Veterinary Specialties

Veterinary Specialties

A veterinary specialist is a veterinarian who specializes in a clinical field of veterinary medicine.

"A veterinary specialist, as recognized by the AVMA, is a graduate veterinarian who has successfully completed the process of board certification in an AVMA-recognized veterinary specialty organization (ie, board or college). To become board certified, a veterinarian must have extensive post-graduate training and experience and pass a credential review and examinations set by the given specialty organization."

Most specialties require a 1-year internship or 2 years of clinical practice prior to beginning a residency of 2–3 years' duration. Most specialties require the resident to produce some academic contribution (often in the form of a scientific publication) in order to qualify to sit the certifying examination. Admission or entry into a Veterinary Specialization is quite competitive in the United States and Canada. A general practice veterinarian needs to attend 1 year of clinical internship or 2 years of clinical experience at animal hospital and additionally needs strong research work or publication in that particular field. A Veterinary Specialist may be consulted when an animal’s condition requires specialized care above and beyond that which a regular veterinarian can offer. Many Veterinary Specialists require a referral in order to be seen. After treatment, a Veterinary Specialist may stay in close contact with the referring veterinarian to provide ongoing treatment suggestions and advice. Veterinary specialists may earn 2-3 times more than general practicing veterinarians.