Introduction

Not only do veterinarians and veterinary physicians have very similar jobs, but they also have some of the same education requirements. In fact, many veterinary physicians are simply referred to as “vets” or “Dr. Vet.” You may be wondering what sets these professionals apart from each other, and why there is such a difference in pay between the two fields. As you’ll quickly learn in this article, there is actually quite a bit of overlap between these two careers—and that’s exactly how it should be!

The title

The title of “veterinarian” can be used by anyone who has a degree from an accredited veterinary school. This means that a licensed veterinarian could refer to herself as a veterinarian, or even say that she is “a doctor of veterinary medicine.” The title of “veterinary physician,” however, is reserved for those who have earned the DVM degree from an accredited program.

The degree

The first thing you need to know is that veterinarians have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), while veterinary physicians have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery (DVM&S). This means that veterinarians are well trained in medicine, but they aren’t surgeons. If your pet needs surgery—for example, spaying or neutering—your veterinarian will likely refer them to a veterinary surgeon.

Veterinary surgeons also have a DVM&S degree. They’re trained not only in surgery but also in internal medicine and other aspects of veterinary care.

Salary

If you’re looking to make some money, a career as a veterinarian could be for you. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for veterinarians was $89,860 as of May 2017—which is higher than that of general practice physicians and medical doctors.

The job market for veterinary medicine is also projected to grow faster than average through 2024 (according to the BLS).

Duties

You may be wondering what a veterinarian and a veterinary physician can do, especially when it comes to treating humans and animals.

Both are experts in the science of caring for animals and both have the same duties when it comes to treating your pet. They may even work together on occasion. So, if you have questions about your pet’s health, no matter which one you choose to see you will receive an excellent level of care.

When it comes to treating humans though, there are some differences between veterinarians and veterinary physicians:

• Veterinarians who specialize in human medicine often work in hospitals or clinics where they can assist with surgical procedures and prescribe medications; however, they cannot perform surgery on a patient without supervision from another medical professional (e.g., surgeon).
• A veterinary physician can also specialize in human medicine but will not be able to prescribe medication or perform surgeries without supervision as stated above.”

They both take care of animals, but the degree you have and what you make can vary.

As you might have guessed, veterinarians take care of animals. Working as a veterinarian is likely to mean that you’re working in a clinic setting, and your day-to-day activities will include examining pets and giving them shots or medicine.

Veterinary physicians are also animal doctors, but they tend to work in research settings or as government regulators of animal health products or food production facilities. The difference between them and veterinarians is primarily focused on their educational background: veterinarians attend veterinary school (which takes between four and six years), while veterinary physicians receive an MD degree from medical school instead of attending veterinary school.

This means that veterinary physicians make significantly more money than their counterparts do; according to Payscale data analyzed by The Washington Post’s Pet Health Care Blog , the median annual salary for a veterinarian is $72,000 per year—while the median salary for a vet med practitioner was $146,000 per year in 2017.

Conclusion

The veterinarian is the most common title and it’s one that most people are familiar with. However, not everyone knows that there is also a veterinary physician that can have a higher degree than what you would have received as an undergrad. If you’re looking for a career in this field, it’s important to understand all of these differences so that when making decisions about which path is best for you it won’t just be based on what sounds good but rather something more substantial like salary or education!