Rural orientation

The working conditions in which rural veterinarians must work are often harsh (working outdoors or in stables, in all weathers, night work).

H

owever, for the sake of efficiency and comfort, more and more rural veterinarians are working in associations, which offers the possibility of organising a daycare service for weekends and holidays. In addition, a growing number of veterinary partners also manage a pet practice and thus have an activity qualified as mixed. Effective collaboration requires excellent understanding and mutual respect.

The traditional aspect of the rural profession has changed in recent years. First of all, the disappearance of small farms in favour of real SMEs with monitored economic profitability is directing the practitioner's role towards guiding these farms. The dazzling breakthrough of information technology in the field of animal husbandry has led the Veterinarian to refine his examinations, to specify his methods of prevention, to know more and more about the production needs of livestock. He has moved from traditional individual medicine, focused on sick animals, to a new conception of his profession, oriented towards managing the health, productivity and well-being of herds, in close collaboration with farmers.

The rural practitioner is also called upon to participate in the fight against contagious diseases (epizootic diseases). Periodically, for example, all large livestock must be examined for tuberculosis.