You are likely familiar with small animal vets who specialise in the care of pets such as cats and dogs, and large animal vets who are focused on the wellbeing of farm animals such as livestock and horses, but exotic animal vets are less common.
If you are wondering how to become an exotic animal veterinarian, then the following information should tell you all you need to know.
What is an exotic animal veterinarian?
Exotic animal vets specialise in treating exotic animals, which are primarily defined as non-domestic animals, but this definition is wide-ranging, including reptiles, rodents, amphibians, birds, fish, primates, marsupials, and more.
The responsibilities of an exotic animal veterinarian, however, are largely similar to those of a small or large animal vet, that being the health and wellbeing of their patients. These responsibilities more specifically will include diagnosing illness, administering vaccinations, performing surgery and providing emergency care.
Exotic animal vets may practice at a clinic treating the increasing number of exotic animals kept as pets, but exotic animal vets commonly work in a zoological or wildlife setting.
What qualifications are needed to become an exotic animal veterinarian?
Like veterinary surgeons of any specialisation, to become an exotic animal veterinarian, you first need to complete a five-year degree course in veterinary medicine and register with the RCVS. Acceptance to these courses typically requires 3 A-Levels in relevant subjects, one of which must be Biology, and most courses require grades of AAA.
Once you are a qualified veterinarian and have gained some professional experience treating domestic animals, you can then take extra courses and qualifications in wildlife health or zoological medicine. You may also need to complete a placement working with exotic animals and a residency program, such as those offered by the European College of Zoological Medicine.
What is the salary of an exotic animal veterinarian?
Newly qualified veterinary surgeons can earn around £30,000 per annum and working at this level with domestic animals is required for a few years before you can specialise as an exotic animal vet. How much you will be paid as an exotic animal vet depends entirely on where you practice and how much experience you have. Zoo vets, for example, can earn anywhere between £41,000 and £131,000 in the UK.
What other jobs are there working with exotic animals?
If you do not want to become an exotic animal veterinary surgeon, but still want to work with exotic animals, then there are some other jobs you could consider. Most of the jobs at a traditional vet practice will have equivalents in zoos or other exotic animal care environments. Vet nurses, who are the primary assistants to the vet surgeon, are still required in the care of exotic animals, as are exotic vet and zoo vet technicians.
Becoming an exotic animal veterinarian can be incredibly rewarding, and it also allows you to work with some of the more unusual animals that fewer vets can treat. Because of the variety of animals you will work with, as well as the different places you may work, such as in zoos, with wildlife or even in clinics, the work will be constantly changing, and no two days will be the same.
SynergyVets is a dedicated veterinary recruitment agency, with almost 30 years’ collective experience supporting the veterinary profession with locum and permanent personnel. You can view our current veterinary vacancies here or get in touch if you have any questions.