The new normal in veterinary medicine

[Anonymous]

One of my favorite friends is married to a vet. I definitely appreciate you all! I haven't had to use your services much since getting cats. I was in the vet's office at least once a month for years with one of my "high needs" dogs.

I'd always wanted to be a vet when I was a kid but I just didn't have the grades to get into a program. I know one person that went through the one in the Carribean to the tune of almost $300k (thanks in large part to her rich father.)

[Anonymous]

I understand that the cost of providing all medical care is significant and veterinary care is no exception. I do believe that the veterinarians are doing the best they can so this is not directed at them ...
But the fact is that there are thousands upon thousands of animals (dogs and cats primarily) that are in desperate need of homes. The "adopt/save" movement is strong. I would honestly have 2 or 3 dogs but I can barely afford veterinary care for the one I have and it is the medical care costs that are preventing me from giving more animals their forever homes.

[Anonymous]

Good point from PP about being able to spread around the wealth if just one pet weren't so expensive. I'd love to donate to decrease animal suffering from parasites, bad teeth, maltreatment. But I have my pack to look after.

I wish there were more clinics in our area for basic vaccines and routine meds so vets could focus on more urgent stuff, even vomiting/diarrhea that is hard to kick at home.

I would have more to give (through adoption + donation) if it weren't such a huge investment for just the basics.

[Anonymous]

There are quite a few via the county and other places that offer shots. We used them but we didn't like the MoCo one as they gave our dog Benadryl before the shot without consulting us. They refused to let us in the clinic (way past covid restrictions) and it all seemed a bit off.

[Anonymous]

OP:
Thanks from the bottom of our hearts for everything you do. You don't realize it, but you are also really treating people, because pets are just magic for us, we don't even deserve them most of the time. You aren't paid enough, really we know, and it's important that people buy insurance which will help move modern veterinary medicine along as you now have the technology to treat complex cases and do every day. I am so grateful for you, everyday, and for many decades.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks for posting this. We have a close family friend who is a veterinarian and committed suicide, so it hits close to home.

What I have learned is to figure out which animal hospitals are the best/closest (maybe ask your vet) and get same day/emergency care there.

Thanks for all you do, OP. It’s a calling to care for animals. An expensive and thankless calling. But we’d be lost without you.

What about being a vet makes then commit suicide? Other jobs are more stressful

[Anonymous]

Understand they are slammed but why don't they do video calls?

[Anonymous]

OP here - because you have to examine a pet in order to diagnose....if you have a current relationship with your current vet, they will often speak on the phone with you and look at pictures. But unlike human medicine, our patients cannot speak and cannot tell us what is wrong. We need to examine the pet. There are some platforms that do video calls, but honestly, it is just for quick consults and often ends with "If you are worried, you should bring your pet to a veterinarian."

[Anonymous]

OP here - other jobs may be more stressful, but we have access to the drugs. We also have to be happy for the new puppy owners, sad for the ones who we are putting to sleep, in debt to our eyeballs because of our education, yelled at by the public because we aren't giving away free vet care because we love animals...check out "Not One More Vet"...

And truth be told, we don't need more vets. We need to figure out why vets are leaving the field in droves right now. You don't fill a leaking mug with more water, you find the source of the leak and stop the loss....if we just have a bunch of green vets out there, patient care will suffer. We need the seasoned vets to help mentor, teach, etc...

They don't teach us psychology in vet school. They used to have a very short course on practice management, when a year long course is what is needed. Corporate ownership has changed the game....the people doing the work are not the ones making the money. And the corporations are constantly trying to figure out how to squeeze more and more $$ out of every practice.

I am lucky I am on the down side....closer to retirement....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - other jobs may be more stressful, but we have access to the drugs. We also have to be happy for the new puppy owners, sad for the ones who we are putting to sleep, in debt to our eyeballs because of our education, yelled at by the public because we aren't giving away free vet care because we love animals...check out "Not One More Vet"...

And truth be told, we don't need more vets. We need to figure out why vets are leaving the field in droves right now. You don't fill a leaking mug with more water, you find the source of the leak and stop the loss....if we just have a bunch of green vets out there, patient care will suffer. We need the seasoned vets to help mentor, teach, etc...

They don't teach us psychology in vet school. They used to have a very short course on practice management, when a year long course is what is needed. Corporate ownership has changed the game....the people doing the work are not the ones making the money. And the corporations are constantly trying to figure out how to squeeze more and more $$ out of every practice.

I am lucky I am on the down side....closer to retirement....

Are you sure that we don't need more vets? As younger generations (rightfully) prioritize a better work-life balance, they are not going to work the 7 days or 70 hours a week that older practice owners worked. With more people owning pets and newer veterinarians working fewer hours, that suggests that we need a larger pool.

[Anonymous]

While I know it’s not the OP’s doing, a major part of the problem is the American Veterinary Medical Association’s molasses-slow, inefficient, cost prohibitive and downright anticompetitive and counterproductive approach to certify foreign trained veterinarians to practice in the US. I have been witnessing this first hand with my brilliant immigrant son-in-law, who has been forced to jump through one hoop after another - each hoop quite deliberately scheduled months apart from each other - as he attempts to get certified. I understand the need for quality control, but what I’ve seen is pretty ridiculous. It’s crystal clear to me that the AVMA could do a whole lot more to address the veterinary medicine crisis in this country but for whatever reason is choosing not to do so.

