15 Interesting Veterinary Facts Every Vet Should Know

Did you know veterinarians have helped shape medical breakthroughs that go far beyond animal care?

There’s more to being a vet than checkups and vaccines. From surprising scientific discoveries to milestones that shaped the profession, veterinarians have some fascinating stories to tell.

Here are 15 interesting vet facts that might surprise you, make you see vets differently, and give you something intresting to share with your team or clients.

1. Veterinary Medicine Dates Back More Than 4,000 Years

Veterinary medicine has a much longer history than you might think. The Kahun Veterinary Papyrus, discovered in Egypt between 1889 and 1899, dates back thousands of years. It contains notes on animal health, mainly cattle, with references to birds, dogs, and fish [1].

Here’s a detail you might not expect: the text also advises handlers to wash their hands before, during, and after treating a sick animal [2]. That’s a familiar hygiene practice recorded in ancient Egypt!

Formal veterinary education came much later. The world's first veterinary school opened in Lyon, France, in 1761. What began as ancient attempts to treat animal illness eventually developed into a scientific profession with dedicated schools and specialist training.

2. Becoming a Veterinarian Typically Takes About 5 to 8 Years in the US

Becoming a veterinarian in the US typically takes 5 to 8 years after high school: four years of undergraduate study followed by four years of veterinary school. Some students take accelerated or direct entry routes. 

Those who want to specialize in fields like surgery, cardiology, or ophthalmology need additional internship and residency training before board certification [3].

3. The Veterinary Profession Is Growing Faster Than Most

The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted about 91,100 veterinarians in 2025. It projects 9% growth from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3% average for all occupations, with about 3,100 openings each year. 

The median wage was $130,100 in May 2025 ($62.55/hr) (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Although demand for veterinarians is growing, supporting veterinary teams remains important. [4]. 

39% of vets are currently 55 or older, pointing to a wave of anticipated retirements in the next decade

How Many Veterinarians Are There in the U.S.?

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), approximately 127,131 veterinarians were actively engaged in private or public practice in the United States at the end of 2023.

4. Vets Can Choose From 48 Recognized Specialties

Like human doctors, veterinarians can become board certified in a specialty. The AVMA recognizes 22 specialty organizations covering 48 fields, from surgery and dentistry to animal behavior, nutrition, and zoological medicine [5]. 

By the end of 2024, there were around 18,000 board-certified veterinary specialists worldwide. 

Veterinary specialties and careers cover a wide range of disciplines. Some veterinarians specialize in areas such as oncology, cardiology, dermatology, or diagnostic imaging, while others focus on animal behavior, nutrition, laboratory medicine, or wildlife health. 

These specialized skills help veterinary teams manage complex cases and provide more targeted care.

5. Some Veterinary Specialists Earn More Than $180,000 a Year

In the US, veterinarian pay varies according to specialization, geography, and experience. In May 2025, the top 10% of earners made almost $215,700, while the median yearly salary was $130,100.

Depending on their specialty, employer, and location, specialists may make even more money. According to a 2025 AAVMC report, the median pay for specialists in exotic companion animals at US veterinary institutions was approximately $182,000, while the median salary for immunology experts was $178,000 [6].

Although compensation varies depending on experience, region, company, and type of work, these numbers demonstrate that veterinary medicine offers career options beyond general practice.

6. Veterinarians, Vet Techs, and Vet Assistants Have Different Roles

Not everyone in a veterinary clinic is a veterinarian. Vets diagnose illnesses, prescribe medication, and perform surgery, while veterinary technicians help with laboratory tests, anesthesia, and patient care. Veterinary assistants support daily tasks such as handling animals and preparing examination rooms.

In the United States, veterinarians earned a median annual salary of $130,100 in May 2025, compared with $45,980 for veterinary technologists and technicians in May 2024 [7].

Although they work toward the same goal of animal health, their training, responsibilities, and earning potential differ.

7. About 3 in 4 Private Practice Vets Focus on Companion Animals

Companion animals, including dogs, cats, pet birds, and exotic pets, account for a large share of veterinary care in the United States. Historical data cited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) show that many veterinarians in private practice focus primarily or exclusively on companion animals. However, these figures reflect earlier workforce data rather than the current distribution of veterinary practice.

Veterinarians also work with livestock, horses, wildlife, and laboratory animals, as well as in research, public health, and other fields.

Together, these roles highlight the variety of career paths available in veterinary medicine.

8. Vets Can Measure Feline Pain Through Facial Expressions

The Feline Grimace Scale tracks five signs: ear position, orbital tightening, muzzle tension, whisker change, and head position. Each is scored from 0 to 2.

In one study, researchers tested the scale on 35 cats in pain and 20 healthy cats. Its scores closely matched those from another validated pain tool, with a correlation of 0.86 [8].

So, the next time a cat seems unusually quiet or withdrawn, take a closer look at its face. Those subtle changes may tell you more than its behavior alone.

9. New Vets Graduate With Debt Around 1.5 Times Their Starting Salary

A veterinary degree comes with a hefty price tag. Preliminary AVMA data for the class of 2026 shows graduates with veterinary school debt owed an average of $227,588. Across all graduates, including those with no debt, the average was $185,424, and about 18.5% finished debt-free [9].

