Alternative Medicine

Also known as holistic health care, this practice encompasses disciplines such as chiropractic, acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal therapy as well as many other related fields, such as massage therapy, Shiatsu, Reiki and other more esoteric fields.

• Natural Holistic Pet Care - overview of various aspects of holistic pet practices.
• Animal Chiropractic and Holistic Health Forum - explains the practice of using chiropractic medicine for animals.
• American Veterinary Chiropractic Association (AVCA) - professional association.
• Veterinary Medicine Internet Resources - lots of links for further information about holistic health care for animals.
• Animal Accupuncture Academy
• Chi Institute: Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine - offers plenty of information about this type of veterinary medicine.

Anesthesiology

Veterinary anesthesiologists are veterinarians who have graduated from veterinary school and have successfully completed advanced, formal training in anesthesiology. Anesthesiologists are trained in the management of animals who are rendered unconscious during diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical procedures. Their profession is concerned with pain management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and support, and care for critically ill and/or injured animals in special care units.

• American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists (ACVA) - professional association.
• Veterinary Anaesthesia and Analgesia - subscription-based professional journal with online access to past issues.
• Analgesia Methods - teaching materials provided by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University.
• Association of Veterinary Anaesthetists (AVA) - professional association in the United Kingdom.
• GASNet - comprehensive information resource for anesthesiology professionals.
• Virtual Anaesthesia Textbook - online resource for individuals in the field.

Behavior

Understanding the behaviors of animals can be quite complex. If an animal is behaving in an unacceptable manner, it can put its owner or handler (or even itself) in danger. Knowing how animal behavior is affected by social, genetic, or environmental factors can help with understanding the relationship between these animals and humans or other animals. Individuals interested in the practice of animal behavior can work in various establishments or as consultants in their own practice. Credentials vary according to the type of work one chooses to do. A veterinarian can become board certified in animal behavior by the American Veterinary Medical Association while veterinary technicians can specialize in animal behavior, and animal trainers can obtain different levels of certification from various certifying bodies.

• Animal Behavior Network - FAQs for this group provides good information about the practice of animal behavior.
• Petfinder.com: What is a veterinary behaviorist? - describes the three groups of professionals who help with animal behavior problems.
• Behavioral Genetics and Animal Science - presents the history of the study of animal behavior in addition to information on the interaction between genetic and environmental factors.
• ScienceWeek - links to article "Animal Behavior: On Animal Personalities."
• Hawk Dove Game Model - Classic model used to analyze animal behavior.
• Learning & Behavior - professional publication (formerly Animal Learning & Behavior) with online access to past issues.

Cardiology

The work of a veterinary cardiologist involves the diagnosis and treatment of heart and large blood vessel disease. In addition, veterinary cardiologists also can work with diseases of the lungs and chest. Veterinary cardiologists have extensive training beyond veterinary school which includes extensive training in diagnostic imaging techniques and inverventional and medical treatments for heart and vascular diseases.

• VetGo: Veterinary Clinical Cardiology - educational site for veterinary students and practitioners.
• Cardiology Service - cool site from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Texas A&M University.
• VCA Specialty Animal Hospitals: What Is A Board Certified Veterinary Cardiologist? - excellent information on the profession and training needed.
• American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) - official organization for veterinary cardiologists.
• American Heartworm Society (AHS) - includes interesting section under "Veterinary Information."
• What is a Diplomate-ACVIM? - explanation of the designation and information on educational requirements needed to obtain it.

Clinical Pathology

Veterinarians who work as clinical pathologists perform laboratory work related to the diagnosis of diseases and the control of therapy of living animals.

• American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) - professional association.
• Training and Preparation for the Certifying Examinations of the ACVP - explains the requirements for becoming a certified veterinary pathologist.
• The Role of the Clinical Pathologist - excellent information provided by Axiom Veterinary Laboratories.
• Veterinary Clinical Pathology - professional publication.
• American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP) - professional organization.

Dentistry

Veterinarians who practice dentristry are focused on the prevention and remedy of dental problems in animals of all sizes and types. Like dentists for humans, animal dentists diagnose and treat oral infections and disease. They perform surgical extractions, reconstructive surgery, repair fractures, and provide treatments for other types of oral trauma as warranted.

• American Veterinary Dental Society (AVDS) - professional association.
• VeTrek - Online learning experience for veterinary dentists.
• Animal Dental Center - info on training for animal dentistry.
• Academy of Veterinary Dental Technicians - provides resources for veterinary technicians wishing to specialise in animal dentistry.
• Academy of Veterinary Dentistry (AVD) - international organization of veterinarians who have a special interest in the dental care of animals.
• Veterinary Dental Encyclopedia - from All Pets Dental, has great descriptions of dental subjects and extensive photos to illustrate concepts shown.

Dermatology

Veterinary dermatologists have expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant disorders of the skin, mouth, hair and nails. They have extensive training in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious and non-infectious skin diseases, allergic disorders, systemic diseases, parasitic skin diseases, autoimmune diseases, various types of skin cancer, and tumors and cysts of the skin.

• American College of Veterinary Dermatology (ACVD) - professional association.
• Dermatology Case Review - Wonderful site provided by the Center for Veterinary Health Sciences at Oklahoma State University allows users to learn to actually formulate diagnoses based on actual case materials.
• World Small Animal Veterinary Association - site has section with interesting articles on veterinary dermatology issues.
• Frequently Asked Questions: Dermatology - site offered by the Red Bank Veterinary Hospital includes info on education and certification for working in the field and a job overview.
• Websites - Dermatology - connects to website of various veterinary dermatology-related pages compiled by the Veterinary Support Personnel Network.

