The commissioner shall, with the consent of the board, appoint the state veterinarian and deputy state veterinarian. The state veterinarian and deputy state veterinarian must be competent and skilled veterinarians and graduates of a veterinary medicine and surgery course at a recognized college or university. The commissioner may remove the state veterinarian or deputy state veterinarian for cause. At the request of the board, the commissioner shall deputize persons licensed to practice veterinary medicine in this state as assistant state veterinarians. Deputized persons shall serve during periods of emergency and only for the time period determined by the board.