The Life of a Veterinarian in Florida

The state of Florida has a large number of veterinarians as it is also home to many animal-related industries such as Disney's Animal Kingdom and SeaWorld Orlando. Learn about the different responsibilities that come with being a veterinarian in Florida!

Becoming a Veterinarian

First, you need to know that there are different types of veterinarians. Horse vets deal with horses and cows, dog vets take care of cats and dogs, cat vets take care of felines, agricultural veterinarians work on farms and ranches.

So which type do you want to be? Regardless of the type though, being a vet means spending your days caring for animals from all walks of life.

You'll have an assistant or two who helps out with day-to-day operations but you're the one who has to diagnose illnesses and injuries as well as prescribe treatments. All this requires knowledge about animals from every field: zoology (animal classification), animal husbandry (acting as a parent for animals), ethology (behavior of animals, particularly under captivity), and more.

As a veterinarian in Florida you'll have to deal with pets often, but also work on farms or at zoos from time to time. In fact, your work will probably vary depending on where you find yourself most days.

What is a Typical Day for a Veterinarian in Florida

Florida veterinarians have a lot of responsibility. A typical day for a veterinarian in Florida may include the following:

• Visiting different animal patients and examining them for injuries or illnesses

• Diagnosing the problem and prescribing a treatment plan

• Administering medication or treatments

• Educating pet owners on how to properly care for their animals

• Counseling pet owners on the importance of spaying/neutering their animals

• Performing surgeries (if applicable)

• Researching new methods of treatment and keeping up with the latest veterinary technology

• Following up with patients after they leave the clinic to ensure that the treatment plan is effective

• Pursuing continuing education in order to stay current with all industry trends and developments

The life of a veterinarian in Florida isn't easy. Veterinary medicine is one of the most demanding branches of healthcare work, but it's also one of the most fulfilling.

How Much does a Veterinarian Make in Florida

A typical salary for veterinarians in Florida starts at around $100,000 per year. Veterinarians with specialized skills in areas like anesthesiology will typically have salaries in the range of $130,000 to $140,000 per year.

What is the Job Outlook like for Vets

The job outlook for vets is great! There are more than 20,000 veterinary jobs in the US at this time. That number may go up because of the growing pet population. Keep in mind that not all states require you to graduate from an accredited university for vet school, but it may be easier to get a job through one.

The best way to know if becoming a veterinarian is right for you is to speak with veterinarians who are currently practicing in Florida. They can give you an idea of what the job is like on a day-to-day basis and help you decide if this is the right career for you.

The Florida Veterinary Medical Association (FVMA) also has resources that can help you make this decision, such as their "Veterinarian Career Guide." This guide provides information about salaries, job outlook, and what you need to do to become a veterinarian in Florida.

Conclusion

The life of a veterinarian in Florida can be quite rewarding, but it's also demanding. You'll have to work with all sorts of animals from different fields and spend your days juggling patients and treatments while keeping up with new technologies and trends that come out every day.