I have a friend who says she is a proctologist. But I think those stories would be even worse than cat questions.
Oh! I've got 2 good ones!
Cousin: "So I heard you got into vet school! That's really cool. Where?"
Me: "Iowa State. It's in Ames."
Cousin: "Oh, fun fun. So how much longer do you have then? Weren't you already studying vet at *undergrad name*?"
Me: "No, no. That was me doing the pre-reqs and getting my bachelors in biology. Vet school is another 4 years."
Cousin: "Wait, so... you were there for 5 years, and now you've got another 4? Vets get that much education? Jesus, they're almost like real doctors!"
Me: "Yep. Funny how that works."
Cousin: "Oh, well, anyway... Ball (his dog) has had this weird limp on his left hind leg for a week or so and I really don't want to spend money on taking him somewhere so I was hoping you could look at him for me."
Me:
It's actually kinda hilarious, because he makes far, far more money than I do. He probably makes more now with a GED than I will make out of vet school, honestly. At least he's a nice guy.
Walmart cashier: "So what high school do you go to?" (I do look pretty young, admittedly)
Me: "Oh, I'm not in high school. I'm graduating in May with my bachelors degree and then I'm off to vet school this fall."
Walmart cashier: "Oh, that's awesome! I always wanted to be a vet. Where are you going?"
Me: "Iowa State."
Walmart cashier: "Oh... isn't that, like, a really bad school?"
Me: "What do you mean?"
Walmart cashier: "I've heard that *random nearby community college with a vet tech program* is one of the best vet schools around. Why not just go there instead of all the way to Iowa?"
Me:
I find that most pathologists love their work and like to talk about it, too.
a good skill to have.
Grossing people out is fun sometimes.
This is my least favorite response ... and I'm very sorry whenever you (and every other pre-vet, vet student or DVM) have to listen to these types of negative (disparaging) comments.
This is my least favorite response ... and I'm very sorry whenever you (and every other pre-vet, vet student or DVM) have to listen to these types of negative (disparaging) comments.
Health care - for animals and humans - is not cheap, especially given the costs associated with state-of-the-art equipment, modern testing and medications. As we all know, many humans demand (scream for) expensive MRIs and prescriptive medications for themselves in connection with the diagnosis and treatment of their own minor aches and pains, including achy feet and garden-variety headaches. However, when Fluffy or Bowser is writhing in pain, incontinent with bleeding, or vomiting, many owners don't want to spend money to provide meds for their ailing pets, much less a simple x-ray or a basic lab test.
Sheesh!
If humans want cheap veterinary care for their pets, they can go to DVM school themselves (for 4 years and take out student loans) and provide veterinary care to their own pets - for FREE. At the very least, they can purchase a health insurance policy for their pet (just like they do for their own human health care). There is no excuse for irresponsible pet ownership in the 21st century. There is no excuse for making insensitive comments to modern-day veterinarians who are as vital to pets, as the DVMs of the 1930's. I feel frustrated whenever I hear whiny complaints about DVMs (and veterinary meds and tests) being too expensive. They are NOT ... and human medicine has been (and remains) much more expensive then veterinary medicine.
Hmmm ... I think my response has morphed into a semi-rant on behalf of veterinary medicine ... maybe I should post it over there - thank you.