Among graduates entering full-time jobs, the average debt-to-income ratio was 1.5:1. These numbers give useful context for conversations about starting salaries and recruitment. 88% of veterinary professionals cite student debt as their primary financial stressor

10. Women Are Now the Majority of the Profession

AVMA data shows that women surpassed men among US veterinarians for the first time in 2009 [10]. The shift has only grown since. AVMA reports that 81% of 2024 US veterinary graduates were female. Women now make up over 65% of practicing veterinarians.

A profession that once shut women out is now largely shaped by them.

11. Vets Are on the Front Line of Public Health

According to the CDC, more than 6 in 10 known infectious diseases in people can spread from animals, and 3 in 4 new or emerging infectious diseases in people come from animals [11].

That makes vets natural early warning systems. An unusual pattern noticed in an exam room can offer an early clue to a wider health concern, which is why veterinarians sit at the heart of the One Health approach.

The One Health approach recognizes that human, animal, and environmental health are closely connected. 

Veterinarians work alongside physicians, researchers, and public health professionals to monitor infectious diseases, investigate outbreaks, and reduce health risks. Their expertise can help identify potential threats before they spread more widely.

12. Veterinary Wellbeing Is a Serious Professional Concern

Being a veterinarian can take an emotional toll. A 2014 survey of 11,627 US veterinarians found that 9% were experiencing serious psychological distress, 31% had experienced depression, and 17% had thought about suicide since graduating from veterinary school. All three figures were higher than those reported in the general population [12].

Thankfully, mental health is getting more attention across the veterinary field. Veterinary schools, clinics, and professional associations are speaking more openly about these struggles and work-life balance. Anyone finding it hard to cope deserves support and can reach out to a mental health professional or a local crisis helpline.

13. Every Graduate Makes a Promise to Animals, Society, and Science

In the United States, new veterinarians recite the Veterinarian's Oath. It commits them to use their knowledge for the protection of animal health and welfare, the prevention and relief of animal suffering, the promotion of public health, and the advancement of medical knowledge [13]].

It is a short promise, but it sums up why so many people choose this work.

14. Not All Veterinarians Work in Clinics 

Veterinarians working outside clinical practice may investigate animal diseases, develop vaccines and medicines, inspect food production systems, teach veterinary students, or support wildlife conservation. 

Some work for government agencies, universities, diagnostic laboratories, and pharmaceutical companies [14]. These roles show how veterinary training can contribute to animal welfare, scientific research, and public health.

15. Most Surveyed Veterinary Practices Use Practice Management Software 

The AVMA’s 2025 report found that 76.5% of surveyed US veterinary practices used practice management software (PIMS). Vets also use in-clinic diagnostic tools, with the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology providing guidelines for point-of-care testing. These tools make it easier to manage patient records and get test results in the clinic [15].

Beyond Checkups and Vaccinations 

From ancient animal medicine to modern diagnostics and AI-powered tools, veterinary medicine has come a long way. Vets do far more than treat sick pets. They help protect public health, advance medical research, improve food safety, and care for animals across countless species. Behind every breakthrough is a profession that keeps learning, adapting, and finding new ways to help animals live healthier lives. The next time you meet a veterinarian, remember that their work extends far beyond treating sick animals.

FAQs

What is one of the most surprising facts about veterinarians?

Veterinarians helped advance insulin research through experiments involving diabetic dogs. This research contributed to the development of insulin treatment for people with diabetes in the 1920s.

How long does it take to become a veterinarian?

In the United States, becoming a veterinarian typically takes about eight years after high school.

Can veterinarians specialize in different fields?

Yes. Veterinarians can pursue specialties such as surgery, cardiology, ophthalmology, dentistry, oncology, and veterinary pathology. These fields involve additional training and, in many cases, board certification.

Do veterinarians help protect human health?

Yes. Veterinarians help detect diseases that can spread between animals and people, investigate outbreaks, support food safety inspections, and contribute to public health research. Their work is part of the One Health approach, which connects human, animal, and environmental health.

How Many Veterinary Clinics Are There in the U.S.?

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau cited by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), the United States had 34,296 veterinary practices in 2023. The number of practices has grown steadily, with an average of approximately 362 new practices added each year since 2010.

Veterinary establishments vary in size, ownership, and the types of animals they treat, ranging from small independent clinics to larger veterinary groups and specialty hospitals.

References:

[1] Papyrus Stories. Caring for Cows in Ancient Egypt.

[2] Brewminate. A Brief History of Veterinary Medicine Since the Ancient World.

[3] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Veterinarians.

[4] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Veterinarians.

[5] American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Veterinary Specialties.

[6] Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC). 2025 Annual Data Report.

[7] U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Veterinary Technologists and Technicians.

[8] Evangelista, M. C., et al. Facial Expressions of Pain in Cats: The Development and Validation of a Feline Grimace Scale. Scientific Reports.

[9] American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). New Veterinary Graduates Face Rising Debt, Lower Real Income.

[10] MRCVS.co.uk. Article on Women in the Veterinary Profession.

[11] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). About Zoonotic Diseases.

[12] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC Stacks: Veterinary Mental Health Survey.

[13] American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Veterinarian's Oath.

[14] American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). Market Research and Statistics: U.S. Veterinarians.

[15] American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA). 2025 Report on the Economic State of the Veterinary Profession.