I am genuinely curious what it is like to be a Veterinarian. Not just the schooling to get there, although that insight would help, but I want to know what the day to day looks like for most vets?

I love animals and I have been considering a career path in the Veterinarian sciences but I have a lot of friends that spent years going to school for something only to realize that the actual job sucked for them. I don't want to go into debt and waste time on something that maybe isn't ideal for me in the long run.

Mentally, what does it take to be a vet and work with not just animals but the people who bring them in? What does an average day working at a clinic look like? What's the hardest thing about being a vet? Do you have regrets entering this industry? What is the average going salary?

Any insight would be appreciated

Hi guys on a bit of a low let me explain why, I have worked in retail for 15 years on the strong customer focused front of house role, I can do call handling, complaint handling, send emails and I am attentive to detail caring and empathetic and I just love animals biased towards dogs lol, anyways a few weeks back I had a 2 day work experience in a veterinary reception and loved it and for a minute it looked like I may end up working there part time but those hours went to a colleague that wanted to go full tike, since then I have done a few online cpd courses vet receptionist pass with high merit, animal nursing and welfare pass with distinction and admin and secretarial pass with distinction, trouble is I'm 37 male and just want to do the receptionist role as my next career move, I think I'd make a great addition to a team and just wondering am I going wrong anywhere, any advice would be amazing thank you 😊

Hi!

I am a 2023 grad working for a SA corporate practice in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. My original contract is: 110K base with 23% production paid out quarterly. $3K CE budget with 1 week PTO for CE. 120 hours of PTO for vacation. DEA and state license paid for and full benefits 40 hours per week. Jackson Hole, WY is 39% above the national average for cost of living and I am the only exotic vet within a 2 hour radius.

Over the last year, my total hospital production was ~$629K. I asked to go down to 32.5 hours/week and was offered: 101K with 23% production paid quarterly. All other above variables would remain the same. They also offered 106K with 23% production paid quarterly. I was under the impression that I should negotiate for 23% of my total production for the year which would be 118K + 23% production on top of that. What are your thoughts on their offer vs. what I calculated (118K). Open to any and all recommendations and appreciate your time and help!

I'm not sure how to feel about this email i received.

Background: i gave birth October 28th and my baby is now 6 wks old. Im a single mom. I'm in my second year of vet school. I live 45min from the school. I'm crazy I know! lol.

I've been doing many tests remote but a few professors have made me come in for tests. No big deal. As many of you know, the rigorous finals schedule is approaching. I emailed only two professors of 1 credit classes asking if i could take the finals from home. I have taken the 3rd exams of these classes remotely and they have been proctored. Both professors have been very accommodating! Although, this time i cc'ed in the dean of student success services (because she has to be on all emails for accommodations) and she sent me the following email privately.

"I am writing because I need to address this request to take your final exams remotely. Please be aware that when I worked on the plan for making up exams due to your pregnancy and delivery that it was clearly stated that finals were to be taken on site. You did not express any disagreement to this. Title IX allows educational accommodations for students during pregnancy and delivery. Post delivery challenges such as childcare are not covered under Title IX. You will need to be on site to take your final exams. I have made the instructors aware of this. Also, children are not allowed in the facility; this is a university policy. Please let me know if you have any questions"

I cried after reading the email. Life is really tough right now and i feel like how she approached this was just not kind. Does anyone have ideas on how to approach this?

TIA

I am currently thinking of moving to the UK as soon as I graduate vet school from Australia in a couple years. Does anyone have any advice on things like the VetGDP and experiences with being a fresh Aussie new grad in the UK?
I am thinking I want to do mainly small animals but would be open to mixed practice and am happy to go anywhere over the UK. I have just seen some posts about other new grads having issues with finding a job so would love any advice!

This isn’t entirely vet med specific, but I’m hoping some of you may have specific experiences and advice with this. My husband and I are hoping to start trying for our first baby in January or February 2025. I’m a new grad (2023) and my contract at my current (and first) clinic will be up in June 2025. I am definitely looking to move to a new clinic at the end of this contract, but I don’t know what job hunts will look like while potentially pregnant. I considered doing relief work for a few months, but I feel a little insecure still being pretty fresh out of school, and I worry about not having any paid maternity leave. I’d love to hear about any personal experiences or input anyone has with this!

