The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: waterbuffalofarmer on June 30, 2014, 12:52:49 pm
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Heya guys.
I was wondering,out of curiosity, what qualifications do you need to become a vet? I have always wanted to become a vet, but have been told it takes over 7 yrs to become a vet. Any advise would be good.
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Usually a Batchelor's degree in Veterinary Medicine (funnily enough :) ), plus a load of time spent in various different types of practice.
Check out the various university prospectus websites and veterinary association careers pages for more info. The main problem is that lots of people want to become vets, so the entry requirements are very high. It's a lot of work to earn the right to spend the rest of your working life doing TB tests or with your hand up a cow's bum IMHO! :-J
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Thanks for the advise. It was just a thought. I was wondering more about diagnosing animals, because if I could diagnose animals myself It could be quite handy. :thumbsup:
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My daughter looked at this briefly, my understanding is about 3 A levels or equivalent in sciences and most colleges will want at least A grades. Then it's about 5 years at vet college/ uni.
I'm sure someone on here will be able to confirm or be more accurate but it is a very high standard, hard academic work before you get anywhere near qualified. However if you can cut it and are dedicated what a fabulous career........
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Heya guys.
I was wondering,out of curiosity, what qualifications do you need to become a vet? I have always wanted to become a vet, but have been told it takes over 7 yrs to become a vet. Any advise would be good.
A good grasp of the English language is also a good start as there a lot of new big words to spell , that would be my ADVICE !
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My daughter wants to be a farm vet. She is only 12 but already working hard with that goal in mind.
We haven't looked what's needed (might change her mind several times yet ;D) but I think it takes longer to become a vet than a doctor.
There are vets on here so I'm sure they will know.
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Hi WB do you have any A levels? You need at least 3 at A or A star in science subjects to even apply.
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we have just checked for the new system being introduced in scotland (makes it hard to do 3 sciences) and edinburgh will now take 2 sciences and any other 2 academic subjects all at A or equivalent...
oh well at least oli now knows what he needs, they are also asking for relevant large animal experience...
so time to send oli off on work experience to all my lovely smallholdery friends in a year or 2...
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Hi WB do you have any A levels? You need at least 3 at A or A star in science subjects to even apply.
No I don't have any A levels. I was just wondering about how to become a vet. I haven't decided on becoming a vet, in fact I don't think i'll bother. I really just want to know the basics, how to diagnose animals and treatment etc, etc. By the way thanks for the advise guys. :)
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AdviCe not AdviSe
Sorry, couldn't help myself, again.......
Cut it out, guys. We've been down the spelling correction / grammar correction road before, and there lies grief.
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Sorry, have deleted now :dunce:
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Alistair! Sotp it! ;)
Seriously guys, for anybody thinking about becoming a vet, the key thing is getting the work experience. My sister was totally sure that's what she wanted to do from about the age of 10. However, what got her there was being able to show by the age of 17 that she'd done work experience with a vet, the SSPCA, lambing on local farms, summer work at the local abbotoir etc. etc.
The problem is that everybody who applies has the requisite school grades. What gets you in is being able to show commitment over and above that, and that does take a bit of planning.
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There are lots of ways you can teach yourself to identify what might be ailing your animals......without needing to be qualified ;)
I have a sort of mental flow chart for my pigs, it goes a bit like this...
Is there an obvious problem or do they just seem a bit 'off'?
(If there's an obvious problem like lameness, injury etc then I take the appropriate steps - cuts/wounds get cleaned, sprayed with antibiotic spray and if possible a dressing applied. Lameness involves an examination to see if I can identify what/where the cause lies....depending on what I find it's usually a phonecall to my vet to explain and then a run over to collect any medication - anti-inflammatory etc.)
Do they have a low/high temperature?
Are they eating/drinking/pooing normally?
Is there anything in their environment which could cause problems?
(Have they eaten something they shouldn't have, mixed with new animals, change of bedding, feed stuffs, weather?)
Is it something psychological?
(Could they be upset, stressed because of changes in routine/living conditions)
Generally I know whether it's something that needs immediate treatment or something which should be closely monitored before calling out the vet.........but this only comes with experience - can't really learn it, other than by doing it :-\
I'd suggest doing as much reading as you can - there are some great sites with forums that cover all the usual ailments, TAS is by far the best ;) but there are others too......The Pig site, the cattle site, and I'm sure there are lots of chicken, goat and others too.
