A DVM Regrets Going to Vet School

[libster06]

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IMHO every student should be required to put in at least 500 hours WORKING AT A CLINIC in order to understand if they really want to do this, i ad well over a thousand hours at 1 clinic from working part time summers for 2 years, at 1 clinic then about a thousand more at another clinic working part time during the school year, it is possible to get the experience hours without taking time off from school. now that i am starting school i have a leg up on a bunch of classmates because i spent the last 4 years discussing diagnoses and treatments with clients, i can explain why it is vary important that we do something that may be a little costly to help there pet, and i also learned that life sucks sometimes and a pet still dies at the end of a heroic surgery or that the o may not care we can fix it and rather let the pet die or only treat the symptoms. You dont have to take time off from school but you do have to try no its not easy getting a job no ever said it was but sitting back and observing from a distance at a clinic isnt going to tell you anything about the profession either. 500 hours is great but only if you did more then occasionally draw up a vaccine or wipe down a table

You do realize that it's not every vet school student's dream to work in a small animal practice? Thus the proposed "requirement" wouldn't really be fair or beneficial to those who have zero interest in that career path. I would assume you would also propose the same requirement for those lacking large animal experience. It's only fair...

[try to be a little more open minded]

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

the lack of respect for those who try to inject some reality or dissenting opinions. .....I see no reason to believe the OP is troll. There are unhappy people in every career field.

We're not talking about simple job satisfaction. We all have those concerns, and many of us have posted about it. I'm one of them. But, the post is ridiculous and hyperbolic, like dsmoody said. A second rate education and second rate profession, urging people into human medicine? That's taking it a bit farther than job dissatisfaction or telling students about the perils of loans and job security (one of the more controversial topics here)

Seriously, do you think that people come out of vet school having done none of those procedures? You don't even have to seek experience outside of vet school for that - you'll do them in fourth year clinics.

It was the insulting (and quite frankly, untrue) nature of the OPs references to a markedly subpar education that makes it trollish. Unless the OP went to a struggling, small school 30 years ago and only worked in financially strained clinics in rural areas - then I could understand the lack of procedural experience, *maybe* - but that is still a tiny minority compared to our education now. Plus going on about how GP clinics basically don't do anything - not true again. Maybe not all of those procedures, but many or most of them.

 

[Whyevernot55]

I am disinclined to take advice on my career choices from a poster who shows up, writes a long, unhappy, rant about how much they hate their job and how they "want to save people" from making the same wrong decision, then disappears without participating in the ensuing discussion.

Maybe because he knows he's being whiny and unreasonable. 🙄

I think that some of the points are legit, especially for people considering the profession without complete knowledge of what is involved, but the presentation is appallingly bad.

 

[deleted387118]

I am disinclined to take advice on my career choices from a poster who shows up, writes a long, unhappy, rant about how much they hate their job and how they "want to save people" from making the same wrong decision, then disappears without participating in the ensuing discussion.

Maybe because he knows he's being whiny and unreasonable. 🙄

I think that some of the points are legit, especially for people considering the profession without complete knowledge of what is involved, but the presentation is appallingly bad.

👍

Personally, I'm disinclined to make any large decision (including what career I'll be spending the rest of my life in) based on what anyone says over the internet, whether its with a positive or negative attitude.

 

[libster06]

Seriously, do you think that people come out of vet school having done none of those procedures? You don't even have to seek experience outside of vet school for that - you'll do them in fourth year clinics.

I was honestly thinking that this "vet" did not sound like someone I would want to take my pet to... the palpable negativity coupled with the all around uncertainty and lack of awareness of the cost, magnitude, time and manpower of the procedures listed as what should be done by the "average" practice really didn't do too much for me.

Skin testing isn't done by the "average" practice because a) it costs $800- over $1000 and they also have specialists for that. Liver and kidney biopsies, again cost a fortune, and are more of a last resort diagnostic procedure... thus they aren't high on the average practice's go-to treatment plans.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

Skin testing isn't done by the "average" practice because a) it costs $800- over $1000 and they also have specialists for that. Liver and kidney biopsies, again cost a fortune, and are more of a last resort diagnostic procedure... thus they aren't high on the average practice's go-to treatment plans.

