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INTERNATIONAL VETERINARY MEDICINE DAY – December 9, 2021 – National Today Skip to content
International Veterinary Day is celebrated on December 9th each year. He recognizes the important work of organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), whose vision and mission is to promote a strong and unified veterinary sector that can protect the health and welfare of animals and humans.
History of the International Day of Veterinary Medicine
The practice of caring for animals and preventing and curing diseases they suffer from dates back to the Neolithic Age, which includes the first records of a trepanation or trepanation – a type of skull surgery with drilling – holes to treat injury or pain. Due to the economic and military importance of the horse, the “equine doctor” was one of the first organized veterinary professions in the Arab world in the 9th century. The horseshoe makers or farriers of London were even encouraged by the Lord Mayor in 1356 to form a “community” to improve their horse-care practice.
Professionalization efforts in France received a boost after the rinderpest outbreak in cattle, and the first veterinary school was founded in 1762 by Claude Bourgelat, who is now a legend in the field. Other agricultural and industry-related societies also played an important role in establishing the animal care profession due to the overlapping interests. Britain got its first veterinary school in 1790, while America had to wait almost a century longer for the first public veterinary school to offer a four-year degree from Iowa State University.
According to the latest figures from the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are 133,394 veterinarians in the US and 309,144 veterinarians in Europe. The profession is only gaining ground worldwide with the increase in zoonotic diseases that are transmitted from animals to humans.
Timeline of the International Day of Veterinary Medicine
2nd millennium BC Chr.
First surviving record of veterinary medicine
The “Papyrus of Kahun” from the 12th dynasty of Egypt is considered to be the first written record of veterinary medicine that still exists.
3rd century BC Chr.
A Treatise on Equine Medicine
During the reign of Emperor Ashoka in India, a treatise entitled “Shalihotra Samhita” reported that “King Piyadasi (Ashoka) provided two kinds of medicine everywhere, medicine for humans and medicine for animals”.
1762
The first veterinary school is founded
Rinderpest, or rinderpest, swept Europe in the 18th century, giving Claude Bourgelat the opportunity to open the first veterinary school in Lyon, France.
1863
American Veterinary Association
Practitioners from seven states in the United States come together to form the United States Veterinary Medical Association (USVMA), which becomes AVMA in 1898.
Frequently asked questions about International Veterinary Day
What are the trends in veterinary medicine?
Digitization has also caught up with the industry. Ear tags and smart collars for farm animals can monitor temperature and movement, and even detect early signs of illness by tracking their appetite. Along with advances in vaccine technology, there are also solid diagnostic tools for monitoring respiratory diseases and smart predictive applications.
What are some of the latest advances in pet care?
Pet wearables can now monitor mood, track exercise, and diagnose disease. Telemedicine also makes it easier for people with animals to access health care. In the pet food sector, too, there is growing interest in fruit, plant and insect proteins as well as sustainability.
What jobs can I get while studying veterinary science?
There are many options in the field. In addition to the medical degree, the job description includes Nutrition, physiotherapy, ecology, research, writing and so on.
How to celebrate International Veterinary Day
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Schedule a health check-up for your pet
If you have pets at home but have neglected to bring them to the veterinary clinic or hospital for their annual visit, now is the time to plan. Once you have been examined, vaccinated and ready for the new year, it may be time to book a health check yourself! As they say, prevention is better than cure.
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Thank your vet
Veterinarians do a vital job without the recognition that a human doctor is given. While it’s not a thankless job, they are definitely less thanked than other doctors, so setting things right today is not a bad idea. Send them a message or card thanking them for their service.
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Visit an animal adoption center near you
Those who have never had a pet are missing out on something. As Anatole France said: “Until you have loved an animal, part of your soul remains unwakened”. Even if you’ve had pets before but don’t currently have one, you can consider visiting your local animal shelter or adoption center. Take the plunge again and make room for a lovable living being.
5 facts about veterinary medicine
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Bourgelat also started with horses
The founder of the first veterinary school was initially director of the Lyon Academy of Horsemanship.
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Cows helped cure cervical cancer
Research into bovine diseases led to the development of a vaccine against the human papillomavirus, which causes cervical cancer in women.
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Poultry catalyzed cancer healing
Likewise, a vaccine developed for the poultry sector was also the first cancer vaccine for humans.
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Pets improve our health
There are now many studies that show reduced blood pressure, cholesterol levels and the risk of stroke in families with pets.
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Zoonotic diseases are increasing
60% of emerging diseases in humans are zoonotic or transmitted by animals, especially wild animals.
Why International Veterinary Day is important
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Animal health is linked to human health
Many veterinary medical breakthroughs have helped improve human health care and treatment. Vaccines aside, even organ transplants were first developed in animal care and, of course, pets have great therapeutic abilities.
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Animal diseases are linked to human diseases
We need to be more vigilant about animal health, welfare and engagement if we are to ensure a healthy human population. Ebola, Zika and SARS are all of animal origin, and more diseases are likely in the future if we don’t change the way we treat animals.
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Veterinarians deserve recognition
Despite the clear connection with human health, veterinarians are marginalized in the medical profession and not treated on an equal footing with human-focused medical professionals. This discrimination must end and veterinarians must be given an important role throughout the health sector.
Dates for the International Day of Veterinary Medicine
| year | date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 9th of December | Thursday |
| 2022 | 9th of December | Friday |
| 2023 | 9th of December | Saturday |
| 2024 | 9th of December | Monday |
| 2025 | 9th of December | Tuesday |
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