Owning Pets As a Pre-Vet

[ShannonSpran]

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Hi everybody! I'm an incoming freshman at FSU who is definitely going Pre-Vet.
I'm frankly very nervous to jump into the major as most have known that they've wanted to be vets for their entire lives, but it's taken me lots of more time to really think about it and decide. I can't wait to get into the field and help animals.
I own a Deaf ferret named Felix (see my profile picture?) but he can't come up with me my first year. I think that I'm going to own a betta fish to have as a little "study buddy", but I definitely want to own at least one pet in college. I'm fine with any animal (bird, reptile, cat, dog, small animal) but I just don't know what animal would be best!
All I know is that I'll most likely be away from my apartment a lot since I will either be in marching band or I will be busy with school, but I am also very active around campus. I feel like a smaller animal would be good but I'm just not too sure. I'd also love a pet to come with me to vet school after!
FYI, I've owned hamsters and betta fish before. My family has had two cats and now a dog. I know a lot about caring for them. 🙂
Does anybody out there have a pet? What is it like? I'd love to know.
Thank you so much!

 

[PetVet7]

Hi everybody! I'm an incoming freshman at FSU who is definitely going Pre-Vet.
I'm frankly very nervous to jump into the major as most have known that they've wanted to be vets for their entire lives, but it's taken me lots of more time to really think about it and decide. I can't wait to get into the field and help animals.
I own a Deaf ferret named Felix (see my profile picture?) but he can't come up with me my first year. I think that I'm going to own a beta fish to have as a little "study buddy", but I definitely want to own at least one pet in college. I'm fine with any animal (bird, reptile, cat, dog, small animal) but I just don't know what animal would be best!
All I know is that I'll most likely be away from my apartment a lot since I will either be in marching band or I will be busy with school, but I am also very active around campus. I feel like a smaller animal would be good but I'm just not too sure. I'd also love a pet to come with me to vet school after!
FYI, I've owned hamsters and beta fish before. My family has had two cats and now a dog. I know a lot about caring for them. 🙂
Does anybody out there have a pet? What is it like? I'd love to know.
Thank you so much!

I had multiple pets, worked 2 jobs, and pet sit during undergrad. I oddly did better in my classes when I had more things to do outside of school. Now that I’m in vet school, I don’t have any pets but I wish I did.

Also, it’s “betta” 🙂

 

[ShannonSpran]

I had multiple pets, worked 2 jobs, and pet sit during undergrad. I oddly did better in my classes when I had more things to do outside of school. Now that I’m in vet school, I don’t have any pets but I wish I did.

Also, it’s “betta” 🙂

Oh awesome! I'm so sorry haha I was learning about radiation in my high school Physics class... I must have been remembering about beta radiation. 🙂

 

[jaboo]

I got a cat my junior year of undergrad and it made a world of difference to my mental health. It helped that she loves to cuddle! I also lived in a co-ed fraternity house so there was always people around who could feed her on breaks and whatnot.

My first 2 years in undergrad, I had betta fish. They were cool and I enjoyed them, but it wasn’t as tactile and soothing as having a furry friend. But that’s just me.

 

[ziggyandjazzy]

I would not recommend getting a cat or a dog if you can't devote a significant chunk of time to them. It is a huge pet peeve when people think that cats don't need a lot of attention and care. Like, I know someone in vet school who has their cat constantly ****ting on their bed because they are mad they are never home.

Fish are fun but for me dont scratch the animal itch as you can't cuddle them or anything. My SO is very into them and some of his fish just had babies lol.

I am in vet school and have two cats and a dog. I had my cats for the last two years of undergrad and got my dog during the last few months of undergrad. My SO works from home (programmer) and thus can attend to the pets a lot. My dog is super low energy as well. That said, I often go home to study so everyone gets some attention.

I think guinea pigs and rats make very good pocket pets. they are best kept in pairs. I think they would be a great way to make sure you are financially and emotionally mature and stable enough to handle pets in college.

 

[SkiOtter]

I think guinea pigs and rats make very good pocket pets. they are best kept in pairs. I think they would be a great way to make sure you are financially and emotionally mature and stable enough to handle pets in college.

Nooooooo
Not low maintenance at all. Also they aren’t “best kept in pairs” they NEED to be in pairs.
Terrible first pet. Terrible for children. Good for experienced owners who have done a lot of research into the care and husbandry of the animal and are willing to actually spend the money to take them to the vet when they get sick.

 

[ziggyandjazzy]

Nooooooo
Not low maintenance at all. Also they aren’t “best kept in pairs” they NEED to be in pairs.
Terrible first pet. Terrible for children. Good for experienced owners who have done a lot of research into the care and husbandry of the animal and are willing to actually spend the money to take them to the vet when they get sick.

Never said they were low maintenance. Where did OP say they weren't willing to go to the vet? They also said they've owned pets before and considering they are in college, I doubt they are a child. I literally don't know how this comment is at all related to mine.

 

[SkiOtter]

I think they would be a great way to make sure you are financially and emotionally mature and stable enough to handle pets in college.

