My boyfriend’s dad passed away 10 years ago but before that he’s always told me his dad went back to school to be a veterinarian. Now his dad also has been to jail for child abuse and I feel like with a criminal record like that there’s no way he would be a vet. I’ve searched for vet records for his name and can’t find anything but idk if that’s the same for medical drs. I don’t know if my boyfriend truly believes this too or if this is what he’s been telling me. Does anyone know if it’s even possible for his dad to become a vet after a record like that?

I’m looking for advice on my vet internship where I feel like I’m being bullied…Was wondering if anyone else had the same experience?

I’ve been interning/working part time there since I was seventeen; I was looking to do Vetmed in university. Everything was fine until I started working part time officially: Where I was expected to do a lot of tasks that I honestly didn’t feel confident or experienced enough to preform
I used to work cashier at a coffee chain for about a year prior to this so I was okay with doing reception, but again, was expected to be able to follow cases through in an impossible amount of time
Because I was hesitant, and a little bit awkward/slow because I was nervous, the vet(who owns the clinic), has become increasingly more hostile to me. This includes yelling at me to order me around, badmouthing me in front of newer interns, and making me do a large amount of work in a very short amount of time and yelling even more when I don’t do it “fast enough”

My head nurse is an angel and he’s been very supportive, but as of late where I’ve been yelled at more and more for absolutely nothing(eg: Vet thinks I’m rude because I “don’t respond” when given instructions, yells at me despite me nodding and saying “okay” to the other staff member who had zero problems with my attitude). Vet also occasionally argues with the head nurse over trivial problems

I would have quit long ago if it wasn’t for the fact that I need a reference letter from this guy, and I’ve also seen him write what looked more like criticism letters for interns he didn’t like. Was just wondering if universities take into consideration foul play and how I would go about explaining this situation?

I am 16 and a junior in high school. I would really like to work with wildlife and take care of animals. I just don’t exactly know how to choose a career that will do that while also having a good enough salary. I also would like some advice on what majors or pre grad programs would be best. And any recommendations on colleges or universities. I will give some background as well. I will be in this program my senior year that will take up half my day. The program will allow me to graduate with an EMT certification. While I really like that opportunity I don’t know if I should use that half of the day to do internship at vets or animal shelters. I do live in a small town so we don’t have any wildlife sanctuaries, zoos, or aquariums.

I would appreciate any advice. Thank you!

Imagine being a newly licensed veterinarian on solo duty, encountering a specific emergency case for the first time without any senior veterinarian physically present. I knew the treatment from books, but I wasn't sure how long it would take for the medication to work before I could expect to see any improvement, or whether it was appropriate to give it in that patient's condition.

So, you message your senior veterinarian because he doesn't answer phone calls. Instead of reassuring or guiding you through the emergency, he starts asking about the symptoms, what you think the diagnosis is, and what treatments are usually given for that condition. Keep in mind, I'm dealing with that emergency case at that very moment. It was incredibly overwhelming. I wanted to cry so badly.

This has been going on for 9–10 months now. They also expect me to perform major surgeries without a senior veterinarian physically present.

During my very first month at the clinic, as a newly licensed veterinarian, they already had me doing solo rounds. The experience affected me so deeply that I now struggle with moderate depression and panic disorder. They don't see that. Instead, they always compare my situation to their own, saying they also became independent early in their careers.

I don't know if I'm just being dramatic or overly emotional for wanting a senior veterinarian to be available during emergencies and major surgeries. But honestly, I don't think it's unreasonable to want guidance when you're still gaining experience and your patients' lives are at stake.

Hi, everyone!

I’m currently going through a total career change, and I put my hat into the equine veterinary ring. I’ve been a sports, pet and portrait photographer for 6 years, and the burnout had gotten entirely too much.
I applied to an equine vet tech position, had a phone call interview, in person interview and working interview. I got the job!!

For background: I’m 22 now, and I was an equestrian recreationally and competitively from ages 9-16. I also have experience volunteering at my local animal shelter. When I was first applying to colleges/universities in 2022, I was super close to majoring in animal science on a veterinary track, but I last minute revoked my application and got my degree in photojournalism.

