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Author: Shelley

  • Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

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    I have been a veterinary technician for years. I don’t really want to say how many, actually, because I’ve been doing the job longer than some of my coworkers have been alive. Which basically means that I have seen plenty over my many years in the field.

    I also have heard plenty, and some of these things really get under my skin. Here are some things that I am tired of hearing, along with everyone else in veterinary medicine.

    You work Saturdays?

    Yes, as a veterinary technician, I work Saturdays. I also work evenings and certain holidays.

    In fact, at one of my jobs, I was on call all weekend long! It didn’t matter what time someone called. If you were on call, you were going in. I have worked Christmas and Thanksgiving, and even had to leave an event I was attending one weekend to help with a surgery on a patient.

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    You aren’t open today?

    So, besides the fact that your family and friends aren’t happy when you work Saturdays and holidays, people are also not happy when you aren’t open at night to help them. If they need someone at eight o’clock at night, they want their veterinary team to be there for them. The same goes for holidays and weekends.

    I’m sorry, but there are emergency clinics for that. In fact, many are open twenty-four hours a day because regular veterinarians can’t keep up with the needs of their patients. Even they can’t keep up with the pure need in the field.

    You are only in it for the money.

    I’m so tired of hearing this one. Nobody goes into veterinary medicine to make money. In fact, you might be shocked at how little we are paid. We definitely don’t make what our counterparts do on the human side. Most can’t afford to live on their own. They need someone else to manage the bills.

    So, when you are looking at the bill at your veterinary office, don’t take it out on the person who makes less than you do, with all the stress that comes along with sick patients and angry clients. They do the job because they love it, not for the paycheck.

    You shouldn’t be in veterinary medicine because you don’t care.

    I don’t hear this one as much as some of the others, but it is still said to veterinary teams all over the country. This usually gets shouted because we aren’t able to get your pet in RIGHT THIS SECOND for something that has been going on for WEEKS or even MONTHS!

    Trust me, we try to help as many patients as we can, but there comes a limit. And trust me, even more, our limit was reached weeks ago, and we still keep adding sick patients into our appointment book, with nowhere to put them. We are seeing more patients than ever, yet we still can’t see everyone who calls. We are just overwhelmed by the number of people who need us.

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    My regular veterinarian can’t get us in. Can you?

    I hear this pretty regularly. It really makes me wonder. If your regular veterinarian can’t see you, why do we have to? Again, our appointments are full for weeks, and you want us to squeeze you in even though you aren’t going to ever come back? Go to the emergency clinic. If it can’t wait, you may require more care than we can provide.

    Working in veterinary medicine can be a great joy. You can help so many patients. However, you also get to see the nasty side of people. I never imagined that people would say I am only in it for the money or that I don’t care enough. The truth is that I am BURNT OUT, along with pretty much everyone else in veterinary medicine. Yet, we keep showing up to work and doing our best, day after day!

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    Can’t get enough? Catch up on the other parts right here!

    The original: Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

    The second part: More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

    The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

    The last one (I think): Some More Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing

    This series was so popular, I started a second one. You can check up on them here!

    The original: Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

    The second part: More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

    The third part: Even More Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners To Know

    Followed by: Choose the Right Pet

    The last one: We Don’t Want To Talk About Money

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    Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • Tips to Save Money as A Pet Owner

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    Though most people love to have a few pets, the truth is that they can be expensive. Feeding good food may be over your budget. Then, there are veterinary bills! Everything adds up.

    That being said, you can save money without getting rid of your beloved cat or dog. Here are some tips to help.

    Add your pet to your budget.

    You may need to start including your pet in your budget. Even if you can only save a few dollars a month, you will find out that you can afford to keep your beloved pet.

    Don’t go overboard with items for your pet.

    Your pet doesn’t need everything that you see in a pet store. Cats require a good food bowl, a litter pan, and a collar. Dogs need a good collar with a leash. A few inexpensive tennis balls may be all your dog needs to play.