THIS is where you implied they were lower maintenance. They are NOT. You should be emotionally and financially mature and stable enough BEFORE you decide to get a pet. You don’t get a pet to SEE if you can handle one. You don’t get a pet to SEE if you can financially care for one. No. Just stop. Pocket pets are no less maintenance than a dog or a cat. It’s just different ways.

 

[SkiOtter]

I doubt they are a child

People get them all the time for children because they think they’re low maintenance. I was saying in general they are terrible for children.

 

[ziggyandjazzy]

THIS is where you implied they were lower maintenance. They are NOT. You should be emotionally and financially mature and stable enough BEFORE you decide to get a pet. You don’t get a pet to SEE if you can handle one. You don’t get a pet to SEE if you can financially care for one. No. Just stop. Pocket pets are no less maintenance than a dog or a cat. It’s just different ways.

I literally don't know why you want to try and fight with anyone that comes on this site. It's old and frustrating.

Guinea pigs and rats are 100% lower maintenance than a dog or cat. This is coming from someone who has owned all of them. Rats live around 2 years. Cats can live 15-20.

I'm done interacting with you.

 

[EngrSC]

When I was an undergraduate student I got a dog the summer between freshman and sophomore year (had just moved out of the dorms). I got a Lab (my avatar picture, he’s now 13!) because they weren’t on breed restriction lists for any apartments in the area I was living. I chose to live alone with my dog and it was perfect. It helped me a lot with stress management to get up every morning and walk him and at one point I lived within walking distance of a dog park so we would walk over there in the afternoon when I was home from school. He’s the love of my life dog and while my parents thought I was insane, it ended up being a really great thing for me. I also lucked out in that he has always been a super easy dog - mellow, eager to please, bomb proof, and only mildly destructive (he chewed my bed post once). We went through a series of training classes and I crate trained him so I’m sure that helped as well.

Financially dogs can be expensive. To mitigate the risk of something happening and ending up with an insane vet bill, I had pet insurance. Which came in handy when he was bitten by a rattlesnake!

Anyway, having a dog while in school isn’t for everyone. I wasn’t into the party scene, nor did I do the fraternity/sorority thing so I was home with him in the evenings. I feel like he kept me grounded and I have no regrets. Also, I went to school ~1 hour from where my parents were living so if I was working all weekend or something they were fine with him hanging out at their house 🙂

 

[EB73674]

Hi everybody! I'm an incoming freshman at FSU who is definitely going Pre-Vet.
I'm frankly very nervous to jump into the major as most have known that they've wanted to be vets for their entire lives, but it's taken me lots of more time to really think about it and decide. I can't wait to get into the field and help animals.
I own a Deaf ferret named Felix (see my profile picture?) but he can't come up with me my first year. I think that I'm going to own a betta fish to have as a little "study buddy", but I definitely want to own at least one pet in college. I'm fine with any animal (bird, reptile, cat, dog, small animal) but I just don't know what animal would be best!
All I know is that I'll most likely be away from my apartment a lot since I will either be in marching band or I will be busy with school, but I am also very active around campus. I feel like a smaller animal would be good but I'm just not too sure. I'd also love a pet to come with me to vet school after!
FYI, I've owned hamsters and betta fish before. My family has had two cats and now a dog. I know a lot about caring for them. 🙂
Does anybody out there have a pet? What is it like? I'd love to know.
Thank you so much!

I would check to see what pets are allowed as per your housing situation (dorm vs. apartments are very different!) and go from there. My first landlord couldn't have cared less if I had pets, but my second one specified no pets allowed at all (he eventually relented on me getting rats and on my roommate rescuing a cat, but dogs continued to be a massive no-go for him, and after the roomie's cat he likely won't allow them again!). Fish seems like a great start to make sure you can devote the time and attention you need for a pet - my college roommate and I had a betta fish that lasted nearly all 4 years with us, and she was low maintenance but still fun to have. I'd strongly advise against getting a cat or dog - wait til you know your own study patterns and time constraints, they're likely to be VERY different from high school to college.

 

[SkiOtter]

I literally don't know why you want to try and fight with anyone that comes on this site. It's old and frustrating.

Only do when people are blatantly spreading misinformation 🙂

 

[SilkieRex]

Hi everybody! I'm an incoming freshman at FSU who is definitely going Pre-Vet.
I'm frankly very nervous to jump into the major as most have known that they've wanted to be vets for their entire lives, but it's taken me lots of more time to really think about it and decide. I can't wait to get into the field and help animals.
I own a Deaf ferret named Felix (see my profile picture?) but he can't come up with me my first year. I think that I'm going to own a betta fish to have as a little "study buddy", but I definitely want to own at least one pet in college. I'm fine with any animal (bird, reptile, cat, dog, small animal) but I just don't know what animal would be best!
All I know is that I'll most likely be away from my apartment a lot since I will either be in marching band or I will be busy with school, but I am also very active around campus. I feel like a smaller animal would be good but I'm just not too sure. I'd also love a pet to come with me to vet school after!
FYI, I've owned hamsters and betta fish before. My family has had two cats and now a dog. I know a lot about caring for them. 🙂
Does anybody out there have a pet? What is it like? I'd love to know.
Thank you so much!

