Veterinarian

JOB

Environment and Agriculture| Health services

Veterinarians provide general veterinary care and carry out preventive work for the benefit of the health of farm animals and pets. Many veterinarians also work in research in specialized fields and/or perform consulting and educational work.

District veterinarians monitor the health of farmed animals and hygiene in food processing, such as aquaculture, dairy production or meat processing. Veterinarians work either on their own, in private practice or in the employ of the state and municipalities. As a veterinarian, you may have to work long and irregular shifts.

Main tasks

– advising on the housing, care and feeding of animals
– diagnosing diseases, administering medicine, vaccinating and treating injuries
– performing surgeries and autopsies
– research, for example on animal diseases, breeding or medicine production

Competence requirements

As a veterinarian, it is necessary to be interested in animal welfare, be able to adopt the perspective of animal owners and show prudence. It is important to have patience, determination and the ability to make difficult decisions. It is also good to be physically fit and have the skills to spot details.

The Icelandic Veterinary Association – Dýralæknafélag Íslands

Study

Veterinary education is at the university level and lasts from five and a half years up to six and a half years. Veterinary studies are not offered in Iceland and veterinarians have therefore studied in the Nordic countries and other countries within Europe. More about veterinary studies and schools abroad.

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