You love your pet, so you want to ensure they’re getting the best possible care. To do that, you need to find a great veterinarian. But with all the different types of vets out there, how do you know which one is right for your pet?
Here’s a quick rundown of the different veterinarian types and what they specialize in:
1. General Practitioner
This is the most common vet type you meet. They provide routine care and treat a variety of animals. If your pet is healthy and just needs their yearly shots, a general practitioner can take care of that. They can also diagnose and treat your pet’s health problems but may refer you to a specialist if it’s something they don’t usually see or if it’s more serious.
2. Emergency Vet
If your animal companioon needs pet urgent care, you’ll likely visit an emergency vet. They are open 24/7 and can handle any animal. Emergency vets treat fractures, respiratory distress, and poisoning. They also provide stabilization before transferring your pet to a specialist or regular vet for further treatment.
3. Animal Behaviorist
If your pet is having behavioral problems, an animal behaviorist can help. They are experts in animal behavior and can provide you with advice on how to change your pet’s behavior. They may also prescribe medication if needed.
For example, if your dog is scared of loud noises, a behaviorist can help you desensitize them to the sound.
4. Specialist
If your pet has a specific medical issue that requires treatment from a specialist, you will need to visit one of these vets. For example, if your dog has cancer, you would see a veterinary oncologist. Similarly, if your dog needs orthopedic surgery, you would see a veterinary orthopedic surgeon.
You may also look online aside from asking your vet or other people you trust for referrals. You can search “orthopedic veterinarian near me” to limit your search within your location.
Other vet specialists can be:
- Cardiologists (heart)
- Dermatologists (skin)
- Ophthalmologists (eye)
- Dentists (teeth)
5. Holistic Vet
Holistic vets are those that focus on alternative or natural treatments. If you’re interested in pursuing this type of treatment for your pet, find a certified vet in holistic medicine.
Their services include:
- Acupuncture
- Chiropractic
- Herbal medicine
- Homeopathy
- Nutritional therapy
- Aromatherapy
- Flower essences
- Low-level laser therapy
- Mega-nutrient therapy
- Osteopathy
- Rehabilitation and sports medicine
- Stem cell therapy
6. Exotic Vet
An exotic vet is a veterinarian specializing in the care of exotic animals. These include animals such as reptiles, birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, and ferrets. They also might see some small mammals like sugar gliders and hedgehogs.
Many exotic vets also see cats and dogs, but their main focus is on exotics. They have specialized training in the care of these animals and are familiar with their unique needs.
7. Large Animal Vet
Large animal vets specialize in caring for large animals such as cows, horses, pigs, and sheep. They may also see llamas, alpacas, and goats. Large animal vets usually work on farms or ranches but may also have their own clinics.
Their services include:
- Vaccinations
- Dental care
- Hoof care
- Surgery
- Lameness examinations
- Nutrition counseling
In Summary
There are many different types of veterinarians, and each has their own specialties and areas of focus. Depending on your pet’s needs, you may want to choose a specific type of vet. So, if you want a vet to spay a dog, you would look for a veterinarian that offers spaying services for dogs.
You can find the best vet for your pet’s needs by researching. If you’re not sure which type of vet is best for your pet, ask your current vet for a recommendation.