[Anonymous]

Thank you for posting, OP and please know that there are a lot of pet owners who are so thankful for your selflessness in choosing your profession. I adore the two vets in our practice along with their techs and assistants. And I try to bring in lunch or treats for everyone often along with many thank you notes. You take care of the creatures who bring us the most joy, besides our kids (and there are definitely days I’d choose the dogs😬).
THANK YOU, from my family.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vet here....I am going to write this as compassionately and realistically as possible.

Your vet's office is slammed. More pets. Decreased number of vets because many older ones retired during the pandemic. Some offices closed entirely. Decreased staffing - huge shortage of veterinary technicians and assistants. Increased negativity from clients. Corporate ownership of many practices, so the vet has NO CONTROL over prices. Vets leaving the field because of dissatisfaction. Crippling educational debt (often over 120K). High suicide rates. Long waits for annual exam appointments - sometimes 4 weeks or more. Sick visits are often scheduled only that morning - just like at your doctors office - or you may be sent to an ER/Urgent care facility.

These are the facts. The new normal. You cannot just walk in an expect to be seen. You cannot call and expect them to fit you in around your schedule. Those days are gone. When I walk into work every day, my schedule is booked from start to finish and I have to be very creative to squeeze in the extras that I know need to be seen. I have not taken an actual lunch break in years. I eat at my desk between appointments - if I get to eat.

So, when people complain about prices or not being able to be seen, this is why.

Your vet's office is working their tails off. Have some compassion and appreciate them.

my daughter had outstanding GPS from a science program at Virginia Tech. She was rejected 2 years in a row from 5 different Vet schools.

You get no sympathy. You and your ilk created this issue by limiting the number of Vets

I work in the veterinary realm, and have worked closely with veterinarians for 20+ years. Did your daughter do anything other than attend classes? Did she in a vet clinic, or with the research animals at her school? The days of just having a good GPA and high GRE score are gone — thankfully. I’ve worked with so many vets that should not be vets. Now you really need to have worked with animals to get in to vet school. They want to make sure the person knows what they would be dealing with as a vet. Just because you love animals doesn’t mean a career in veterinary medicine is for you. Prove to the vet schools that you’ve tested the waters.

Not PP not do I think OP is responsible for the shortage of vet schools. PP mad about her daughter needs to chill on this person. But the point is a real one. BFF is a vet, went to college w degree in bio, graduated 3.9 GPA, applied and got in nowhere, went to grad school for animal husbandry Purely to be accepted to get school, and was. Not everyone can do that. People with families, lives, poverty, etc. your note above reeks of privelege and the notion that when an industry is in short supply people need to break their backs to get into training.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here - other jobs may be more stressful, but we have access to the drugs. We also have to be happy for the new puppy owners, sad for the ones who we are putting to sleep, in debt to our eyeballs because of our education, yelled at by the public because we aren't giving away free vet care because we love animals...check out "Not One More Vet"...

And truth be told, we don't need more vets. We need to figure out why vets are leaving the field in droves right now. You don't fill a leaking mug with more water, you find the source of the leak and stop the loss....if we just have a bunch of green vets out there, patient care will suffer. We need the seasoned vets to help mentor, teach, etc...

They don't teach us psychology in vet school. They used to have a very short course on practice management, when a year long course is what is needed. Corporate ownership has changed the game....the people doing the work are not the ones making the money. And the corporations are constantly trying to figure out how to squeeze more and more $$ out of every practice.

I am lucky I am on the down side....closer to retirement....

Ok, sorry OP. You lost my sympathy here. BFF of vet here. She’s a shelter vet so I get everything you’re saying. But she has more debt than anyone I know because she had to get 2 degrees to get into the training. High career barriers make it better for those inside for a while, then it’s painful when people leave. You’ve started by saying there’s a vet shortage so don’t be mad at the vet and I agree 100%. But you don’t want more vets? And green vets will hurt patients? You know what, I’m happy to have a well-trained new vet looking after my dog. Doing their surgeries? I’d want a specialist with developed expertise. But everyone’s got to start somewhere. I can’t stand when people in a profession close the door behind them and suggest the newcombers can’t possibly be as talented as their generation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Vet here....I am going to write this as compassionately and realistically as possible.

Your vet's office is slammed. More pets. Decreased number of vets because many older ones retired during the pandemic. Some offices closed entirely. Decreased staffing - huge shortage of veterinary technicians and assistants. Increased negativity from clients. Corporate ownership of many practices, so the vet has NO CONTROL over prices. Vets leaving the field because of dissatisfaction. Crippling educational debt (often over 120K). High suicide rates. Long waits for annual exam appointments - sometimes 4 weeks or more. Sick visits are often scheduled only that morning - just like at your doctors office - or you may be sent to an ER/Urgent care facility.

These are the facts. The new normal. You cannot just walk in an expect to be seen. You cannot call and expect them to fit you in around your schedule. Those days are gone. When I walk into work every day, my schedule is booked from start to finish and I have to be very creative to squeeze in the extras that I know need to be seen. I have not taken an actual lunch break in years. I eat at my desk between appointments - if I get to eat.

So, when people complain about prices or not being able to be seen, this is why.

Your vet's office is working their tails off. Have some compassion and appreciate them.

my daughter had outstanding GPS from a science program at Virginia Tech. She was rejected 2 years in a row from 5 different Vet schools.

You get no sympathy. You and your ilk created this issue by limiting the number of Vets

So you will be saying this to your daughter one day, when she becomes a vet. What a great mother.