Veterinary medicine is in a constant state of change as it adapts to the needs of a changing society and as it is enhanced by the emerging technologies of science and medicine. The role of the profession in modern society is being extended. Veterinary medicine is critical in livestock production, food hygiene, human and animal disease control and eradication, public health, laboratory animal medicine, and even in the space program.
Small or companion animal medicine comprises a larger than ever proportion of veterinary practice. Likewise, exotic animal medicine and zoological medicine claim an increasing segment of the veterinary professional staff. Huddling on the horizon are a variety of activities and fields in which veterinary medicine will have contributions. Mental health, biomedical research, environmental health issues, wildlife resources and wildlife biology are areas that increasingly require the expertise of veterinary medical doctors and technologists. Veterinary health care providers of the future may specialize in business management, food science, public health, pathology, epidemiology, toxicology, biochemistry, microbiology, animal and poultry science and bioengineering under the general mantle of veterinary medicine.
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