However, I would imagine that the average practice does do adequate anesthesia monitoring, IO pressures, therapeutic drug monitoring, etc. But yes, some of it rings true. Perhaps, if the OP is for real, he or she should have worked at a teaching hospital where biopsies, BALs, and endos are extremely common. But again, the fact that the OP seems to think that the only route in vet med is working at the "average" small clinic again shows a lack of awareness about the profession, adding to my reluctance to take him seriously.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

PS

Does VIN really s*** on SDN? Heh. I should go over there and act how I usually do in the lounge and sociopolitical forum. That would be interesting I honestly never joined because I got the feeling they were rather uptight over there.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Perhaps, if the OP is for real, he or she should have worked at a teaching hospital where biopsies, BALs, and endos are extremely common.

That's exactly what I was thinking. It sounds like a lot of the OP's dissatisfaction could've been taken care of by specializing and working at a teaching hospital.

But again, the fact that the OP seems to think that the only route in vet med is working at the "average" small clinic again shows a lack of awareness about the profession, adding to my reluctance to take him seriously.

i originally read the OP as a rant giving examples of things that sometimes don't happen, rather than never happens. like, i've def heard upper classmen/vets complain about being unlucky in the cases they didn't get to see during rotations, etc.. but now that i've read it over, you're prob right.

 

[libster06]

PS

Does VIN really s*** on SDN? Heh. I should go over there and act how I usually do in the lounge and sociopolitical forum. That would be interesting I honestly never joined because I got the feeling they were rather uptight over there.

I joined for help with school... online drug handbooks are easier to read :X

 

[twelvetigers]

PS

Does VIN really s*** on SDN? Heh. I should go over there and act how I usually do in the lounge and sociopolitical forum. That would be interesting I honestly never joined because I got the feeling they were rather uptight over there.

Really, a few of them know we exist... and that's mostly it. It's the cross-posters that tend to bring up how... let's say... how 'optimistic' folks tend to be here on SDN. And it's true, everyone here is still really positive about the profession and yeah, we probably could use some reality checks. However, the OP's post was a pretty pitiful effort of effectively getting a point across. Hopefully any VINners lurking here can see that. Maybe we'll get viewpoints from others who are capable of conveying a message without taking a huge dump on the entire profession? I would encourage that.

 

[libster06]

It's the cross-posters that tend to bring up how... let's say... how 'optimistic' folks tend to be here on SDN. And it's true, everyone here is still really positive about the profession and yeah, we probably could use some reality checks. However, the OP's post was a pretty pitiful effort of effectively getting a point across. Hopefully any VINners lurking here can see that. Maybe we'll get viewpoints from others who are capable of conveying a message without taking a huge dump on the entire profession?

Since you mentioned it…. TBH, while I do enjoy a good cold hard fact thunderstorm, and the unsolicited lectures/reality checks/pats-on-the-head-you’ll-see-someday are always appreciated, it really gets to be over the top. Just because I’m not an outspokenly jaded person, as some others on here are, doesn’t mean that I am unaware of my choices, or what’s in store for me. Quite frankly, I don’t come here for musings on how hard or uncertain or a regretful waste of time the veterinary profession is, from assumingly seasoned members with a tarnished outlook. I’m an $80K in debt, unmarried and childless 23 year old (female to boot…)- I get it. For the pre-vet forum to be notorious for its head-in-the-clouds members, I’d be willing to bet that for every 2-3 “naïve” souls who there is at least 1 ready to interject the downside to the situation.

It doesn't always come down to ignorant, blissful school-boy-like optimism… there actually are people out there who are coping and managing (or perhaps dare I say, succeeding and enjoying) their life and circumstances stemming from their decision to go into the veterinary profession.

/end rant.

 

[that redhead]

You do realize that it's not every vet school student's dream to work in a small animal practice?

👍 Thank you. While I think experience/exposure to the profession is important, there are too many factors to make such a requirement (x hours in a clinic, for example) fair. Although on the flip side, working in a small animal clinic made me realize pretty early on that I did not want to work in a small animal clinic 😉

 

[bbeventer]

:troll:

 

[hollyberry343]

I recall with horror the mistreatment of animals by veterinarians I have witnessed in school and in practice.

I have definitely seen some things that horrified me, but I really think it depends to a degree on the type of practice you choose to be at. While some tend to be more upscale, do more thorough exams and procedures, others are what you deem "second-rate".

You get what you pay for, and with animal medicine you really need to be careful where you invest your time. Find or build a practice where the employees and veterinarians are happy with their job(sounds simple but so true and often overlooked) and the clients are willing to pay for great care, and you will be in a better environment over-all.