I am TERRIFIED to start this job. It’s been a while since I’ve consistently been around horses, and I’m also not great at math. I’m equally as excited though.

Is there any advice that equine vet techs/vets or even small animal vets can give me? Any advice is appreciated!!

I graduated veterinary assistant, and have been planning to do vet tech since I could even form a thought lol. Now, I’m reconsidering. I live in Canada and the pay vs debt + living is so unbalanced, my co-op was also not a good experience despite loving the experience and being in vet med finally. I’ve now considered moving away from vet med but at the same time don’t know if that’s a mistake despite the financial difficulty I’d have later in life.

I’ve heard people describe vet med as more of a passion project then a full time career, I considered that minuscule until thinking more and more about my future.

What made you stay? What made you leave?

I need to find a way to make some money on the side. I have a ton of repairs needed on my house, mortgage, student loan payment that is pretty much the same as my mortgage, plus bills. I have very little to no money left over to actually enjoy myself, and right now I’m spending more than I’m making. At this point, I’m about to cancel all streaming services, cut groceries to twice a month, and try not to drive as much. I have epilepsy and every day it’s a constant worry of “will I have a seizure today and will I need to go to the hospital?” I went in January - ambulance, hospital, and imaging - about $3000 out of pocket. I’d be done if it happened again.

So, enough sob-storying, what do y’all do for side hustles? I need another source of income to help out.

Hi, UK new grad vet (class of 2026) here. I am hoping to connect with other new grads who are also struggling to find a job. I have been starting my job application process in February this year before graduation, but till now I still don't have a job. Every day I am just losing hope and it is honestly catastrophic for my mental state. Each day I wake up feeling physically nauseous just worrying about job hunting. Every place I sent application to told me they can't take in a new graduate. And the worst thing is that most practices are owned by corporates and they are really strict with not hiring new graduates. My career path is also tied to my family, as they have paid so much money to send me to vet school, there is no way I am going to let them down by not working as a vet. 5 years of working at clinical settings makes it impossible for me to explore other jobs anyways. Everytime I see an ad pops up and it is from a corporate I get frustrated.

It is difficult for me to talk to my friends as most of my friends already got jobs lined up. It makes me even more depressed. Hoping to find someone that is in the same situation so at least I got a support network.

Hi all, I work at an emergency and referral clinic. I work swings/overnights. Last night during my shift we had a professional athlete come in with his dog. I was the only one that recognized him and was the only one that cared about who he was. I am a huge sports fan and an even bigger fan of the sport that he plays. Dog came in for a non toxic ingestion. We ended up having to scope the dog but dog went home and owner was very thankful. After I left, one of my co workers after discharging the dog asked if he would be willing to sign an autograph for me. He said yes and she said he seemed excited. He wrote me a note and thanked our whole team for helping his dog. He wrote me a little message and everything. Obviously if prognosis was poor or the outcome was not ideal this would not even be a conversation. One of the doctors and one other technician said this was extremely tacky and unprofessional. One of the supervisors told me it was okay as long as it was at an appropriate time and we didn't push it. I think my co worker picked a very appropriate time and didn't push him into doing it. I just don't want to get her in trouble and I don't want the doctor to hate me. When she texted me and told me he wrote me a little note, I started crying, I was so excited. He truly is such an incredible athlete and it was an honor to work on his dog.

i‘m an undergrad and i want to become a veterinarian. ive primarily worked with exotics and would like to continue doing so as a vet. at my old job i used to get sniffles/watery eyes when being in bird enclosures but i chalked it up to being outside. now i work with birds indoors and it is definitely the birds. i didn’t think it would be a huge deal but google is telling me it will get worse over time? and there’s a thing called bird fanciers lung that sounds really bad? can i even keep working with birds in my career now?

Career advice for a rvn in the uk

So had a dressing down from slt yesterday about mainly about me not doing enough cleaning tasks ( we are over subscribed with clients and under staffed as many clinics are) and after nearly 15 years in practise and nearly 2 with this one think its time for a extended break or proper career change the burn out /fatigue is killing me . But not sure where to start as vet med has been my only job ( apart from some partime retail work as a teen) and its the only qualification i have . I love would a job that continues to use my knowledge but is far less phyical , like insurance or something . Is there courses or certs people recomend ? I dont drive so locuming and being a sales rep is a no go for me .

