Building a career in Veterinary Science: Dr. Imchen breaks it down

• Dr. Michael Imti Imchen.
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• DIMAPUR — Drawn to medicine from an early age, 45-year-old Dr. Michael Imti Imchen, now the Deputy Director of the Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Services, Government of Nagaland, was consistently encouraged by his parents, grandparents, and relatives to pursue his goal.
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• At the time, he had limited knowledge of Veterinary Science or Animal Husbandry and was only aware of medical doctors. However, he had always prayed for guidance and eventually made a pact with God to become a missionary—dedicating his life to serving people.
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• After completing Class 12 at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, he appeared for the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) in 1998, listing MBBS, Veterinary Science, and Dentistry in that order of preference. He was confident of qualifying for Veterinary Science, and the results confirmed his expectations. However, he remained uncertain about Veterinary Science, though he was clear that he would not pursue Dentistry.
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• Sensing the situation, his father offered to send him to a medical college, but he flatly refused. Shortly after the JEE results, he had a conversation with Rev. Dr. Sebastian, his hostel warden at Don Bosco Hostel, Jotsoma, who later became the head of the Department of English at Nagaland University.

Also read: Insights from a student on carving a career in dentistry

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• That day, Rev. Dr. Sebastian briefly explained the positive aspects and prospects of pursuing Veterinary. That brief meeting became a defining moment, believed to be part of God’s plan. From then on, the decision to pursue Veterinary was made. There was no looking back, and the passion for the profession grew steadily stronger.
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• Dr. Imchen received his early education at Kiddies Corner Higher Secondary School in Shillong and Edith Douglas Higher Secondary School in Mokokchung and completed his matriculation from Ram Janaki Higher Secondary School in Dimapur. He pursued his pre-university studies at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, and graduated from the College of Veterinary Science, Khanapara, Guwahati.
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• He later completed his post-graduation with an M.Sc. in Animal Production Management from the School of Agricultural Sciences and Rural Development (SASRD), Nagaland University.
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• Over the course of his career, he has undertaken several specialised courses, including Soft Tissue Surgery and Ultrasonography in Small Animals at GADVASU, Punjab; Small Animal Dermatology at Madras Veterinary College, Chennai, Tamil Nadu; Large Animal Ultrasonography at LUVAS, Hisar; and Welfare and Health Management of Captive Elephants at the Wildlife Institute of India.
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• Among his notable achievements, Dr. Imchen was honoured with the Best Veterinarian Award in 2016. He performed India’s first spinal surgery on a dog at the clinic level. He also conducted the world’s first research on the effects of axone on growth parameters in turkey birds. Additionally, he holds the distinction of being the first Naga veterinarian to work on the health and management of elephants.
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• In this interview with Eastern Mirror, Imchen offers practical advice to students considering a career in Veterinary Science, breaking down what the profession entails, the educational path it requires, and the range of specialisations available.
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• Could you explain what a veterinarian does?
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• A veterinarian plays a crucial role in animal and public health. They treat various ailments in birds and animals after proper diagnosis and study animal diseases to find cures and methods of prevention. Veterinarians also help in the production of wholesome, hygienic food of animal origin for human consumption. They act as the first line of defence for human health, as 60 to 70 per cent of human diseases are zoonotic in nature—transmitted between animals and humans. Additionally, they contribute to the research and development of medicines for both humans and animals. Veterinarians also help maintain the earth's ecosystem and work to prevent human-animal conflict.
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• What types of animals do you typically treat in your practice, and are there veterinarians who specialise in specific animal groups?
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• Veterinary Medicine is a vast field, and from the undergraduate level, practitioners are trained to be familiar with all branches. Over the past 21 years, I have treated a wide range of animals, from mice to elephants, including snakes, alligators, tortoises, and turtles. However, the most commonly treated animals are cats, dogs, pigs, cattle, and chickens. There are many branches within veterinary medicine, and one can specialise in any species of animal according to their interest. These specialisations are similar to those found in human medicine.
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• What education path does one need to follow to become a veterinarian?
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• Anyone interested in studying Veterinary Medicine must have studied Physics, Chemistry and Biology (PCB) at the 10+2 level.
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• What subjects should students focus on in school if they're interested in Veterinary Medicine?
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• Students interested in Veterinary Medicine should certainly have a strong interest in Biology, but they should not neglect other subjects. Ultimately, it is the individual's passion and dedication that matter most.
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• What factors should students consider when selecting a veterinary college?
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• When selecting a veterinary college, students should first consider the reputation of the institution. It is also important to assess the facilities available based on various accounts. Another key factor is the kind of exposure students receive during their course. In some colleges, students are exposed to a wide range of animal species, including bovines, caprines, ovines, canines, felines, and porcines, as well as wildlife and laboratory animals. Such comprehensive exposure is not available at all veterinary institutes, as the availability of different animal species often depends on regional factors.
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• Feeding an orphaned bear cub at the Nagaland Zoological Park.