    Stores are filled with fancy collars, clothing, and toys. You may feel like you need to buy things for your pet, but he or she doesn’t really need that much. Besides, most pets don’t even like wearing clothing.

    Do your own grooming.

    If you choose a dog that requires regular grooming, it can really add up. Many smaller breeds require grooming every three months. You may easily spend $100 (or more) a year on trips to the groomer. It is much cheaper to buy a thirty or forty-dollar pair of clippers and learn to do it yourself. Before you know it, you will be able to trim your dog the way that the groomer does, without the extra cost.

    You may want to look at a clipper set, such as this one, which is available on Amazon.

    Clipper Set Available on Amazon

    Stay up-to-date with your veterinarian.

    Although many people avoid taking their pets to the veterinarian due to the cost, the truth is that it will ultimately protect them in the long run.

    Annual examinations will help you catch anything that is wrong with your pet before it becomes an even bigger (and more expensive) problem. Vaccinations are just as important. Many diseases that pets get are easily preventable simply by keeping them up to date on vaccinations.

    Make sure that your pets are spayed or neutered.

    Though many people don’t spay or neuter their pets because of the cost, the truth is that it will save you money in the long run.

    Females are less likely to have mammary tumors, which need to be removed. They also won’t need emergency surgery because of an infection in their uterus. Male dogs and cats are less likely to roam away, possibly getting hit by a vehicle on the road.

    It is also significantly less expensive than raising and finding homes for a litter of unwanted puppies and kittens.

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    Whether you are buying a new pet or already have one, you need to factor it into your budget. Make sure to consider how much you will need to spend on visits to the veterinarian’s office and possibly the groomer. Your pet will need to visit the vet’s office at least once a year to ensure that they are as healthy as possible.

    Vaccines will also keep him or her from getting certain diseases. Spaying and neutering will also save you money in the long run. Your pet will be less likely to get certain cancers or even run away and get hit by a car.

    You can also save money by grooming your pet yourself. Although you will have to spend some money to buy the clippers, you can easily save $100 or more a year. You may also want to avoid going to certain pet stores. Though everything is cute, your dog or cat doesn’t need clothing and all of those fancy toys!

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    Please note, this article contains affiliate links, where I will receive compensation if you buy the product, without any extra cost to you.

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    Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • Why Your Pet Needs Annual Examinations

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    When you receive the card in the mail indicating that your pet is due for vaccines and an annual examination, you may wonder if this is really necessary. Your dog or cat may be very healthy, and you may not see the need to schedule an appointment to take them to the veterinarian. That being said, it is crucial to take your pet to the veterinarian when they are due for an annual examination.

    Here are some reasons why your pet needs to have an annual examination.

    It helps to develop a relationship with your veterinarian.

    Both you and your pet will have the opportunity to meet a veterinarian and her team, allowing you to feel comfortable asking questions when you need help.

    You will also know who to call in the event of an emergency.

    If you get home and find that your dog has been vomiting all over your home, you will know who to call. Even if they aren’t able to squeeze you in (or they aren’t open), they should have a phone number of a local emergency veterinarian that they trust.

    Your veterinarian will be able to establish what is normal (and what isn’t normal with your pet).

    Whether you decide to do blood work or not, your veterinarian will learn more about your pet during an examination. He or she will learn what is normal for your pet and what isn’t.

    This will help your veterinarian catch something early.

    Your veterinarian will conduct a thorough examination to determine if your pet is experiencing any health issues. They may be able to identify something early, such as a mass or an abnormality in the blood work. At this point, it may be easier to treat (and more likely to be successful). It will also cost less money!

    When your pet comes in for its annual examination, it will ensure that it receives the necessary vaccines.

    This is important to protect both your pet and your family. You shouldn’t let your pet’s vaccines get overdue.

    You will also know that you are doing everything necessary to keep your pet healthy.

