Can anyone here identify with this issue?

[sem]

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Hi y'all!
My name is Sarah, and I love animals. I used to work for animal rescue, so I've seen a lot of bad pet owners. I would love to be a vet, except I don't think I could euthanize an animal just because it doesn't have a home. I also have some issues with euthanizing an animal because of behavior problems, because I believe most of the time it is caused by bad or ignorant people. I would also have a problem with being a vet on duty as the animal shelter's vet to put animals to sleep. I think I like animals more than people, such that I can look at people's problems more subjectively. My issue is that I think I should be an MD instead of a DVM because I tend to get much more emotional about an animal's tragic issues rather than a human. A human at least has some control over their life, while an animal has no control. I think that if I were to be a vet, I think I may lose my cool at irresponsible pet owners!

Can anyone identify with this or give me opinions? (Only helpful ones please, I don't want any put downs!)

Thanks!😳

 

[ginkogirl]

Hi y'all!
My name is Sarah, and I love animals. I used to work for animal rescue, so I've seen a lot of bad pet owners. I would love to be a vet, except I don't think I could euthanize an animal just because it doesn't have a home. I also have some issues with euthanizing an animal because of behavior problems, because I believe most of the time it is caused by bad or ignorant people. I would also have a problem with being a vet on duty as the animal shelter's vet to put animals to sleep. I think I like animals more than people, such that I can look at people's problems more subjectively. My issue is that I think I should be an MD instead of a DVM because I tend to get much more emotional about an animal's tragic issues rather than a human. A human at least has some control over their life, while an animal has no control. I think that if I were to be a vet, I think I may lose my cool at irresponsible pet owners!

Can anyone identify with this or give me opinions? (Only helpful ones please, I don't want any put downs!)

Thanks!😳

Hi Sarah,

I'd recommend getting some expierence in a veterinary clinic to sublement your hours at the rescue. I worked at an animal rescue before starting at a vet clinic and I can assure you that the view of veterinary medicine from actually working in a clinic is very enlightening and different than you would get at a shelter or rescue-like organization.

This being said, one of the things you will learn (or possibly already know) is that a large part of veterinary practice involves working with people, whether they be other vets, vet techs, owners, etc. If you truly don't enjoy working with people you may discover that vet med (or certain areas of vet med) are not the kind of job you would want to have. I personally knew a veterinarian who told me that went into the profession becuase she liked animals more than people, and she ended up really hating her job. On the flip side, I have also known many vets who are very happy with their profession.

This decision is one that only you can make. Try to get more expierence so you can make your decision well-informed. At least you are thinking about these issues early, and they won't come as a surprise sometime in the future when you have already made major commitments to go into vet med. Good luck!

Lisa

 

[MissBehavior]

I would love to be a vet, except I don't think I could euthanize an animal just because it doesn't have a home. I also have some issues with euthanizing an animal because of behavior problems, because I believe most of the time it is caused by bad or ignorant people.

hi sem,

This is called "convenience euthanasia" and no, you would not have to do this as a vet. Certainly, shelter medicine is a different scenario. And sure, if you work for a clinic that euthanizes animals because owners don't want to deal with behavior problems or find the animal a new home, you would be expected to do this. But you can prevent putting yourself in this situation by finding an employer that feels the same way you do. I recently read Bernard E. Rollin's book "Veterinary Medical Ethics," and I think it would be a very enlightening read if you are unsure about vet med as a career because of these types of issues.

As far as not wanting to work with people goes, I used to be in the same position. I always felt more comfortable working around animals than around people. 😳 But I think it was mainly due to a lack of self confidence and a bit of immaturity. This is not meant as an insult to you at all!!! I'm 27 years old, and after finally returning to college to finish my bachelors, I finally feel like I am "growing up." Now I actually like working with people, working on group projects, giving presentations, etc- things I never thought I would enjoy. As I became more confident in myself, I became more confident in my abilities to communicate effectively with other people. Your situation might be completely different, but if you're young (and even if you're not🙂 ) I would be open to the idea that you can learn to like working with people, especially if the work you're doing is something you love, that you love talking about and learning about.

