What Can a Pet Specialist Do For Your Pet?Your family doctor can recommend you to a specialist, for example, a dermatologist or cardiologist, when you have concerns about your health. Likewise, when your pet has an issue that is beyond the reach of your family veterinarian, a specialist in pet health can assist.To be board certified, vets must go through rigorous training, perform research and publish papers in their field of expertise and take a series of tests.Medicine for Veterinary MedicineMany people associate veterinarians with the vet who treats their pet. The field of veterinary medical is a lot more varied. Veterinarians not only diagnose and treat sick animals, but they also help prevent the spread of animal diseases to people and work to safeguard wildlife. They ensure the safety of food products by taking care of the health and welfare of farm animals, and inspecting facilities for food processing. They also research the effects of industrial pollutants, pesticides, and other pollutants on humans as well as animals.In the clinic, most veterinarians practice general veterinary medicine treating all kinds of domestic pets and farm animals. A few specialize in small animals, such as rodents and birds; large domestic animals such as cattle and horses; or exotic species such as iguanas and parrots.After completing veterinary school, some vets choose to further study in one of 22 AVMA-recognized specialty areas in veterinary medicine. This further training enables them to become board certified in a particular area of veterinary medicine.Veterinary radiologists, for instance utilize imaging techniques like computed tomography and x-rays for diagnosing and monitoring the health of animals. Veterinarians specialize in large and small animals and perform a variety of procedures including spays and neuters and dental procedures.Other specialists in veterinary medicine are those who deal with reproduction in animals, such as theriogenologists, and those who study poisons in order to protect people from potential exposures. Nutritionists from veterinary medicine work with healthy animals to design nutrition plans and aid veterinarians in diagnosing illness in animals. Veterinary opthmologists study and treat eye diseases that are not within the scope of the regular veterinary practice.SurgeryThere is a direct correlation between the physical and behavior aspects of dogs. Veterinarians often use surgery to help bridge this gap and relieve discomfort, ease stress for pets, address concurrent problem behaviors that may be causing harm or affecting the quality of life and much more.For example an instance, when a puppy Golden Retriever named Penny went to the veterinarian for her annual check-up, her veterinarian heard a heart murmur. He suggested she be referred to a veterinary doctor, also known as a cardiologist, who specializes in heart. The doctor examined Penny and conducted an ultrasound to assess her heart condition. It was a birth defect that required corrective surgery.In the end it was possible to perform the needed surgery for Penny and she recovered with no complications. Surgical procedures are complex and require a lot of equipment and training as well as facilities in order to be performed successfully. This is why primary care veterinarians and emergency room vets frequently refer their clients to a specialist veterinarian.Only the Diplomates of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons have completed rigorous postgraduate training, including an internship and 3-year residency. They also passed a demanding board certification exam. This signifies that they have a profound knowledge of the specialized areas of surgery and medicine, and are able to provide the highest level of care to their patients.Upstate Veterinary Specialties is a leading provider of spinal surgery and brain surgeries for dogs, cats and small animals. They also collaborate closely with specialists in Internal Medicine and Cardiology to ensure the best possible outcome for your pet. It is essential to keep in mind that any surgery has potential risks and requires follow-up treatment from your veterinarian.Internal MedicineInternal medicine specialists from Veterinary Internal Medicine are specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of illnesses that affect the internal organ systems of your pet. This includes the digestive system, liver, kidneys and lungs. care pets are also trained to know how these systems interact with one another and how to treat primary causes of disease. Internists have a great deal of competence in evaluating and interpreting tests for bloodwork, laboratory tests, and imaging modalities.When a health issue arises in the digestive tract or the kidneys, liver or central nervous system or if a baseline diagnostic test isn't providing answers your primary care veterinarian might recommend an expert. in home pet care are also called upon for chronic diseases such as diabetes, Cushing's disease, Addison's disease or thyroid conditions become more complex. These diseases often require continuous monitoring and regular evaluation with advanced tools, such as cardiac ultrasound to treat.If a diagnosis is made, these physicians will often prescribe cutting-edge treatments to treat the illness and improve the quality of life for your pet. They will also work closely with other specialists in order to maintain your pet's overall health and well-being over the long-term.RadiologyRadiation therapy can be utilized by itself or in combination with chemotherapy surgery to treat a variety of cancers. The goal is to kill the cancer cells and shrink tumors. Pets generally tolerate radiation well. It may cause some short-term side effects, depending on the nature of the tumor and its location.If your pet is diagnosed with cancer, he or she will be referred to an specialist called a veterinary oncologist. Oncologists have advanced training in the use of various diagnostic methods and techniques that permit us to look inside the body of animals, including x-ray, ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and many more.A veterinary oncologist specializes in the treatment of cancer with chemotherapy, radiation and other treatments that are systemic to treat cancer and remove tumors. They offer a range of drugs used to destroy cancerous cells, stop their growth and help the body naturally eliminate the cancerous cells. A veterinary oncologist may also suggest using the pet's immune system to fight cancer by using vaccinations.Veterinary oncology specialists collaborate with radiation oncologists to create treatment plans for patients suffering from different types of cancer. Their expertise and specialized equipment allow them to provide optimal treatment for the animals in their care.Radiation oncologists are experts in using an instrument that delivers high-energy radiation directly to the site of tumor of a pet. Veterinary radiation oncologists have extensive knowledge about how different tumors respond to radiation, and they are experts at developing treatment plans that will maximize the effects of radiation while protecting normal tissues. They are also highly trained in the set up and delivery of radiation treatment sessions, including stereotactic radiosurgery/stereotactic radiation therapy (SRS/SRT). These techniques use an electronic linear acceleration system to deliver radiation doses to precisely placed locations over the course of several weeks.Emergency Critical CareLike the name suggests this field of veterinary medicine focuses on pets who are suffering from serious or life-threatening illnesses. These are often patients that have suffered severe injuries or accidents that require constant monitoring and treatment to give them the best chance at survival.They may be admitted in a separate section of the animal hospital that is similar to an Intensive Care Unit. They are closely monitored by nurses, doctors and other specialists round all hours of the day. They could be undergoing surgery or recovering from trauma and injury, have digestive problems, respiratory issues, severe heart disease or even cancer.Critical care experts are specially trained to manage these very complicated cases. They possess a high degree of broad interdisciplinary knowledge which allows them to work with specialists in other fields to manage patients who have multiple co-morbidities that span various organ systems. taking care of pets have extensive experience in the management of cardiac injuries, traumatic injuries and collapse of the cardiovascular system, mechanical ventilatory support, kidney and gastrointestinal support as well as specialized pain control plans.Veterinarians who have been board certified in emergency and critical care have undergone rigorous specialty training that includes working in large referral hospitals and teaching institutions. They are also able to provide emergency and intensive treatment within their own practice. They also contribute to the research and clinical studies in their respective fields.If you're interested in becoming a vet specialist You should ensure that you love animals and are comfortable with the fast-paced nature. Consider volunteering at a veterinary clinic or shadowing a veterinarian to get a better understanding of various specialties. You can then decide whether this is the career path that is right for you. You can also earn an education in zoology, biology or another subject to get the right background knowledge.