    Your veterinarian and his or her team will be able to talk to you about their recommendations, including the best food, as well as what flea and tick prevention and heartworm prevention that you should be using.

    The annual examination also gives you a chance to talk to your veterinarian about the things that are bothering you.

    You can talk about his or her weight, any nutrition questions that you may have, as well as any health concerns that you are worried about.

    That being said, senior pets should really have an examination every six months. Here are some reasons why.

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    Senior pets age much quicker than their younger counterparts.

    They seem to get health problems that go downhill quickly. This can include arthritis and trouble getting around, as well as kidney disease, heart failure, liver disease, and much more.

    By having an examination every six months, you can help your senior pet stay as healthy as possible.

    Your veterinarian will continue to look for potential problems, aiming to catch them early. By doing this, you are helping your senior pet have the best life possible.

    So, what does your veterinarian look for in an examination?

    Your veterinarian will examine your pet from head to tail, and everything in between.

    He or she will look at your pet’s eyes and ears to make sure that they are free of infection.

    Any swelling and redness will be examined to ensure your pet is comfortable again.

    Your veterinarian will listen to your pet’s heart and lungs.

    At this time, please let them know if your pet has been coughing, sneezing, or is having trouble breathing.

    He or she will do a thorough examination of your pet’s skin.

    Your veterinarian will examine your pet for any patches of hair loss and shedding. He or she will look for itchiness and a change in color, which may occur if your pet digs at its skin.

    Your veterinarian will feel your pet’s abdomen.

    He or she will feel for the kidneys, liver, and even for any masses that may be in your pet’s abdomen.

    Your veterinarian will also look at the health of your pet’s mouth.

    Dental disease is a significant problem in both dogs and cats, as many owners are unable to brush their pets’ teeth.

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    If you have an older dog, you may want to have blood work done to check its values. Here are some reasons why you should consider this.

    You will be able to figure out baseline values for your pet.

    If he or she ever did have problems, you would know what his or her normal values were.

    You can catch problems early.

    You may be able to detect kidney disease in its early stages, allowing you to treat it and slow down the progression of the disease.

    You may even need to have blood work done to ensure that your pet can safely take a certain medication.

    Your veterinarian may request blood work, as some medications can be harsh on your pet’s kidneys and liver. He or she will want to ensure that your pet is healthy enough to take it, then recheck it to confirm that it isn’t causing any harm to them.

    You are also going to want to make sure that your pet is able to go under anesthesia before you put him or her through it.

    Since anesthesia will put a strain on your pet, you are going to want to make sure that he or she doesn’t have any underlying issues preventing you from doing so.

    Although you may not want to take your pet to the veterinarian every year (or even every six months), it is really important. You will want to have someone you trust when you really need them. It also helps to catch things early, which gives you the best chance at fixing the problem (or at least slowing it down).

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    Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • Yes, You CAN Get a Puppy If You Want One

    As a veterinary professional, I firmly believe in the importance of adoption and rescuing dogs that need homes. You can even get puppies that have been rescued and need someone to love them.

    I truly get the saying, “Adopt, don’t shop.” That being said, it also irritates me. If you WANT to buy yourself a puppy, you shouldn’t be made to feel bad about it! That being said, many people that you meet will make you feel bad for buying a puppy instead of “saving one” that needs a good home.

    However, if you want to buy yourself a puppy, there is no reason why you should feel guilty. In fact, here are some reasons why you shouldn’t feel guilty about choosing your next best friend!

    One of the biggest reasons why one would choose a puppy over a rescue dog is that you don’t want to deal with issues!

    The shelters are filled with dogs who have problems. Many are stressed and filled with anxiety. Some are there because they don’t get along with other dogs or cats (which you may or may not be able to find out before you adopt).

    Many have serious behavioral issues that can be hard to live with. It may take months or years of work, as well as medication and daily care, to help the dog live a life as normal as possible.

    In fact, you can raise the puppy the way that you want it. 