Books are great as a reference (Amazon & eBay will have a HUGE selection on every topic you could ever want !) Some are expensive - The Merrick Vet manual for example is over £100 and although I don't own a copy I'm sure it's packed full of great info (but they do have a website too ;)) but each species will have books covering the anatomy and common ailments, along with general care and keeping advice.
And lastly, get out there and meet other keepers, help on other farms with experienced keepers and you'll learn bucketloads of helpful information. You'll also be able to learn how and where to inject or administer other treatments (stomach tubing, foot trimming etc etc etc)
Okay, so you'll not be a qualified vet able to write prescriptions or treat others animals, but you will have a greater understanding of how the animals function and instead of calling a vet out to visit every time you have a problem you'll be able to phone them and explain all the symptoms which will help them to identify it. It might not always be the case that you avoid a call out every time (and there are times when only a vet will do) but it all helps :thumbsup:
HTH
Karen
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Current Admissions requirements for the seven UK vet schools
https://www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/admissions-requirements-aug-2010/ (https://www.rcvs.org.uk/document-library/admissions-requirements-aug-2010/)
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If being a vet seems to be a bit out of reach why not have a look at what it takes to be a vets nurse. I don't have any experience in the field so its just a thought.
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Thanks for all the replies guys. I will look at all of what you have all said.
Thankyou :excited: :wave: :trophy:
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im not smart enough to be a vet but i did really want to become a vet nurse at one point but let a vets wife put me off with her negativity about the job. but i should never have listened to her. if its your dream, go for it. youl need top school grades all through.
how old are you buffalo?
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Becoming a vet is a tough and expensive career to pursue. You generally need to be a top science based student. I obviously wasn't but still Pursued an education with animals. I did a degree in Animal science specialising in agriculture. It's well worth reading journals and books on the subject including reproduction based and nutrition. I still use my lecture notes! Check out your local agricultural college for vocational courses in agriculture. National Diplomas etc
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What about vets receptionist? You'd pick up loads of info and have a team of experts on hand. :)
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That's actually a good idea. By the way i'm sorry to say that I hate disclosing my age, so am afraid I can't answer your question sorry. By the way thanks for the replies.
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thats ok, im terrible for guessing what people are like in my head, and i imagined you were older as you had buffalo etc, but now was thinking you are maybe much younger (than me anyway) if you are considering university. i dont think training to be a vet is so easy as a mature student so advice would be different in that scenario.
dont mind my sticky beak :-[ :-[ ;)
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What about vets receptionist? You'd pick up loads of info and have a team of experts on hand. :)
Tried for a job like that once, and despite the fact that I would have been extremely well suited (experience and qualifications), and only 5 minutes walk away, never even got an interview...
It's not easy to get into jobs that you could do well!
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I know you don't want to disclose your age WB but it would help to know which side of say 21 you are to help us give you realistic ideas for the future.
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Next to nil chance of getting anywhere near becoming a vet without the initial A level requirements to firstly get you to Uni. Then you have to actually be offered a place at a Uni.... and that's all before the very lengthy yeasr and years of training and then the final examinations to actually qualify! Becoming a vet is said to be harder than qualifying to become a GP - my GP actually qualified to become a vet but changed his mind!
You would also need to consider if you have the funds available to take you through Uni etc...
Mature students and graduates
To gain admission to a veterinary degree course mature students without a degree should hold good GCSE and 'A' level examination passes in subjects including chemistry, biology and physics/mathematics, or be able to produce evidence of knowledge to this standard in comparable examinations.
Graduate applicants would normally be expected to hold at least an upper second class honours degree in a related subject. With a relevant science degree, you may be able to complete the veterinary degree in 4 years, rather than 5 – consult the prospectuses of each of the veterinary schools to see what options may be available to you. Graduate entrants do not qualify for UK student loans to cover the tuition fees, although student loans to cover maintenance costs may be available.
Graduates and mature students may need to discuss their own particular qualifications and experience with the veterinary schools' admissions tutors
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I am an ex vet nurse. Its a fab job to a point, training pay is awful. Luckily though, it put me right off wanting to be a vet. I do work in the veterinary research industry though with plenty of vets!
Now is not a good time to be a vet IMO. We are producing way too many of them and there is another new vet school opening up in Surrey that will produce even more. Some new graduates are finding it hard to find work in the first year. The pay, for what's involved and the amount of dept you rack up qualifying, is pretty poor these days. To become a partner in a reasonable size practice, you are talking even more debt-big time debt way more than any mortgage you'll ever want to consider.
Animal Science sounds it would be a good idea!