 

[jtom]

I just feel that if you have very few volunteering/shadowing hours, like less than 200 hours, you dont know what you are getting yourself into. I do understand that some people do not have the time to make major committments but I dont see how someone cannot have some time over 4 years of undergrad to squeeze in over 200 hours (half day on saturdays, few days over the summer/winter break). To me I would question their dedication to the field as in whether they are also applying to or thinking about applying to other types of programs.

I personally could not spend 250k based on watching someone for less than 200 hours, I have to know this is what I want.

 

[breenie]

I just feel that if you have very few volunteering/shadowing hours, like less than 200 hours, you dont know what you are getting yourself into. I do understand that some people do not have the time to make major committments but I dont see how someone cannot have some time over 4 years of undergrad to squeeze in over 200 hours (half day on saturdays, few days over the summer/winter break). To me I would question their dedication to the field as in whether they are also applying to or thinking about applying to other types of programs.

I personally could not spend 250k based on watching someone for less than 200 hours, I have to know this is what I want.

Well, you say that now. Didn't you want to apply before you had even near that amount of hours? I don't mean to single you out, but I think MOST of us were like that. We rolled our eyes at the amount of experience we were supposed to acquire and whined "But I know I wanna be a vet!"

In hindsight, we all can say that of course you should have ample experience, but everyone who starts out on this career path is going to be a little naive and a little optimistic.

 

[libster06]

:troll:

hehe

 

[rubygirl]

has any one noticed that the only the OP made was the original one, he has not been back to comment on all of our many comments... he has done exactly what he intended started an argument then ran and hid
just figured i would point it out, yes its only been 24 hours but many people have posted multiple times and they didn't start the thread, i would want to know what people had to say in response to a statement like drwill made if it was me that started the thread

 

[scb44f]

I just feel that if you have very few volunteering/shadowing hours, like less than 200 hours, you dont know what you are getting yourself into. I do understand that some people do not have the time to make major committments but I dont see how someone cannot have some time over 4 years of undergrad to squeeze in over 200 hours (half day on saturdays, few days over the summer/winter break). To me I would question their dedication to the field as in whether they are also applying to or thinking about applying to other types of programs.

I personally could not spend 250k based on watching someone for less than 200 hours, I have to know this is what I want.

I think that assumption you made is a vital mistake. Not everyone decides while they're in undergrad to go for this... Even those who do make this decision in undergrad don't always choose it in their first year or two. I myself made the decision just about 2 years ago now, and I know others who are in vet school who also decided about 2 years before they matriculated. I agree that it's still not hard to accumulate 200 hours in 2 years, but it's not as though everyone who comes into the situation has multitudes of time to gain the experience, as you know from personal experience I believe.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

I think that assumption you made is a vital mistake. Not everyone decides while they're in undergrad to go for this... Even those who do make this decision in undergrad don't always choose it in their first year or two. I myself made the decision just about 2 years ago now, and I know others who are in vet school who also decided about 2 years before they matriculated. I agree that it's still not hard to accumulate 200 hours in 2 years, but it's not as though everyone who comes into the situation has multitudes of time to gain the experience, as you know from personal experience I believe.

Agreed. I didn't decide on vet school until my junior year.

Plus, as has been said before, clinic work is NOT all that vet med is about. I had under 200 hours of shadowing/voluntering - because I knew going into it that wasn't what I wanted to do! I actually disliked "general/community-type practice" a great deal - I pretty much did it only for the application. But I had thousands of research hours and experience in pathology of research animals. So yeah...extensive clinical experience/volunteering/shadowing? Not necessary, as long as you have the hours in the other discipline of vet med you want to go into (research, international work, etc)

 

[lunajett]

You get what you pay for, and with animal medicine you really need to be careful where you invest your time. Find or build a practice where the employees and veterinarians are happy with their job(sounds simple but so true and often overlooked) and the clients are willing to pay for great care, and you will be in a better environment over-all.

I wish it were always that easy to tell good from bad, but it's not. I've worked at a very "fancy", expensive specailty hospital with a "great" reputation and tons of referrals. Most of the staff mean well and try, but believe me, patient care was NOT what you would expect based on appearances and what clients pay. Knowing what I know now from working there, I will not even bring my own pets there anymore.