I know this is probably such a silly question but it's been on my mind recently - I'm 20 at the moment, and I was in a vet training class while in highschool, but had to drop out a few months in due to severe chronic health issues that I've now mostly got under control, so the thought of my career has been coming up in my head a lot again

I barely passed highschool due to my health, and I had to take an extra year to finish because of it, and I'm regretting not forcing myself to finish that vet prep class, because now I don't even know where to begin with getting started - finishing up physical therapy will probably leave me at 21 years old before I'm able to seriously do any schooling or such, is that too old and would my gap year in highschool make me a bad candidate for trying to get started?? where would I even begin to figure out how?? I've wanted to be a vet since I was a little kid and I'm nervous that now I won't ever be able to due to my health issues in highschool

Im applying to vet school this year and Im wondering if anyone has any books they can recommend to help me prepare or even just on some really interesting topics. I dont know if im just looking in the wrong places but I've really struggled to find relevant ones that aren't weirdly expensive 😅 I appreciate any help and also if you know any other resources besides books

Hey all! Our clinic is playing veterinary family feud! With all your wisdom, experience, and humor, please click the link below and help us have a sweet game of family feud!

https://forms.gle/fX9xH93Dv1Ntn6ax9

I need some advice from the other side, the vets. I have always had trouble knowing how to act and even showing enthusiasm (trust me I am excited!) I am an undergraduate working towards vet school, and I started shadowing a vet around a year ago. The main vet there doesn‘t seem interested in a shadow, and the other one is barely there.

Recently I discovered no one knows my name, and I am suddenly feeling very inadequate. So, I wanted to ask the vets out there what you are looking for in a shadow. What can I do to impress the vets, or at the very least not be a burden on them.

currently I mainly just observe, along with making flushes and replacing paper towels, small stuff like that. I try to ask question, but the vet gives blunt responses and I feel so out of place asking them.

Do you just want them to sit in a corner and observe? The uncertainty of what this vet wants is driving me crazy. Any advice is appreciated!

Hey, new grad here who hasn’t had to explain a mistake to a client before. How have you handled that? Especially if the client got angry that they spent money they didn’t need to?

Mostly this is a rant but I’m curious if anyone else has ever felt this way. Ive been a practicing vet 4 years. I started as an ER vet and recently (within the past year) made the transition to GP. It’s been a learning curve but I know I practice good medicine. This is my second job after graduation.

I made the switch so I could have regular hours and spend more time with my family but I am now thinking I am just not right for this profession.

I am in a 2 doctor practice, myself and the managing vet. I have a good relationship with management but I really struggle to develop client relationships and it seems like every client prefers to see the managing vet. He has been practicing nearly double the time I have and he is jolly, I understand why everyone likes him but I take it personally. I’m not in trouble and really management does not seem bothered by this.

I know I’m smart but it doesn’t feel like enough. I had an expectation that I would be good at my job and I don’t feel like I am. Myself and the managing vet had a conversation and he said: Communication and client relations is the most important part of our job and is hardest to improve, even if you do good medicine it won’t matter if your relationships are poor.

TLDR: I understand that I need to work on things that’s a constant in this profession. I have done a lot to try and improve in the last few months but I honestly feel like a lost cause and no longer feel like I’m in the right field. I feel stuck. Has anybody else felt this way? lol Please tell me it’s not just me

Hello everyone,

I am seeking advice from a veterinarian who may have been in a similar situation as me. I am a current 4th year veterinary student who is feeling lost. I have no one to talk to about this and I need help.