For my undergrad, I really wanted a pet also, and I also wasn’t sure how often I would have free time for them. The best thing for me was not going in with a pet, but starting school for a month and figuring how much time I had! I realized I loved studying at home and that was mainly the time I was home. I ended up getting three rats because they’re super cuddly, they’re playful, and can occupy each other while you’re out. Plus, play time and bonding time could happen while I was studying or watching television. They’re super easy to make happy during play time! I have two cons you might want to consider. I spent about 700 on vet bills for neutering and recurring upper respiratory infections which are common, and they don’t have long life spans. 700 could be a lot for some people (it definitely was for me!), but compared to the vet bills I racked up when I had dogs or cats, I definitely think rats were much more affordable for me!

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Hi everybody! I'm an incoming freshman at FSU who is definitely going Pre-Vet.
I'm frankly very nervous to jump into the major as most have known that they've wanted to be vets for their entire lives, but it's taken me lots of more time to really think about it and decide. I can't wait to get into the field and help animals.
I own a Deaf ferret named Felix (see my profile picture?) but he can't come up with me my first year. I think that I'm going to own a betta fish to have as a little "study buddy", but I definitely want to own at least one pet in college. I'm fine with any animal (bird, reptile, cat, dog, small animal) but I just don't know what animal would be best!
All I know is that I'll most likely be away from my apartment a lot since I will either be in marching band or I will be busy with school, but I am also very active around campus. I feel like a smaller animal would be good but I'm just not too sure. I'd also love a pet to come with me to vet school after!
FYI, I've owned hamsters and betta fish before. My family has had two cats and now a dog. I know a lot about caring for them. 🙂
Does anybody out there have a pet? What is it like? I'd love to know.
Thank you so much!

Congrats on deciding on vet med! Don’t worry about just recently deciding this is your path, I didn’t make the choice until the end of my senior year of high school. My biggest piece of advice is to keep an open mind. Vet med is filled with endless opportunities and wonderful people to help you find your way.

I got my first cat during my second year of undergrad. I’m now finishing my second year of veterinary school and have two cats and a dog and can’t imagine life without them. My suggestion, honestly would be to wait at least a year before getting a pet. College is an adjustment and you should let yourself have the time and freedom to explore before committing to an animal. Once you have a year under your belt and a lot of the unknown is out of the way, you’ll have a better idea of what you can handle.

 

[EngrSC]

Only do when people are blatantly spreading misinformation 🙂

I think you’re reading between the lines a bit with @ziggyandjazzy post. She didn’t say pocket pets are low maintenance and didn’t mention anything about children. Yes, all pets should be researched thoroughly before buying/adopting but most pocket pets tend to have a shorter lifespan, require less of a time commitment, and will cost less than a dog or a cat over their lifetime. While that’s certainly not true in every case, I didn’t think she was implying the OP should run out and get a hamster because they’re easy-peasy NBD and don’t require vet care.

I think some of your replies to people come off as confrontational. I’m not sure if that’s intended or just my interpretation but thought I’d throw that out there

 

[DVMDream]

I literally don't know why you want to try and fight with anyone that comes on this site. It's old and frustrating.

Guinea pigs and rats are 100% lower maintenance than a dog or cat. This is coming from someone who has owned all of them. Rats live around 2 years. Cats can live 15-20.

I'm done interacting with you.

As a veterinarian, who had owned rats, guinea pigs, cats and dogs.... the former two are much higher maintenance. They need caging, bedding, specific toys that get easily destroyed. They need to be handled right and frequently. I had an dingus of a rat that despite my best efforts never adjusted to being held.

Vet care for exotics is much more expensive. Many vets won't see exotics so you often need to drive further to get care for them.

Don't equate to living longer = less maintenance. It isn't true.

I'd easily have 5 cats over a couple of rats.... they aren't a simple or easy to care for pet. That isn't to say cats are simple or easy but they are compared to exotics.

 

[DVMDream]

I think you’re reading between the lines a bit with @ziggyandjazzy post. She didn’t say pocket pets are low maintenance and didn’t mention anything about children. Yes, all pets should be researched thoroughly before buying/adopting but most pocket pets tend to have a shorter lifespan, require less of a time commitment, and will cost less than a dog or a cat over their lifetime. While that’s certainly not true in every case, I didn’t think she was implying the OP should run out and get a hamster because they’re easy-peasy NBD and don’t require vet care.

I think some of your replies to people come off as confrontational. I’m not sure if that’s intended or just my interpretation but thought I’d throw that out there

Pocket pets don't require less of a time commitment though, that's the issue. Actually well taken care of exotics tend to be a greater time commitment.

 

[Caiter92]

For my undergrad, I really wanted a pet also, and I also wasn’t sure how often I would have free time for them. The best thing for me was not going in with a pet, but starting school for a month and figuring how much time I had! I realized I loved studying at home and that was mainly the time I was home. I ended up getting three rats because they’re super cuddly, they’re playful, and can occupy each other while you’re out. Plus, play time and bonding time could happen while I was studying or watching television. They’re super easy to make happy during play time! I have two cons you might want to consider. I spent about 700 on vet bills for neutering and recurring upper respiratory infections which are common, and they don’t have long life spans. 700 could be a lot for some people (it definitely was for me!), but compared to the vet bills I racked up when I had dogs or cats, I definitely think rats were much more affordable for me!