I am a vet with 2 years of experience and got a offer of 170,000 USD for 4 day/ week in rural NY . Is that decent ?

Its a small animal practice 3 week vacation 3000 CE

No production The contract says no salary negotiation for 2 years

Is that a decent salary ?

I have 5 years equine GP experience, but I just can’t do this career anymore. I’m so burnt out. Really don’t want to go SA. Any suggestions on changing careers or where to go from here? Anyone completely leave vet med? Any resources?

Hi everyone

I'm a second year veterinary student interested in pursuing a small animal rotating internship after school. I have some time before applying, but I am trying to be strategic in planning my clinical rotations at placed I want to apply for internship. Right now, the programs I am most interested in are VCA West LA, NC State, AMC in NY, Veterinary Specialty Center in Illinois, and more but I'd say those are the ones I have researched the most. Here are some questions I have:

I was wondering if anyone has any experience with externships/internships/residencies at Veterinary Specialty Center in Illinois?

Is it "okay" to get LOR from people I worked with before vet school and during summers, or is better to get LOR from faculty at my vet school? Also, is it weird to ask people from my clinical rotations (that I'll only be working with for 2-3 wks) for a LOR?

Besides choosing externships at places I wish to intern, and being involved in research, are there any other things that will make me a stronger applicant?

Thank you in advance ~ sorry if this is long.

Allow me to introduce myself first: I work as a vet surgeon at a hospital. There's specific roles for each of us to fulfil every day on a rotation basis: surgeon, consulting and ER.

ER is in charge from morning till close of emergencies and inpatients. It'll hand over the cases that need surgery to the surgical team and back after treatment.

The surgical team will perform the booked surgeries and whatever extras might come in. If there's none they'll hang around to help / study.

Recently everything is quite quiet so by midday we're done with surgeries and the emergencies will normally be booked in for the consulting vets to do. A couple weeks ago there was a welping bitch that needed a c-section. The hosp vet saw it and decided on her own terms that she was going to do it, without communicating to anyone else in the team as she is a new grad and wanted to tick that out of her list of things done.

I had seen a case the day before and just got the results for her bloods. The glucose was really high so the chances of being diabetic was quite high, but needed confirmation with a urine test. I called the owners to let them know and they said that the patient wasn't doing well, so decided to book an appointment to see it again as might be going into Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA). Unfortunately the owner couldn't make it before I finished so I handed the case to the hosp vet.

She kind of aknowledged it but seemed to be just thinking about doing that c-section later on. She had asked another vet that was doing consults for help, I thought that the second vet had performed the surgery before, but she had no previous experience either. I was that day the most experienced vet, I have performed that surgery a couple of times, but no one asked me for help.

At my leaving time I was heading through the corridor when I was stopped by the head nurse. She said I had to see that DKA case that had just arrived as it's my case and I hadn't handed over the case (that's what the hosp vet told her).

I went into the prep area where the hosp vet was getting ready to go into theater and explained, out loud so everyone could hear, the same thing again and told her thar I was leaving. All of the nurses stated that I had to stay. I told them that, unfortunately I had an appointment and it's not my fault that the hosp vet lied to them, decided to skip any kind of organisation and rules pre-stablished, just because she wanted to tick a surgery off her personal list. It's not my fault that she didn't plan ahead and spoken to any of the other vets staying till late that she was going to head into theater and someone else had to assume her role. They were well supplied of vets and there was no need for me to stay.

I have to admit that I didn't say this in a nice chilled manner as I was furious that she had lied to everyone. I assume that part of fault.

I then went to my appointment. That was my last day of work that week, I didn't see anyone else till the Monday after where everyone seemed really pissed off at me as everyone thought that I should have stayed and I was rude but now everyone is lying saying that no one tried to force me to do so. The hosp vet was handed in flowers and a thank you card by the owner of the puppies and praised by management.

My main concern is that we have gone through a lot as a team to fine tune the way we work. We have had issues in the past with people doing what they wanted to get to do surgeries and we are heading towards the same issue again because of this persons behaviour being praised. Not only that, everyone is giving me the could shoulder, not even talking to me based on the lies of this vet.

