Physiology of animals

Description

The study of the mechanical, physical, bioelectrical and biochemical functioning of animals, their organs and their cells.

Alternative labels

study of animal physiology
fundamentals of animal physiology
physiology of an animal
study of the physical functioning of animals
animal physiology

Skill type

knowledge

Skill reusability level

sector-specific

Relationships with occupations

Essential knowledge

Physiology of animals is an essential knowledge of the following occupations:

Specialised veterinarian: Specialised veterinarians are professionals with a comprehensive scientific education. They have the authority to carry out, in an independent, ethical and personally responsible capacity, all aspects of veterinary medicine, in the interest of the health and welfare of animals and public health in accordance with national and international legislation. In addition they need a recognized qualification and/or experience in a specific species and/or veterinary procedure.

Veterinary specialisms are generally classified according to species and/or procedures, for example:

Species covered may include equine and zoological animals
Procedures covered may include cardiology, orthopaedics

Current lists  of specialisms and details for the specific qualifications and experience required can be found at:
http://www.ebvs.org/
https://www.avma.org/Pages/home.aspx

You are advised to contact the relevant national regulatory body for further information.
Animal massage therapist: Animal massage therapists provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral concentrating on manual and mechanical manipulation of soft tissues to promote healing and recovery in animals in accordance with national legislation.
Animal care attendant: Animal care attendants provide routine care for non-production animals, which may include feeding, watering, cleaning, exercise and enrichment, grooming, training and monitoring of the health and welfare, in accordance with national legislation.

Animal therapist: Animal therapists provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral.
Animal artificial insemination technician: Animal artificial insemination technicians are in charge of the impregnation of an animal using collected semen, in accordance with national legislation.
Zoo curator: Zoo curators are usually the position of middle-management within an institution. Much of their work involves oversight, management and development of the animal collection. Often this is related to animal husbandry and welfare policy, the acquisition and disposition of zoo animals, and development of new exhibits. Zoos normally acquire animals through captive breeding programs. The zoo collection, trade, and transport of the animals is regulated by government agencies as well as guided by zoo membership organisations. Consequently, zoo curators act as a liaison between these agencies and the zoo itself. Additionally, they play an active role in the administration of zoo functions and all kinds of captive breeding programs.
Animal handler: Animal handlers are in charge of handling animals in a working role and continue the training of the animal, in accordance with national legislation.
Veterinary nurse: Veterinary nurses support animals undergoing veterinary treatment and give advice to veterinary clients in the promotion of animal health and disease prevention in accordance with national legislation.
Dog trainer: Dog trainers train animals and/or dog handlers for general and specific purposes, including assistance, security, leisure, competition, transportation, obedience and routine handling, entertainment and education, in accordance with national legislation.
Alternative animal therapist: Alternative animal therapists investigate sick or injured small and large animals and provide an alternative healing treatment. They may use homeopathy or acupuncture and other alternative medicines or methods to heal the animal. Alternative animal therapists also advise treatments which strengthen the self-healing powers of animals. 
Animal welfare inspector: Animal welfare inspectors investigate alleged reports of animal cruelty or neglect, rescue or collect animals in immediate or potential risk, liaise with internal and external agencies and other animal welfare establishments, educate and advise owners and carers of animals, seek to improve or maintain the welfare of the animal(s), and prevent or alleviate suffering.

Animal embryo transfer technician: Animal embryo transfer technicians aid and support the carrying out of embryo transfer under veterinary supervision in accordance with national legislation.
Veterinary medicine lecturer: Veterinary medicine lecturers are subject professors, teachers, or lecturers, and often doctors who instruct students who have obtained an upper secondary education diploma in their own specialised field of study, veterinary medicine, which is predominantly academic in nature. They work with their university research assistants and university teaching assistants for the preparation of lectures and of exams, for grading papers and exams, for leading laboratory practices, and for leading review and feedback sessions for the students. They also conduct academic research in their respective field of veterinary medicine, publish their findings and liaise with other university colleagues.
Horse trainer: Horse trainers train animals and/or riders for general and specific purposes, including assistance, security, leisure, competition, transportation, obedience and routine handling, entertainment and education, in accordance with national legislation.
Official veterinarian: 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.
Animal groomer: Animal groomers are in charge of grooming a range of animals, using the correct equipment, materials and methods. It includes use of appropriate and safe handling techniques and the promotion of good hygiene, health and welfare of the animal. 

