ladyskydiver 0 #1 February 22, 2005 As some of you know, I've been debating on going back to school to become a vet. I decided that before I spend the time and money to go back and get all the science classes I'll need and then go through vet school that I wanted to shadow a vet for part of a day. Since I'm laid off, I figured this would be the perfect opportunity to do so and contacted my old vet. I'm going to be shadowing him and another vet on March 1st starting at 9am. I get to watch him doing a checkup and then some surgery. Not sure how I'm going to handle the surgery aspects of it, but it will definitely be an informative day for me and will help me decide if going back to school for a vet would be the right thing for me.Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #2 February 22, 2005 Cool for you! I'll be interested to hear how it goes. Going back to school (kind of on a whim) has been a really good decision for me....at least so far. Good luck! linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #3 February 22, 2005 Make sure you are present for euthanasia procedures as well. My wife wanted to be a vet. She became an animal nurse and worked at a clinic while applying to vet school. She decided to take another road and be a people nurse. Turns out it is easier for her to deal with human death than animal death. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kai2k1 0 #4 February 22, 2005 Right ON Cora!!! I think you'll totally love what you're going to be doing. Vets are truly angels for our pets. There's no truer sense of flying than sky diving," Scott Cowan Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #5 February 22, 2005 Thanks! I'll definitely do a write up on how it goes. I'm looking forward to it as it will answer some questions and dreading it as I'm terrified of the surgery part. I don't want to be a wuss and get sick or pass out or anything like that when surgery's going on. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #6 February 22, 2005 QuoteMake sure you are present for euthanasia procedures as well. My wife wanted to be a vet. She became an animal nurse and worked at a clinic while applying to vet school. She decided to take another road and be a people nurse. Turns out it is easier for her to deal with human death than animal death. I've already been present for the euthanasia of a pet (my ex-husband's cat) so I know my reaction to that one. I couldn't let the vet put the cat down without having someone he knew present so I was there when he was euthanized. I ended up totally pissed off at the vet that was doing it as he blew out the cats veins in one leg and ended up threatening the vet that if he continued to hurt the cat, he'd be the one hurting. Needless to say that vet got another one to finish the process so that he didn't have to worry about what I'd do to him. I did end up in tears for the cat - when his vein was blown out and when I watched him take his last breath. But the cat was old, couldn't eat, getting constantly sick, and trying to bite anyone and everyone so it was time for him to go. Still sucked. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #7 February 22, 2005 I bet you'll do better than you think through surgery. Of course we weren't involved in any surgery until after gross anatomy. Maybe that desensitized us, but only one person in my class got sick during surgery that I ever heard about. It really wasn't bad at all. Maybe it's different with animals than with people, but I bet not much.... Euthanasia....that could be difficult. But I know how important it was for me to have a very caring vet when I had to put my dog down a year ago. It might be one of those things that's difficult to think about. But I also bet that once you've been in the field for a little while your perspective on it would change. That's just my imagination working though... linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #8 February 22, 2005 Quote I've already been present for the euthanasia of a pet (my ex-husband's cat) so I know my reaction to that one. I couldn't let the vet put the cat down without having someone he knew present so I was there when he was euthanized. I ended up totally pissed off at the vet that was doing it as he blew out the cats veins in one leg and ended up threatening the vet that if he continued to hurt the cat, he'd be the one hurting. Needless to say that vet got another one to finish the process so that he didn't have to worry about what I'd do to him. I did end up in tears for the cat - when his vein was blown out and when I watched him take his last breath. But the cat was old, couldn't eat, getting constantly sick, and trying to bite anyone and everyone so it was time for him to go. Still sucked. Those aren't the bad ones. Its the people who have an otherwise healthy young animal that want to put it down in lieu of spending more than its replacement cost to fix it. Also the reason I have an animal sanctuary in my house. When I told my wife she couldn't bring any more home, she quit. Although she really tried to hold on to the fact that she would be doing more good than harm, she just couldn't do it. Best of luck to you. Getting in to vet school is damn hard. