Modern Veterinary Care

More than 45,000 veterinarians currently practice medicine in the United States, primarily in private hospitals and clinics. Of these, about 60 percent treat small animals such as cats and dogs exclusively; about 10 percent treat large animals such as cattle and other livestock; and some 5 percent specialize in horses. The remainder treats both large and small animals. About 9,000 veterinarians in the United States work in corporations or public institutions, such as pharmaceutical companies, colleges or universities, or in local, state, or federal government agencies such as the United States Army Veterinary Corps. Typical small-animal veterinarians are family advisors as well as animal health care providers. They may help clients select an appropriate species or breed of pet and then guide them in the proper nutrition, grooming, training, and general husbandry of their new pet. A large portion of this practice involves preventive care, such as vaccinating, screening, and treating animals for internal and external parasites, as well as performing operations that prevent pets from bearing unwanted offspring. Small-animal veterinarians also treat their patients’ illnesses and injuries, address the owners’ concerns, and provide references to specialists when necessary. Another important responsibility of veterinarians is to provide humane euthanasia (the act of ending a patient’s life).

Large-animal veterinarians work primarily with livestock. They perform vaccinations, parasite control, and neutering, but there are several important differences. Large-animal veterinarians often treat groups of animals rather than individuals. They insure that infectious diseases do not spread from farm to farm. Most patients of large-animal veterinarians are viewed from the standpoint of their economic potential.

They may perform artificial insemination on a herd of cows, treat a horse with colic (severe abdominal pain), or assist a sow in delivering its piglets. Large-animal medicine and surgery are often practiced in stables, barns, and open fields rather than in animal hospitals. Veterinarians must, therefore, carry medicine and instruments with them wherever they go to face almost any challenge.

Задание 1. Согласитесь или не согласитесь со следующими утверждениями:

1. Typical small-animal veterinarians are family advisors.

2. A large portion of veterinarians’ practice involves preventive care.

3. Small-animal veterinarians treat groups of animals.

4. Large-animal veterinarians work primarily with pets.

5. Large-animal medicine and surgery are never practiced in stables, barns and open fields.

Задание 2. Найдите в тексте английские эквиваленты следующим словам и словосочетаниям:

выбрать породу, правильное питание, вакцинация, лечение, внешние паразиты, потомство, правила, искусственное осеменение, инфекционная болезнь.

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