Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science: Job Market and Equipment 2026
Professional guide for veterinary doctors and students · Colombia 2026
Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science: what it is, job market and the role of imaging diagnosis
From pet clinics to animal production and public health — everything that defines the Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science career in Colombia and how imaging diagnosis became its central tool
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GSMED Imaging editorial team — specialists in veterinary medical equipment
Content prepared based on the programs accredited by MINEDUCACIÓN Colombia, ACOVEZ (Colombian Association of Veterinary Doctors and Animal Scientists), the Universidad CES (Specialization in Veterinary Imaging 2025–2026) and the Esaote Vet guidelines for imaging diagnosis in small and large animals.
Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science is much more than caring for pets. It is a profession that crosses animal health, livestock production, food safety and public health in a single degree — that of Veterinary Doctor and Animal Scientist (MVZ). In Colombia, this career is experiencing an accelerated transformation due to access to imaging diagnosis technology that a decade ago was only available in the largest veterinary faculties, and which today is within reach of any clinic that takes its diagnostic level seriously.
1. What is Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science?
Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science is an undergraduate university degree that trains professionals capable of practicing simultaneously in two major fields: animal medicine (diagnosis, treatment and prevention of diseases in animals) and animal science (production, management and improvement of animal species for productive purposes).
The degree awarded by universities in Colombia is that of Veterinary Doctor and Animal Scientist (abbreviated MVZ), although some universities separately award the degree of Veterinary Doctor (MV) or Animal Scientist. The integration of both disciplines into a single degree responds to the vision that animal health and animal production are inseparable in the real practice of the Colombian field.
The difference between veterinary medicine and animal science veterinary medicine focuses on the health, disease, diagnosis and treatment of animals — it is the clinical part. Animal science focuses on animal production — nutrition, reproduction, genetics, herd management, production systems. The MVZ masters both fields and can move between a small animal clinic in Bogotá and technical advice to a cattle herd in the Eastern Plains.
30+
MVZ programs accredited by MINEDUCACIÓN in Colombia
10
average duration semesters of the program in Colombia
180
academic credits in programs such as U.D.C.A. Cartagena 2026
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species treated: pets, cattle, equines, wildlife, exotic
2. What does a veterinary doctor and animal scientist study
The training of the MVZ in Colombia integrates three major blocks of knowledge that are progressively developed during the 10 semesters of the program:
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Basic and biomedical sciences
Anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, microbiology, parasitology, pharmacology and pathology. They are the scientific foundations on which all subsequent clinical and productive practice is built.
Semesters 1–4 approx.
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Clinical medicine and diagnosis
Semiology, clinical diagnosis, imaging (ultrasound, X-rays), surgery, internal medicine, animal reproduction and preventive medicine. The core of clinical practice.
Semesters 4–8 approx.
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Animal science and animal production
Animal nutrition and feeding, genetics and improvement, controlled reproduction, beef, pork, poultry and equine production systems, food quality and safety.
Semesters 5–9 approx.
The MVZ also receives training in veterinary public health (zoonoses, food safety of animal origin, epidemiology) and in legislation and regulations of the Colombian agricultural sector. Many programs include rotations in university clinics, experimental farms and public sector entities such as ICA (Colombian Agricultural Institute).
3. Job market of the MVZ in Colombia: where they work and what they do
🏥Small animal clinic
Medical and surgical care of dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, reptiles and exotic animals. It is the most visible field — urban veterinary clinic. It includes internal medicine, surgery, dermatology, cardiology, neurology, oncology, dentistry and emergencies. Imaging (ultrasound and X-rays) is a central part of daily diagnosis.
→ Clinical veterinary doctor · Clinic director · Specialist
🐄Animal production and livestock
Technical advice to farms, cattle herds, pig and poultry farms. Reproductive management, animal nutrition, herd sanitary control, production disease management. Reproductive ultrasound (pregnancy diagnosis, follicular evaluation) is a key tool in the field.
→ Technical advisor · Agricultural manager · ICA consultant
🏛️Public sector and public health
ICA (Colombian Agricultural Institute), INVIMA, Ministry of Health, municipal health secretariats, zoonosis control, inspection of meats and foods of animal origin. The MVZ is the reference professional in the Colombian food safety chain.
→ Sanitary inspector · Epidemiologist · ICA/INVIMA official
🔬Research and academia
University teaching in MVZ programs, research in animal health, reproduction, nutrition and zoonoses. Colombia has research groups recognized by Minciencias in veterinary sciences, with publications in indexed international journals.
→ University teacher · Researcher · Postgraduate coordinator
🦁Wildlife and conservation
Medical care of wild animals in rescue centers, zoos and natural reserves. Colombia, as one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, has a growing demand for MVZs specialized in native and exotic wildlife.
→ Zoo veterinarian · Wildlife rehabilitator · Conservation consultant
💊Pharmaceutical and food industry
Registration and development of veterinary medicines, vaccines and biological products. Quality management in meat, dairy and derivative processing plants. The MVZ has the legal authorization to sign as technical manager in these processes before INVIMA and ICA.