    A new puppy is very impressionable, and you will be able to start his or her training in the way that you want it to.

    If you want to housebreak your dog to go outside or inside on a puppy pad, you can do that. Don’t want a dog on your couch or bed? Start young. If you adopt a rescue dog, they may already have a certain behavior, which can make it challenging to change.

    Shelters are often full of Pitbulls, which you may not be allowed to have. 

    Unfortunately, shelters are often filled with dogs, such as Pitbulls and other breeds deemed “vicious.” If you are renting a home, you may struggle to find a place to live if you bring along your large dog, regardless of how well-behaved it is.

    If you have your own home, you may end up paying more for your homeowners’ insurance simply because of the type of dog that you have. Some companies may not even insure you if you have the type of dog that could be considered dangerous.

    When buying working dogs, upbringing and training are everything. 

    Many livestock guardian dogs are with sheep and goats before they are ready to leave their parents! Many hunting dogs require training as soon as possible, whether they work with their owners or begin training as soon as they find their new home. It also helps to have parents who have the “drive.” These dogs are more likely to succeed at their new job.

    You may not even be able to get a rescue dog. 

    There are numerous rules and regulations that come with getting a rescue dog. Although some make sense, such as ensuring that their other pets are vaccinated and spayed, others can be quite unusual.

    Fences are a good idea, but I had one client who was turned away because she worked outside the home! The rescue team wanted to ensure that the dog would never be alone. Others have been turned away due to their age. They worry about what will happen if something were to happen to the adopter. Families with young children may not be able to adopt a dog as easily as others.

    As one person put it, purebred guilt? Is that a thing now? 

    Why are we even taking the time to worry about this? There are so many things to worry about; this should not be one of them! This rings very true. If you want a puppy, get one and don’t worry about it for a moment!

    It was also mentioned, it is no one’s business but your own. 

    If you are happy with the puppy that you chose, be happy. Don’t worry about what others are going to say.

    Someone added, if you feel guilty, it is up to you to come to terms with your conscience. 

    Though many prefer to adopt, if you don’t, that is your decision, and you should stand by it. Nobody should make you feel guilty for making a decision that is right for you and your family.

    Some people say that you should not feel bad because you are not the one breeding the dogs. 

    That being said, many people would argue that you are supporting breeders who will continue to bring puppies into an already overpopulated world.

    However, the truth is that responsible breeders are NOT the problem. The people who don’t spay or neuter their dogs and find themselves with an unexpected litter of puppies are the real problem. Backyard breeders who just want to breed their dogs are also part of the problem. Just because you love your dog doesn’t mean that she is meant to be a mother!

    Someone pointed out that the same could be said about children. 

    Too many children are in the foster system, yet that doesn’t stop people from having their own children. While this is true, I can see that even mentioning this in the article will raise eyebrows, and I can hardly imagine the comments I will receive. But it is a point, so I will keep it in the article anyway.

    If you choose wisely, you should never feel guilty for buying a puppy that is right for you. If you choose one that is going to fit into your lifestyle, you have nothing to feel guilty about. If you are looking for a working or show dog, ensure you buy the right puppy for the job.

    Many people even like knowing the origin of their dogs. Seeing the parents and knowing that they are healthy and may have been tested for genetic diseases can go a long way to get yourself a healthy pup for years to come!

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    I would also like to add that I consulted with other veterinary professionals. While many gave me plenty of grief for writing an article like this, when so many dogs are in shelters that need homes, others truly understood that there are times when buying a puppy is the right thing for you and your family.

    It also amazed me how many veterinary professionals (including veterinarians) can’t get dogs from shelters. Their rules and regulations make it nearly impossible for even those who work hard daily to improve the lives of pets to rescue a dog from the shelter.

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    Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • Hello and Welcome to My Blog!

    I am really excited to begin my new adventure.

    If you want to learn more about me, you can check my About Me page.

    I look forward to getting started!