meet Canada’s uncompromising standards for quality and nutrition in animal-sourced food. Veterinarians also carry out inspections in abattoirs and processing facilities to ensure the highest quality standards.

With their many important contributions to human medicine, food animal practices, disease control programs, food production and the protection of our animal kingdom, veterinarians play a specialized and vital role in Canada’s workforce.