Veterinary science and the veterinary profession

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Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3 Western Australia, Series 3

Volume 5

Number 1 January-February, 1956 Article 19

1-1956

Veterinary science and the veterinary profession Veterinary science and the veterinary profession

Follow this and additional works at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3

Recommended Citation Recommended Citation

(1956) "Veterinary science and the veterinary profession," Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Series 3: Vol. 5: No. 1, Article 19.

Available at: https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/journal_agriculture3/vol5/iss1/19

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ETERINARY Science includes t h e study of t h e health of animals, t h e prevention of ill-health, a n d t h e t r e a t m e n t of sick animals. I n addition t h e veterinary profession is concerned with t h e fitness of meat, milk and other animal products for h u m a n consumption to protect t h e community from diseases of animal origin.

The prosperity of Australia depends very largely on t h e animal industries.

Wool, mutton, lamb, beef, pigmeats, eggs, butter a n d cheese a r e important exports, and considerable quantities of all these commodities are required for home consumption. To ensure production on a n efficient basis, loss from ill-health a n d disease must be eliminated or minimised and available fodders used a s efficiently as possible.

Australian flocks a n d herds must be protected from such serious animal plagues of other countries a s foot a n d mouth disease, rinderpest, swine fever, glanders, equine infectious anaemia, a n d Newcastle disease. This demands constant vigilance, for t h e risk of introduction of such diseases h a s increased with rapid modern transport. Some of these diseases, such as rinderpest, swine fever, a n d Newcastle disease, have a t times gained a footing in Australia, b u t have been eradicated, thus saving Australia from recurrent a n d per- haps devastating loss.

Improved methods of breeding a n d animal husbandry can increase production and improve quality, a n d veterinarians are participating i n research i n these fields, and in t h e dissemination of results of research to t h e pastoral industry. T h e increase in t h e numbers of general p r a c - titioners i n t h e last 20 years h a s brought individual veterinary attention within t h e reach of t h e majority of animal owners, not only in t h e large metropolitan areas, but also in most country towns a n d dis- tricts.

HOW TO BECOME A VETERINARIAN Students who wish to enter t h e veterinary profession must graduate from t h e Faculty of Veterinary Science i n t h e

Universities of Sydney or Queensland.

Students may undertake their first year studies a t any Australian university, a n d then proceed t o Sydney or Brisbane t o complete their course. They should, how- ever, make sure t h a t t h e subjects studied will be accepted as t h e equivalent of first year in t h e University concerned. T h e course of Veterinary Science is of five years' duration.

Though there are some slight differences between t h e courses a t Sydney a n d Bris- bane, the subjects taken during each year of t h e course a r e :

First Year.—The students lay t h e foundations of their future study by taking courses in t h e basic sciences: chemistry, physics, botany, a n d zoology.

Second Year.—The main subjects a r e anatomy (the study of the structure of t h e normal a n i m a l ) ; physiology a n d biochemistry (the study of t h e various body functions) a n d animal husbandry ( t h e care a n d management of livestock). Dur- ing this year, t h e student is concerned with t h e study of t h e normal animal so t h a t later on abnormal or pathological conditions can be understood.

Third Year.—The major subjects a r e continued a n d further time is devoted t o anatomy, psysiology, biochemistry a n d animal husbandry.

In this year students also commence t h e study of disease (pathology) undertaking visual a n d microscopic examination of diseased tissues, a n d learning of t h e changes brought about by disease-producing agents.

Fourth Year.—This year is divided b e - tween a study of t h e courses of disease and t h e effects of these on t h e animal, together with t h e principles of diagnosis and treatment.

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Journal of agriculture Vol. 5 1956

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Fifth Year.—A more advanced study of several subjects, notably surgery, clinical medicine a n d obstetrics, is u n d e r t a k e n ; as well as t h e application of animal h u s - b a n d r y (including nutrition and genetics) t o a n i m a l production.

At t h e same time subjects such as meat inspection a n d pastoral botany are in- cluded.

Practical Work.—In all fields of applied science, t h e essence of learning is through personal experience, observation, a n d ex- p e r i m e n t . At all stages of t h e veterinary course, therefore, students engage largely in practical work. This includes dissec- tion in a n a t o m y a n d pathology, laboratory work in physiology, bacteriology and p a r a - sitology, a n d clinical work in medicine, surgery, a n d obstetrics.

Both Brisbane a n d Sydney Veterinary Schools a r e equipped with farms a t which s t u d e n t s are given practical training.

S t u d e n t s are required to gain practical experience during vacation in breeding, feeding, a n d m a n a g e m e n t of stock on a p - proved farms a n d stations, thereby en- abling those who have previously lived in cities a n d towns to learn a t first h a n d the various phases of animal production.

A r r a n g e m e n t s are also m a d e for senior student:, to spend several weeks at veterin- a r y research stations a n d with govern- m e n t veterinary officers a n d private p r a c - titioners. Experience with veterinarians is most valuable inasmuch as the student m e e t s a t first h a n d t h e problems with w h i c h he h a s to deal, and learns to apply t h e academic knowledge gained a t t h e University.

After five years' study a n d passing the necessary examinations, t h e qualification obtained is t h a t of Bachelor of Veterinary Science (B.V.Sc). Such a degree is necessary to hold a n y veterinary appointment or for registration under State Veterinary Surgeons' Boards. A Bachelor of Veterin- ary Science is also able to qualify in Mel- bourne a n d Brisbane for t h e degree of Master of Veterinary Science (M.V. Sc.) after further study. The degree of Doctor of Veterinary Science (D.V.Sc.) is awarded to candidates who have fulfilled certain prescribed conditions, a n d made some notable contribution to veterinary science.

