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Veterinary Medicine vocabulary · The Veterinary Practice

Veterinarian

Meaning in veterinary medicine, with examples

/ˌvetərɪˈneriən/nounCore term

In veterinary medicine, veterinarian means: A qualified animal doctor who examines animals, diagnoses and treats their diseases, performs surgery and prescribes medicines. Vets also work in food safety, public health and research.

In Turkish: veteriner hekim, veteriner

How it is used

The standard word in US English and in international writing. In everyday speech almost everyone says vet, and in the UK the legal title is veterinary surgeon, even for vets who never operate. Vets often specialise in small animals, farm animals, horses or exotics.

Example sentences

  1. Our practice has four veterinarians, and two of them see only farm animals.

  2. She worked as a mixed-practice veterinarian in Wales before moving into research.

Common collocations

  • small animal veterinarian
  • farm animal veterinarian
  • practising veterinarian
  • consult a veterinarian
  • equine veterinarian
  • veterinary nurseA trained, registered professional who assists vets, monitors anaesthesia, cares for hospitalised animals, takes samples and advises owners on routine care. In the US: veterinary technician.
  • clientThe owner or keeper who brings an animal to the vet, agrees to treatment and pays the bill. In veterinary work the animal is the patient and the person is the client.
  • consultationA meeting, usually booked as an appointment, in which a vet examines an animal, discusses the problem with the owner and agrees a plan.
  • referralSending an animal to a specialist or a better-equipped hospital for tests or treatment that the first practice cannot provide.

More terms: The Veterinary Practice

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.