Tag: veterinary medicine

If you have read any of my other articles, you may have realized that I have a lot to say when it comes to the veterinary world. I work very hard each and every day to help clients give their pets the best life possible, and it can be very upsetting to hear some of the things that are said about us, especially when it comes to money.

Money can be a touchy subject, especially when it comes down to taking care of your pet. You emotionally want to do whatever you can do, though you may not have the funds to do so.

Here are some things that you need to consider when it comes to money and veterinary medicine.

Though we hear it all of the time, veterinary medicine is NOT more expensive than your own health care. 

The truth is, that without health insurance, you would be amazed at how much it costs to go to the doctor, let alone spending time in the hospital or having surgery.

In fact, we should really charge more than we do. 

Veterinary medicine is a business, and we need to make enough money in order to thrive. We are constantly buying medications, plus we have to cover our rent (or mortgage) and all of the other supplies that it takes to keep our office open.

We are barely getting paid what we are worth. 

Veterinarians come out of veterinary school with as much debt as your own doctor, yet we don’t make as much money as they do. Technicians and receptionists barely make enough to make ends meet. In fact, many of them have to work two or three jobs in order to survive.

Nobody is in the business of veterinary medicine in order to make money! Please repeat this. We aren’t making as much money as you think.

That being said, we all wish that we could give away everything! 

When your pets aren’t feeling well, we want to be able to help you as much as we can. However, we simply can’t give everything away.

If we did this with every patient that walked in the door (or even one or two a day), it would significantly hurt the practice.

Do not take advantage of your veterinarian’s good graces. 

For this reason, you should never ask for discounts or see what you can get for free! Too many veterinarians will try to go above and beyond what they should, in order to help you as much as possible.

In fact, you should always let us know about your financial concerns before we get started. 

If we know that you have a budget, we will do our best to get as much “bang for your buck.” If we feel like one test is more important than the other (even though you need them all to get the best diagnosis), we will suggest that one if we know that you can only afford to do one.

If we are looking at expensive medications, we may be able to find something a little more in your price range. We may even have some medications that were donated to us, that you may be able to use.

We also want you to know that there are no kickbacks for recommending certain food brands.

We want to make sure that your pet has a good chance of having a healthy life, so we recommend the brands of food that we see good results with, without having to worry about recalls. If we do sell food, we aren’t making a lot of money off of it. We try to pass the savings off to you, so the profit margins on food are pretty slim.

The same could be said about preventative medicine. 

We recommend heartworm and flea and tick preventative because we see what happens when a patient gets heartworms or dies from a disease that was passed from fleas and ticks. In order to keep you buying the medication, we keep a very low-profit margin. We just want to make sure that your pet is going to live a long time.

Talking about money can be the hardest part of being in veterinary medicine. We know how tight money is. Most of us live paycheck to paycheck. Some even have to work more than the recommended forty hours a week or even take another job in order to keep a roof over their head and food on the table.

For this reason, please don’t comment that we don’t care about your pet and only worry about the money. It is simply not true. If we could afford to give everything away, we would! We barely make a profit on medications and food. We just want to make sure that they get the care that they deserve!

Instead, let us know if you have concerns about your finances. It is much better to know how much you have to spend, then figure out how you are going to pay for it after it is all done. We may be able to pick out the most important things, that could still help us get a decent diagnosis.

Maybe instead of complaining, you should just thank you. It goes a long way to making us feel better and allows us to keep going.

***

Can’t get enough? You can catch up on the rest of the series right 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

Want to read the original? Catch up on it 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

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

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

Veterinary technicians and veterinarians are here to help you have a long and happy life with your pet. However, before you go out and buy the first one that you see, we want to make sure that you choose the right one.

Here are some tips to help you choose the right pet for you and your family.

Look closely at your lifestyle. 

If you are busy running around from one activity to another, you are not going to have time for a dog that needs to spend hours outside running and getting his or her energy out.

If you live on a farm, you are probably going to want a dog that wants to be out with you all of the time. A smaller dog may get in the way of a tractor, so it might not be the best pet for you. However, if you live in a small apartment, a small dog might have plenty of room to exercise!

