A veterinary clinic is somewhat depressing.
By Valenas
@Valenas (1507)
United States
June 8, 2008 7:51pm CST
Even before I worked at the vet clinic that I am currently employed at, I would help out there on my mother's weekends to monitor the Kennel staff. I work in Kennels now every other weekend. I like letting out the dogs and getting to know their personalities, and playing with them for a few minutes before they take care of business. It also helps me take my mind off of the sadder part of the job. I work every other weekend, and I hate walking into work and finding a paw print in clay from the day before, waiting to be baked in the oven. A paw print means that the dog (I am not sure if we do cats, too, but maybe) was put to sleep. I hate seeing that faint glow coming from the Isolation room, because I know that it is from a heat lamp that is keeping a "Parvo-pup" warm. I know that we do the best that we can to save Parvo-pups, and that most recover, but it saddens me to know that the puppy got sick in the first place, that it could have been prevented if it had just received shots. I love helping animals, but I hate that they get sick in the first place. But, for all of the bad things that come into the clinic, there is nothing more rewarding than assisting in the delivery of puppies. :'D Working at a vet clinic has its low points, as well as its perks.
Does anyone else work at a vet clinic, or would you like to?
1 person likes this
4 responses
@StephyJ_83 (158)
• United States
20 Jan 09
I have been at my veterinary clinic for over two years. I love it. I will be the first to admit that it can be depressing and frustrating, but I have great co-workers who help me stay sane through everything that we deal with. We work together as a team to help lift each other up. I know it sounds corny, but if I didn't have such great co-workers that go through these experiences with me, my job would be so much more difficult to deal with.
The good can also balance the bad. We had a cat brought in last year who was a stray that a lady had been feeding off her back porch for two years. She brought him in to us because something was wrong with his leg. He had been shot and his femur was shattered. His leg needed to be amputated, he needed to be neutered, he needed vaccines, and he had no home. To top it all off, we did a blood test and found he had FeLV. We were so certain we would have to euthanize this cat because his treatments would be over $1000 and he didn't have a home. Well, the lady that brought him in pleaded with her husband, and they paid for all his treatments. They brought him in to see us a few weeks ago, and he is a fat, happy, spoiled three-legged house cat. When I think of him and the good life that he has now, I realize that my job is worth all the bad.
1 person likes this
@Valenas (1507)
• United States
21 Jan 09
Thank you for your response, I was glad to hear that story about the cat. I think our cat was in a similar situation as far as he probably would have been put down if no one decided to take him in. The previous owners didn't want to pay for his eye removal, so we took him in after the surgery was done. I am glad to hear that they decided to keep the cat.
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
9 Jun 08
I agree with Your discussion title-I don't like hospitals or Dentist surgeries myself,and putting my cat through procedures when He needs them is a bit upsetting too! He's ingested slug poison in the past-(I don't use the stuff in my Garden where he usually hangs out)-but the Vet sorted Him out..I think Vets do a Great Job! Dunno if I'd do it myself for a Living,though....
@lilaclady (28207)
• Australia
9 Jun 08
helping animals to me would be the best job in the world, but I think I would go crazy when it came to the putting the animals yo sleep especially if it was just because no one wanted them...but in all I think you should stand proud that at least you are helping some ... I admire people like you so much...
@Valenas (1507)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I love watching an animal recover, knowing that it is going to get better. There was a puppy that, the first day, would hardly stand up, but the second day, was wagging her tail and nuzzling her big puppy head into people's hands, and begging for attention. We were so glad to see her better, but then she puked all over Mother's shirt and arm. If I know that a dog or a cat was in ISO (We call Isolation ISO for short), I always ask mother if the animal went home if it was being treated for something. And, thank you. I always admired people that work in animal clinics and hospitals, and I still admire those around me that I see working hard and making a difference.
@mclendon (308)
• United States
9 Jun 08
I worked as a vet tech for a few years. I really enjoyed it. It is a very physical and active job if the clinic is a busy one. Pets are so funny and they have a range of intelligence just like people. I thought the dumb ones were funny and the smart ones were amazing. The clinic I worked for had a really good track record for curing Parvo-pups. I felt sad for the really sick ones, but when I would go in one morning and see a really sick puppy wagging his tail again because he was feeling better it was a "smile" moment.
1 person likes this
@Valenas (1507)
• United States
9 Jun 08
Yes, exactly! Seeing a sick dog heading in the right direction is such a great feeling! As well as a range of intelligence, animals also have a range of emotions. Many humans do not seem to realize that, because they think that humans are not animals themselves, and that we are above every other living creature.
