私達の身近にいる動物は、ペットという存在を超えた大切な家族の一員です。獣医が動物を診るようになって長い歴史がありますが、その間にも動物生態学、病理学、薬学は進展し続けてきました。初期の獣医学をはじめ、近年の狂牛病、人間と動物の薬の違い、動物から人間への感染などにも言及します。必ずしも一致しないのが動物と人間の利益です。獣医学にとっての課題として一石を投じます。
  

• Describes the development of veterinary science, from early practices to recent challenges such as the outbreak of BSE, and antibiotic resistance
• Analyses the key roles played by diagnosis, treatment, and prevention with regard to farm animals and pets
• Discusses the challenges for the future of veterinary medicine, including ethical dilemmas in balancing the interests of owners and animals when they do not coincide

 
Every year billions of animals, from housecats to racehorses to pythons, are treated by veterinarians. The use of veterinary science to treat the health of animals has a long history; for the past five centuries it has developed as our understanding of animals' fundamental biology, pathology, and pharmacology has grown. Rapid global changes expected in the twenty-first century will require the profession to respond proactively, embracing new challenges and opportunities. 

James Yeates, Chief Veterinary Officer of the RSPCA, introduces the field of veterinary science, covering the history of its scientific and clinical aspects from early practices to recent challenges such as the outbreak of BSE and antibiotic resistance, and considering the differences between human medicine and veterinary medicine. Analysing the key roles played by diagnosis, treatment, and prevention with regard to the health of farm animals and pets, he relates this to wider aspects concerning public health, such as zoonoses (diseases that jump from animals to humans). Yeates also covers recent 'One Health' approaches involving the health of both humans and animals, seen as synergistic, and discusses the challenges for the future of veterinary medicine, including the ethical dilemmas in balancing the interests of owners and animals when they do not coincide.