Dogs aren’t the only pets to consider. A cat may be the perfect companion for you. They don’t need much — food, water, and a clean litter pan. Even if you work outside of the home for hours at a time, they would be content until you get home. They are not as social as dogs, so they make great pets for those who are really busy.

You also need to remember that some pets need more grooming than others. 

Many small breed dogs and Doodles need to be groomed regularly. Besides visiting the groomer several times a year, they often need to be brushed regularly. You may need to carve out some time every week to keep your furry dog looking nice.

Long-haired cats are the same way. Though you may not take them to the groomer, you are going to need to devote some time every week in order to keep their coats as nice as possible.

As well as activity. 

Some dogs are going to need a lot more activity than others. Puppies are going to need to go out multiple times a day, both to use the bathroom and play. Older dogs may not want to go out as often, so if you aren’t home as much, an older dog may be better for you.

It is important to know that there is no such thing as a fully hypoallergenic dog or cat. 

Dogs and cats spread allergy-causing proteins through their saliva and urine. It also sticks to their fur, which may make a fluffy dog or cat the wrong pet for a person who has allergies.

However, there are some breeds that don’t shed as much, though they may still bother someone with allergies. There are also hairless options, though they aren’t very common.

You also need to make sure that you train your pet, especially dogs! 

In the veterinary field, we are seeing more and more young adult dogs that are out of control at the veterinarian. COVID kept everyone at home, and they were not able to socialize their dogs properly. They only know the safety of their home and the owner.

However, there is no excuse for these dogs to be bad on a leash and unhandable. You need to play with your new dog’s ears and feet, so that he or she will let us clean his or her ears and trim the nails.

Before you go out and get your next pet, you really need to make sure that you choose wisely. You need to look closely at your lifestyle to determine what is the best pet for you. You can’t get a dog that needs to run off plenty of energy, when you live in a small apartment and don’t have time for multiple walks a day.

In fact, a dog might not be your best bet. Instead, you may want to get two cats, so that they can keep each other company while you are living your life! You also need to realize that there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic pet! Though some won’t bother your allergies as much as others, the truth is all pets have proteins that will cause allergic reactions.

Once you do get a pet, you need to make sure that you train him or her! Too many dogs are out of control at the veterinary office, scared of everything because they have never been exposed to anything (or anyone). You need to make sure that your dog is able to walk on a leash and is used to being handled, especially ears and feet.

***

Can’t get enough? You can catch up on the rest of the series right 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

Want to read the original? Catch up on it 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

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

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

I recently started a series about things that we, as veterinary professionals, would like pet owners to know. It has been so popular (and a bit therapeutic for me), so I have continued.

So, what else should I include in my list? Here are some more things that we want you to know.

Though fat dogs and cats are extremely cute, it is not healthy for them. 

Overweight dogs and cats are more likely to have medical problems, such as diabetes and heart problems. The extra weight also makes it harder on them if they develop arthritis. They will struggle more to get around than those who are at a healthy weight.

Vomiting up hairballs is REALLY not normal. 

Though many people believe cats coughing up hairballs is normal, especially for those who over-groom themselves or are long-haired, the truth is that it isn’t normal. If your cat vomits hairballs regularly, you should make sure to bring him or her in. Your cat may have allergies, which are causing him or her to groom too much, or your cat may also have a gastrointestinal problem that needs to be dealt with.

Vaccines are not just a one-and-done deal! 

You would not believe the number of people who bring their pets in to be seen and think that they are up-to-date on vaccines. One kitten dose will not protect your cat for the rest of his or her life. Your pets are going to need multiple doses when they are young and then every one to three years for the rest of his or her life.

That being said, preventative care is more cost-effective than taking care of the problem that may occur. 

Vaccines are cheap compared to the treatment of some of the diseases that your pet may get. Some of these, like Rabies, may be fatal if contracted, so you are going to want to make sure that your pet is well-protected.