Animal physiotherapist: Animal physiotherapists provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral. They concentrate on the application of physical therapy and exercise procedures to support animal rehabilitation after a surgery or an injury, aiming to return the animals to normal function and/or maintain performance inaccordance with national legislation.
Animal shelter worker: Animal shelter workers provide animal care routine services at the animal shelter. They receive animals brought to the shelter, respond to calls about lost or injured animals, nurse animals, clean cages, handle papers for adoption of animals, transport animals to the veterinarian and maintain database with the animals present in the shelter.
Animal behaviourist: Animal behaviourists work with animals and people to study, observe, assess and understand animal behaviour in relation to specific factors and to prevent or address inappropriate or problematic behaviours within individual animals through the development of suitable environments and management regimes, in accordance with national legislation. 
Live animal transporter: Live animal transporters provide transport and transfer for live animals, including the monitoring of the health and welfare of animals, the planning of, and preparation for journeys, loading and unloading of animals, according to national and international legislation.

Veterinary technician: Veterinary technicians provide the technical and administrative support to the veterinarian in accordance with national legislation.
Taxidermist: Taxidermists mount and reproduce deceased animals or parts of animals such as trofy heads for the purpose of public display and education, such as in a museum or monument, or for other sources of scientific study, or for a private collection.
Kennel supervisor: Kennel supervisors monitor the daily operations of the kennel under their supervision. They ensure that the pets kept in kennels are being properly handled and cared for. Kennel supervisors supervise the working staff and maintain contact with the owners of the pets while they drop off or pick up the pets.
Animal chiropractor: Animal chiropractors provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral. They concentrate on spinal manipulation or manual therapy for animals in accordance with national legislation.
Animal osteopath: Animal osteopaths provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral. They concentrate on the application of treatment techniques using manipulation of the body tissues to resolve strain and injury in animals in accordance with national legislation.

General veterinarian: General veterinarians are professionals with a comprehensive scientific education. They have the authority to carry out, in an independent, ethical and personally responsible capacity, all aspects of veterinary medicine, in the interest of the health and welfare of animals and public health in accordance with national and international legislation. The generalist veterinarian can work with any species, however they may choose to work with a single species or types such as equine, companion or production animals.
Animal hydrotherapist: Animal hydrotherapists provide a therapeutic treatment following veterinary diagnosis or referral. They concentrate on use of water-resistance to treat conditions, assist post-operative recovery, give pre-operative exercises and enhance general fitness in accordance with national legislation.
Animal trainer: Animal trainers train animals and/or animal handlers for general and specific purposes, including assistance, security, leisure, competition, transportation, obedience and routine handling, entertainment and education, in accordance with national legislation.

Optional knowledge

Physiology of animals is optional for these occupations. This means knowing this knowledge may be an asset for career advancement if you are in one of these occupations.

Kennel worker: Kennel workers handle animals in kennels or catteries and provide care for pets. They feed the animals, clean their cages, look after ill or old animals, groom them and take them out for a walk.
Guide dog instructor: Guide dog instructors train dogs to be responsible in guiding blind people to travel effectively. They plan the training sessions, match guide dogs with their clients and ensure overall routine care of the training dogs. Guide dog instructors also provide advice to the blind people in the use of techniques that facilitate dog’s travel skills and mobility.
Pet sitter: Pet sitters provide animal-sitting services including dog walking, home-boarding, pet/home sitting, day boarding and animal transportation services.  They maintain records, use appropriate and safe handling techniques and do routine monitoring of the health and welfare of the animal.
Veterinary receptionist: Veterinary receptionists provide reception and office/administrative support in a veterinary practice, scheduling appointments and receiving clients, sale and advice on animal related products, in accordance with national legislation. 

 


 

References

  1. Physiology of animals – ESCO

 

Last updated on September 20, 2022