What is the difference between a family veterinarian and a veterinary specialist?
A family veterinarian and a veterinary specialist both have earned their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, requiring an undergraduate degree, 4 years of veterinary college, professional training and then successful completion of the state and national licensing boards. Your family veterinarian, also called a primary care vet, is in general practice and has the primary responsibility to manage your pet’s overall health, including preventive care. A veterinary specialist has typically completed 4 additional years of specialty training. This includes a 1-year internship and a 3-year residency program in a particular practice area, i.e. Internal Medicine, Neurology, Oncology, etc. To become board-certified, these candidates must also pass rigorous training and testing requirements. Graduates are called Diplomates. Veterinary Specialty Hospital has 18 board-certified specialists, in Dentistry, Dermatology, Emergency/Critical Care, Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology, Neurology, Ophthalmology,
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