What is a veterinary specialist?
By Samuel Dicker, DVM, DACVECC
Board Certified in Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care
When I was younger, my pets would go to “The Vet.” Veterinary medicine, like human medicine, has evolved significantly over the years. Just as your primary care physician may refer you to a cardiologist or orthopedic surgeon, your local veterinarian may refer your pet to a veterinary hospital like Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center for more advanced diagnostics or treatment.
All veterinarians complete specific pre-med undergraduate courses in order to be accepted to veterinary school. Veterinary school is a four year doctorate program, which is typically structured as about three years of classroom training, and about one year rotating through the various university hospital services. Before practicing, veterinarians are required to pass a national licensing exam. Some veterinarians then go directly into general practice, while others choose to continue more specialized training.
Some veterinarians continue their training with a one-year rotating internship. This program takes place at either a specialty or university hospital where doctors care for patients under the guidance of experienced veterinarians and specialists. At many emergency vet hospitals, including VSEC in Westchester, NY, emergency clinicians have completed a rotating internship to prepare them for complex and time-sensitive cases.
In addition to a rotating internship, specialists are required to complete a three-year residency, during which they are supervised and mentored by other boarded specialists. Residency programs exist across areas such as veterinary internal medicine, surgery, pet oncology, and emergency and critical care. Candidates must also serve as first author on a peer-reviewed scientific journal article before sitting for a rigorous qualifying examination. Once they pass, they are referred to as a “Diplomate” of their specialty college, such as a Diplomate of the American College of Surgeons (DACVS), Diplomate of the American College of Internal Medicine (DACVIM), and Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Emergency & Critical Care (DACVECC). These are the same specialists you may meet if your pet needs emergency surgery or advanced diagnostics like a CT scan.
Diplomates are required to adhere to continuing education requirements to maintain their status. This commitment ensures that your pets have access to the highest standard of specialty veterinary care.
If your pet is in need of a specialist or is experiencing an emergency, visit Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center in Mamaroneck, NY (open 24 hours) or give us a call at (914) 315-4600.