To be honest, 700 is at the low end of Vet care for rats, so OP should be prepared for more if she decides to adopt some.

I have my second group of rats right now, and in the one year I’ve had them it’s been around 1500. One of my boys suddenly couldn’t use one of his back legs, and it turned out he had a massive abdominal mass you couldn’t feel on palpation (like he had been to the vet a month prior and they couldn’t feel it then, or even when I brought him in for his leg and they could see exactly where the mass was on x rays, it was insane). That alone was $800 between x rays, surgery, histopath, and then cremation when he didn’t survive recovery (and that’s after my 30% Vet school discount and the exotics Vet N/C somethings). One other keeps getting URIs, but that seems to have been stopped now that I bought an air purifier just for them.

I also have rabbits, which are another pet people think of as low maintenance. I have really great husbandry for them, and my boy still developed severe stasis (complete illeus, it was awful) that took a month to get him recovered from and many, many Vet visits. I had to take him into emergency 4 times because he kept relapsing. The ER clinicians were great and didn’t charge me for two of those visits because they were awesome. His bill ended up being around $1000 when all was said and done, and now he’s on motility drugs for life because he’s developed an underlying hypomotility issue.

I love my rats and rabbits, and so glad I have them, but these issues really aren’t that uncommon and need to be thought of. Yeah daily care is probably lower maintenance than a dog (no walking, no bathroom breaks), but tbh I’ve faced way health issues with my exotics than I have my cats or dogs relative to their life span. Plus setting up an adequate habitat for them is usually a decent investment.

There really is no true “low maintenance” pet unfortunately.

 

[SilkieRex]

To be honest, 700 is at the low end of Vet care for rats, so OP should be prepared for more if she decides to adopt some.

I have my second group of rats right now, and in the one year I’ve had them it’s been around 1500. One of my boys suddenly couldn’t use one of his back legs, and it turned out he had a massive abdominal mass you couldn’t feel on palpation (like he had been to the vet a month prior and they couldn’t feel it then, or even when I brought him in for his leg and they could see exactly where the mass was on x rays, it was insane). That alone was $800 between x rays, surgery, histopath, and then cremation when he didn’t survive recovery (and that’s after my 30% Vet school discount and the exotics Vet N/C somethings). One other keeps getting URIs, but that seems to have been stopped now that I bought an air purifier just for them.

I also have rabbits, which are another pet people think of as low maintenance. I have really great husbandry for them, and my boy still developed severe stasis (complete illeus, it was awful) that took a month to get him recovered from and many, many Vet visits. I had to take him into emergency 4 times because he kept relapsing. The ER clinicians were great and didn’t charge me for two of those visits because they were awesome. His bill ended up being around $1000 when all was said and done, and now he’s on motility drugs for life because he’s developed an underlying hypomotility issue.

I love my rats and rabbits, and so glad I have them, but these issues really aren’t that uncommon and need to be thought of. Yeah daily care is probably lower maintenance than a dog (no walking, no bathroom breaks), but tbh I’ve faced way health issues with my exotics than I have my cats or dogs relative to their life span. Plus setting up an adequate habitat for them is usually a decent investment.

There really is no true “low maintenance” pet unfortunately.

Most definitely! Pets should definitely not be adopted without a good chunk of money set aside for emergency vet bills. I was fortunate that I’ve only had URI’s to deal with so far.

The startup cost for my rats was insane. I went kind of crazy and got a double critter nation and then added an additional cage on top of that! Plus, I’m constantly having to buy them enrichment because they love to chew! I honestly just love promoting rats as pets because they’re so darn lovable and rewarding, but you’re right that a lot of work goes into taking care of them right as with any pet!

 

[Caiter92]

Most definitely! Pets should definitely not be adopted without a good chunk of money set aside for emergency vet bills. I was fortunate that I’ve only had URI’s to deal with so far.

The startup cost for my rats was insane. I went kind of crazy and got a double critter nation and then added an additional cage on top of that! Plus, I’m constantly having to buy them enrichment because they love to chew! I honestly just love promoting rats as pets because they’re so darn lovable and rewarding, but you’re right that a lot of work goes into taking care of them right as with any pet!

I miss my critter nation 🙁 was such a great cage! Because my rabbits aren’t bonded their pens take up half of my living room (like actually ) so I got a large Martin’s instead. Also an awesome cage, but not my favorite haha

 

[KDeVore]

I would not recommend getting a cat or a dog if you can't devote a significant chunk of time to them. It is a huge pet peeve when people think that cats don't need a lot of attention and care. Like, I know someone in vet school who has their cat constantly ****ting on their bed because they are mad they are never home.

I also agree with this. It comes down to who you are and your study habits. I honestly don't think I could've had animals during undergrad because I literally was never home. There were days when my housemates wouldn't see me because I was involved in so many campus related activities (I'd come home at like 2 AM when they were sleeping). And this is coming from a person who has done animal rescue basically most of her life and has never experienced living without an animal.