I have talked to management about watching CCTV as everything happened in a recorded area, but I am sure that she is not going to go round telling everyone that she lied if found guilty, nor management will expect her to do so.

Also, reading the notes on the surgery I can spot at least 4 mistakes on that surgery, just because she didn't ask.

Any suggestions on what to do?

Hello everyone!

I would like to find a job somewhere in western Europe (Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium). At the moment Im at very beginning of this idea and Im wondering, to which countrie should I go, what language should I learn, how to start something like this from 0. I will appreciate any tips you could give me.

Thanks!

I am 32 years old. I have always wanted to be a veterinarian but I let myself get talked out of it in college. I graduated with my bachelors of science in nursing. I worked as an ICU nurse for a few years and now I am in medical device sales. I make great money (>200k+) and have no debt. But - I am unhappy. I cannot get DVM off my mind. I think about it constantly but the other Reddit threads here aren't exactly positive regarding this career path. To top it off, I'm leaning towards wildlife medicine which I know is highly competitive and heard it pays very poorly compared to other specialities. I cannot picture myself doing ANYTHING else but all of this negative talk is really disheartening. I just love animal science and want to help save the planet and animals that inhabitat it.

Any and all advice is much appreciated.

I’m starting kinda late in life (29) but have decided id like to be a pet nutritionist & I have no idea where to start. I also didn’t finish high school & don’t have my GED. I don’t wanna work in a veterinary office, i just want to be a nutritionist & help people with better care for their pets.

I’ve been doing some research online but it’s still a bit confusing. I keep seeing that i can get a 4year bachelors but I’m not sure WHICH one to pursue. Here’s a screenshots of some notes i took as to what specifically I’m interested in doing.

Hi all! I recently scheduled an interview for a hospital management position. I have plenty of tech experience but have only previously filled in as a hospital manager for about 6 months with limited managerial duties; and that was about 4 years ago!

What are some important key points to touch on in the interview, or advice would you might give to someone in my position?

Anything helps!

Hello! I have been practicing for 3.5 years, but in my current clinic now for 2 years, and will be taking over as medical director next month. Practicing in Arizona. I will also be getting married sometime in the next year or two.

Questions is - is there a way I can continue to practice under my maiden name if I legally change my last name to my husband's? I'm assuming your legal last name has to match your license name, and if so then all documents, prescriptions, rabies certs, etc would now need to have my Married last name.

It is really important to him that I change my name, and honestly it would make things easier when we have kids. But I really don't want to give up my professional name. I'm very proud of being Dr. Maiden Name, and I have a great standing in our clinic's community with that name. Also, he is a vet too, so we would both have the same professional name if I changed mine, which I definitely don't want.

I've heard of vets changing their last name and still practicing under maiden name, how is this accomplished? Are the license name requirements different for each state? Are they just calling themselves Dr. maiden name but all documents have Dr. married name on them? I don't want my clients to think someone else is prescribing their meds, or writing surgical discharges, etc.

Literally any advice is welcome. Thanks!

Hi all,

I'm a 2nd-year vet student. I have ADHD which makes it difficult to study and also to take notes, so basically I don't really take notes. We have powerpoint slides for our lectures and my "studying" consists of watching the lectures and making sure I understand the key points, and looking at the slides to make sure I just read over all the content. Sometimes this means watching the lectures twice but then really the only studying part of it is after the lecture when I skim over the slides again. I get good grades this way and am not worried academically but I am worried that since I don't take notes or really study the way everyone else does that I will be ineffective once I get into practice and not have any real resources to fall back on. For those in practice now, did you experience this and if so then how are things going?

Thanks in advance.

Hi team! Vet here, UK-based.

As many others, I’ve grown tired of the routine of GP work and wanted something more stimulating and challenging. I’ve made the decision to do nights/ECC.

I’ve always been keen to do ECC and the night aspect of it doesn’t bother me that much. It’s more the lifestyle changes and making it work around my partner/friends who work regular shifts. My partner is also a vet but she’ll keep working days.

Do you have any advice (constructive please) on how to make things work smoothly? How do you manage your free time around spending it with your significant other and sleeping? Mostly when both of you are off but on a different sleep schedule?