 

[Angelus9]

2) Regarding Lunajett's point regarding experience.....I completely disagree. As has been pointed out by our profs here, the top job of a practicing clinician (ex-surgery of course) is not to be a master manipulator of instruments, but to be able to use our brains to figure out the cause and treatment of disease.

Your entire post here is excellent; esp. want to highlight the quote above. When I read all the grousing about lack of hands-on animal time in the first year(s), I think the science of veterinary medicine is overlooked by those complainers. SOVet said it perfectly.

 

[CarpeDiem89]

I have had vets discourage me from vet school. But I listened to their reasons why they didn't like the job and thought about it. I decided their reasons were not enough for me to back out.

Honestly, it is a good thing that the OP posted this. Most vets that are unhappy with their career choice all have the same thing in common. It was not what they expected.

My extremely smart friend was discouraged by a vet like this and in her last year of college she switched majors. She thought she was going to be making money and living it up after she was a doctor.

All I can say is thank god this vet discouraged her. She has now chosen a career where she will be making tons of money. Good for her at least she wont be an angry bitter vet later.

 

[libster06]

I have had vets discourage me from vet school. But I listened to their reasons why they didn't like the job and thought about it. I decided their reasons were not enough for me to back out.
.

The biggest problem I have with this whole "discouraging thing" is just that. It's fine for someone to be unhappy with their own life choices, but to be discouraging someone else's ambitions is not their place. They are not that person, they don't have the same qualities or abilities to handle things or level of drive and discipline, or maybe even the same financial situation. They've had years to either succeed or break down and get to the miserable slump they are in now. The hopeful vet student doesn't have all that baggage and to assume they'd turn out the same way you did by going to vet school is wrong. I'd be pretty unreceptive to any vet who tried to discourage me from going to vet school. Let me know what you like about it or don't like about it, and then let it go. It's my life and my mistake to make, not yours.

 

[dyachei]

The biggest problem I have with this whole "discouraging thing" is just that. It's fine for someone to be unhappy with their own life choices, but to be discouraging someone else's ambitions is not their place. They are not that person, they don't have the same qualities or abilities to handle things or level of drive and discipline, or maybe even the same financial situation. They've had years to either succeed or break down and get to the miserable slump they are in now. The hopeful vet student doesn't have all that baggage and to assume they'd turn out the same way you did by going to vet school is wrong. I'd be pretty unreceptive to any vet who tried to discourage me from going to vet school. Let me know what you like about it or don't like about it, and then let it go. It's my life and my mistake to make, not yours.

But I wonder what discouraging really means to posters. Does it mean they actively tried to talk someone out of becoming a vet? Or does it mean they told the pre-vet exactly what to expect after vet school in a frank manner? Because they can both be construed as discouragement, but the 2nd way gives pretty valuable information to a potential veterinarian. I think there is a little bit of the "don't rain on my parade" mentality sometimes and being told frankly what to expect after graduation from vet school can be misconstrued that way.

 

[CarpeDiem89]

But I wonder what discouraging really means to posters. Does it mean they actively tried to talk someone out of becoming a vet? Or does it mean they told the pre-vet exactly what to expect after vet school in a frank manner? Because they can both be construed as discouragement, but the 2nd way gives pretty valuable information to a potential veterinarian. I think there is a little bit of the "don't rain on my parade" mentality sometimes and being told frankly what to expect after graduation from vet school can be misconstrued that way.

Well when I mean discouraging I mean that the vet was trying to talk students out of a veterinary career because of reason X, Y, and Z.

So kind of both? He did tell us the bad things to expect after graduation. But he also mentioned that he wishes he did not become a vet, and that we should probably re-think vet school.

 

[dyachei]

Well when I mean discouraging I mean that the vet was trying to talk students out of a veterinary career because of reason X, Y, and Z.

So kind of both? He did tell us the bad things to expect after graduation. But he also mentioned that he wishes he did not become a vet, and that we should probably re-think vet school.

See, I personally have no problem telling someone that they really need to be committed to be in this field and that they should think about it. But I would never tell someone not to do it at all. I didn't have anyone tell me that X, Y, and Z were problems until I was in vet school and I think it is a disservice.

 

[CarpeDiem89]

See, I personally have no problem telling someone that they really need to be committed to be in this field and that they should think about it. But I would never tell someone not to do it at all. I didn't have anyone tell me that X, Y, and Z were problems until I was in vet school and I think it is a disservice.

