Veterinary medicine

The Veterinary Medicine ( from the French word vétérinaire ), also referred to as veterinary medicine, deals with the diseases of animals, animal welfare and associated research, but also with foods of animal origin and related topics. Especially the latter is under a steadily increasing consumer protection is of great importance, the control of food of animal origin is the responsibility but both in the production and in the processing of the veterinary authorities. The training to the vet is regulated by the state by the Regulation for approval of veterinarians and veterinary surgeons ( TAppV ).

History

Global

The Egyptian Papyrus of Kahun of 1900V.u.Z. is one of the first documents attesting Veterinary Medicine - General Shalihotra is assumed (about 2400V.uZ ) as the founder.

In the edicts of Ashoka ( 3rd century BC) is written:

" Everywhere King Piyadasi ( Asoka ) made ​​two kinds of medicine ( चिकित्सा ) available, medicine for people and medicine for animals. Where there were no healing herbs for people and animals, he ordered thatthey can be bought and planted. (such as: . King Ashoka made ​​throughout two types of medicine available for people and for animals where no medicinal plants were available, he ordered the purchase and cultivation. ) "

German -speaking

The oldest veterinary college in the German-speaking world is the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, founded in 1765 as a training school for the healing of livestock diseases. On the territory of the present Federal Republic of Germany, the academic training is in veterinary medicine back to 1771 and has its roots at the University of Göttingen. At this time, the Göttingen Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben polymath received approval to set up the Vieharzney Institute at the University. Today's Veterinary Institute of the Georg-August -Universität Göttingen is the oldest and first university training center for veterinary medicine in Germany, where no veterinary science, however, is more possible today.

The oldest, still existing, independent veterinary university in Germany is the 1778 under the reign of George III. Founded as Roßarzney School of Veterinary Medicine Hannover (since 2003 University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover).

Study

The study of veterinary medicine is possible in the Federal Republic of Germany in addition to the School of Veterinary Medicine Hannover addition, also in Berlin (Free University of Berlin), Giessen ( Justus -Liebig- University ), Leipzig ( University of Leipzig) and Munich ( Ludwig- Maximilians- University ). In the Republic of Austria, the study is possible only in Vienna, in Switzerland at the Universities of Bern and Zurich. It is divided into the sections Vorphysikum, Physikum and clinical section. It ends with the state exam and the license to practice as a veterinarian.

Depending on the university education takes place in two variants. In the classic method is taught by specialties (surgery, internal medicine, gynecology, etc.), at the North American method is distinguished by species and within that then all the subjects taught together ( Clinic for Ruminants, horses, pets, etc.). In Leipzig, a mixed form is practiced, are treated in specific subjects of livestock and small animals and birds.

Then optionally followed by a dissertation award of the academic degree Doctor medicinae veterinariae ( Dr. med. ), A circle exams or the acquisition of a professional veterinarian. Across Europe, more recently, the American model, a standardized training gear for Diplomate of the European College arisen for many disciplines (eg, Diplomate of the European College of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate ECVS ). This is coordinated by the European Board of Veterinary Specialisation.

Much like in human medicine, there are various specializations among veterinarians as part of postgraduate training as a specialist vet. There are both discipline -based professional veterinarians (eg, surgery, pathology, internal medicine ), species- related specializations (eg, small animals, horses, cattle, pigs, poultry), and besides the actual specialist veterinarians area designations (eg ophthalmology, acupuncture ) ( → List of medical specialties ).

In agriculture, veterinary medicine plays a major role. This is among other things to the animal disease protection, so that also covers the killing of animal herds in infections (FMD, BSE, etc. ) and the protection of human health against animal diseases (zoonoses such as rabies, etc.) in the field of veterinary medicine.

Whereas in " Luxury animals " such as horses and small domestic and pet animals such as dogs, cats or guinea pigs human medicine comparable supply is possible, the medical care of farm animals is primarily subject to the aspects of economy.

Another focus of Veterinary Medicine is to ensure the hygiene of foodstuffs. To this end, the ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection is carried out by veterinary surgeons or under their supervision, for example. This includes the control of animal transport and hygiene in food premises such as slaughterhouses. The Food Science is an integral part of veterinary training.

The former male domain is more and more became a profession for women. At some universities, the percentage of students of veterinary medicine rose to over 90%; the national average were the numbers of students beginners: 1974 24% 1980 50 % 1990 74 % 2001 87%.

Professional organizations

Apart from the statutory bodies of the professional self-government ( bodies governed by public law ), the 17 state veterinarians chambers (there are two chambers in NRW ) still take care of the free trade associations to represent the interests of the profession. While all vets are forced members in the national veterinary medical associations, membership in professional associations is voluntary. Accordingly, the associations can act more freely and argue.

The oldest organization is the German Veterinary Medical Society ( DVG ), founded in 1949 and in 1951 entered in the register of associations. Objectives of the DVG are to promote research, teaching and science in veterinary medicine, youth development, training and scientific congresses and managing multiple foundations for the promotion of science. It is an umbrella organization of 36 trade groups that take on the role of veterinary medical associations in Germany (eg German Society of Small Animal Medicine DGK DVG, Section equine diseases, researchers dealing with animal protection law, FG zoo animals, wild animals and exotic pets hg, FG physiology and biochemistry etc. ) and six committees (eg disinfectants Committee of the DVG or study group of Veterinary Medicine infectious Diseases AVID). The DVG reviews and lists since 1970 disinfectant for animal husbandry and the food industry. This list is mandatory for all official disinfection measures.

1953, the BPT eV Federation of practical veterinarians today Federation of practicing veterinarians was founded at that time. The BPT has a Federal Association and 16 state associations. and is the lobby group of practicing veterinarians. He cares addition to his extensive professional policy tasks to the training through a large range of events. He is social partners in the negotiations of collective agreements for animal medical assistant.

In 1954, the country's animal medical associations merged to form Deutsche veterinarians eV. This was called by the late 1990s in the Federal Chamber of Veterinary Surgeons Association ( BTK). The BTK is not a public corporation, but a club. Through the compulsory membership in the national veterinary medical associations each professionals is a member of BTK. This will thus be understood as a nationwide general association of all veterinarians and care of the professional political concerns. For public authorities and politicians, it is the first point of contact in the profession. While in the past the role as a whole organization was unique because the remaining veterinary associations could be an equal member of the BTK, this has relativized, since concerns (BTK as an association of bodies governed by public law ) resulted in an abolition of equal membership. The BTK has been commissioned by the state veterinary medical associations, must in accordance with a legal mandate ( Healers laws of the countries ) for training shall ensure, through its subsidiary organization ATF - by Academy for veterinary training, since 1974, further and continuing education events. The BTK publishes the German Veterinary Journal.

The Federal Association of the officials of Veterinary Surgeons ( BbT ) represents the professional interests of the political veterinarians who work as civil servants or in publicly appointed order.

In addition to these four major associations exist in veterinary medicine hire a number of smaller clubs.