I think you should honestly take the first year to adjust to school (studying, socializing etc). Then, once you have figured out the swing of things, think about getting an animal.

And if you have housemates, it's definitely something that everyone needs to agree upon. I had some really crazy housemates I had to deal with because lost animals always found me (I carried slip leads on me). So I'd bring them home, try to contact their families (the whole routine) and some of my housemates would flip out. For example, there was one time I took our trash outside at night and this cute little calico was meowing in our complex's parking lot. She literally followed me into the apartment (didn't have a collar) so my roommate and I took her to get scanned at a local clinic. They only reached the voicemail of the family but we found out she belonged to someone a few miles away through Facebook. It was too late to take her back, at that point, so we were going to wait until the next day. When we brought her back home, they all agreed upon letting her stay for one night in my room with me and my roommate. But, I turned my back for two seconds and the housemate who had friends over (and they all hated cats) kicked her outside. Luckily, she was still outside my front door. I gave my housemate and her awful friends like the biggest lecture of their life that night. The kicker in all of it? One of her friends actually has a cat now.

 

[Caiter92]

I also agree with this. It comes down to who you are and your study habits. I honestly don't think I could've had animals during undergrad because I literally was never home. There were days when my housemates wouldn't see me because I was involved in so many campus related activities (I'd come home at like 2 AM when they were sleeping). And this is coming from a person who has done animal rescue basically most of her life and has never experienced living without an animal.

I think you should honestly take the first year to adjust to school (studying, socializing etc). Then, once you have figured out the swing of things, think about getting an animal.

And if you have housemates, it's definitely something that everyone needs to agree upon. I had some really crazy housemates I had to deal with because lost animals always found me (I carried slip leads on me). So I'd bring them home, try to contact their families (the whole routine) and some of my housemates would flip out. For example, there was one time I took our trash outside at night and this cute little calico was meowing in our complex's parking lot. She literally followed me into the apartment (didn't have a collar) so my roommate and I took her to get scanned at a local clinic. They only reached the voicemail of the family but we found out she belonged to someone a few miles away through Facebook. It was too late to take her back, at that point, so we were going to wait until the next day. When we brought her back home, they all agreed upon letting her stay for one night in my room with me and my roommate. But, I turned my back for two seconds and the housemate who had friends over (and they all hated cats) kicked her outside. Luckily, she was still outside my front door. I gave my housemate and her awful friends like the biggest lecture of their life that night. The kicker in all of it? One of her friends actually has a cat now.

And this is why I will never live with roommates again. Poor thing. Glad she was still right there.

 

[KDeVore]

And this is why I will never live with roommates again.

Truly though. Living with roommates taught me people hide their crazy really well. I have like horror stories involving them (they hid all of the kitchen knives in their room etc). When you think you found a normal roommate, they're like, "think again."

 

[ShannonSpran]

Wow! Thank you all so much for the awesome replies so far. I can't possibly reply to them all, but I've liked them so that you know that I read them.
My parents are telling me to wait at least a month and, if I have the time, I can own a betta fish. I'm so excited to get back into the whole aquarium fun, but I'm probably adopting or bringing up my ferret the next year.
I love how we all love pets! Haha it goes to show how much we really enjoy our career.

 

[DVMDream]

Wow! Thank you all so much for the awesome replies so far. I can't possibly reply to them all, but I've liked them so that you know that I read them.
My parents are telling me to wait at least a month and, if I have the time, I can own a betta fish. I'm so excited to get back into the whole aquarium fun, but I'm probably adopting or bringing up my ferret the next year.
I love how we all love pets! Haha it goes to show how much we really enjoy our career.

Yeah, loving my pets and enjoying this career are two vastly different, completely unrelated things.

I know many people that love pets and want nothing to do with a vet med career.

 

[ShannonSpran]

Yeah, loving my pets and enjoying this career are two vastly different, completely unrelated things.

I know many people that love pets and want nothing to do with a vet med career.

I'm sorry. 🙁
I mean, I love pets and animals alike so that's really why I'm going Pre-Vet. I care about them and want to save lives even though I will have to put down animals at times. I want to positively benefit my community. I dunno. I'm really new... so please don't be rough on me.

 

[MixedAnimals77]

I'm sorry. 🙁
I mean, I love pets and animals alike so that's really why I'm going Pre-Vet. I care about them and want to save lives even though I will have to put down animals at times. I want to positively benefit my community. I dunno. I'm really new... so please don't be rough on me.

Hey! It's great you have such a passion for animals. Have you done shadowing time yet? What I think DVMD is getting at is although loving animals is great the actual job of being a veterinarian has little correlation. We highly encourage people to shadow alot in different fields in and out of vet med because the debt along with some terrible clients etc make this profession high burn out and high suicide. We would much rather someone be an engineer and love animals dearly and volunteer on the side than become a vet because they love animals. Because this profession is demanding mentally and emotionally and sometimes not in the best way. Having to turn down cases because people dont have money and then getting blamed and put on blast on social media when the pet dies is less than ideal. Sure there are great days and it's amazing and great. The debt to income ratio compared to our human counter parts is ridiculous. Just the 4 years of vet school is sometimes too much for people and that's ok because theres alot of expectations. Theres just alot to consider that most prevets and even vets that have been been through school wish they would've considered/ known before biting the bullet and jumping in. Yes some of our profession is leaving for things like engineering make just as much if not more with less debt. Vet med I feel at least gets painted in rose colored glasses as a child when infact the opposite is often true. Just some things to think about

 

[mmmdreamerz]

I'm sorry. 🙁
I mean, I love pets and animals alike so that's really why I'm going Pre-Vet. I care about them and want to save lives even though I will have to put down animals at times. I want to positively benefit my community. I dunno. I'm really new... so please don't be rough on me.