Question Dyachei. Do you enjoy being a vet? Is there ever a time you regret your decision? Just wondering.

 

[WhtsThFrequency]

But I wonder what discouraging really means to posters. Does it mean they actively tried to talk someone out of becoming a vet? Or does it mean they told the pre-vet exactly what to expect after vet school in a frank manner? Because they can both be construed as discouragement, but the 2nd way gives pretty valuable information to a potential veterinarian. I think there is a little bit of the "don't rain on my parade" mentality sometimes and being told frankly what to expect after graduation from vet school can be misconstrued that way.

I agree - there is always a need for rationalism and warning, as many aspects of this career are glossed over or not made apparent to people entering it.

However, I do think there is a difference between pointing out the hardships and potential pitfalls and going "I hate my job, it sucks, all of you should forget vet med and go into human medicine, I wish I did". That isn't doing anything productive except describing one person's bad experience (which is not the norm - especially not the training part, and the Op could have solved the problem by pursing a career at a referral hospital via extra training, specialization, etc. There is always a way). It is much different to talk about global problems such as debts, job markets, etc and have a good debate.

 

[dyachei]

Question Dyachei. Do you enjoy being a vet? Is there ever a time you regret your decision? Just wondering.

I love being a vet but there are times I regret the decision. For me, financial security is a must for starting a family. So when I see people my age or younger starting a family, I question my path to where I am today. It didn't dawn on me exactly what I was getting into, and I regret the monetary decisions sometimes.

There are also the days where clients beat you into submission - I like to think I am a fairly strong person, too. The days where clients scream at you for doing something that you didn't do are bad days. There are days where I just want to disappear and not deal with the human side of vet med at all (and am sometimes envious of those of you who can see less of this). There are many days of frustration - from the "oh, I feed my dog chocolate daily" to techs not wanting to fulfill their duties to slipped knots and dropped pedicles in surgery. It certainly doesn't make you feel like a success to see pets come in with the same problem time after time due to compliance issues. So there are downsides that I think most people need to come to terms with before they enter the field.

That isn't to say that there aren't the awesome days, too.

 

[drwill]

What a range of responses to my original post! I re-read my post numerous times and it does come off whiney and bitter, so I apologize for that. Actually I went into research and have had a wonderful career. The post wasn't supposed to have anything to do with me. It was about my opinion of the profession. I have spent most of my career working with physicians in human medicine so I know of what I speak. Human medicine and veterinary medicine are two worlds.

And I stand by what I said that unless you really, really want to work with animals, AND you've spent hundreds of hours in veterinary practices so you know what you are in for, you should be very wary. If you are interested in the practice of medicine in a broader sense consider medical school.

 

[libster06]

Well when I mean discouraging I mean that the vet was trying to talk students out of a veterinary career because of reason X, Y, and Z.

However, I do think there is a difference between pointing out the hardships and potential pitfalls and going "I hate my job, it sucks, all of you should forget vet med and go into human medicine, I wish I did". That isn't doing anything productive except describing one person's bad experience (which is not the norm - especially not the training part, and the Op could have solved the problem by pursing a career at a referral hospital via extra training, specialization, etc. There is always a way). It is much different to talk about global problems such as debts, job markets, etc and have a good debate.

This is what I figured they meant by "discouraging" and that's what I have a problem with... and apparently rightly so.

 

[nyanko]

I have a really tough time reconciling your first post with your second one, drwill. You can't say it wasn't supposed to be about you, but you gave your opinions on what is/isn't and ought/oughtn't to be. That's some kind of weird inherent dissonance that makes my head spin.

 

[libster06]

I regret going into veterinary medicine. If my post can save even one student from making the same mistake I made I will consider this missive worth it.

The post wasn't supposed to have anything to do with me.

Okay...

And I stand by what I said that unless you really, really want to work with animals, AND you've spent hundreds of hours in veterinary practices so you know what you are in for, you should be very wary. If you are interested in the practice of medicine in a broader sense consider medical school.

Why wouldn't someone interested in veterinary medicine not want to work with animals? And why wouldn't they have a lot of experience trying to hone that interest and strengthen it? That is the whole point of vet experience (and why it is a requirement to get into school) so that you can figure out if this is the path for you. If they found they had an interest in something "broader", wouldn't they explore that then? I'm failing to see the real critical decision between whether to go into animal or human medicine, given that as you said, they are vastly different. Neither one is an easy road in that sense but they are so unlike each other that it would be ridiculous for someone to not be able to research and decide which was best for them. For many its that they just have a vested interest in one or the other...