I also completely agree with ginkogirl that it you should experience vet med in other settings before deciding if it is/is not what you want to do. Good luck!

 

[medtechv79]

Hi y'all!
My name is Sarah, and I love animals. I used to work for animal rescue, so I've seen a lot of bad pet owners. I would love to be a vet, except I don't think I could euthanize an animal just because it doesn't have a home. I also have some issues with euthanizing an animal because of behavior problems, because I believe most of the time it is caused by bad or ignorant people. I would also have a problem with being a vet on duty as the animal shelter's vet to put animals to sleep. I think I like animals more than people, such that I can look at people's problems more subjectively. My issue is that I think I should be an MD instead of a DVM because I tend to get much more emotional about an animal's tragic issues rather than a human. A human at least has some control over their life, while an animal has no control. I think that if I were to be a vet, I think I may lose my cool at irresponsible pet owners!

Can anyone identify with this or give me opinions? (Only helpful ones please, I don't want any put downs!)

Thanks!😳

hey there,

I actually shadowed a vet who had to do the "convenience euthanasia" as miss behavior said. the owner wanted to euthanize a perfectly healthy, chubby, old cat b/c she didn't want it anymore....the owner had no expression or remorse....lemme tell u!
The veterinarian was so upest about it she was almost in tears! but she put the animal to sleep anyways! Too bad she couldn't say anything to the owner....(I think the animal hospital was willing to adopt the cat but already had to many animals in its hospital already).
I think even a human doctor u will feel some emotions to yer patients as well....I agree animals, like children are a little more helpless than adults so I understand yer sensitivity! I don't think u can escape euthanasia, dying (especially human hospitals!) anything to do with emotions on these type of jobs....I think u have to learn to deal with it or specialize in something that maybe more...less dealing with the patients? pathology...dermatology, etc...I dunno just guessing.
But I agree with the other posters! go ahead and volunteer more...get some more insight! good luck!

 

[HeartSong]

Have you considered going into animal behavior instead of medicine?

 

[MissBehavior]

Also, keep in mind that euthanasia is not always a bad thing. I wouldn't be able to put animals down all day long at a shelter, and I definitely would not euthanize an animal because the owner was too lazy to fix a behavior problem or find the animal a new home. I don't believe in it, and I would flat out refuse to do it. I would also explain to the owner that euthanasia is a powerful tool that has been bestowed upon veterinarians, the purpose of which is to relieve the pain and suffering of animals...not to relieve an inconvenience from the owner's life! But there are instances when euthanasia is a GOOD thing that one should feel GOOD about doing. If giving an animal a "good death" is the only way to relieve its pain and suffering, then this is something that I would be proud to do, as bittersweet as it might be for everyone involved. There's a big difference between something being emotionally difficult to do and being ethically objectionable.

 

[chancer]

Hi Sarah,

Yah, I have thought a lot about that too actually. I think that would be a hard part of the job. And I think an important aspect in life is being happy, coming home happy ect. So, that would be hard for me too.

As, far as liking animals more than people. Yah, totally. Animals rarely have hidden self agendas, don't betray ect. (occasionaly they may pee on your carpet, but hey...this can be overlooked)

I am not sure you would enjoy human med anymore. They work a ton of hours, their hands are often tied, liability ect.

If I become a vet, I think I would want to work in a zoo, or wildlife rescue, or somewhere exotic and study animals. Why not? Same with human med, I think I wouldn't want to work in a regular hospital environment.

Your first instinct sounds like vet med. I know a vet, and he is one of the happiest guys I know. Really laid back, enjoys his life, ect. He works in a clinic. I think in every job there can be good and bad aspects, and you should do what makes you happy.

I would rather have a job that I have passion for than live my life for a paycheck or something I half enjoy.

And remember....kitties are pretty damn cute. And I say this in a purely macho... heterosexual sort of way.

 

[youthman]

There's a big difference between something being emotionally difficult to do and being ethically objectionable.

and there it is 😉