Hey! There’s no need to apologize. We allllll start somewhere (and usually it’s as an overly-enthusiastic prevet or HS student). You’ll learn that around here those of us in the midst of it all sometimes forget what it’s like to be enthusiastic and a little naive (not in anyway meant as a bad thing, just the honest to god truth...we were all that way at one point). The key is to get yourself in a clinic as soon as possible and decide if loving animals need to extend into your career or if you’d be happier just having pets on the side. Vet school and veterinary medicine are not for everyone and that’s okay! You should really only do it if you’re like the majority of us on this site and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. If it is, then welcome to the club🙂

 

[ShannonSpran]

Hey! It's great you have such a passion for animals. Have you done shadowing time yet? What I think DVMD is getting at is although loving animals is great the actual job of being a veterinarian has little correlation. We highly encourage people to shadow alot in different fields in and out of vet med because the debt along with some terrible clients etc make this profession high burn out and high suicide. We would much rather someone be an engineer and love animals dearly and volunteer on the side than become a vet because they love animals. Because this profession is demanding mentally and emotionally and sometimes not in the best way. Having to turn down cases because people dont have money and then getting blamed and put on blast on social media when the pet dies is less than ideal. Sure there are great days and it's amazing and great. The debt to income ratio compared to our human counter parts is ridiculous. Just the 4 years of vet school is sometimes too much for people and that's ok because theres alot of expectations. Theres just alot to consider that most prevets and even vets that have been been through school wish they would've considered/ known before biting the bullet and jumping in. Yes some of our profession is leaving for things like engineering make just as much if not more with less debt. Vet med I feel at least gets painted in rose colored glasses as a child when infact the opposite is often true. Just some things to think about

Thank you.
Honestly, I think that the debt and burn is worth it all. I want to wake up every morning knowing that, even though some clients will be a pain, I will also have very wonderful clients. I'm neither a pessimist or an optimist, but rather a realist, so I really understand. I was going to do Zoology instead but I realized that it wasn't what I really wanted to do. I didn't want to be a teacher in a school or somebody who cleaned cages for a living, I wanted to be a beacon of hope for my patients. I want to be the one who gets her hands dirty, solving difficult problems and changing lives. It's going to be a long road, but I know that it'll be worth it.

 

[ShannonSpran]

Hey! There’s no need to apologize. We allllll start somewhere (and usually it’s as an overly-enthusiastic prevet or HS student). You’ll learn that around here those of us in the midst of it all sometimes forget what it’s like to be enthusiastic and a little naive (not in anyway meant as a bad thing, just the honest to god truth...we were all that way at one point). The key is to get yourself in a clinic as soon as possible and decide if loving animals need to extend into your career or if you’d be happier just having pets on the side. Vet school and veterinary medicine are not for everyone and that’s okay! You should really only do it if you’re like the majority of us on this site and couldn’t imagine doing anything else. If it is, then welcome to the club🙂

Thank you so much!
The issue is that most vet places only take students who are in need of residency experience. Most do not take on high school seniors like myself or pre-vet students. However, my university has an animal shelter that offers a vet program for pre-vets and I am very hopeful to be a part of it. It is going to be very hard seeing some of the animals but I know that I can make a difference. I'm just a naturally naïve person so I'm certain that I will be challenged a lot.
I do my best to watch videos, read articles, and ask other vet students like you guys for help. I'm getting accommodated to some common practices as well as things that I will need to learn, and I honestly love it all.

 

[Caiter92]

Thank you so much!
The issue is that most vet places only take students who are in need of residency experience. Most do not take on high school seniors like myself or pre-vet students. However, my university has an animal shelter that offers a vet program for pre-vets and I am very hopeful to be a part of it. It is going to be very hard seeing some of the animals but I know that I can make a difference. I'm just a naturally naïve person so I'm certain that I will be challenged a lot.
I do my best to watch videos, read articles, and ask other vet students like you guys for help. I'm getting accommodated to some common practices as well as things that I will need to learn, and I honestly love it all.