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #9 February 22, 2005 QuoteQuote I've already been present for the euthanasia of a pet (my ex-husband's cat) so I know my reaction to that one. I couldn't let the vet put the cat down without having someone he knew present so I was there when he was euthanized. I ended up totally pissed off at the vet that was doing it as he blew out the cats veins in one leg and ended up threatening the vet that if he continued to hurt the cat, he'd be the one hurting. Needless to say that vet got another one to finish the process so that he didn't have to worry about what I'd do to him. I did end up in tears for the cat - when his vein was blown out and when I watched him take his last breath. But the cat was old, couldn't eat, getting constantly sick, and trying to bite anyone and everyone so it was time for him to go. Still sucked. Those aren't the bad ones. Its the people who have an otherwise healthy young animal that want to put it down in lieu of spending more than its replacement cost to fix it. Also the reason I have an animal sanctuary in my house. When I told my wife she couldn't bring any more home, she quit. Although she really tried to hold on to the fact that she would be doing more good than harm, she just couldn't do it. Best of luck to you. Getting in to vet school is damn hard. Know what? I bet as a veterinarian you can REFUSE to put down animals except when you feel it is necessary/for the good of the animal. I doubt that there is some entity that forces this highly-educated, professional person to euthanize any animal.... linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Muenkel 0 #10 February 22, 2005 Good luck Cora! If you can possibly look at the surgery as a healing procedure, it might help you get through that part. I look forward to hearing how it goes. Chris _________________________________________ Chris Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
eeneR 3 #11 February 22, 2005 QuoteKnow what? I bet as a veterinarian you can REFUSE to put down animals except when you feel it is necessary/for the good of the animal. I doubt that there is some entity that forces this highly-educated, professional person to euthanize any animal.... The thing is...then what do you do with the animals? You cannot keep all of them. You sure as hell couldnt send them back home with the owner, as they would just take it elsewhere. You are realy stuck in a very very difficult situation. Just the same with the shelters that get state aid. 90% or better have to put animals down all the time due to space issues. I thank god the shelter i worked at was a no kill facility.She is not a "Dumb Blonde" - She is a "Light-Haired Detour Off The Information Superhighway." eeneR TF#72, FB#4130, Incauto Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #12 February 22, 2005 Jeannie is a vet. I don't have her number, but a bunch of people on the dz do. Give her a call and spend a day at work with her. Good luck. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ladyskydiver 0 #13 February 22, 2005 QuoteThose aren't the bad ones. Its the people who have an otherwise healthy young animal that want to put it down in lieu of spending more than its replacement cost to fix it. Also the reason I have an animal sanctuary in my house. When I told my wife she couldn't bring any more home, she quit. Although she really tried to hold on to the fact that she would be doing more good than harm, she just couldn't do it. Best of luck to you. Getting in to vet school is damn hard. Thanks! Yes, I've seen that getting into vet school is hard. If it's meant to be, it will be. Putting down a healthy animal - that one would be exceptionally hard for me. And like you and your wife, I'd probably end up with an animal sanctuary and take it as many as I could. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites ladyskydiver 0 #14 February 22, 2005 Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Lindsey 0 #15 February 22, 2005 Yeah....I think the owners could take them elsewhere. I think it's a good message to send to pet owners, that you will NOT put an animal down because the pet has inconvenienced the person in some way... I would have no problem sending them on their way, though it is a sad situation for the pet. Just as you say, it's horrible to have the numbers of pets put down in shelters every day. BUT because a person becomes a veterinarian she doesn't suddenly carry the weight of all animals on her shoulders....unless that's a weight she wants to carry. But stopping the problem at the front door of your own clinic is not difficult to accomplish. linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites JohnnyD 0 #16 February 22, 2005 Quote Know what? I bet as a veterinarian you can REFUSE to put down animals except when you feel it is necessary/for the good of the animal. I doubt that there is some entity that forces this highly-educated, professional person to euthanize any animal.... linz Unfortunately, no. The vet can recommend but can not demand a course of treatment. They are required to follow the wishes of the pet's owner. There's paperwork and everything. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Snowwhite 0 #17 February 22, 2005 QuoteQuoteKnow what? I bet as a veterinarian you can REFUSE to put down animals except when you feel it is necessary/for the good of the animal. I doubt that there is some entity that forces this highly-educated, professional person to euthanize any animal.... The thing is...then what do you do with the animals? You cannot keep all of them. You sure as hell couldnt send them back home with the owner, as they would just take it elsewhere. You are realy stuck in a very very difficult situation. Just the same with the shelters that get state aid. 90% or better have to put animals down all the time due to space issues. I thank god the shelter i worked at was a no kill facility. >> we have a shelter in our area that claims to be "no kill" in reality, they have cats that are in cages for 15 years and so wild no one can get next to them, and when they have too many dogs, they bring them into our "kill" shelter and have them offed.skydiveTaylorville.org freefallbeth@yahoo.