I agree you do need to get a lot of experience in order to really determine things for yourself, but I don't understand why you keep insisting that students don't really know what they want. Not to mention, what makes human medicine such a better alternative? Maybe it would have been for you, but again, just because you made a mistake not going into human medicine doesn't mean others are going to also. H*ll, I have worked in clinics since I was 17, and even at that point I knew that med school was def. not the route I wanted. Lastly, I don't see what you're basing your opinion of the industry off of, since you have had such a wonderful career. You said you regret vet school, then you love your job, then it's back to the turn-back-now warnings.

 

[Minnerbelle]

Lastly, I don't see what you're basing your opinion of the industry off of, since you have had such a wonderful career. You said you regret vet school, then you love your job, then it's back to the turn-back-now warnings.

Maybe the OP's bitter because he/she ended up in biomedical research that would not have required a DVM to pursue. Like, decided on going into basic research after being disillusioned with GP work? Dunno if this is the case, but I'm trying to rationalize here, and this makes sense to me. 'Cause a DVM in and of itself def does not prepare one to become a good biomedical researcher (and hence the gripe about the "second rate" education). If I ended up doing something like basic cancer research in a lab in a human hospital, I'd be hellza bitter too about my education even if I ended up enjoying my career. But I dunno how much that would apply to most students (except maybe someone like me. the above scenario is my worst fear).

 

[libster06]

'Cause a DVM in and of itself def does not prepare one to become a good biomedical researcher (and hence the gripe about the "second rate" education). If I ended up doing something like basic cancer research in a lab in a human hospital, I'd be hellza bitter too about my education even if I ended up enjoying my career. But I dunno how much that would apply to most students (except maybe someone like me. the above scenario is my worst fear).

That's the only way I could really see it too... which just lead me into confusion because that's not the case 90% of the time. A lot of vets go into a practice (GP largely) that they think is what they want to do (even with a lot of prior experience) and find out that it couldn't be further from their expectations. But those vets, through their discontentment with their current situation, generally pick up and do something else (specialize, switch to LA/SA, etc.) that they have decided they are better suited for. They don't generally harbor animosity and regret towards the field because they made the wrong decision, and they don't discount the education they received along the way because it didn't teach them how to deal with stupid owners, or euthanasias or a crappy staff.

You're absolutely right that veterinary medicine isn't tailored to researchers. That's what PhDs are for.

 

[Minnerbelle]

They don't generally harbor animosity and regret towards the field because they made the wrong decision, and they don't discount the education they received along the way because it didn't teach them how to deal with stupid owners, or euthanasias or a crappy staff

agree 100%. At least the unhappy vets I've met have blamed themselves for not having realized things ahead of time. They realize that certain types of vet fields are not for them but would never say that it isn't for everyone.

 

[iampg]

I have heard from one other recent grad that she did not perform a spay during school.

I have talked to many other recent grads of several different schools and a common issue I have seen with many of them is the lack of hands on experience, as in the rotations the residents get all the experience, the techs perform blood draw/cathertization, and the students more or less watch them. I have seen this first hand at my IS school which I have visited a few times. The other issue I have is the lack of cases which also make me nervous but I think that is a common problem at all schools with the economy. Lastly, I do think alot of recent grads do not get alot of experience performing routine procedures as I have seen many struggle with duties I would hope they would be able to perform at least to an acceptable level.

I think the level of experience you get though also correlates to how much initiative you show during school. I think if you put yourself out there in rotations, such as arriving early to participate in pre-op procedures etc so you can perform them yourself instead of the tech, you could gain more confidence.

Having said that, I cannot see myself doing anything else and I will pursue veterinary medicine. I am aware of the various issues in this field and am undeterred.

Hard to believe..... I came from China and graduated from a veterinary school. All my classmates were required to do different surgeries (spay, fracture reduction, esophagotomy, etc) to gain hands-on experience during the practice period. Can't image the veterinary graduates of U.S. have never done spay in the 4 years. The most ironical thing is, as required by AVMA to assess the educational equivalency of the foreign veterinary graduates, spay is the only surgery in CPE. 😕

 

[PetPony]

I love reading the responses here because it makes me think more about what I know about becoming a vet and being one. But I really agree with the statement that a lot depends on what you make out of your opportunities. I am only a freshman in college and have to admit that I do not have any vet experience yet, but I am doing my best to catch up with it.

