Intro to Veterinary & Animal
Science
1. What is…
 Animal science?
 Veterinary science?
 Companion animal industry?
2. What species are studied? & Why should
we study animals?
3. What roles do animals play in our society?
& What is their importance to human life?
4. What issues affect animals and animalrelated industries? & What are some
current issues in the news?
Directions: Create this 3 column grid in your notes. Read the following terms
and come up with your OWN definition for each term. (Think about each word
in the term to create your definition). We will come together and come up with
our class definition once everyone has finished their terms.
Term
1. Animal industry
2. Animal marketing
3. Animal
processing
4. Animal production
5. Domestication
6. Animal supplies
7. Veterinary medicine
8. Zoology
Your Definition
All of the activities in raising animals and
meeting the needs of people for animal
products.
Name _____________________________
Period ______ Date __________________
Class Definition
What is Animal Science?

The knowledge of the growth,
care, management and production
of domestic animals based on
scientific research.
When did it begin?


Evidence indicates that the dog has been
man’s best friend for over 12,000 years!
Domestication of sheep, swine, horses, cattle
poultry and rabbits soon followed.
Domestication
Not just tame…

kept for a distinct
purpose

develop traits that
are not found in
the wild

humans control
their breeding

survival depends
on humans
Benefits to humans:




Allowed humans to contain animals with the
right temperament.
Selective breeding occurred, as humans got rid
of animals with undesirable traits, not allowing
them to reproduce.
Ensured a steady food supply.
Animals were used for companionship, religious
purposes and work. In return, they received
protection and a constant food supply.
Veterinary Medicine History
Notes:
Year and Event
How it affects our history
Directions:
1. Fold your notebook paper in half
2. Title the top of each column
3. Left Column: Write the date and event
4. Right Column: directly across from the date; write how
that event changed history and the veterinary field.
The History of
Veterinary Medicine





9000 BC - Basic medical skills existed among
Middle Eastern shepherding cultures.
1850 BC - Egyptian medical textbook shows that ancient
Egyptians understood veterinary anatomy, recognized
symptoms of certain diseases, and practiced specific forms of
treatment.
1766 BC – Traditional Chinese medicine is practiced on
humans and animals.
300 BC – Nei Ching Su Wen is the first Chinese medical text
detailing anatomy, physiology and other medical knowledge.
200 BC-1700’s AD – Books on vet medicine have been found
from the Chinese, Hindus, Babylonians, Hebrews, Arabs,
Greeks, Romans and French.
History of Veterinary
Education



The first veterinary school was founded in Lyons, France
in 1761. Later known as the Royal Veterinary School, its
purpose was to provide study in the anatomy and
diseases of horses, cattle and sheep.
The first American veterinary institution, the Veterinary
College of Philadelphia, operated from 1852 to 1866.
The School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of
Pennsylvania, established in 1883, is the oldest
accredited veterinary school still operating in America.
More Vet History

1600’s



First transfusions performed between two dogs then between
sheep and man
Books describe stitches and removing dead or “proud” flesh
1700’s


comprehensive textbooks cover horse, cattle, sheep, pigs and
dogs
1761 – First vet school founded in Lyons, France
More Vet History

1800’s





studies of heart disease and heart attacks
invention of the stethoscope, hypodermic syringe and
needle
ether is used for anesthesia, morphine is used for
anaesthetic
1852 – America’s first vet school opens – the Veterinary
College of Philadelphia (operated from 1852 to 1866)
1883 – The school of Veterinary Medicine at the University
of Pennsylvania opens
Changes coming in vet medicine


1890’s – most “horse doctors” & self-proclaimed vets
still had no formal training
“Patent medicines” claimed to cure everything from
pinkeye to cancer. Few had any benefit & many
were dangerous containing arsenic, opium, alcohol or
morphine.
Vets in the 20th Century





1900 – only 39% of the population lived or worked on
farms
1902 – existence and function of hormones discovered
1903 – discovered that a virus causes hog cholera (a very
contagious, often fatal disease) and found that recovering
hogs are immune for life
1906 – Pure Food & Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act
passed making food safer, giving vets jobs, provided
funding for research
1910 – Elinor McGrath & Florence Kimball were the first
women vet school grads and the first pet-only vets
History - more 1900’s






1914 – WWI over 50,000 service dogs were used by the
British, Belgians and French which needed vet care
1920’s – Serious decline in economy & the use of horses
reduces need for vets – began treating more pets.
1928 – Antibacterial properties of penicillin discovered by
Sir Alexander Fleming
1930 – 81% of vets treated pets
1935 – Vet Dr. Otto Stader invented the splint to
immobilize broken bones
1938 – First artificial breeding cooperative organized for
dairy cattle
Moving towards the
21st Century








Numerous diseases discovered, diagnosed, and
some are eradicated
Many drugs, vaccines and medicines discovered to treat humans &
animals – by the 1950’s vets could successfully treat most wounds
and infections
Numerous pesticides are developed
New technology - invention of electron microscope & computers.
Research and discoveries in biotechnology, genetics, and cloning.
Numerous laws and legislations passed to protect animals, food
supply & the environment
1986 – 45% of vets treat at least some large animals
2004 – only 22% of vets see any large animals