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Lindsey 0 #18 February 22, 2005 QuoteQuote Know what? I bet as a veterinarian you can REFUSE to put down animals except when you feel it is necessary/for the good of the animal. I doubt that there is some entity that forces this highly-educated, professional person to euthanize any animal.... linz Unfortunately, no. The vet can recommend but can not demand a course of treatment. They are required to follow the wishes of the pet's owner. There's paperwork and everything. Really???? A vet CANNOT refuse to put an animal to sleep? Amazing.... What requires them to do that? or Who? linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites RoadRash 0 #19 February 23, 2005 Awesome!!! I hope everything goes well and that you have a blast!! Unfortunately....I have seen an owl disection...following a euthanasia...and I have seen tubes put into primates (a gibbon and a spider monkey...) So you are definitely in for a treat...! It's amazing to watch how vets handle animals...~R+R~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Fly the friendly skies...^_^...})ii({...^_~... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites Join the conversation You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account. Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible. Reply to this topic... × Pasted as rich text. 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ladyskydiver 0 #13 February 22, 2005 QuoteThose aren't the bad ones. Its the people who have an otherwise healthy young animal that want to put it down in lieu of spending more than its replacement cost to fix it. Also the reason I have an animal sanctuary in my house. When I told my wife she couldn't bring any more home, she quit. Although she really tried to hold on to the fact that she would be doing more good than harm, she just couldn't do it. Best of luck to you. Getting in to vet school is damn hard. Thanks! Yes, I've seen that getting into vet school is hard. If it's meant to be, it will be. Putting down a healthy animal - that one would be exceptionally hard for me. And like you and your wife, I'd probably end up with an animal sanctuary and take it as many as I could. Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ladyskydiver 0 #14 February 22, 2005 Life is short! Break the rules! Forgive quickly! Kiss slowly! Love truly, Laugh uncontrollably. And never regret anything that made you smile. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #15 February 22, 2005 Yeah....I think the owners could take them elsewhere. I think it's a good message to send to pet owners, that you will NOT put an animal down because the pet has inconvenienced the person in some way... I would have no problem sending them on their way, though it is a sad situation for the pet. Just as you say, it's horrible to have the numbers of pets put down in shelters every day. BUT because a person becomes a veterinarian she doesn't suddenly carry the weight of all animals on her shoulders....unless that's a weight she wants to carry. But stopping the problem at the front door of your own clinic is not difficult to accomplish. linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnnyD 0 #16 February 22, 2005 Quote Know what? I bet as a veterinarian you can REFUSE to put down animals except when you feel it is necessary/for the good of the animal. I doubt that there is some entity that forces this highly-educated, professional person to euthanize any animal.... linz Unfortunately, no. The vet can recommend but can not demand a course of treatment. They are required to follow the wishes of the pet's owner. There's paperwork and everything. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Snowwhite 0 #17 February 22, 2005 QuoteQuoteKnow what? I bet as a veterinarian you can REFUSE to put down animals except when you feel it is necessary/for the good of the animal. I doubt that there is some entity that forces this highly-educated, professional person to euthanize any animal.... The thing is...then what do you do with the animals? You cannot keep all of them. You sure as hell couldnt send them back home with the owner, as they would just take it elsewhere. You are realy stuck in a very very difficult situation. Just the same with the shelters that get state aid. 90% or better have to put animals down all the time due to space issues. I thank god the shelter i worked at was a no kill facility. >> we have a shelter in our area that claims to be "no kill" in reality, they have cats that are in cages for 15 years and so wild no one can get next to them, and when they have too many dogs, they bring them into our "kill" shelter and have them offed.skydiveTaylorville.org freefallbeth@yahoo.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lindsey 0 #18 February 22, 2005 QuoteQuote Know what? I bet as a veterinarian you can REFUSE to put down animals except when you feel it is necessary/for the good of the animal. I doubt that there is some entity that forces this highly-educated, professional person to euthanize any animal.... linz Unfortunately, no. The vet can recommend but can not demand a course of treatment. They are required to follow the wishes of the pet's owner. There's paperwork and everything. Really???? A vet CANNOT refuse to put an animal to sleep? Amazing.... What requires them to do that? or Who? linz-- A conservative is just a liberal who's been mugged. A liberal is just a conservative who's been to jail Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RoadRash 0 #19 February 23, 2005 Awesome!!! I hope everything goes well and that you have a blast!! Unfortunately....I have seen an owl disection...following a euthanasia...and I have seen tubes put into primates (a gibbon and a spider monkey...) So you are definitely in for a treat...! It's amazing to watch how vets handle animals...~R+R~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Fly the friendly skies...^_^...})ii({...^_~... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites