A glimpse into the life of a vet

[ladyskydiver 0]

I wake up before the alarm wondering if I'll be able to handle watching surgery at the vet's office...will I like what I see...is this something that I could do as a career? So many thoughts whirling through my mind...so many questions.

Ok...off to the vet I go. I'm early and sit outside enjoying the beauty of the day. Time to go in and see what's in store for the day. Will it answer my questions or will there be more?

I get taken into the back and see Dr. M. and am greeted warmly. He used to take care of my babies when I had them so I know his personality and know I can ask any questions I want/need to. I know that he will answer them honestly and give me a good idea of whether or not this will be the right choice for me. I, also, have Dr. A. as a sounding board as well.

I get to see a few exams - blood samples taken, shots given, dogs weighed - nothing scary or hard here. There are two surgeries scheduled - a spaying of a cat and a neutering of a dog - that I can watch if I'd like.

I've already been petting the kitten they are going to spay - she's a 5 month old loveable kitten who just wants to be pet, held, and investigate things. I watch as the techs prep the kitten and knock her out, put the tube down her throat, shave her little belly....awww...she's so sweet and adorable.

While they are waiting for her to be completely out, I ask Dr. A. "If you had to do it all over again with the knowledge you have now, would you go back to vet school?" His answer was interesting. He said that his values in life have changed in the last 20 years and that although he loves his job, he probably would have been a doctor in a third world country instead of a vet. Interesting...he then went on to explain how he felt the perfect career would be determined - enjoyment of the job (value), gifted (ability to put everything together - not only facts but to visualize the possibilities that exist), and $ (defined by opportunities and competition) - and that the perfect job/career would be where those intersected each other. Dr. A, also, mentions that being an office manager of a vet's office is a possibility if I didn't want to go to vet school but wanted to work with animals as I'd still get hands on with the animals to an extent but won't end up about $95,000 in debt with a minimum of 6-8 years in school.

I walk away from our conversation and go into the surgery room where Dr. M. is performing the spaying with my thoughts in a whirl dreading what I'll see. What I see is a big blue paper sheet with a little hole cut out and some skin with an incision in it and a gob of "stuff" on top of the sheet. Curious...I walk closer not even phased by what I know it is and start asking questions - tiny incision....dissolvable stiches? Is this the uterus? Why are you doing it this way? Tons of questions with every one answered and even more knowledge passed on. I missed the best part he said.

So I ask Dr. M the same thing - would you do it again if you could? He said yes...although he grew up in as a hippy and he didn't always feel the same and at times questioned his choice going into the field. Long hours and not the best money in the world but worth it.

Now, it's time to neuter the dog. He's an older dog (approx. 4-5 years old) and is being prepped. Passed out puppy and into the surgery room. This time I'm sitting there for the whole thing. (And, yes, sitting because Dr. M and I agreed it'd be a lot easier in case I got sick/passed out to be sitting. ) I watch the incision...the removal of the dogs balls, and the stiching up of the incision. Ouch!!! Looked painful!! Thank God for painkillers!!! But, I didn't get queasy...sick...or anything!

I then talk to the office manager. She's been in the field for 26 years, started by cleaning cages and worked her way up. She definitely would do it again although she did at times question things.

I leave the office with an invite to come back again and with more thoughts going through my head but lots of answers.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[kai2k1 0]

Nice story Cora. So it didnt freak you out too bad?

I think we have a new vet in our midst.

There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan

[ladyskydiver 0]

Thanks! It didn't freak me out at all. I was surprised that it didn't bother me.

Quote

I think we have a new vet in our midst.

Possible...very possible.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[nael 0]

I was a vet nurse for 4 years. I left about 4 months ago, got sick of it. In Australia there's not much further to progress being a vet nurse, unless you want to go to vet school, but I had no desire to be a vet after knowing what they put up with!

Good luck to you. I hope you find whatever it is you're looking for.

www.TerminalSports.com.auAustralia's largest skydive gear store

[vanillasky11 0]

Great story. Im glad you got the chance to see first hand, some of the things being a vet has to offer.

For the last 9 years I have been a vet tech, and I love the job. I sometimes don't like the people, and you are faced with very difficult decisions on a regular basis, but, if you can take anything from it, its a constant learning experience. It's not a regular job with repetition, you get to see many things, and meet many great animals and people. You make lasting friends with longtime clients, and you become very attached to some animals as if they are your own. I started from nowhere and have built my experience level up, to the point where I can go to many places and be hired as a tech, because good ones with good experience are hard to find.
There are pros and cons to every job, and this field certainly has a lot of both. But I find it very rewarding. No matter how bad of a day I have, I don't lose site of why I do it, and what makes me so good at it.--Because I love it.

"You haven't seen a tree until you've seen its shadow from the sky." -- Amelia Earhart

[QuickDraw 0]

Quote

but won't end up about $95,000 in debt with a minimum of 6-8 years in school.

w00t ?

Is that full-time school ?
Nice job though ..apart from the heartache bit.

-- Hope you don't die. --

I'm fucking winning

[ladyskydiver 0]

Yeah...large $$$ to get the degree, and there's no guarantee that even getting all the pre-reqs that I'll get accepted into vet school as it is highly competitive. From what the vets said and what the schools I looked at have, I could do all but the final year part-time. The final year would have to be full-time.

The vets did discuss the heartaches - not only the ones that have to be put down either due to health issues or just 'cause - but also those that they lose unexpectedly on the operating table.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[mailin 0]

Thats so cool!

I hold vet's in the highest esteem. They have always done well by me and my babies and the few I've had have always helped me say goodbye to a bestfriend in the best way possible.

Good luck Cora, I bet you'll love it
Jen

Arianna Frances

[Squeak 17]

Nice story Cora.
However I do find it interesting that you refer to the Female cats anatomy using correct teminology and the male dogs anatomy using "balls" (slang) hmmmm what could be read into that.

You are not now, nor will you ever be, good enough to not die in this sport (Sparky)
My Life ROCKS!
How's yours doing?

[flyangel2 2]

Way to go girly.

I love my vet. I'm sure you'll be loved by all your clients.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[happythoughts 0]

Quote

I watch the incision...the removal of the dogs balls

A description of a day working at the vets...

"...so I'm holding these balls."

[ladyskydiver 0]

So I was being lazy and didn't type testicles.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[ladyskydiver 0]

Thanks, Mary!

Hey...how's Rose?

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[flyangel2 2]

Rose is great. Did you read it, the vet got clean margins

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey

[ladyskydiver 0]

YEAH!!! Happy Dance!

Nope...missed the post and was beginning to worry. YEAH!!! I'm so happy for her and you.
Hugs to you and a scratch and hug to her.

Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile.

[flyangel2 2]

Yup, the vet called me at work. I was doing the happy dance in the office, Rose came out from under my desk, and joined me. She could understand every word I was saying.

The only problem was the cancer lump was wrapped around a major blood vessel, and the vet had to remove that vessel. She said that Rose would be bruised up, and she wasn't kinding. But she's doing fine. The other vessels in the area will have to kick in.

May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds. - Edward Abbey