Veterinarians diagnose, prevent and treat diseases, injuries and dysfunctions of animals. They may provide care to a wide range of animals; specialize in the treatment of a particular animal group or in a particular area of specialization; or provide professional services to commercial firms producing biological and pharmaceutical products.

Tasks performed usually include: determining the presence and nature of abnormal conditions by physical examination, laboratory testing and through diagnostic imaging techniques including radiography and ultrasound; treating animals medically and surgically, and administering and prescribing drugs, analgesics, and general and local anaesthetics; performing surgery, dressing wounds and setting broken bones; rendering obstetric services to animals; participating in programmes designed to prevent the occurrence and spread of animal diseases; inoculating animals against, and testing for, infectious diseases and notifying authorities of outbreaks of infectious animal diseases; performing autopsies to determine cause of death; advising clients on health, nutrition and feeding, hygiene, breeding and care of animals.