A Quick Guide to Untangling an Alphapet Soup of Titles

You may have noticed that when you see a veterinarian's name in print, it's followed by abbreviated titles, such as "DVM" or less commonly a parade of other letters. Ever wonder what those acronyms mean?
"DVM" means Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, of course. A longer title starting with the letter "D" signifies that the veterinarian is a "Diplomate." That hard-to-achieve status means he or she has been certified by any of 20 specialty boards recognized by the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Here's a short glossary of degrees and titles.

• BVM&S Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Science
• BVMS Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
• MS Master of Science
• MRCVS Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, a graduate of a British veterinary college
• VIVID Veterinary Medical Doctor, awarded only by the University of Pennsylvania

"D" in the following titles indicates the veterinarian has been certified by these boards:

• DABVP American Board of Veterinary Practitioners
• DACVA American College of Veterinary Anesthesiologists
• DACVB American College of Veterinary Behaviorists
• DACVD American College of Veterinary Dermatology
• DACVECC American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care
• DACVIM American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
• DACVN American College of Veterinary Nutrition
• DACVO American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists
• DACVR American College of Veterinary Radiology
• DAVDC American Veterinary Dental College
• DACVS American College of Veterinary Surgery

FROM: CUMMINGS SCHOOL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE AT TUFTS UNIVERSITY