Although this will only count as animal experience, I am already learning a ton of things in my animal practicum class. We don't just learn how to handle farm animals, but we get a lot of hands-on experience, from trimming sheep's feet to dehorning and taking blood. Not all of these things have to be done by a veterinarian, but it sure helps to know how to do them. I can also see the different types of people in my class. I'd say 90% of us want to go to vet school and most of us want to be a large animal vet (me included). While I and some others take every chance we get for hands-on work (I think only 3 of us took blood for example), other just stand back and watch because they think poop is gross, don't want to ruin their clothes with blood and don't want the pigs to chew on their expensive cowboy boots.

I'm doing my best keeping up with homework and studying for my classes, but I know I won't spend every minute on it, so for that time I find other things to do. I already asked about shadowing our equine professor who does most of the equine research. I e-mailed a racing barn today about helping out on their farm and hopefully shadowing their vet. I have to go to Germany for christmas, so instead of staying for 10 days, I found a sa/la vet/german shepherd breeder and asked about shadowing and extended that vacation to 3 weeks to work with him longer.

I picked out my college because I liked the classes offered that give me hands-on experience. I don't have much time this semester due to having a job, but I already have ideas for later on. Just look at what is offered and try to work it into your schedule. Even if you only have one free day a week. If you're really interested in the profession, that one day will be used for something helpful. 🙂

I do think that most people here are very positive about everything vet related, but after all the stress in vet school or during the application process, isn't it nice to be able to have a place so positive? And just because people are positive, doesn't mean they are ignorant. You never know if they research vet related problems in the economy or other things that could be viewed as 'negative' in the profession.

 

[lareinesoleil]

And just because people are positive, doesn't mean they are ignorant.

👍

 

[libster06]

Hard to believe..... I came from China and graduated from a veterinary school. All my classmates were required to do different surgeries (spay, fracture reduction, esophagotomy, etc) to gain hands-on experience during the practice period. Can't image the veterinary graduates of U.S. have never done spay in the 4 years. The most ironical thing is, as required by AVMA to assess the educational equivalency of the foreign veterinary graduates, spay is the only surgery in CPE. 😕

All vets at all schools feel that their surgery experience is always lacking, and there are some schools out there that do not have their curriculum set up to include actual surgery training using patients under anesthesia. This just goes back to what I said earlier about opportunities outside of designated school hours. There are internships, and wet lab opportunities and surgery clinics that you can participate in and get that kind of hands on experience. At LSU, we have spay day where we catch neighborhood feral cats and spay them for free. The surgeries are mostly done by licensed vets, but they also let some third years and any fourth years do the spays. It's a completely volunteer event, yet the experience gained is invaluable and a way to remedy the lack of surgery practice. I realize that not everywhere has this, but finding a place that will give you this kind of exposure is possible if given the time and effort.

I do think that most people here are very positive about everything vet related, but after all the stress in vet school or during the application process, isn't it nice to be able to have a place so positive? And just because people are positive, doesn't mean they are ignorant. .

👍👍👍

This is a much sweeter version of I have been trying to say. Happiness and positivity can come from hardships as well as youthful inexperience/ignorance... I've had several dead-end relationships that I thought would turn into one happily ever after after another. While I've endured a lot of things from guys during them that were painful, confusing and unfair, it doesn't mean that I go around telling my other friends in healthy, happy relationships that they should just end things now because all they are feeling is fleeting puppy love and the end result is going to leave them unhappy and alone. Because a) for them it very well could be, and b) I learn from things and move on hoping I'll get it right next time... there are those who get into sh*tty situations where things don't turn out exactly as they planned and they choose not to let it take over and are still able to remain positive and supportive of those following in their footsteps.

 

[sunnex3]

not really adding anything useful to the discussion/debate...but reading through this thread is making my head hurt...

