Worth It

Being a veterinarian is often: 

•seeing pets suffering from preventable diseases because owners didn’t take your advice on preventative care

•tirelessly advocating for a patient’s wellbeing and being disappointed half the time because the owner doesn’t share the same desire to put in effort to give their pet the best life possible

•convincing people that their pet is limping because it’s in pain. 

•having the same discussion multiple times a day (yes, fleas are found on indoor pets; yes, mosquitoes do get in the house; no I won’t refill that medication your pet got in 2012 without an exam; no I can’t treat your pet’s ear infection without a cytology to see what’s causing it; no, there is not a discount for having more than one pet that is sick).

•having people decline sedation for their pet that is trying to bite you because they don’t think they should have to pay for that or that you and your staff’s safety is a concern. 

In less common, but painful instances, being a veterinarian is:

•sending a pet home to die because the owner will not allow you to end its suffering peacefully.

•advocating for pain medication for an excruciatingly painful patient and being dismissed as “money hungry” (even when you offer that written script and GoodRx coupon)

•pleading with that irresponsible backyard breeder to deworm and vaccinate his dog before breeding her to prevent disease transmission to the puppies and being ignored 

•euthanizing a dog who’s condition is treatable but the owner does not want to and/or will not allow you to 

Being a veterinarian is always:

•loving your patients, sometimes more than their owners do

•being an advocate for the pets you care for, no matter how difficult the conversation or the client

•using diagnostics to determine the best course of action whenever possible

•keeping up to date on the latest and greatest of medical technology and recommendations 

•looking into the eyes of a being that can’t speak up for itself and promising to be their voice. 

•providing peace and comfort whenever possible

•appreciating the diversity of life more so than the average medical professional 

•a career of lifelong learning 

•satisfying

•worth it