Reply #15: I don't know offhand how many there are in the various specialties.

[kestrel91316]

You could probably contact the AVMA and ask them - they have a directory that names them all. Board-certified specialists are in the minority in vet medicine, contrary to human medicine. We are WELL-educated and HIGHLY trained during vet school, and at Colorado St Univ we had a reputation for our ability to "hit the ground running": that is, start practicing competently upon graduation without any need for advanced training. UCDavis was NOT known for this, so we CSU vets came to CA and stole all the jobs, lol!

Internships are 1 year, typically right after graduation, but are optional. You MUST do an internship if you wish to go on to do a residency. Residencies are 3 years in most if not all cases. Board certification is every bit as rigorous as in human medicine. Some vets have multiple board-certification, though this is rare (opthalmology/surgery is one I know).

I am not very familiar with current salaries, as I have been self-employed for 17 years. When I first came to LA I was paid about $30k, that was in the early 80's. Vet salaries are famous for not coming anywhere close to keeping up with inflation. As a self-employed and honest, ethical vet my income is not high. Not average even. But I am not starving. My investment in my practice will provide me with a meager supplement to my meager social security once I retire. I have a solo practice. It is possible to "get rich" as a veterinarian. I know how to do it as I worked for years as a relief vet, but I refuse to treat my fellow human beings the way you have to to get rich.