Official veterinarians are professionals with a comprehensive scientific education. They have the authority to carry out, in an independent, ethical and personally responsible capacity all veterinary activities with particular focus on the health and welfare of animals and public health in accordance with national and international legislation. They are responsible for national animal disease eradication programmes, the protection of public health and food or animal inspection, animal movements, and import and export of live animals and their products.

Tasks

Tasks include -
(a) Determining the presence and nature of abnormal conditions by physical examination, laboratory testing and through diagnostic imaging techniques including radiography and ultrasound;
(b) Treating animals medically and surgically, and administering and prescribing drugs, analgesics, and general and local anaesthetics;
(c) Performing surgery, dressing wounds and setting broken bones;
(d) Rendering obstetric and dental services to animals;
(e) Participating in programmes designed to prevent the occurrence and spread of animal diseases;
(f) Inoculating animals against, and testing for, infectious diseases and notifying authorities of outbreaks of infectious animal diseases;
(g) Performing autopsies to determine cause of death;
(h) Advising clients on health, nutrition and feeding, hygiene, breeding and care of animals;
(i) Providing euthanasia services for animals.