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I think vetting is the sort of job you either do with a real passion or should not do at all. If it's right for you personally, and you have the brains and work ethic to get the qualifications then I reckon it's a great career path.
My sister has worked all over the country and used her qualifications to travel around NZ for a year (one month doing locum work then one month enjoying herself, repeat x6!). It's hard for all graduates to land their first graduate level job these days (would you hire a newly qualified person in any discipline when you can have somebody with 2 years experience for 20% more?).
It's like anything - if you go for it, great. But do it with your eyes open to both the good and bad stuff.
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Karen , happy hippy, that was a great posting :thumbsup:
did some work for a vet last year….i can tell you one thing that appears you don't need…is common sense ;D ;D
the guy may have been bright as a button , but boy when it came to common sense, he had me wondering how the hell he got his A levels ;D ;D
my neighbours daughter is a vet, she has moved to Oz to study more on horses, her coarse was 7 years long,
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My 11 year old has wanted to be a vet since she was 2. She's not into the 'fluffy little bunnies' type of dreaming - she has already expressed to me that she understands she needs to care for humans (the owners) as much as the animals. came away from parents evening really proud when her science teacher said that "she has it all up there to achieve her dream of being a vet" so fingers crossed for her.
WBF - I'll tell you my age if you tell me yours ;) :-* only kidding. How about volunteering at a sanctuary or something for a bit? good way of gaining all sorts of experience. happy hippy's post was fantastic (might print that off for my goat shed!!)
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the guy may have been bright as a button , but boy when it came to common sense, he had me wondering how the hell he got his A levels ;D ;D
Ain't that the problem with all education these days?
:sofa:
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Not all, Sally. I had a good education but I think/hope I have common sense as well. I do think that common sense is more important than education but both is even better.
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That's the point, Lesley - you and I had an education some decades ago. What I see now is a lot of being taught to pass exams and not a lot of teaching to think, to research, to explore, to use common sense.
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That's the point, Lesley - you and I had an education some decades ago. What I see now is a lot of being taught to pass exams and not a lot of teaching to think, to research, to explore, to use common sense.
You are right - but guess who gets the jobs? ::)
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That's the point, Lesley - you and I had an education some decades ago. What I see now is a lot of being taught to pass exams and not a lot of teaching to think, to research, to explore, to use common sense.
You are right - but guess who gets the jobs? ::)
YOUNG PEOPLE!!
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Whilst some years ago employers used to favour people with experience, I think the trend is changing to look at those who hold degrees only. Many might not have much common sense at all (I work with quite a few of those!) but because they look good on paper they get the job. Some graduates who come to my place of work are full of their own importance, have little experience and even less idea of the ways of the world. To be quite frank, I am astounded at just how "stupid" some of them are.
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That's the point, Lesley - you and I had an education some decades ago. What I see now is a lot of being taught to pass exams and not a lot of teaching to think, to research, to explore, to use common sense.
That's why I got fed up being an academic and am home schooling my kids
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That's the point, Lesley - you and I had an education some decades ago. What I see now is a lot of being taught to pass exams and not a lot of teaching to think, to research, to explore, to use common sense.
That's why I got fed up being an academic and am home schooling my kids
I was home educated too. :wave:
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I've always been interested in homeschooling, WBF. What would you say were the pro's and cons from your point of view (if you don't mind me asking!)
I have 4 girls and the older 2 have just reached the stage where school seems to be more about cattyness and peer group pressure than it does education ::)
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That's the point, Lesley - you and I had an education some decades ago. What I see now is a lot of being taught to pass exams and not a lot of teaching to think, to research, to explore, to use common sense.
Not that long ago, Sally. I was a (very) mature student and graduated in 2000 before going on to do a Masters and my PGCE (teaching qualification). Teaching is one qualification that does make it easier to get a job although I was taught mostly theory and did most of my learning about how to teach by doing it.
My friend's son left school at 18 with A-levels and went to work for the Met Office. After a number of years there, he had a new boss installed - a new graduate - although my friend's son did apply for the job but couldn't be considered because he didn't have a relevant degree. Guess who had to teach the new boss how to do his job?
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I have never been formally educated only home taught. I don't have any experience of attending 'school' to compare with, however, having observed formal education I am happy that my parents made the decision to home educate. :)
I have been able to have the freedom to explore different projects at various times without the restriction of 'classroom', so learning at my own pace has been very important in all aspects. I can see when you say that peer group pressure is a problem as it can interrupt learning, being at home I have not experienced this. There is quality time with my family and we tend to do practical chores on farm also as a family. :farmer:
Hope this helps :thumbsup:
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Thank you - that is really interesting :) Sounds like you really enjoyed it and that you come from a very family centred background, which is lovely.