→ Technical manager · Quality manager · Scientific director
4. The concept of "One Health" — why the MVZ is key in public health
The One Health paradigm is today the conceptual framework that defines veterinary medicine and animal science of the 21st century. Its premise is that human health, animal health and ecosystem health are deeply interconnected — and that none can be protected in isolation.
The MVZ is the professional who acts at the intersection of these three dimensions:
- Zoonoses: 75% of emerging infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic — originated in animals. The MVZ is the first level of detection of threats such as brucellosis, leptospirosis, toxoplasmosis, rabies and, in contexts of global alert, pathogens such as avian and swine influenza.
- Food safety: the production chain of meat, milk and eggs necessarily passes through the inspection and certification of the MVZ before reaching the Colombian consumer. Food public health is the direct responsibility of this profession.
- Antimicrobial resistance: the use of antibiotics in Colombian livestock directly impacts bacterial resistance in humans. The MVZ who advises farms has an active role in the rational use of antibiotics and in the reduction of residues in foods.
Colombia and biodiversity — a unique opportunity Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world. That means that training in wildlife, conservation and management of native species is a real competitive strength of the Colombian MVZ in the Latin American and international stage. The most solid programs integrate rotations in natural reserves, national parks and rescue centers as part of their clinical training.
5. Imaging diagnosis in modern veterinary medicine
If there is a transformation that has changed the diagnostic level of Colombian veterinary medicine in the last decade, it is the democratization of access to imaging diagnosis. What was once exclusive to veterinary faculties with complete hospital equipment, today is part of the standard equipment of a mid-level veterinary clinic in Bogotá, Medellín or Cali.
The Universidad CES in Medellín has had since 2025 a three-semester Specialization in Veterinary Imaging — the fact that this postgraduate degree exists confirms that imaging diagnosis is no longer a differential but an expected standard in quality Colombian veterinary practice.
🔊Veterinary ultrasound
The most versatile diagnostic tool of modern veterinary clinic. Without radiation, in real time, applicable in consultation without special preparation in many cases. Indispensable in small and large animal clinics.
→ Abdomen · Reproduction · Heart · Equine tendons · Bovine pregnancy diagnosis
🩻Radiography (X-rays)
Essential for the skeletal system, thorax and some abdominal pathologies. Digital radiography has replaced analog — allows immediate visualization, image adjustment and digital archiving. Standard in any serious clinic.
→ Fractures · Thorax · Foreign bodies · Spine · Equine joints
💻Computed tomography (CT)
Available in specialized veterinary imaging centers in Colombia. ABANIMAL in Bogotá is referenced as one of the first to have a dedicated animal tomograph. High complexity — mainly in small animals and oncological cases.
→ Neurology · Oncology · Nasal cavity · Complex surgical planning
🔭Veterinary endoscopy
Direct evaluation of the digestive tract, upper respiratory tract and joints. Allows diagnosis and therapy in the same act. Its adoption is growing in reference veterinary clinics in Colombia.
→ Digestive foreign bodies · Gastric biopsies · Arthroscopy · Rhinoscopy
6. Veterinary ultrasound: applications by species
Veterinary ultrasound is the imaging diagnosis modality with the highest growth in Colombia. Its application varies significantly according to the species:
| Species | Main ultrasound applications | Preferred probe type | Colombia context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canines and felines | Complete abdominal ultrasound · Echocardiography · Ocular ultrasound · Musculoskeletal · Biopsy guidance | Linear + microconvex + phased array | High urban clinical demand |
| Bovines | Pregnancy diagnosis · Ovarian follicular evaluation · Follicular dynamics · Bull reproductive evaluation · Ruminal abdominal ultrasound | Rectal linear 5–8 MHz | Fundamental in high-value livestock |
| Equines | Tendons and ligaments · Pregnancy diagnosis · Echocardiography · Joints · Abdominal ultrasound | Linear 7–12 MHz + rectal convex | High demand in sport horses |
| Swine | Pregnancy diagnosis · Body condition evaluation · Abdominal ultrasound | Rectal or transcutaneous convex 3–5 MHz | Growing in technified production |
| Sheep and goats | Pregnancy diagnosis · Number of fetuses · Reproductive evaluation | Transabdominal convex 3–5 MHz | Growing in dairy production |
| Birds and exotics | Coelomic evaluation (birds) · Reproductive organs · Detection of retained eggs | High frequency linear or microconvex | Specialists in exotic and wildlife |
Bovine reproductive ultrasound: a differential of the field MVZ In Colombia, pregnancy diagnosis by rectal palpation is still common in low-budget farms. But the MVZ who takes a portable ultrasound to the field has a real competitive advantage: they can diagnose pregnancy from 25–28 days post-service (vs 45–60 of palpation), can verify fetal viability, count fetuses in cases of twinning, and do follicular evaluation for IATF (fixed-time artificial insemination) protocols — all in the same visit.
