The veterinary course is designed to train all vets to the same level in all the common species. Some diversification will happen in the final year, where students can choose to study certain species or areas of veterinary medicine in more detail, depending on where they can see their career heading. But on the whole, everyone learns a pretty decent amount about pets, farm animals and horses. Once qualified, vets will choose in what area of veterinary medicine they would like to work. And in the clinical sector, practices will often be divided into small animal practices, farm animal practices, equine practices or mixed practices.
On the most part, the division of cases is fairly self-explanatory – have a dog? Go to see a small animal yourself. Have a cow? Go to see a farm animal yourself. But there are some animals that fall through the cracks. Some animals that may not seem at home at a small animal practice, or a farm animal one. And probably the one that causes the most confusion is the chicken.