Many people also bulk at paying money for heartworm, flea, and tick medications. However, if your dog comes down with heartworms, it can be very expensive to treat. Your dog may not survive treatment either! Fleas and ticks carry plenty of diseases, such as Lyme disease, so you are going to want to make sure that your pet isn’t at risk for these diseases.

As more and more people are switching vets, your new veterinarian must have as much information about your pet as possible. 

If you are switching veterinarians, you need to make sure that the new veterinarian has all of the records from your old veterinarian. This needs to be done before your appointment, so that we aren’t wasting your appointment time doing so.

This may also save you money. If we don’t see that your dog has had a heartworm test recently, we may require you to have one before we dispense any preventatives. If your pet is sick, we may recommend blood work that you may have already completed at your old veterinarian just a few days ago. Instead of repeating it, we may be able to do something different in order to come up with a proper diagnosis.

As veterinary professionals, we want your pets to have the best life possible. This means keeping them at a healthy weight and focusing on preventive medicine. Though you may think that it is just a waste of money, the truth is that it is a lot cheaper than the disease. Some diseases aren’t curable, making it even more important to get that Rabies vaccine and keep your pets on flea and tick preventative.

***

Can’t get enough? You can catch up on the rest of the series right 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

Want to read the original? Catch up on it 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

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

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

I started a series called Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Are Tired of Hearing. Because of its popularity, I started another one, Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Want Pet Owners to Know. If you haven’t had a chance to read the first one, you can check it right here.

However, as I went through all of the things that I want to get out there, I can’t just write one article. It may turn into another big series that I need to write!

So, what are some more things that vet techs (and vets) want all pet owners to know? Here are several more for you to ponder.

Any time that you have a concern, you really need to consult your veterinarian first. 

Your veterinarian and his or her team are here to help. Please note that I said the veterinary team. You should feel comfortable talking to anyone on the team.

Even if you need to talk directly to the veterinarian, take the time to talk to his or her support staff first. 

You may be surprised by how many questions they can easily answer without having to ask the veterinarian. They may also be able to give him or her a message and get back to you with the answer, instead of taking your veterinarian’s precious time.

Look to your veterinary office first. 

In the new age of the internet and social media, Dr. Google and Facebook friends are quick to offer plenty of advice. Some of that information might not be right at all!

Though it might be helpful to hear some hopeful news from someone that you know, his or her pet is not yours, and your pet may or may not need the same treatment. In fact, it may do more harm than good, so before you go on following the advice of someone else, make sure that it is approved by your veterinarian.

Be honest with your veterinarian. 

Though you may be embarrassed by how long your dog or cat hasn’t been feeling well, we can’t help you if we don’t know the extent. Also, if you were given medicine, you need to let us know if you have missed any doses or even if you can’t get it into your cat at all! Otherwise, we might be wondering why the medicine isn’t working!

This even goes for illegal substances! 

It is going to be much easier for us if you tell us that your dog or cat got into your cigarettes or drugs. We are going to figure it out eventually, but it will go a whole lot smoother (and quicker) if we know what we are up against. We don’t have to tell anyone, but we can’t treat your pet if we have no idea what is going on.

You also need to ask questions. 

If you are unsure about something, don’t hesitate to ask questions. That is what your veterinary team is for. If you are struggling to get the medications in, ask them for any helpful tips.

If you don’t understand what condition your pet is dealing with, ask for more information. They may also be able to give you a good website where you can do your own research when you are home, and everything has sunk in.

You also need to make your own expectations clear. 

Listen to what your veterinarian is saying, but then you have to make the right decision for you. If your pet needs to have medication given multiple times a day, and you don’t think you can do that, let them know. They might be able to give you something that may not work as well, but it only needs to be done once a day.

If you are unable to afford the diagnostics and treatment plan that your veterinarian thinks is best, you need to let him or her know. When we know what we are dealing with, we can work with you to make sure that your pet gets some relief!

As a vet tech who works closely with a veterinarian, we just want the best for your pet. We want to help you as much as we are able, so be sure to reach out when you need us. Don’t always assume everything Dr. Google and your Facebook friends is correct. We have years of experience and the knowledge to help.