 

[sunnex3]

All vets at all schools feel that their surgery experience is always lacking, and there are some schools out there that do not have their curriculum set up to include actual surgery training using patients under anesthesia. This just goes back to what I said earlier about opportunities outside of designated school hours. There are internships, and wet lab opportunities and surgery clinics that you can participate in and get that kind of hands on experience. At LSU, we have spay day where we catch neighborhood feral cats and spay them for free. The surgeries are mostly done by licensed vets, but they also let some third years and any fourth years do the spays. It's a completely volunteer event, yet the experience gained is invaluable and a way to remedy the lack of surgery practice. I realize that not everywhere has this, but finding a place that will give you this kind of exposure is possible if given the time and effort.

in the DC area, you can do externships after 3rd year of vet school at various rescue leagues/shelters where they will literally let you do as many spays and neuters that your heart desires...these places are always needing more help, so it's a great way to get more basic surgical experiences ranging from pre-op stuff to recovery. especially on "clinic" days, i.e. pit bull spay/neuter day, feral cat day, male cat day, etc. there's always a ton of practice available.

 

[BlacKAT33]

It is pretty easy to find ways to get spay/neuter experience if you seek it out. At my school you can get involved with shelter med or PAWS first year and they will let you do neuters. Eventually you can do spays too. There are volunteer trips overseas that let you do surgeries. I went on two this year and I already have a ton of hands on surgery experience and I learned multiple ways to do a spay which is pretty awesome. It's all what you make of it! If you think you are lacking in a certain skill then you can always seek it out. Four years is too short to learn everything you need to know in the books and hands on.

 

[Minnerbelle]

I went on two this year and I already have a ton of hands on surgery experience and I learned multiple ways to do a spay which is pretty awesome.

Which ones did you go on BlacKAT? I shied away from it this year since I thought I'd personally get more out of it further on in my schooling, but I definitely want to do at least one next summer.

 

[BlacKAT33]

Which ones did you go on BlacKAT? I shied away from it this year since I thought I'd personally get more out of it further on in my schooling, but I definitely want to do at least one next summer.

One was a VIDA trip (Penn+Mississippi). The other was in the Galapagos. We just started a new club at Penn called Darwin Animal Doctors and this was the first trip. It will hopefully become more widespread throughout schools. http://darwinanimaldoctors.org/
If you're interested in starting the program up at your school let me know and I can put you in contact!!

 

[Maddiegirl]

this thread is making my head hurt...

👍

I will say this, it is unfortunate that the person who started this thread is unhappy in their career; however, there are plenty of other people out there that have gotten a degree in something and wound up displeased with their career. I don't think this is something that only happens in veterinary medicine.

This is the main reason I feel its important to get as much exposure to and hands on experience in the veterinary field before you apply to vet school.

It's impossible to know how the daily grind of a career will impact you until you have spent a little time with the folks in the trenches.

I wanted to be a lawyer, until I spent eleven years as a legal assistant. Now, I'm cured of that desire and going back to pursue my dream of being a vet.

That said, I've worked for a vet a total of about three years way back when and currently volunteer as often as possible. So, I know full well what I'm walking away from and what I'm stepping into.

It's all about making an informed decision, and I think it's important for the rest of the pre-vet students out there to not take this person's comments lightly, but instead, do a little soul searching and make that informed decision.

 

[PetPony]

I like how this thread made me think in a different way about the profession. And other threads also. I am currently researching ethical topics in vet med and am more aware that it's not just about working with animals. There are so many aspects of vet med and comments like this poster made, really make me think more about my decision. Though so far it only made my desire to become a vet even stronger. :]

 

[Dsmoody23]

This thread needs to be put down.

 

[Lab Vet]

I like how this thread made me think in a different way about the profession. And other threads also. I am currently researching ethical topics in vet med and am more aware that it's not just about working with animals. There are so many aspects of vet med and comments like this poster made, really make me think more about my decision. Though so far it only made my desire to become a vet even stronger. :]

I'm also quite passionate about the ethics of veterinary practice, in all its forms. If you're interested in some fairly hefty reading, I'd recommend 'An Introduction to Veterinary Medical Ethics: Theory and Cases' by Bernard E. Rollin (Blackwell, 2006). This is a great volume, which first presents some basic philosophical theory followed by 104 actual cases studies in veterinary ethics. It covers many dimensions of veterinary practice, from small/large animal private practice to lab animal medicine. I highly recommend it- it's a challenging read that will make you think.

Also, you may want to check out Tufts University's Center for Animals and Public Policy. Tufts has one of the strongest/most formalized programs in veterinary ethics in the world. Their particular program in ethics and professional responsibility is quite unique.

Glad that you're enjoying SDN. I'm also a new member, and really enjoy the free exchange of ideas on this board. It really is a great forum. 👍