We’re under no illusion that we’ll be seeing each other as much as before, but just want to guarantee that we’ll still have some quality time together. We live together and have a strong relationship.

Also, how do you manage your meals? What time do you eat your main meals, and any advice on nice (and healthy) snacks?

If you do sports, do you do it after or before your shift?

Any other advices that you have for a night baby?

Really keen on having some experienced feedback from all of you! Exciting times!

Located in Vic, Australia.

I attended a job interview for a veterinary casual position and was offered a trial shift from 8am-6pm in which they said they would pay me. I had also done a trial shift right after the interview 11-2pm but they also wanted me in for a full day to see how the whole day would run. I gave them my bank details (without my super details), worked the day, received a contract two days after to which I declined due to a number of reasons. The 8am-6pm trial shift was on the 12th November and the other trial was on the 29th October, and and I have still not been paid.

Is it necessary that they need my super details in order to be paid?

Everyone I currently work with is telling me to email them to be compensated for the time that I put in with them, but seeing how it's been a couple of weeks I feel it may come across as money hungry but I also know I deserve to be compensated for the effort and work I put in for the whole day at least. I just do not like confrontation.

Would greatly appreciate some advice on what to do/how to go about it or if I should just leave it?

EDIT: I have written proof of agreement to pay for a trial shift in an email between practice manager and I.

Larger primary care in semi rural area with smaller urgent/emergent care practice. Looking for recommendations for a good syringe pump and doppler (yayyyyy!).

Need one that's not too expensive and won't easily break since most staff have never seen or used the equipment before (looking at you, syringe pump arm).

Anyone got any ideas?? Thanks ❤️

Just wondering if it would be a conflict of interest to apply for a vet assistant job at the vet office I take my dogs to?

Hi, I(f24) am a veterinary student in Africa.

I had the worst surgical experience today. I was doing a spay on an abandoned dog and everything just went wrong. Firstly, I missed the linea alba so I went through muscle layer, obviously there was more bleeding than normal. Then I couldn't find her uterine horns, they were so small. A vet tech had to find them for me.

Next an intestinal blood vessel got nicked so the dog bled a lot, and I mean a lot. A senior veterinarian had to step in and clean up the mess. I don't think I'm cut out for surgeries I was panicking the whole time I just wanted to cry Luckily the dog is okay and awake but damn... I don't want to ever do that again

Hey everyone! I’m currently in my sophomore year of college. I’m attending a community college at the moment and was planning to transfer to a 4 year to then pursue a career as a veterinarian. However, I’ve been putting in some more thought into my career choices and I’m really stuck in a rut about it. I’ve been considering a career as a vet tech instead.. although I really would like to be a vet one day.. but to be a certified tech, my plans for education will have to be altered, so the sooner I’m able to make a decision, the better. I’m really complexed by this situation I’m facing. Just as some background, I do currently work at a veterinary clinic as a receptionist. I’ve seen the roles of both tech and vet here at our clinic.. techs seem a little more hands on with the patients which is what has made me start to rethink my career choices. I’ve been able to observe both roles every now and then but still the problem stands haha. Anyone have any advice? How did you decide you wanted to pursue being a vet tech? Or a vet? Pros and cons? Anything will help really.. Thank you!

Hey everyone, I’m a prevet student with autism and auditory processing disorder and I have been having such a hard time at my vet assisting job. Verbal instructions have never been easy for me and it takes me a little longer for context and such to “click”. I feel like I am a constant burden and no one understands me. I don’t know if I’m cut out for healthcare as there cannot be any accommodations made without literally telling everyone you have a disability and need to be spoken to more clearly. And who knows if that will even work. Vet med seems so autism-unfriendly and it’s so discouraging, but maybe it’s just my practice. What has anyone else with autism done to make their vet assistant/tech job bearable?

Hey Guys 👋🏽

Personally I’m conflicted, after reading some of your guys posts. I’m questioning is being a certified veterinarian assistant worth it?

Yes I know they make less than vet techs. Being a vet tech is a 2 year program, some vet techs make over $20 an hour while us vet assistants, take a 6-7 month certification; barely making $17/ hr if lucky, which is pretty much low balling, with inflation.