That being said, we need you to be honest with us. Let us know how long the problem has really been going on. Let us know that you haven’t followed our recommendations. Though it is hard to hear, we need to know that you can’t give the medications, and that is why your pet isn’t getting better (and it is not something that we did wrong)!

Also, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions or let us know what you expect. If you can’t afford diagnostics, we may be able to try a medication to see if we can help your pet. Don’t tell us that you can’t afford blood work after it has already been run!

***

Can’t get enough? You can catch up on the rest of the series right 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

Want to read the original? Catch up on it 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

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

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

I wrote a series entitled Things Vet Techs (and Vets) Are Tired of Hearing. This sparked many blogs that you can read if you are interested.

However, the truth is that, due to their popularity, I decided to write a new series about what vet techs and veterinarians want pet owners to know. Curious about what vet techs (and vets) really want to tell you?

Here are some of those things.

Dry food doesn’t help them with dental problems. 

Most owners have always believed that they need to feed their cats dry food in order to keep their teeth clean. However, that simply isn’t the case at all. The only thing that will help keep your pets’ teeth clean is by brushing their teeth or giving them rawhide bones and other things to chew on.

Dental care is really important for our pets. 

Though many owners will say that they have never had their dog’s or cat’s teeth cleaned before, the truth is that it needs to be done. Dental disease can lead to more problems in the future, such as kidney, heart, and liver disease. For this reason, you should start brushing now, and when your veterinarian says that your pet needs to have his or her teeth cleaned, make sure that you follow the recommendations.

In fact, bad breath is often a sign of dental disease. 

If you are concerned that your pet has bad breath, you need to get him or her seen by your veterinarian. Your pet will probably need to have his or her teeth professionally cleaned. Your veterinarian may also have to remove some teeth in order to get his or her mouth as healthy as possible.

You should NEVER give your pet a breath mint instead! 

Breath mints for humans often contain xylitol, which can be toxic for your pet. This may lead to an even bigger veterinarian bill, with no guarantee that your pet will make it!

You should know some common toxicities for the pets that you have. 

Dogs should never be allowed to have grapes, raisins, onions, or garlic. They can’t have caffeine and chocolate. Xylitol, which is in breath mints and certain peanut butter, can be deadly.

Cats can’t be anywhere near lilies, though they also can’t have onions and garlic. Antifreeze is one thing that cats always want, but they should never have. You also should never leave any of your dog’s flea medications out. This can be deadly to cats.

Both dogs and cats need to stay away from human medications and things that are put out to bait mice, rats, and even snails. These contain poison that will slowly kill your beloved pet.

Because of this, you should never give your pet any of your own medication, without a prescription. 

There are plenty of human medications that can be fatal for our pets. Though your vet may prescribe your pet something that you take, it is just as easy to overdose them by trying to do it yourself. And dogs should NEVER be given aspirin.

Veterinarians want your pets to live as long as possible, by staying healthy. One way to do this is by making sure that you take care of their teeth. Dental disease can lead to plenty of serious problems, so if we are recommending a cleaning, you may just want to ask us more about it!

You should also know as much as you can about what you need to avoid. Dogs and cats can easily die if they eat something they shouldn’t. And this does include some of our own medications! You should never give your dog or cat aspirin or anything else in your home, without our advice.

***

Can’t get enough? You can catch up on the rest of the series right 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

Want to read the original? Catch up on it 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

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

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

The response to my articles, Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing, and the ones that followed, has been overwhelming. Meanwhile, the job continues to be crazy, and the amount of things that clients complain about are becoming unbearable.

I just can’t seem to stop writing about the things that clients need to know that drive us nuts. That being said, I think that this is going to be my last one. I may write some more in the future, but I am going to stop with this one at the moment.

So, here you go. Here are some more things that veterinary technicians (and veterinarians) are tired of hearing.

Vet medicine is so much more expensive than human medicine.

This is the most infuriating thing that I have ever heard. Most people have health insurance to help them pay for their medical bills. They even have a card to help them to make their medications more affordable.