I am passing all of my rotations and receiving great feedback, but constantly struggle with my confidence. I feel like I don’t know anything and that I am going to be a horrible veterinarian. I sometimes panic when doctors ask me questions and answer incorrectly, even though I know the right answer. I say completely dumb answers because I panic and can’t retrieve the information. This has only happened a few times but sometimes it’s just the most basic things and it’s so embarrassing. I sometimes forget things I haven’t reviewed in a while that seem basic as well though. The information is able to be retrieved though once I look into it more. I also dwell on making mistakes during my rotations, and think I am the only one making mistakes. I am overall extremely scared to be a practicing veterinarian and struggling at this point mentally while everyone else seems to be thriving. It makes me really nervous that maybe I’m not cut out for veterinary medicine because I’m not smart enough.

Won't disclose where to not give myself away. A local politician in my town came into our clinic today for an issue of unresolved diarrhea. Their dog likely has a food allergy and has been prescribed a hydrolyzed protein diet. They have not been giving this diet and have been feeding eggs, peanut butter etc. because the dog was not eating the diet, then began to have diarrhea. they also gave triple the dose of a previously prescribed medication because it "felt right".

I have not been the doctor on this case. It was the other doctor's day off and it was placed on my schedule without my permission. It was discussed to do repeat bloodwork and radiographs, both of which were previously unremarkable the day prior. Once this person arrived, they changed their mind. I explained the importance of keeping the patient on the prescribed diet. I explained the risks of triple-dosing a medication that can cause neurotoxicity. They became very upset and demanded a fix for the diarrhea today. I advised them to return to their prescribed diet and recommended a consult with a local specialist, specifically internal medicine, for an abdominal ultrasound or further diagnostics that I cannot provide. The day prior, the dog was hospitalized for the day, and given fluids and IV antiemetics. We are not a 24-hour facility and of course the dog stayed overnight and had diarrhea in its kennel the next day. This stint in the hospital seemed to not improve symptoms at all, so I understand their frustration.

They asked if they should do bloodwork today and I advised them that if they were planning to seek urgent or emergency care, their funds would be better allocated to anticipate bloodwork at the hospital of their choosing.

To be clear, the patient's exam was unremarkable, well-hydrated, BAR. They were provided consultation for free today after they thanked me for "a waste of time."

They are now talking about how I am a poor doctor on their public Facebook page. I am a new grad so this stings a bit. Unfortunately, this person has cursed out staff, demands things regularly, etc. and they have let the entitlement go unchecked. I was firm with my recommendation today and I felt I stood up for my staff that they were belittling. Now I'm afraid of what could happen next.

Any tips? I have asked to be fired from this client and will no longer help them after reading their posts.

I have been working in veterinary for nearly 15 years in the UK. I am done. I am tired and I want out.

I had always wanted to do anaesthesia in a referral hospital. I finally landed my "dream" job and been there for over 1 year. But in hindsight I think I was 'done' before I started there.

I am exhausted all the time, and I feel like when I do have free time, I am too tired to focus on finding new jobs, getting some hobbies, socialising etc. I have done a few applications for entry level office jobs and always rejected. I was offered a role in pet insurance but the salary was far too low and I would have struggled financially even more than I do now! In desperation I applied for some other vet nurse roles and have been offered one.

At the moment I have 2 options:

1. Stick it out with current job (referral anaesthesia) until I find something outside of veterinary

• Job is tiring and stressful. So far I have been too exhausted to do too much job searching
• I don't particularly enjoy the place, and this has been affecting my mental health.
• Long hours plus on-call work. Long drive (no public transport options).
• Good experience to have on CV and I have learnt a lot.
• Insane staff discount.

1. Go with job 2. Quiet little GP vets down the road from my house, and continue to search for a non-veterinary job.

• Few hours less a week, no commute, no on-call. Same money.
• Can go home to walk dog at lunchtime or take dog in to work with me if needed.
• Seems like a very small but nice team.
• Very small and quiet, I will get very bored.
• 12 month maternity cover but they are hoping to make it permanent.

I'm leaning towards option 2 as it will give me back 2 hours a day of free time, and is more flexible for my dog (at the moment my partner works from home but he would like to go to the office more). As it is lower stress I will hopefully have more headspace to figure out a new career path. I am worried about becoming very bored with the type of work and quietness. As it is only a maternity cover, I'm worried I may not find a new career before 12 months is up. Does it seem a little crazy to leave a perm job for a temp one?

Any other career ideas for veterinary nurses leaving the profession?