RANT HERE thread

[huevosgood]

If I hear one more person tell me "Oh my gosh you're working at an animal hospital? That's so cool! I wish I could play with dogs and cats all day long for my work!" after telling them I'm in the veterinary field, I'm going to pull out my hair from the frustration and ignorance that comes from such a statement.

Actually correction: if the person is a girl, I'll pull out my hair. If the person is a guy, I'm shaving that ignorant punks head bald! After all, guys aren't suppose to lay a finger on girls so I just have to work with what I've got!

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[WildZoo]

I cannot stand living in a state that places no priority on higher education. Thanks to budget cuts, there is no four year university in my state that offers animal nutrition. I couldn't even dream of affording the distance learning courses either. This could have been solved if the equine science program at my school hadn't been cut due to funding but I guess I'm no pun intended

Have you looked into the course at St. Petersburg College? It's cheaper than a lot of the other options, although I was in-state for it so I'm not sure how large the cost difference is if you're out of state.

 

[Jess Monster]

If I hear one more person tell me "Oh my gosh you're working at an animal hospital? That's so cool! I wish I could play with dogs and cats all day long for my work!" after telling them I'm in the veterinary field, I'm going to pull out my hair from the frustration and ignorance that comes from such a statement.

Part of the territory, I suppose.

I don't know what your ultimate vet interest area is, but I'm looking toward a career in government/regulatory medicine and explaining that to people who assume all vets work in clinics with puppies and kitties is sometimes exhausting. People in my hometown, who I only interact with occasionally, think I'm going to take over a local clinic and that they'll get free pet care. Anymore I just smile and think, "I hope your pet doesn't come across me in a professional setting. If it does, it's likely a lifeless husk that needs dissecting or a diseased animal that needs euthanized."

 

[Coquette22]

If I hear one more person tell me "Oh my gosh you're working at an animal hospital? That's so cool! I wish I could play with dogs and cats all day long for my work!" after telling them I'm in the veterinary field, I'm going to pull out my hair from the frustration and ignorance that comes from such a statement.

I've never gotten this response. The most common response I get is "Oh good for you. I couldn't do it, I just I couldn't put animals down."

 

[Skimble]

I've never gotten this response. The most common response I get is "Oh good for you. I couldn't do it, I just I couldn't put animals down."

I've gotten this a lot recently, especially from nurses. I tell them that is the easy part. It almost annoys me more from people involved in human medicine, because I feel they should understand the desire to end suffering. A lot of doctors I've spoken with are firm believers in physician assisted suicide.

 

[Skimble]

.

 

[orca2011]

I've gotten this a lot recently, especially from nurses. I tell them that is the easy part. It almost annoys me more from people involved in human medicine, because I feel they should understand the desire to end suffering. A lot of doctors I've spoken with are firm believers in physician assisted suicide.

We had a professor for a Genetics class who is a cat breeder but also a pediatrician (I believe...some type of doctor at least ) and she was very up front that euthanasia is one of the best aspect if vet med compared to human.

 

[epivetlove]

We had a professor for a Genetics class who is a cat breeder but also a pediatrician (I believe...some type of doctor at least ) and she was very up front that euthanasia is one of the best aspect if vet med compared to human.

This. We had a round table discussion about One Health and the two physicians present mentioned how great the option of euthanasia can be. One even went on to say that since veterinarians are trained in the "arts of euthanasia" that maybe, if the day ever came when it was more acceptable in human medicine, we should be the ones to do it. Because...we're used to it and compassionate and all. I guess he didn't think human doctors possessed the same level of compassion.

 

[LetItSnow]

This. We had a round table discussion about One Health and the two physicians present mentioned how great the option of euthanasia can be. One even went on to say that since veterinarians are trained in the "arts of euthanasia" that maybe, if the day ever came when it was more acceptable in human medicine, we should be the ones to do it. Because...we're used to it and compassionate and all. I guess he didn't think human doctors possessed the same level of compassion.

That's utterly ridiculous. The "maybe vets should do it" part. Grow a pair, MDs. Time to start lobbying for compassionate care for your patients.

Anyway, in other news: Am I blind or did the Search box go away? I don't see any option to 'Search' SDN anymore? And when I went to Forums and then Search SDN I was told I didn't have permission.

So... uh.... how do I search now? Please somebody just tell me I'm using my man eyes to look for the Search box.

 

[IZZY222]

That's utterly ridiculous. The "maybe vets should do it" part. Grow a pair, MDs. Time to start lobbying for compassionate care for your patients.

Anyway, in other news: Am I blind or did the Search box go away? I don't see any option to 'Search' SDN anymore? And when I went to Forums and then Search SDN I was told I didn't have permission.