Have you actually ever looked at your bill? The actual one, not the one that just says that you paid a co-pay in order to see your doctor. Most doctor’s visits are over one hundred dollars. My husband stayed in the hospital for two days, and it was over fifteen thousand dollars. It costs over ten thousand dollars to have a baby. Could you imagine what orthopedic surgery cost? Surely not the five or ten thousand that you will have to pay for your dog!

Can you trim his nails?

Though we are happy to do your pet’s nails for you, the truth is that your dog isn’t limping because his or her nails are too long. Your dog or cat can’t breathe, yet you want us to stress him or her out more, just to do the nail trim.

Look at the whole situation before you ask us to trim your pet’s nails. It might not be a good idea to do so. You might have to wait until he or she is feeling better, and then we would gladly do them.

Make sure that you trim them as short as you possibly can.

I don’t know about you, but unless your dog is fighting me, I am going to cut your dog’s or cat’s nails short. In fact, I might even make a few bleed trying to get them as short as possible. I don’t need reminded that you want your money’s worth out of it. I especially don’t need to hear this when this hasn’t been done in so long that your dog or cat can hardly walk around on them!

I don’t know what I feed my dog, but it has to be good because it is so expensive.

The truth is that we really do need to know what your dog is eating, down to the brand, and the flavor. Organic, grain-free, and expensive do not help us in the least. This is especially true if your dog or cat is having an allergic reaction to the food that he or she is eating. We need to know what is in the food that your dog is eating.

My dog (or cat) would never bite.

This is another one that really bothers me. These are the dogs and cats that would bite me first! The truth is that you really don’t know how your dog or cat is going to react in every situation. Dogs and cats bite when they are scared or in pain. They just might get scared. You have no way of knowing what your dog or cat might do in a stressful situation.

Why do I have to bring my dog in again? This is the same issue that he or she had two years ago! Can’t you just refill the medicine?

Clients call all the time, wanting medications for their pet. We really do understand. You are busy, and we are busy. The truth is that we really do need to see your dog again.

It might not be the exact same issue that he or she had in the past. It may be a yeast infection, instead of a bacterial infection, which would require a different medication. If your dog or cats get urinary tract infections, there may be an underlying issue that we need to figure out.

Clients can say some things that can really get under our skin. They complain about the cost all of the time. However, if you looked at your own bills, you would realize it doesn’t cost as much as your own medical bills!

Nail trims are something else altogether. No matter why you come in, we understand that you want to get your dog or cat’s nails done. It just might not be the wisest time!

***

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

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

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

As I said before, the response from my first piece, Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing, was overwhelming. It was something that I never expected. I shared it with other veterinary professionals on Facebook, and they were quick to share things that they were tired of hearing.

Because of their huge response, I just had to write more. So, here are even more things that veterinary technicians (and veterinarians) are tired of hearing.

I paid so much money for their dog, so they don’t have any money for preventative care.

There is no doubt that it is expensive owning a puppy. You have to bring your pet in every three to four weeks for vaccines until he or she is sixteen weeks old. Then, you need to spay or neuter your puppy when the time is right. This can cost a few hundred dollars.

They also get mad because their expensive dog has problems.

People also get upset when their purebred expensive dogs get problems that can be costly to fix. This may include allergies, that can cause skin problems, ear infections, and much more. Some dogs struggle with breathing issues and eye issues, which are common for their breed.

This is only the tip of the iceberg. Many puppies and young dogs get into things that they shouldn’t, which could cause vomiting, diarrhea, and may even need surgery due to a foreign body. All of this can really add up.

Their “free” kittens aren’t really free.

Just like puppies need vaccines regularly until they are a few months old, free kittens need the same. It is also a good idea to test any new kittens for feline leukemia and FIV. They also need dewormer to make sure that they are as healthy as possible. Often, they may struggle with an upper respiratory infection, which can require medication for a few months to help them improve.

You don’t know what is wrong with my pet!

This is commonly said when a client won’t do any diagnostics to figure out what is wrong with their pet, yet we are supposed to know what is wrong. Sometimes, this is even asked over the phone!

