What Do All Those Fancy Letters Mean?

Do you ever wonder what all those letters at the end of a veterinarian’s name actually mean? It is kind of like a secret language where they signify a variety of different veterinary qualifications. Palm Beach Equine Clinic explains how to crack the code of letters.

DVM
Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine: This qualification is given to graduates of veterinary colleges. Although this was once only for graduates of American veterinary colleges, the abbreviation is now given to graduates from several other universities around the world. The vast majority of the veterinarians at Palm Beach Equine Clinic are DVMs that earned their degrees at U.S. institutions.

DACVS
Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Surgeons: Holders of this qualification are board-certified specialists in Surgery. Board-certified means that the veterinarian has a mastery of advanced knowledge and skills after completing required testing. At Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Dr. Robert Bruise, Dr. Jorge Gomez, Dr. Weston Davis, Dr. Liz Barrett, and Dr. Karen Beste are all specialist surgeons.

DACVIM
Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine: This qualification means that the veterinarian is board-certified in Internal Medicine. Dr. Peter Heidmann and Dr. Fernando Marqués of Palm Beach Equine Clinic are both board-certified specialists in Internal Medicine.

DACVR
Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Radiology: This qualification indicates the holder is a board-certified specialist in Radiology. Palm Beach Equine Clinic’s Dr. Sarah Puchalski is a DACVR.

DACVSMR
Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation: A relatively new specialty, this qualification indicates the veterinarian is a board-certified specialist in Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation. Both Dr. Christopher Elliott and Dr. Fernando Marqués of Palm Beach Equine Clinic have this qualification.

BVETMED
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine: This distinction is given to veterinary graduates of the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) in London, which is the first and oldest English-speaking veterinary college in the world. Dr. Richard Wheeler and Dr. Charlie McColough of Palm Beach Equine Clinic are both graduates of the famous RVC.

BVM&S
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery: These letters indicate a graduate of The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh, Scotland, which is Scotland’s oldest veterinary school. Palm Beach Equine Clinic’s Dr. Sarah Allendorf is a Dick Veterinary graduate.

BVMS
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine & Surgery: This particular abbreviation is given to graduates of several British veterinary schools. At Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Dr. Janet Greenfield Davis and Dr. Tyler Davis both have this qualification as graduates of the Glasgow University School of Veterinary Medicine.

BVSc
Bachelor of Veterinary Science: These letters were typically associated with veterinary graduates from Commonwealth countries such as Australia and New Zealand. The qualification is now granted by numerous vet schools around the world. Within Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Dr. Christopher Elliott has this qualification from the University of Queensland School of Veterinary Science in Australia.

MVB
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine: This renowned abbreviation indicates graduates of the University College Dublin School of Veterinary Medicine, which is Ireland’s only veterinary school. Dr. Laura Hutton of Palm Beach Equine Clinic is a University College Dublin School graduate.

MVZ
Medico Veterinario Zootecnista: This qualification is given by several Spanish-speaking veterinary schools. Palm Beach Equine Clinic’s Dr. Jorge Gomez has this qualification as a graduate of the University of Caldas in Colombia.

MRCVS
Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons: These celebrated letters indicate the holder as satisfying the stringent regulatory requirements to practice as a Veterinary Surgeon in the United Kingdom. At Palm Beach Equine Clinic, Dr. Richard Wheeler, Dr. Scott Swerdlin, Dr. Stephen O’Grady, Dr. Janet Greenfield Davis, Dr. Tyler Davis, Dr. Charlie McColough, Dr. Sarah Allendorf, and Dr. Christopher Elliott are all MRCVS.

MANZCVS
Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists: These letters indicate the veterinarian has studied at the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists and is an advanced practitioner in a particular area of veterinary science. Dr. Christopher Elliott of Palm Beach Equine Clinic is a MANZCVS in Equine Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation.

CERPM
Certified in Equine Rehabilitation & Performance Medicine: This is a post-veterinary school qualification focusing on the early diagnosis of performance deficits, how to correct them, and rehabilitation after injury. Palm Beach Equine Clinic’s Dr. Janet Greenfield Davis holds this qualification.

CVA
Certified in Veterinary Acupuncture: Veterinarians with this post-veterinary school qualification have studied the fundamentals of equine acupuncture including points and techniques. This is a postgraduate qualification also held by Dr. Janet Greenfield Davis.

CVMMP
Certified Veterinary Medical Manipulation Practitioner: This is a post-veterinary school qualification where veterinarians are educated in how to perform medical manipulation to treat musculoskeletal problems. Dr. Ryan Lukens of Palm Beach Equine Clinic has this qualification.