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My then 10 year old was bullied at school and the then 6 year old held back (the fact she was joining up her letters apparently made the other children feel they were failing!) so they were home schooled and learned to socialise with everyone from livestock porters to molecatchers, stayed up until midnight watching the vet do a Caesarean on a ewe, could stop at any church and museum we encountered, go to lunchtime organ concerts at the cathedral ..... We followed the National Curriculum on basic subjects (plenty of books in W H Smith's - they liked the Letts ones best) and they did maths and English every day before getting down from the breakfast table. My son wasn't interested in anything academic and is working full time on the farm, my daughter decided she wanted to become a farm vet and needed to go back into the school system. 26 terms of home schooling and three of state seem to be doing the trick as her forecast GCSE grades are all A/A* BUT she couldn't believe how vicious some of her classmates are and how much they swore and was astonished to find some of them regularly drink alcohol and smoke pot!
Take a look at the Education Otherwise site. Estimates are 85,000 home schooled children in the UK. Government doesn't like to admit it - people might think some folks don't think much of the state education system! Quite a few people we met through EO started because they had a special needs child that wasn't getting the help they needed but when they found how well the children did at home they pulled their other children out of school too.
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Whilst some years ago employers used to favour people with experience, I think the trend is changing to look at those who hold degrees only. Many might not have much common sense at all (I work with quite a few of those!) but because they look good on paper they get the job. Some graduates who come to my place of work are full of their own importance, have little experience and even less idea of the ways of the world. To be quite frank, I am astounded at just how "stupid" some of them are.
I don't think this is necessarily true. I think there are now so many people in the job market with degrees, that is easier for an employer to specify they want someone with a degree just in order to weed out some candidates.
It does mean of course they might miss on someone qualified by experience who would be better at the job. Is having a degree now devalued to a certain extent?
Beth
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Home schooling works for some but will greatly restrict future prospects if no exams are achieved (common sense doesn't show on an application form). I have taught a youngsters who had been home tutored then came to college to train in their chosen vocation ... one in particular stands out ............. a very likeable and clever young man, who would have easily managed A levels if he had been in school.... his maths ability was very good but there was some huge gaps where I can only assume his parents also had gaps .... he had never done ratio's for example.
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This is one of the reasons I realised I couldn't home school my girls. My maths, grammar, spelling & most other things are pretty awful! As said previously, Eloise wants to be a vet, eldest wants a future in bridal fashion design, younger two are mulling over being a doctor/teacher/chef.... best I can offer is how to make soap, fold hospital corners and trim hooves! ;D
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Some good replies here.
With regard to degrees etc. The first introduction is the course application form, in my opinion higher grades, and more of them, will always shine out - with those in turn backed up by experience.
One of my youngsters has wanted to be a vet since forever. Piles of soft toys with colds and bandages (makes for interesting reading on the application form!) for as long as I can remember.
By age 9 had already had years of various experience - from lambing, through to large/small animal illnesses, to plucking chickens for the freezer (along with the many questions of what was coming out when the bird was prepared for table).
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NB: 7 years of hard work to qualify, longer than qualifying to be a doctor.
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Whilst some years ago employers used to favour people with experience, I think the trend is changing to look at those who hold degrees only. Many might not have much common sense at all (I work with quite a few of those!) but because they look good on paper they get the job. Some graduates who come to my place of work are full of their own importance, have little experience and even less idea of the ways of the world. To be quite frank, I am astounded at just how "stupid" some of them are.
I don't think this is necessarily true. I think there are now so many people in the job market with degrees, that is easier for an employer to specify they want someone with a degree just in order to weed out some candidates.
I have the degrees and loads of experience (plus good references and a string of further qualifications gained as required on the job) and still can't get work. So my only conclusion is that it is ageism! At 56 you are obviously only good for the scrap heap.
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Ina, you are so right. My brother was made redundant after 27 years in a managerial role in IT, with experience in how to physically fix computers from the inside (ie the workings) as well as all the programmes, etc. He had worked as a systems analyst as well and have a degree. He applied for 100s of jobs with no success. Why? He was in his mid-fifties. I know that employers are not allowed to ask for applicants ages now but if someone left school with A-levels in 1974, it's not difficult to work out their age from the application form.