Definitely get involved in that shelter program! Sounds like it’ll be a great experience 🙂

When you talk to clinics, what are you asking for? I would recommend just asking to shadow for one day. And then if it goes well, maybe it can become a regular thing 🙂

Also, look around to see if you can find any kennel tech positions. My old boss always specifically saved those positions for pre-vets to give them experience, and he also would do his best to let them shadow when he could, because that’s how he got his first job in the Vet field. That was my first vet job as well, and he knew I was interested in Vet school and cross trained me and promoted me to an assistant after a few months when he trusted me more. I know many other people that started their Vet experience similarly 🙂

Definitely keep an open mind in college and consider other majors as well. I was an ecology major, and here I am 😛 the debt is scary and something that really needs to be considered, so when you’re applying for schools, be sure to really keep that in mind. I’m at a cheaper school, and I’m still graduating with $135k—and that’s low. If you go OOS, you’ll be at $250-300k+. I know it just seems like money right now, but that can have major effects on your life. In many areas, that’s the cost of a home. To me my debt is worth it, but I’ve done a lot to minimize it and you’ll see around here that’s the main advice when choosing a Vet school 🙂

 

[mmmdreamerz]

Thank you so much!
The issue is that most vet places only take students who are in need of residency experience. Most do not take on high school seniors like myself or pre-vet students. However, my university has an animal shelter that offers a vet program for pre-vets and I am very hopeful to be a part of it. It is going to be very hard seeing some of the animals but I know that I can make a difference. I'm just a naturally naïve person so I'm certain that I will be challenged a lot.
I do my best to watch videos, read articles, and ask other vet students like you guys for help. I'm getting accommodated to some common practices as well as things that I will need to learn, and I honestly love it all.

My pleasure. I remember how nervous and uncertain I was when I was starting all of this 🙂 you’d be surprised how many vets are willing to let you come shadow. Tell them you’re interested in going to vet school and many of them remember needing to get experience as themselves. Going in person with resumes, is a good way to start🙂

 

[ShannonSpran]

Definitely get involved in that shelter program! Sounds like it’ll be a great experience 🙂

When you talk to clinics, what are you asking for? I would recommend just asking to shadow for one day. And then if it goes well, maybe it can become a regular thing 🙂

Also, look around to see if you can find any kennel tech positions. My old boss always specifically saved those positions for pre-vets to give them experience, and he also would do his best to let them shadow when he could, because that’s how he got his first job in the Vet field. That was my first vet job as well, and he knew I was interested in Vet school and cross trained me and promoted me to an assistant after a few months when he trusted me more. I know many other people that started their Vet experience similarly 🙂

Definitely keep an open mind in college and consider other majors as well. I was an ecology major, and here I am 😛 the debt is scary and something that really needs to be considered, so when you’re applying for schools, be sure to really keep that in mind. I’m at a cheaper school, and I’m still graduating with $135k—and that’s low. If you go OOS, you’ll be at $250-300k+. I know it just seems like money right now, but that can have major effects on your life. In many areas, that’s the cost of a home. To me my debt is worth it, but I’ve done a lot to minimize it and you’ll see around here that’s the main advice when choosing a Vet school 🙂

Thank you! I'm going to see if I can shadow at my local animal hospital.
I was an Ecology major too hahaha. I will definitely consider a cheaper college but I don't want to get an education that's not as quality.

 

[ShannonSpran]

My pleasure. I remember how nervous and uncertain I was when I was starting all of this 🙂 you’d be surprised how many vets are willing to let you come shadow. Tell them you’re interested in going to vet school and many of them remember needing to get experience as themselves. Going in person with resumes, is a good way to start🙂

Oh wow! That's a relief. A hospital is actually offering me a summer volunteer experience.

 

[Caiter92]

Thank you! I'm going to see if I can shadow at my local animal hospital.
I was an Ecology major too hahaha. I will definitely consider a cheaper college but I don't want to get an education that's not as quality.

If it's AVMA accredited, it's a quality vet school 🙂

Rankings and name recognition aren't a big deal in vet schools like they are in undergrad. AVMA accredited means it's cirriculum, facilities, etc. have all been approved and provide a good education. Going to your in-state school will prepare someone no less for being a vet than going to Cornell or Penn or Davis (the "big name" vet schools that like to brag about rankings 😉 ). It is far, far more important to minimize your debt than worry about the school you go to.

 

[ShannonSpran]

If it's AVMA accredited, it's a quality vet school 🙂

Rankings and name recognition aren't a big deal in vet schools like they are in undergrad. AVMA accredited means it's cirriculum, facilities, etc. have all been approved and provide a good education. Going to your in-state school will prepare someone no less for being a vet than going to Cornell or Penn or Davis (the "big name" vet schools that like to brag about rankings 😉 ). It is far, far more important to minimize your debt than worry about the school you go to.

So where should I go after FSU? Should I just go back near home and go to FAU or something? I really do want to minimize debt if the ranking doesn't matter (I thought it did).

 

[Caiter92]

So where should I go after FSU? Should I just go back near home and go to FAU or something? I really do want to minimize debt if the ranking doesn't matter (I thought it did).

Your in-state vet school would be University of Florida 🙂
Here is their website: Admissions Criteria

 

[ShannonSpran]

Your in-state vet school would be University of Florida 🙂
Here is their website: Admissions Criteria

Ok. I really don't like UF too much, but it isn't a bad school. I really do like their Vet school.
I got into their Undergrad but I am not going.
I'll check the program out, thank you!

 

[Caiter92]

Ok. I really don't like UF too much, but it isn't a bad school. I really do like their Vet school.
I got into their Undergrad but I am not going.
I'll check the program out, thank you!

