Agricultural Careers

1. Agricultural Careers Avian Veterinarian By: Dr. Frank Flanders and Jennie Simpson Georgia Agricultural Education Curriculum Office Georgia Department of Education June 2005 START

2. What Is an Avian Veterinarian? • Avian Veterinarians work primarily with either ornamental (pet) birds or poultry. • A certified avian veterinarian is one who has obtained certification from the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners (ABVP) to practice exclusively on the species of birds. • Diagnosis, treatment, control, and prevention of diseases are major concerns for avian veterinarians. • A pet bird practice can involve large aviaries, but most pet bird work is performed for individuals who own one bird or a small collection of ornamental birds.

3. Duties of an Avian Veterinarian • Perform surgery, dress wounds, and set broken bones. • Diagnose and vaccinate avian diseases. • Advise animal owners about the care and breeding of birds. • Inspect animals intended for consumption, both before and after they are slaughtered. • Teaching or conducting research on animal and human diseases.

4. Becoming an Avian Veterinarian • An avian veterinarian must enjoys working with birds and be able to deal with pets and their owners. • One must be patient and perceptive with sound business skills. • Some work will be done with groups of people while some will be done individually so the ability to work in either environment is needed. • One must also be able to work quickly and efficiently.

5. Education • Prospective veterinarians must graduate from a 4-year program at an accredited college of veterinary medicine with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree and obtain a license to practice. • Applicants to vet school must pass the Veterinary College Admissions Test, the Medical College Admission Test, or the Graduate Record Examination. • Subscribe to journals of veterinary medicine to increase general knowledge. • Participate in clubs such as 4-H where you can participate in Poultry judging and other avian projects. • Work a summer or part-time job as an assistant to an avian veterinarian.

6. Employment • Median annual earnings of veterinarians were $63,090 in 2002. The middle 50 percent earned between $49,050 and $85,770. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $38,000, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $123,370. • The average annual salary for veterinarians in the Federal Government in non-supervisory, supervisory, and managerial positions was $72,208 in 2003. • Employment of veterinarians is expected to increase faster than the average for all occupations through the year 2012. • As pets are increasingly viewed as a member of the family, pet owners will be more willing to spend increasing amounts on advanced veterinary medical care, creating more demand for veterinarians.

7. Related Careers • Animal Nutritionist • Animal Scientist • Poultry Scientist • Veterinarian • Veterinary Assistant • Zoologist

8. Career Resources American Board of Veterinary Practitioners 530 Church Street, Suite 700 Nashville, TN, 37219 Internet: http://www.abvp.com American Veterinary Medical Association 1931 North Meacham Road, Suite 100 Schaumburg, Illinois 60173-4360 Internet: http://www.avma.org