Pet Health: What You Need to Know

5 Different Types Of Veterinarian Specialists

10 March 2021

Connor Hawkins

Sometimes, your pet will need to work with a veterinarian specialist who is trained in a specific type of veterinary medicine. A veterinarian specialist may work alongside your veterinarian to take care of your pet. To take proper care of your pet, it is important to be aware of the different veterinarian specialists you may need to work with to take care of your pet.

Specialist #1: Behavior

It is important to train your pet how to behave properly. Just like people, some pets have behavioral issues, such as anxiety. If you are having a hard time training your pet, or you took in a rescue animal with behavioral issues, a behavioral veterinarian can help work with your pet to help them learn more socially-accessible behavior and provide you with the tools you need to address your pet's behavior. For example, a behavior specialist can help with a dog with anxiety or a pet that is too aggressive with strangers.

Specialist #2: Dentistry

If your pet has teeth, it is crucial to take care of your pet's teeth. For example, if you have a dog, you should be brushing their teeth regularly. Just like humans, healthy teeth contribute to better overall health, and damaged teeth can contribute to overall poor health conditions.

It can be difficult to brush or clean your pet's teeth, which is where a veterinary dentist comes in. They will generally put your pet to sleep and then deep clean their teeth and address any other dental issues.

Specialist #3: Emergency Vet

When your pet is faced with an emergency, you will want to take them to an emergency vet. This type of vet is trained to deal with things, such as a pet that was attacked by another animal and suffered injuries. Or, if your pet suffered a burn, an emergency vet would know how to address and treat the burn and protect your pet from further injury.

Specialist #4: Nutrition

If your pet is overweight, you will want to work with a vet who specializes in nutrition to find the right diet for your pet. Suppose your pet suffered from a medical condition that impacts its digestion. In that case, a nutritionist will develop a diet that will allow your pet to get the nutrition they need without further damaging their digestion system.

Specialist #5: Surgeon

A veterinarian may also specialize in surgery. Generally, one can specialize in either large animal surgery or small animal surgery. From there, an animal surgeon may further specialize in soft tissue or orthopedic surgery. If your pet has a severe health issue or injury, you will need to work with a surgeon.

A general veterinarian is great for yearly check-ups and vaccinations; however, for more specialized issues with your pet, you will want to work with a veterinary specialist. The list above is just a short overview of a few of the many different specialists who can help you take care of your pet.

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