Veterinary surgeon 101
Learn more about veterinary surgery, including what a veterinary surgeon is, how to become a veterinarian surgeon, what veterinary surgeons do, and how to become a Veterinary Surgeon with IndeVets.
A veterinary surgeon, or veterinarian surgeon, is a veterinarian who is specially trained in surgical techniques and primarily completes surgeries, rather than focusing on GP or wellness appointments. All veterinarians can perform surgery as part of their daily practice; board-certified surgeons have additional surgical training and can take referrals from GP clinics.
Veterinary surgeons perform operations such as spays and neuters, cystotomies, splenectomies, nephrectomies, gastrotomies, mass removals, amputations, enuceations, hematomas and dentals. Veterinarian surgeons can work at GP clinics, emergency rooms or specialty clinics.
All board-certified veterinary surgeons must first complete veterinary school and earn a veterinary license. They must also complete additional training to become a specialist, which consists of a 1-year internship followed by a 3-year residency program. Veterinary surgeons are certified by the American College of Veterinary Surgeons.
It can take 8 years of postgraduate training to become a board certified veterinary surgeon: 4 years of vet school, plus a 1-year internship and a 3-year residency.
According to Salary.com, the average salary range for a veterinary surgeon in the US in 2021 was between $92,952 and $135,328.
Yes! IndeVets offers full-time Veterinary Surgeon roles. The IndeSurgeon has the same freedoms and flexibility as all our IndeVets, who set their own schedules like relief vets, while getting all the perks of an Associate. (To learn more about the differences between IndeVets and traditional relief, click here).
To learn more about our IndeSurgeon role, check out Dr. Andrew Heller’s blog on “How to practice surgery every day with IndeVets.”
Interested in applying to IndeVets as a veterinary surgeon? Click here.