Genetics

In the field of veterinary genetics, professionals study the genetic background of factors that increase or decrease an animal's health (i.e.: resistance to infection, genetic disorders, etc.). They use modeling techniques to study possible future scenarios and gain insight into the influence of selection on physical processes that occur in the animals across generations. Often, veterinary geneticists work with people in adjacent fields such as molecular genetics, immunology, and epidemiology.

• NewScientist.com - excellent site with articles pertaining to animal genetics.
• DOGS - Database of Genome Sizes - includes links to various databases used by professionals in the field.
• DNA Tests for Parentage Verification in Horses - Article explains the importance of using genetic information in identifying horse pedigrees.
• Genetic Engineering News - online publication.
• Rat Genome Database - site offers information to professionals and provides a good look at the issues studied in the field of animal genetics.
• A New Age: Veterinary Molecular Genetics - Interesting article from Working Retriever Central explains the importance of understanding genetics in relation to dog breeding.

Nutrition

Veterinarians who specialize in nutrition have the responsibility of maintaining optimum animal health through adequate nutrition. They deal with nutrition in relation to infection, injury, disease, and aging. They also ensure proper nutrition for breeding animals. Their work can be done in animal practices, hospitals, or in companies that produce feed items for animals of all types.

• American College of Veterinary Nutrition (ACVN) - organization with links to educational information.
• Petfood Industry Online - interesting site with information for professionals working in the field of animal nutrition.
• American Academy of Veterinary Nutrition (AAVN) - professional association.
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Center for Veterinary Medicine - federal site with plenty of links to information about veterinary nutrition issues.
• Enteral Nutrition Calculator - shows example of how nutritional veterinarians calculate feeding requirements for dogs or cats based on health issues.
• Hill's Veterinary Student Portal - petfood manufacturer's site has useful information for students of veterinary nutrition.

Oncology

Veterinary oncologists work to diagnose, treat, and prevent cancer in animals. Their job often requires that they team up with internists, pathologists, pharmacologists, radiologists, surgeons, and general practitioners to ensure proper treatments for their animal patients who have cancer.

• Veterinary Cancer Society (VCS) - professional organization.
• Feline and Canine Cancer Links - interesting site with tons of links to cancer-related information for professionals and pet owners alike.
• Gulf Coast Veterinary Specialists - site provides lots of information on the specialty.
• Legal Information Institute: TITLE 7 > CHAPTER 70 > § 3901 - relates the U.S. Congress findings on the importance of studying cancer in an effort to protect the health of domestic animals, poultry, and wildlife.
• American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine: Oncology - professional organization with information on training requirements for this specialty.
• OncoLink: Veterinary Oncology - Lots of great information on veterinary oncology from the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania.

Ophthalmology

While many eye problems found in animals are managed by general veterinarians, some situations call for the care of an eye expert - or ophthalmologist. A veterinary opthalmologist typically treats problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal diseases, severe injuries, and cancer of the eye.

• American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists (ACVO) - professional organization with good information for veterinarians and the public.
• Animal Eye Care Homepage - great site with links to information on veterinary ophthalmology, general eye care, and medical problems and their associated treatments.
• American Society of Veterinary Ophthalmology (ASVO) - professional association.
• Ophthalmic Pathology Diagnostic Case Collection - from the Department of Pathology at the University of Georgia, this site allows users to try their hand at diagnosing cases.
• Veterinary Ophthalmology Information Centre - site has lots of information on problems and diseases of the eye plus treatment options.
• Veterinary Eye Doctor Seth A. Koch - 1998 transcript of a live Q&A session presented by the Washington Post online edition offers interesting insight into the profession of veterinary opthalmologists.

Pathology/Pathobiology

Veterinarians who specialize in pathology or pathobiology study the nature of disease and its causes, processes, development and consequences.

• Veterinary Pathology - online version of print publication for professionals includes links to full text and abstracts of articles from past issues.
• Armed Forces Institute of Pathology - includes information on training for veterinary pathologists.
• American College of Veterinary Pathologists (ACVP) - professional association.
• Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Exercises - students can experiment with the diagnosis of actual cases as presented by the College of Veterinary Medicine at Oklahoma State University.
• Histovet: Surgical Pathology - includes good resources about the profession under "Read Our CE Pages."
• Charles Louis Davis Foundation for the Advancement of Veterinary and Comparative Pathology - private group who's mission is to further the education and advancement of veterinary and comparative pathology.

Pharmacology

Veterinary pharmacologists work with other veterinarians to ensure the proper selection of drug therapies and dosages for various illnesses. They also can be found working in the pharmaceutical industry developing new therapies and analyzing proper dosages prior to a drug's market introduction.

• American Association of Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (AAVPT) - site features the group's newsletter, membership information, and events..
• U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Center for Veterinary Medicine - federal organization that regulates the manufacture and distribution of food additives and drugs that will be given to animals.
• The United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP) - organization that establishes state-of-the-art standards to ensure the quality of medicines for human and veterinary use.
• Animal Pharmaceutics & Technology Focus Group - part of the American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists professional organization.
• AAPS Journal - issue of online publication devoted to veterinary pharmacology.
• Case Studies in Clinical Pharmacology - from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, this site allows users to analyze cases and make drug and dosage choices.