Full details of these courses may be obtained on application to the Registrar of the University concerned.

Scholarships.

The Commonwealth Government p r o - vides a large number of scholarships to assist students seeking higher education.

These are allotted on a system based on school records a n d examination results.

Details of these a n d other scholarships can be obtained from the Registrar of any Australian University.

Cadetships.

I n Western Australia the State Govern- m e n t provides two cadetships each year for students with suitable academic qualifica- tions. Candidates must have matriculated in subjects including English a n d Mathe- matics A a n d B.

The first year of cadetship is undertaken at the University of Western Australia, and the remaining four years a t the University of Queensland.

First-class rail fares and University fees are paid together with living allowance to cover board and other expenses.

I n return, the cadet upon qualification is required to serve as a veterinary officer in the Department of Agriculture for a period of five years.

More detailed information concerning these State Government cadetships may be obtained from the Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Agriculture, P e r t h .

WHAT OPENINGS ARE THERE FOR VETERINARY GRADUATES?

There are two main groups within the profession: (a) general practitioners whose main function is t h e prevention a n d t r e a t m e n t of ill-health in individual animals a n d (b) Government officers chiefly concerned with research and advisory work, food inspection, quarantine and the control of transmissible diseases.

Other veterinarians may be employed by Universities, research institutes, and private firms on research and advisory work.

(a) Private Practice.

The largest single avenue for employment of veterinary graduates is in private practice, and although the number en- 2

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gaged in t h a t work h a s increased considerably in recent years there is still room for expansion.

In the metropolitan areas, racehorses and small animals, such as dogs and cats, comprise the majority of patients, a l - though practitioners in the outer metropolitan areas also work among dairy cattle and other farm animals. Some practitioners deal almost exclusively with poultry.

In a few States it is the government policy to engage practitioners in selected rural areas for tuberculin testing and vac- cination. P a r t - t i m e employment of this n a t u r e may be of considerable value to graduates who are establishing new p r a c - tices.

Recent graduates m a y be employed as assistants to established practitioners, t h u s gaining extra experience while acquiring sufficient capital to set up their own estab- lishments.

Subsidised Rural Practice.

In some States co-operative organisations employ one or more veterinarians to provide expert services for their members, whereas others achieve the same object by paying subsidies to practitioners. Some dairy companies station veterinarians in t h e country areas from which they draw their supplies. Veterinarians in subsidised practices also advise farmers on preven- tive measures, animal husbandry and production.

(b) Government Services and Teaching.

Apart from those engaged in some form of private practice t h e next largest group in the veterinary profession is engaged in the control of infectious diseases, in teaching a t one of t h e veterinary schools, and in research into animal h e a l t h problems. The principal organisations em- ploying veterinary graduates in this way are set out below.

(i) Commonwealth Government Veterin- ary Service.

Veterinary officers are employed in the Division of Veterinary Hygiene of the Health Department, in the Department of Commerce and Agriculture, a t the Com- monwealth Serum Laboratories, and by the Northern Territory and Papua-New Guinea administrations.

The Commonwealth Division of Veterin- ary Hygiene administers t h e animal quarantine laws and is responsible for animal disease control in the Australian Capital Territory. Veterinary officers of the Department of Commerce and Agri- culture are stationed in various p a r t s of Australia, particularly a t m e a t export works, and are responsible for the inspection of all m e a t and meat products ex- ported from Australia. They must ensure t h a t these conform to the requirements of the importing country in regard to free- dom from disease and in other respects.

At the Commonwealth Serum Labora- tories, sera, vaccines and other biological products for t h e control of h u m a n and animal diseases are produced. The veterinary services of the Northern Territory and Papua-New Guinea, like those of the States, are responsible for regulatory and advisory work in relation to animal disease and animal husbandry.

(ii) Commonwealth Research Service.

The Commonwealth Scientific a n d I n - dustrial Research Organisation, through its Division of Animal Health and P r o - duction with laboratories in most States, engages actively in veterinary research, particularly into problems of national im- portance.

(Hi) State Administrative, Advisory, Re- search and Diagnostic Services.

Each Australian State has a veterinary service which is responsible for the ad- ministration of the Acts and regulations relating to the control of transmissible diseases of animals, and for advisory services on animal problems to farmers and graziers. Each State also m a i n t a i n s its own research station or research laboratory.

(c) Commercial Firms.

In recent years many of t h e larger chemical companies have engaged in the production of veterinary drugs and vaccines. Research and development work is frequently involved coupled with advisory work in some instances. Occasional vacancies occur with companies process- ing milk and other animal foods, also with fertiliser companies. There is a growing demand for veterinarians as advisers in fields such as these.

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CONCLUSION.

T h o u g h t h e r a n k s of t h e profession have b e e n considerably augmented in recent y e a r s , t h e r e is still a n unsatisfied demand for veterinary graduates. Factors t h a t h a v e been responsible for this expansion a r e : —

(a) T h e increasing a t t e n t i o n being paid to t h e control of animal diseases.

(b) T h e increasing awareness of t h e need for care of sick a n d injured animals.

(c) T h e growing recognition of the i m p o r t a n c e of food production, a n d t h e recognition of the role of veterinary science in maintaining t h e h e a l t h of food-producing a n i m a l s .

(d) The increase in population of Australia.

(e) The provision of more money for research, advisory a n d regulatory work, due to a realisation t h a t a sound livestock industry is es- sential for national prosperity.

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