Ideally, my goal, aspiration, I want to be a DVM BUT I dropped out of university 10 years ago and I’m just now getting back on the saddle, basically starting over 🥲 I already know I have to get my 4 year bachelors degree, in biology before I can even think of applying to Vet Med School.

I have experience working with animals, I was a kennel technician for GPAS, so cleaning up feces, vomit, blood, urine, restraining dogs and cats, doesn’t really phase me. And after seeing a dog euthanized for the first time, even though it hurt my heart , it helped me realize that this is the career path I want to take. Being in the veterinarian field isn’t just about empathy for the animal, it’s about empathy for the pet owner too.

I honestly don’t know what route I should take after completing my 7 month vet assistant certification.

I need advice from my fellow vet field workers out there 🙏🏽

Disclaimer: I live in Texas, I’m a 28 y/o female

Hello, I am a 4th year veterinary student and I am currently in the process of applying to internships. I am thinking about ranking Texas A&M as my number one out of the list of places I am applying to. My question is how competitive is Texas A&M? I noticed they are one of the few places that ask for class rank and I am definitely not top of my class. I think my LOR will be great and I do have research experience if that matters for TAMU. Does anyone know what it is like to intern at TAMU? Thank you!

Hello! I am almost half way through my third year at Cornell Veterinary School. I was curious when students start looking at jobs? I went down a rabbit hunt and saw conflicting answers.

I’m mainly interested in shelter medicine - but would be willing to do GP or ER w/ shelter medicine as a side gig.

Also how does the whole process work?

Please advise!

Ophthalmology

Hi everyone. This may be a weird one but I’m seeking some career advice. I have a pretty big decision to make and I’m losing sleep over it.

Some backstory-

I’m a 38 year old female with an adorable 8 month old daughter and loving husband. Most of my experience is in vetmed as I was a veterinary technician for about 13 years. A few years ago, I was accepted into vet school (Tufts), started, but had to take a leave because life got overwhelming with planning a wedding, buying a house, trying to pay for vet school, and getting pregnant. Veterinary school was the ultimate goal my whole life so leaving my passion was a heart wrenching blow. But I needed to for my mental health. Of course now there are so many what ifs that run through my brain because I miss it dearly.

I want to be in a good place financially and be able to help provide for my family without worrying about the next paycheck. (I have been a stay at home mom since having my daughter so money is constantly on my mind). We also may want another child in the near future (since time is ticking on that part). So the plan would be to apply either this cycle or next (depending on pregnancy).

The dilemma-

I need to decide between trying to go back to vet school, taking a jump for human med school, or just go to PA school. All have their pros and cons.

Vet school- pro- it’s my PASSION, but lots of debt (although not nearly as bad as it was since now I have an in state school I can go to), also ROI is not very good since small animal vets really don’t make very much, so debt to income ratio is high. Crappy hours, lack of respect in the field, Plus it’s another four years of schooling which is definitely a con.

Med school- not a ton of experience in human med, but I do love medicine in general. Con- another four years plus residency, crappy hours. But pro- very good money, helping people, rewarding. Decent ROI and debt to income isn’t as bad as vet route.

PA school- same as above for human med. Pro- only two years so less money, good ROI, decent salaries right out of school, can have good hours, definitely a growing field. Cons- lack of respect in field, not being a doctor, less autonomy.

So taking my age, child situation, financial goals, and time into consideration, I would love some insight from outsiders. Do I stick with what I’m passionate (and be selfish) about and say screw the money even though it may not be the most fiscally responsible answer (but hey, life is short right?). Or do I go with a profession that is more financially suited to our lifestyle and would be better for my family in the long run? I have asked family members and friends but they are no help. Give me the good, the bad, and the ugly. lol

Thanks for reading this novel.

Hi! Just had some general questions on how to go about a rotating internship before I meet with an advisor so I have a general understanding. In short, I’m a current 3rd year and want to specialize in ophthalmology. I was wondering if anyone had strong opinions on a private vs institutional internship. I know the pay is way better for private, but knowing I have to do a 3 year residency afterwards, is getting my name out at universities a better choice? I’ve also heard the mentorship at universities are better because of their requirements. Any advice on where I can learn more about this or anything you wish you knew beforehand?