Definitely don't let you opinion of the undergrad (i'm assuming you don't like the location or student culture?) in anyway sway you away from making UF your goal for vet school 🙂

 

[ShannonSpran]

Definitely don't let you opinion of the undergrad (i'm assuming you don't like the location or student culture?) in anyway sway you away from making UF your goal for vet school 🙂

Thank you! 🙂
I guess I have to tour again one day to see their vet school haha I didn't see it last time.

 

[Georgethecat]

So where should I go after FSU? Should I just go back near home and go to FAU or something? I really do want to minimize debt if the ranking doesn't matter (I thought it did).

I think what people have been suggesting is that it doesn't really matter which college that you go to for undergrad. If possible, you should minimize any undergrad debt because Vet school is expensive. If possible, UF should be your #1 choice for Vet school because that's your instate school and it is likely to be the cheapest by far. The culture of UF undergrad is likely quite different from their Vet school culture. The same being said for all public Vet schools. Vet school will be it's own little world.

Check out the VIN Cost of Education map. The only school that would be cheaper for you would be NC State and they accept very few OOS students and those students tend to have very high stats.

VIN Foundation Cost of Education Map

 

[Cephal0pod]

All the friendly and helpful vibes happening in here make me happy.

Potatoes for all.

Wow! Thank you all so much for the awesome replies so far. I can't possibly reply to them all, but I've liked them so that you know that I read them.
My parents are telling me to wait at least a month and, if I have the time, I can own a betta fish. I'm so excited to get back into the whole aquarium fun, but I'm probably adopting or bringing up my ferret the next year.

I had a betta for ~2.5yrs and was pleasantly surprised by how much fun he was. 🙂 Not exactly a snuggly pet, of course, but truly a charming little fellow.

Best of luck to you! I was a junior (I think?) in high school when I first joined SDN, and I made it to vet school and start clinics on Monday. If you take all of the excellent advice shared above related to getting experience and know for sure it’s what you want to do, you can absolutely do it.

Also want to throw out there that if you do ultimately decide vet med not for you, that is not a failure - just a change of course to a different path. There are lots of good ones out there.

I wish you all the best.

 

[ShannonSpran]

I think what people have been suggesting is that it doesn't really matter which college that you go to for undergrad. If possible, you should minimize any undergrad debt because Vet school is expensive. If possible, UF should be your #1 choice for Vet school because that's your instate school and it is likely to be the cheapest by far. The culture of UF undergrad is likely quite different from their Vet school culture. The same being said for all public Vet schools. Vet school will be it's own little world.

Check out the VIN Cost of Education map. The only school that would be cheaper for you would be NC State and they accept very few OOS students and those students tend to have very high stats.

VIN Foundation Cost of Education Map

Ohh I see. Thank you so much! Fortunately I have Florida PrePaid and Bright Futures which basically covers almost every expense that may come my way, but I'm pretty much on my own for vet school so I'm likely going to have to take a lot of loans.

 

[ShannonSpran]

All the friendly and helpful vibes happening in here make me happy.

Potatoes for all.



I had a betta for ~2.5yrs and was pleasantly surprised by how much fun he was. 🙂 Not exactly a snuggly pet, of course, but truly a charming little fellow.

Best of luck to you! I was a junior (I think?) in high school when I first joined SDN, and I made it to vet school and start clinics on Monday. If you take all of the excellent advice shared above related to getting experience and know for sure it’s what you want to do, you can absolutely do it.

Also want to throw out there that if you do ultimately decide vet med not for you, that is not a failure - just a change of course to a different path. There are lots of good ones out there.

I wish you all the best.

Aww, thank you so much! Congratulations by the way!
I take care of my marine biology teacher's clownfish, and I've learned that fish are indeed very special. They love to watch you roam around the room and they do silly things at times like dig their own homes in the sand. I love fish a lot.

 

[SkiOtter]

but I'm pretty much on my own for vet school so I'm likely going to have to take a lot of loans.

Definitely still try and go to the cheapest vet school you can!!! 150k in loans is so much better than 350k in loans! You’re tied to that 350k for the next 25 years so it’s definiteky preferable if you can decrease that amount as much as possible

 

[Caiter92]

Ohh I see. Thank you so much! Fortunately I have Florida PrePaid and Bright Futures which basically covers almost every expense that may come my way, but I'm pretty much on my own for vet school so I'm likely going to have to take a lot of loans.

Was def referring to Vet schools only 😉 since you’d already made your undergrad choice 😛

 

[ShannonSpran]

Definitely still try and go to the cheapest vet school you can!!! 150k in loans is so much better than 350k in loans! You’re tied to that 350k for the next 25 years so it’s definiteky preferable if you can decrease that amount as much as possible

Thank you! I agree completely haha

 

[ShannonSpran]

Was def referring to Vet schools only 😉 since you’d already made your undergrad choice 😛

Yep hahaha

 

[Georgethecat]

Sorry for the confusion . I misunderstood what you were saying when you mentioned going back closer to home and going to FAU (since FAU doesn’t have a vet school I thought you meant switching undergrad institutions). Congrats for having undergrad costs fully covered!! Best of luck to you!