Veterinary physician
![A vet conducts a routine spaying operation on a domestic cat.](/Images/godic/202501/09/US_Navy_040129-N-8937A-023_Army_Capt._Sandi_Parriott_conducts_a_routine_spaying_procedure_on_a_DOD_family_housecat0457.jpg")
![Claude Bourgelat established the earliest veterinary college in Lyon in 1761.](/Images/godic/202501/09/Bourgelat0458.png")
![The Odiham Agricultural Society helped establish the veterinary profession in England.](/Images/godic/202501/09/Odiham_society_minute_book0458.jpg")
![](/Images/godic/202501/09/Picture_4680458.jpg")
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian (American English, Australian English) or veterinary surgeon (British English), is a professional who practices veterinary medicine by treating disease, disorder, and injury in animals.