When you get sick, you call your doctor and make an appointment. A doctor might give you a treatment for your illness or send you to a doctor specializing in that kind of disease. The same can be said about animal care. If your pet has a common problem like a cold, a general veterinarian can help. A specialist is needed when a more severe illness like cancer or heart disease.

General and Specialized Medicine Comparison

General veterinarians and veterinary specialists are doctors who specialize in the care of animals. You can find out more about their differences below to help you better understand them.

General Veterinarian

General veterinarians are often in charge of caring for various animals and illnesses. Veterinarians look for and treat everyday long-term and short-term diseases, as well as moderate and severe cases. They also advise pet owners on feeding, exercising, and grooming their animals. General veterinarians are in charge of giving animals medicine and vaccines when they need them.

In instances that demand emergency medical treatment or might possibly risk the life of your pet. Contact an emergency pet hospital immediately.

Specialty Veterinarian

Some veterinarians have been specially trained in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular disease. Some of them work with animals who have brain or spinal cord diseases. Animals can get hurt in accidents or get sick, and some people use their skills to help them get better. Some animal doctors who are “specialists” only work with a specific type of animal. These could be birds, snakes, horses, or ferrets.

Most specialized veterinarians have access to more up-to-date technology, which allows them to do more complicated treatments. If an animal has internal bleeding, your veterinarian may tell you to see an internal medicine doctor. In this case, your pet may need 3D or 4D ultrasounds as well as blood transfusions to get better. People who go to traditional veterinary clinics don’t usually have these services.

Are you searching for a full-service veterinary facility with emergency and specialist services? Newtown Veterinary Specialists offer 24/7 advance services.

Collaboration

Many people work as veterinarians for pets and other animals all the time. When treating dogs, some general veterinarians will send some cases to specialists if they need more information about the situation. When diagnosing and treating animals, specialists get help from general veterinarians who have a good sense of the animals’ health and background knowledge. In many cases, they work together in the same place, making it easier for them to work on issues, share their knowledge, and make the process as easy as possible for animal owners.

Veterinary dermatology is one example of a specialist area covered here. Click here to learn more.

Training

People who work as veterinarians, including general practitioners and specialists, have to go through a four-year program that includes classroom instruction and hands-on training in labs and clinics. Veterinarians also need to meet state licensing requirements, which vary from state to state. People who work in veterinary medicine must meet many educational requirements unique to their job. This often means completing a long residency program before starting work.