So... uh.... how do I search now? Please somebody just tell me I'm using my man eyes to look for the Search box.

Not just you. Mine has been doing the error message for a few days.

 

[Skimble]

This. We had a round table discussion about One Health and the two physicians present mentioned how great the option of euthanasia can be. One even went on to say that since veterinarians are trained in the "arts of euthanasia" that maybe, if the day ever came when it was more acceptable in human medicine, we should be the ones to do it. Because...we're used to it and compassionate and all. I guess he didn't think human doctors possessed the same level of compassion.

I kind of understand that thinking. Not that vets are more compassionate, but human doctors do have to have a certain level of detachment from their patients, where vets don't need to detach themselves as much. But like LIS said, MD's would need to man up and do it.

And yes, the search box is gone! That is no good!

 

[LetItSnow]

I kind of understand that thinking. Not that vets are more compassionate, but human doctors do have to have a certain level of detachment from their patients, where vets don't need to detach themselves as much. But like LIS said, MD's would need to man up and do it.

And yes, the search box is gone! That is no good!

I think the statistics on compassion fatigue in vet med would suggest that vets need to distance themselves just as much as our md counterparts. That's not me saying animals are "equivalent" to people - but in terms of fatigue, depression, and burnout, the stats speak for themselves. It apparently effects us emotionally just the same a as human medicine. Maybe even more so because of the tensions in our field that aren't as prevalent in human medicine.

 

[Jess Monster]

Tuesday, a customer service rep called me and said to swing by the store to pick up a replacement pillow that was lost in the mail whenever I had time (this thing was supposed to have arrived on the 5th). I thought it was a weird resolution, how hard is it to just re-order the pillow, but she reassured me that it would be at the service counter with my name on it. Well, I was in the area looking at apartments so I stopped by the store. Instead of a pillow waiting for me, I get another two service reps trying to piece together whatever happened to my delivery from the few notes numerous people (by my counts I have now talked to seven people) have been putting on my order for the last two weeks.

Replace it or refund my money. It's really not that difficult.

 

[jmo1012]

apparently the application fee of $250 does not include the $105 license fee for a year (and theres also a test taking fee). seriously FL, i am about to graduate and am not made of money!! wtf

And this is in addition to the more than $600 I spent on Navle fees

 

[Coquette22]

I've gotten this a lot recently, especially from nurses. I tell them that is the easy part. It almost annoys me more from people involved in human medicine, because I feel they should understand the desire to end suffering. A lot of doctors I've spoken with are firm believers in physician assisted suicide.

Just to clarify, most of the people that tell me this are in favour of assisted suicide. They understand that it's an act of kindness. But they don't feel they could do it day in and day out.

 

[LetItSnow]

apparently the application fee of $250 does not include the $105 license fee for a year (and theres also a test taking fee). seriously FL, i am about to graduate and am not made of money!! wtf

And this is in addition to the more than $600 I spent on Navle fees

Pretty sad, isn't it?

 

[Minnerbelle]

apparently the application fee of $250 does not include the $105 license fee for a year (and theres also a test taking fee). seriously FL, i am about to graduate and am not made of money!! wtf

And this is in addition to the more than $600 I spent on Navle fees

Oh don't worry it doesn't end there. As soon as you have your license, everyone and their mothers start telling you that you owe this amount and that amount. By the time you think you've squared it all away, the renewals for the next year comes... And it's more expensive. Ugh

 

[Coquette22]

My license fee was "reduced" at $690 because I'm a recent grad. But you also have to pay the new member fee, which is $170. So it ends up being the same amount as the regular license anyway. (Luckily, my employer pays it, cause I have no idea where I'd come up with that...)

 

[jmo1012]

Oh don't worry it doesn't end there. As soon as you have your license, everyone and their mothers start telling you that you owe this amount and that amount. By the time you think you've squared it all away, the renewals for the next year comes... And it's more expensive. Ugh

wonderful, cant wait! ugh

 

[LyraGardenia]

Seriously bummed that I have to start from scratch entering my info into VMCAS this year. It's not that big of a deal since I have both of my previous applications printed off, but it was so nice last year having everything carry over. At least the new system seems user-friendly so far.

 

[1doggeek]

Final grades were due Thursday.

Still don't have ochem lab or lecture grades.

Ochem prof hates grading, didn't grade anything in lecture (none of our quizzes or tests) and only 3 lab reports the entire semester. I have no. idea. what my grade is in that class.

 

[psilovethomas]

Final grades were due Thursday.

Still don't have ochem lab or lecture grades.