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• Are there any entrance exams? How competitive is admission to veterinary schools?
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• Yes, there are various entrance examinations conducted each year for admission to veterinary schools. These include the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET), the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – All India Entrance Examination for Admission (ICAR-AIEEA), the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), and other state-specific entrance examinations. In some cases, direct admission is also offered by private colleges.
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• The examinations are very competitive, and admission to such veterinary institutes is very difficult, as the seats are very limited and purely based on merit.
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• What personal qualities or characteristics do you think are most important for someone considering a career in veterinary medicine?
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• According to me, a person interested in pursuing a career in veterinary medicine should possess certain key qualities. These include a genuine passion for the profession, as well as compassion and empathy—not only for the animals but also in understanding the concerns of their owners. Strong communication skills are essential, along with the ability to pay close attention to detail, since animals cannot speak and accurate diagnosis depends on careful observation. The profession also demands emotional resilience and physical fitness, as it can be both mentally and physically challenging. Lastly, one must have an abundance of patience, as animals may be uncooperative or frightened during treatment, which is often time-consuming.
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• How do you handle the emotional aspects of your job, especially when dealing with sick animals or difficult situations?
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• I tend not to get emotionally attached but focus on providing the best medical care available to me. My guiding motto is "Animal healthcare with compassion"—compassion both for the animal and for the owners or clients.
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• What's the current job market like for new veterinary graduates, and which areas have the highest demand?
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• Veterinary graduates are always in demand. There's a huge gap to fill both in the animal healthcare sector and in the animal husbandry sector.
• Considering in a state like Nagaland, where most of the animal products come from other states, the veterinary graduates have the highest demand in the animal husbandry sector, where they can contribute immensely to increasing the production of meat, milk, and eggs.
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• What advice would you give to students who are interested in veterinary medicine but worried about the academic requirements?
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• First of all, nothing will replace dedication, hard work, and focus. Feeling concerned about meeting your academic requirements? You are not alone.
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• Here's some practical advice to help you move forward: Try to build strong foundations by focusing on science subjects, and if you are struggling, seek help early. Gain animal experience by volunteering at vet clinics, farms, animal shelters, animal welfare societies, or zoos. Consult and discuss with veterinarians. Cultivate good study habits. Most importantly, work towards progress, not perfection.
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• Can you share any advice for young people who want to gain experience working with animals before they're old enough for formal veterinary training?
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• Firstly, I would suggest owning a pet or rearing an animal and learning to take care of its welfare—healthcare, nutrition, hygiene, etc. After that, consider volunteering at vet clinics, farms, animal shelters, rescues, animal welfare societies, or zoos.
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• What financial considerations should students be aware of when planning for veterinary school?
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• If one gets a seat through the competitive exams or entrance exams, then the government pays for the seat. One will only be required to pay for hostel, mess fees, books, and some personal expenses. Scholarships for books are automatically attached to the seats if earned through entrance examinations such as NEET and other state exams. However, if one is pursuing the study through privately managed seats, then there will be considerable financial involvement.
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• What do you see as the future of Veterinary Medicine?
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• The future of Veterinary Medicine is very bright. This field will be one of the few careers where there is tremendous scope. For example, in the food sector, there will always be demand for animal products such as meat, milk, eggs, and other by-products. Considering the huge gap between production and consumption—where production is mostly in deficit—this career, in terms of the financial aspect, stands as one of the biggest earners.
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  Dr. Michael Imti Imchen seen with a dart gun after tranquilizing an elephant.

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• RAPID INSIGHTS
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• What's one veterinary myth you'd like to debunk?
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• One common veterinary myth I'd like to debunk is, "Veterinarians treat only animal diseases." In reality, veterinary medicine is one of the most demanding professions in the world. It requires one to be equipped with almost every quality that a person can possess. Veterinarians diagnose and treat every disease in all animal species — from pets to farm animals to wildlife — all of whom are unable to speak for themselves. They also manage client relationships, handling emotional, irresponsible owners and difficult characters on a regular basis.
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• Vets are the first line of defence for 60–70% of human diseases. All animal food products are produced with the help of veterinarians. In addition, all human drugs are researched and developed with veterinary involvement.
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• If you could be any animal, which would you choose and why?
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• If I could be any animal, I would choose to be a wolf. A wolf has a strong sense of loyalty and bonding. It maintains a balance of independence and cooperation. Wolves show resilience and adaptability. Their natural leadership is based on respect, care, and cooperation, not aggression.
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• What's the funniest pet name you've encountered?
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