They can’t (or won’t) spend any money on x-rays or blood work, and we are supposed to just be able to know what is wrong, with a simple examination. There are times when it can be that simple, but there are times when the more information that we have, the easier it will be to treat.

My pet isn’t better yet.

Their pets may have been vomiting and having diarrhea for weeks. They won’t let you do any diagnostics, and one dose of medication doesn’t help. Because of this, we are incompetent.

We may even do diagnostics and treat the pet, but one dose isn’t going to help. Their pet may need a few treatments before he or she can start to get better.

Then, there are the clients who stop the medications as soon as their pet is better. Instead of taking the medication for the recommended two weeks (or however long it was prescribed), they stop it as soon as their pet acts normal again. Then, they are surprised when the symptoms come right back!

I truly love my job, but the past two years have really tested my patience. Not only do I have to deal with the pets that can be challenging to take care of, but the clients are also pretty hard to please.

***

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

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

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

The response from my first piece, Things Vet Techs (And Vets) Are Tired of Hearing, was overwhelming. If you haven’t had a chance to read it, you can check it out here. I shared it on my personal Facebook page, as well as in several groups filled with other veterinary professionals.

I asked them what things they were tired of hearing. This is only a small portion of their answers. In fact, I got so many answers, I may end up with several pieces. This only puts into perspective how hard it is to deal with the public as a veterinary professional.

Here are some more things that veterinary technicians (and veterinarians) are tired of hearing.

I should have a whole wing of the hospital dedicated to me because I have spent so much money here.

This saying comes in many forms. I worked at a veterinary neurologist, which was beside his home. Many customers couldn’t help but tell me they were helping to pay for the huge mansion he lived in.

Other clients say that they should have their own parking spot. They may be saying this because they either spend too much money on their pets or they are always at the hospital. Either way, it isn’t my fault you bring your dog to the vet for every little bump and bruise you find!

All you do is play with puppies and kittens all day.

Most people think that we have a dream job. We get to play with puppies and kittens all day. However, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Since most people rescue animals, we rarely see young animals. In fact, we are more likely to see patients who are really sick and need our help to get better. Some of these can’t be helped (no matter how hard we try) and euthanasia is the best option for them.

I could never do what you do because I love animals too much!

This is usually uttered when we are dealing with really sick patients, and no matter what we do, we can’t seem to make them any better. They can’t imagine hurting a cat or dog, just to get blood drawn or take x-rays. Holding a cat or dog down to do whatever needs to be done is just too much for the normal person to deal with, along with all of the blood, urine, and feces.

Clients also love to tell us this when we are euthanizing their pets. Nobody loves to do that part of the job, but aren’t there bad parts of every job? And there are times when euthanasia seems like the best option. When you see patients who are really suffering, you just want to help, even if that means ending their lives.

Then, there are the people who just want your advice.

When you work in veterinary medicine, you get all kinds of people who want your advice. I get text messages and Facebook messages from all sorts of people. I am close to some of them and don’t mind helping out.

However, there are just as many people I haven’t seen in years, asking me what they should do for their pet. My response is usually to call your vet, though there are times when I tell them that it really isn’t something to panic about.

Just don’t get me started on Facebook.

I see a lot of awful advice that is given on the popular social media site. I used to give some advice, but I am so tired of people not listening to my advice (which is usually to take their pet to the vet)! Instead, they will try all of these crazy things that may (or may not) have worked for all of their Facebook friends.

Or groomers and pet store employees.

Because they are certainly qualified to give medical advice! We have a lot of appointments that get made because their groomer found an ear infection or saw dental disease which needed to be taken care of. I always appreciate that they are looking out for these pets.

However, just as many groomers and pet store employees give medical advice, which they really shouldn’t. In fact, most of them don’t have any experience, other than their own personal pets, so they are certainly not the first places you should go to for advice on your pet.

Being a professional in the veterinary field can be quite challenging, and it isn’t always the pets that are the problem. In fact, it is often things that their owners say that drive us insane! Stay tuned for the next post!

***

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

***

Please note that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Even though I am a veterinary professional, this blog is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

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