Ochem prof hates grading, didn't grade anything in lecture (none of our quizzes or tests) and only 3 lab reports the entire semester. I have no. idea. what my grade is in that class.

Email the department head. That should light a fire under his arse.

 

[orca2011]

The dinner I made didn't turn out well...really bummed because I have left overs that I could eat later this week since I'm in the process of moving and have like no food. But now I don't want it and feel like I wasted so much salmon...

 

[hedgiehog]

I have pretty bad insomnia and it takes me forever to fall asleep. About a half an hour after I fell asleep my cat woke up the puppy who proceeded to bark for twenty minutes. Now to start the process of tossing and turning for an hour or two...

 

[Jess Monster]

Seriously bummed that I have to start from scratch entering my info into VMCAS this year. It's not that big of a deal since I have both of my previous applications printed off, but it was so nice last year having everything carry over. At least the new system seems user-friendly so far.

It does suck. I was hoping everything would be transferred over from last year too. Due to an exceptionally long transcript from my main university, I'm just giving in and paying VMCAS to enter my coursework this time around. If they make minimal mistakes, it will be worth the money.

 

[NStarz]

The two ER clinicians I wanted to ask for LORs for my internship app are not on ER this block. This sucks so much.

 

[psilovethomas]

I hate my uterus. I hate it I hate it I hate it! Ugh..

 

[pinkpuppy9]

Frustrated. Drove out to UIUC this weekend to apartment hunt. The complex I fell in love with allowed dogs, cats, birds, and aquariums. Yet they wouldn't allow caged pets like my rabbit. The layout of the apartment was perfect and the price was great. I ended up finding a place I didn't like nearly as much, but allowed rabbits. At least I found a place....now to figure out the loan situation.

 

[WildZoo]

I hate my uterus. I hate it I hate it I hate it! Ugh..

I know that feel

 

[DVMDream]

I know that feel

Well you have what 6? 7? parasites growing in there now... I would hate it too.

 

[WildZoo]

Well you have what 6? 7? parasites growing in there now... I would hate it too.

It's a rough life. Apparently they just keep multiplying.

 

[JaynaAli]

One of my good friends didn't pass NAVLE in November. She failed by 1%. She retook it in April and got her score today...she still didn't pass. I'm shocked and so sad for her, and she is understandably devastated. It's gut-wrenching to be at the beginning of a career you have worked so hard and long for, only to have one test trip you up and keep you from it. Now she's lost her upcoming internship position and can't take NAVLE again for another entire year. Plus with 200,000 of debt on her plate I really hope she finds some way to make it all work. Failing is something you know is a possibility but you don't really expect to happen since 90% of people pass. She is not at the bottom of our class rank-wise either like you'd expect...she's probably in the middle somewhere. I want to help her feel better but I'm not even sure what to say or do. It's just a sucky situation.

 

[heyyimhayley]

Just got my GRE scores back.... got freaking 98% on the analytical writing... the one no one cares about!

 

[Caia]

One of my good friends didn't pass NAVLE in November. She failed by 1%. She retook it in April and got her score today...she still didn't pass. I'm shocked and so sad for her, and she is understandably devastated. It's gut-wrenching to be at the beginning of a career you have worked so hard and long for, only to have one test trip you up and keep you from it. Now she's lost her upcoming internship position and can't take NAVLE again for another entire year. Plus with 200,000 of debt on her plate I really hope she finds some way to make it all work. Failing is something you know is a possibility but you don't really expect to happen since 90% of people pass. She is not at the bottom of our class rank-wise either like you'd expect...she's probably in the middle somewhere. I want to help her feel better but I'm not even sure what to say or do. It's just a sucky situation.

That sounds horrifying. I hope she can figure something out and get back on track as soon as possible.

 

[Jess Monster]

Frustrated. Drove out to UIUC this weekend to apartment hunt. The complex I fell in love with allowed dogs, cats, birds, and aquariums. Yet they wouldn't allow caged pets like my rabbit. The layout of the apartment was perfect and the price was great. I ended up finding a place I didn't like nearly as much, but allowed rabbits. At least I found a place....now to figure out the loan situation.

That's a dumb policy. I've never come across a rental company that is pro-dog and cat but anti-small caged mammals. Most of the places I've been looking at tend to have "no pet" policies but really mean "no cats and dogs" and usually say there would be no problem with my rabbit.

 

[LetItSnow]

It does suck. I was hoping everything would be transferred over from last year too. Due to an exceptionally long transcript from my main university, I'm just giving in and paying VMCAS to enter my coursework this time around. If they make minimal mistakes, it will be worth the money.