Are you equipping your veterinary clinic or field practice in Colombia?
At GSMED, we offer ultrasound machines for small animals, large animals, and mixed veterinary practices, available in Colombia with local technical support and training included.
7. Veterinary specialization and postgraduate studies: the next level
The career of a veterinarian and zootechnician does not end with an undergraduate degree. The Colombian veterinary market in 2026 increasingly recognizes and values formal specialization:
- Specialization in Veterinary Imaging (CES, Medellín): three semesters. Competencies in radiography, ultrasound, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging, with specialization tracks in small and large animals. Admissions are open until March 2026 for the current cohort.
- Specialization in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery: offered at several Colombian universities. In-depth clinical training in internal medicine, cardiology, neurology, and canine and feline surgery.
- Postgraduate studies in Animal Production and Zootechnics: master's degrees in animal nutrition, reproduction, and genetics at UNAL, UPTC, and other universities with a strong agricultural tradition.
- Veterinary Public Health: specializations focused on epidemiology, food safety, and zoonosis control—with high demand in Colombia's public sector.
8. Universities with veterinary and zootechnics programs in Colombia
| University | Campus | Duration | Distinctive focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universidad Nacional de Colombia | Bogotá · Medellín · Palmira | 10 semesters | Research · Wildlife · Large animals |
| Universidad CES | Medellín | 10 semesters | Veterinary imaging · Small animals · University hospital |
| U.D.C.A. | Bogotá · Cartagena | 10 semesters (180 credits) | One Health · Animal welfare · Sustainable production |
| Fundación Universitaria San Martín | Bogotá · Cali · Puerto Colombia | 10 semesters | Rural and urban sectors · Animal welfare · Entrepreneurship |
| UPTC (Tunja) | Tunja | 10 semesters | Professional leadership · Livestock · Andean region |
| Uniagraria | Bogotá | 10 semesters | Public health · Food security · International agreements |
| Universidad de La Salle | Bogotá | 10 semesters | Humanistic education · Small animal clinic |
9. Frequently asked questions about Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics
What is the difference between a Veterinary Doctor (MV) and a Veterinary Doctor and Zootechnician (MVZ)?
A Veterinary Doctor (MV) has training focused primarily on animal clinic, medicine, and surgery. A Veterinary Doctor and Zootechnician (MVZ) also integrates zootechnics—animal production, nutrition, reproduction, and herd management. In Colombia, most programs award the MVZ degree, although some universities keep the two degrees separate. For small animal clinical practice, the difference is minimal; in the agricultural sector, training in zootechnics makes a significant difference.
Are there job opportunities for veterinary graduates in Colombia?
Yes, and they are growing. Colombia has the second-largest biodiversity in the world, a very active livestock sector (it is the fourth-largest cattle herd in Latin America), a rapidly expanding pet industry, and increasing regulatory requirements for food safety. MVZs with specializations in clinical medicine, imaging, or mechanized animal production are in high demand. The challenge is saturation in the generic small animal clinic segment in large cities—differentiation through specialization is key.
Is a veterinary clinic required to have an ultrasound machine?
There is no regulation in Colombia requiring every veterinary clinic to have an ultrasound machine as a condition for licensing. However, the standard of quality care recognized by the profession and by more informed clients includes diagnostic imaging as a basic part of the clinical offering. A clinic without an ultrasound machine must refer all its abdominal, cardiac, and reproductive cases to other centers—which means losing patients, revenue, and professional credibility with clients who already know that diagnostic imaging exists.
What ultrasound machine does a new small animal clinic need?
For a new clinic, the functional minimum is an ultrasound machine with a microconvex or convex probe of 3–9 MHz (for abdominal use) and a linear probe of 7–12 MHz (for superficial use—tendons, lymph nodes, thyroid, etc.). An equipment with color Doppler adds significant value for basic cardiology. The entry-level budget for equipment suitable for small animals in Colombia ranges from $15M–$40M COP, depending on the brand and included probes. At GSMED, we can guide you on which equipment best suits your patient volume and specialties.
Can an MVZ operate an ultrasound machine, or do they need a specialist?
Yes, an MVZ is authorized to perform veterinary ultrasounds—there is no legal restriction equivalent to the one that applies in human medicine. Training in veterinary ultrasound is part of the curriculum of many MVZ programs in Colombia, and there is the Specialization in Veterinary Imaging at CES for those who want to specialize further. The level of diagnostic quality does depend on training—an MVZ with specific training in ultrasound provides more accurate diagnostic reports than one without it. The learning curve for small animal abdominal ultrasound is manageable with supervised practice.
Diagnostic imaging raises the standard of any veterinary clinic in Colombia
Ultrasound machines for small animals, large animals, and mixed veterinary practices—with local technical support, training, and financing available.
View veterinary ultrasound machines →
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