Wait a sec. So VMCAS now has a pay-us-to-enter-your-transcript service and they suddenly couldn't roll info over from last year after they FINALLY implemented it a few years ago?

That's not sketchy AT ALL.......

Good to know VMCAS continues to suck. They need some competition to light a fire under their back side.

 

[Jess Monster]

Wait a sec. So VMCAS now has a pay-us-to-enter-your-transcript service and they suddenly couldn't roll info over from last year after they FINALLY implemented it a few years ago?

That's not sketchy AT ALL.......

Good to know VMCAS continues to suck. They need some competition to light a fire under their back side.

They did offer the service last year, though it wasn't well advertised (at least I didn't see it until I was getting ready to submit the application). This year the transcript entry service is built into the system so an applicant has to check whether or not he/she is interested in paying that fee. Supposedly, returning applicants next year will have their information saved, but we'll see if that remains true or if they just "update" the system again. Though to be fair, it is a very different system from previous cycles.

 

[503372]

One of my good friends didn't pass NAVLE in November. She failed by 1%. She retook it in April and got her score today...she still didn't pass. I'm shocked and so sad for her, and she is understandably devastated. It's gut-wrenching to be at the beginning of a career you have worked so hard and long for, only to have one test trip you up and keep you from it. Now she's lost her upcoming internship position and can't take NAVLE again for another entire year. Plus with 200,000 of debt on her plate I really hope she finds some way to make it all work. Failing is something you know is a possibility but you don't really expect to happen since 90% of people pass. She is not at the bottom of our class rank-wise either like you'd expect...she's probably in the middle somewhere. I want to help her feel better but I'm not even sure what to say or do. It's just a sucky situation.

The first thing I thought when I read this was it's good she has a friend like you. You might not necessarily understand what she's going through, but you are showing compassion towards her situation. I would say just be there for you friend. Tell her you're there for her. Sometimes people just need to know that they have someone in their corner.

 

[LetItSnow]

Board-certified radiologists of the world: What's the deal with your ambivalent "Eh.... might be this, not really sure, correlate to clinical signs" answers. I'm a flippin' x-ray hack. I look for metal-opacity objects with a sign that says "**FB HERE**". I expect a more nuanced interpretation from you specialists. Get it together.

 

[cowgirla]

Board-certified radiologists of the world: What's the deal with your ambivalent "Eh.... might be this, not really sure, correlate to clinical signs" answers. I'm a flippin' x-ray hack. I look for metal-opacity objects with a sign that says "**FB HERE**". I expect a more nuanced interpretation from you specialists. Get it together.

I've had some crappy luck with radiology consults lately. Most spectacular- shoulder lameness in a 6yo dog. The medullary cavity of the humerus looked fuzzy but nothing distinct so I sent it off for consult.... Normal humerus, artifact due to overlying soft tissue, mild DJD.
Three weeks later I euthanized the dog with a palpable bone tumor. Needless to say, I'm learning to trust my instincts.

 

[LetItSnow]

I've had some crappy luck with radiology consults lately. Most spectacular- shoulder lameness in a 6yo dog. The medullary cavity of the humerus looked fuzzy but nothing distinct so I sent it off for consult.... Normal humerus, artifact due to overlying soft tissue, mild DJD.
Three weeks later I euthanized the dog with a palpable bone tumor. Needless to say, I'm learning to trust my instincts.

Awww. I'm sorry. Sucky case.

As a brand new doctor it's very hard for me to trust my instincts over someone with more experience and board specialization, yanno? I had a lame cat a few nights ago that I swear had some weird bony proliferation at the distal humerus. The other doc on shift concurred. A third ER doc that looked at it next shift agreed. Radiologist read it out as normal.

It's hard for me to decide how to integrate that info, yanno?

 

[pinkpuppy9]

That's a dumb policy. I've never come across a rental company that is pro-dog and cat but anti-small caged mammals. Most of the places I've been looking at tend to have "no pet" policies but really mean "no cats and dogs" and usually say there would be no problem with my rabbit.

Yeah it really is. My mom and I talked to the property manager and everything. Apparently it's a restriction that corporate requires. A bird is caged....yet they're allowed. Sigh. I was very close to signing there and sneaking him, but that adds a lot of stress to my life

 

[Minnerbelle]

Awww. I'm sorry. Sucky case.

As a brand new doctor it's very hard for me to trust my instincts over someone with more experience and board specialization, yanno? I had a lame cat a few nights ago that I swear had some weird bony proliferation at the distal humerus. The other doc on shift concurred. A third ER doc that looked at it next shift agreed. Radiologist read it out as normal.

It's hard for me to decide how to integrate that info, yanno?

Yeah you have to take the rad consults with a huuuuge grain of salt. Some of them are worthless. I had better luck with idexx compared to antech

 

[Minnerbelle]

My rant of the day. 11 appts with 9 of them sick visits, and 1 emergency... in 3 hrs. And at the end of it was just 20 min behind. I'm usually a super sweet let the clients talk about whatever they feel like kinda person, but today, if they started talking stupid talk, I shut them down very quick.

 

[Trilt]

My rant of the day. 11 appts with 9 of them sick visits, and 1 emergency... in 3 hrs. And at the end of it was just 20 min behind. I'm usually a super sweet let the clients talk about whatever they feel like kinda person, but today, if they started talking stupid talk, I shut them down very quick.

I was coming here to complain about my three appointment internal medicine day... I'll just be quiet over here, haha.

 

[Meadowlark]

My rant of the day. 11 appts with 9 of them sick visits, and 1 emergency... in 3 hrs. And at the end of it was just 20 min behind. I'm usually a super sweet let the clients talk about whatever they feel like kinda person, but today, if they started talking stupid talk, I shut them down very quick.

Wow! How are you supposed to treat sick patients that quickly? Our vets get 30 minutes even for vaccine appointments, and if they have to see 2 sick ones back to back there is likely to be whining...

 

[Minnerbelle]

Wow! How are you supposed to treat sick patients that quickly? Our vets get 30 minutes even for vaccine appointments, and if they have to see 2 sick ones back to back there is likely to be whining...

A lot of well trained support staff and an efficient clinic system. I had 3-4 techs/assistants today that I hogged all to myself and had them do everything possible that a doctor isn't needed to do. Usually with 20 min appts, not much of a rush at all esp if not all appt slots are filled. Even for my ear appts a lot of the time I have enough time to do the long allergy talk and show the owners personally how to do a good proper ear cleaning. And the very sick ones do end up taking a good 30 min to hr of my time. It's a matter of multitasking for those. Today was rushed, but I still managed to do the whole FLUTD talk not once, but twice in that time... and that's a lot of stuff to cover.

Oh... And I guess with this crunch today it also meant I have a dozen records to still write at the end of the day. Ugh... So there's that.

 

[jmo1012]

I was coming here to complain about my three appointment internal medicine day... I'll just be quiet over here, haha.

haha i will empathize...you're almost halfway there though! and your crazy case actually went home! (i hope the last 2 weeks have gone faster for you than me, because seriously these last 2.5 weeks have been at a snails pace - probably because they are my very last haha)

 

[Meadowlark]

A lot of well trained support staff and an efficient clinic system. I had 3-4 techs/assistants today that I hogged all to myself and had them do everything possible that a doctor isn't needed to do. Usually with 20 min appts, not much of a rush at all esp if not all appt slots are filled. Even for my ear appts a lot of the time I have enough time to do the long allergy talk and show the owners personally how to do a good proper ear cleaning. And the very sick ones do end up taking a good 30 min to hr of my time. It's a matter of multitasking for those. Today was rushed, but I still managed to do the whole FLUTD talk not once, but twice in that time... and that's a lot of stuff to cover.

Oh... And I guess with this crunch today it also meant I have a dozen records to still write at the end of the day. Ugh... So there's that.

That sounds like a good system. Our tech:vet ratio is not even close to that. We also only have 1 exam room per vet on duty, so that makes multi-tasking very difficult for them. When one doctor tries it, that usually means one of the other doctors is standing around waiting for a room to become available. We've all told the owners we need a bigger building, but they don't seem to see it.

 

[Minnerbelle]

That sounds like a good system. Our tech:vet ratio is not even close to that. We also only have 1 exam room per vet on duty, so that makes multi-tasking very difficult for them. When one doctor tries it, that usually means one of the other doctors is standing around waiting for a room to become available. We've all told the owners we need a bigger building, but they don't seem to see it.

Yeah, I make use of 3-4 rooms at a time if it's just me, and there's like 6-7 rooms we can use total if we need to when we have 2 doctors on.

As for how appointments work. A tech is loading a room for the next patient and getting history and taking ear swabs to be looked at even before I'm presented with the case. During that time I'm examining a patient in another room. Another tech is filling prescriptions for the previous case, and another two are trimming nails and getting blood from the previous case. And then reception checks over the charges based on my charge sheet.

With 2 doctors on, we don't necessarily have more techs, but then it's not as hectic when we have 2 doctors on and we can also do stuff ourselves. We can always pull kennel staff/reception to help out as they are all cross-trained to an extent.