Hostility towards veterinarians

insignia100 · 02-14-12, 11:07 PM

So, maybe I'm going to make an *** out of myself for this post, but I've noticed a hostility towards the veterinary profession by a lot of people (not this forum... just in general, mainly dog and cat owners since that is who I have dealt with the most). I was just curious if you all could give me some insight on why this hostility might exist?

Rogue628 · 02-14-12, 11:16 PM

I've never personally noticed hostilities towards vets and I used to be a vet tech long time ago. But maybe things have changed.

The only issue I have with some vets (mainly in my area) is they say they treat all animals but don't know anything about snakes. Even the vet I worked for treated gerbils, ferrets, and birds....all considered exotics...but didn't have a clue about reptiles. Seems to be the case with the vets here.

The only exception is Doc, the zoo vet, but I don't think he no longer has an office since he's always at the zoo.

insignia100 · 02-14-12, 11:20 PM

Yea, our education is really lacking in reptile medicine, but I can't really blame the schools. They only have so much time to teach us mountains of information, so they have to choose between interests and what is economically viable. For instance, there is almost no money in reptile medicine compared to small animal (though I know there are reptile vets out there that make a good living). As an example, we get about as much reptile medicine class time as we do swine... about a week and a half. Unfortunately there's just more money in small animals, equine (GEEZ, there's a ton of money in equine if you know your stuff and get a job in a good location), and food animal.

Rogue628 · 02-14-12, 11:25 PM

True, but it has to start somewhere right? Isn't that how most human doctors start in general medicine? I know there's specialist now that make tons of money but before they specialized, there wasn't any money in it. Even if a vet would take more interest in animals he can possibly see aside from cats, dogs, popular exotics, equine, and food animals, he would eventual get more clients who have those animals. It would be a slow process but would pay off in the end, I think.

BarelyBreathing · 02-14-12, 11:25 PM

I actually love my vets! They're really great (both my mammal and reptile vets). I do understand the hostility though, because I have often seen people post on other forums about how they took their reptile to their cat vet and the cat vet misdiagnosed and subsequently killed their reptile.

insignia100 · 02-14-12, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue628

True, but it has to start somewhere right? Isn't that how most human doctors start in general medicine? I know there's specialist now that make tons of money but before they specialized, there wasn't any money in it. Even if a vet would take more interest in animals he can possibly see aside from cats, dogs, popular exotics, equine, and food animals, he would eventual get more clients who have those animals. It would be a slow process but would pay off in the end, I think.

Absolutely, and thats one of the reasons I'm so interested in reptile medicine. There may not be a big enough market to support just seeing reptile patients, but I know back home in WV there were plenty of opportunities to see reptile patients if doctors would just show the interest. You know, when I graduate I won't get a diploma that says "dog and cat doctor", it will say doctor of veterinary medicine, which includes ALL animals (even if that means you have to look something up in a text book and play the trial and error game sometimes).

insignia100 · 02-14-12, 11:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

I actually love my vets! They're really great (both my mammal and reptile vets). I do understand the hostility though, because I have often seen people post on other forums about how they took their reptile to their cat vet and the cat vet misdiagnosed and subsequently killed their reptile.

Well, one of the most common misconceptions I've seen is that people assume our salaries are on par with human doctors (even though my debt WILL be). Trust me, I'm not doing this for the money. Average starting salary is around $60,000, but by the time you figure that half of that will be going to pay off my $250,000 student loans (which is what I will owe including interest by the time it is paid off)... it certainly is not as lucrative as some might think.

Rogue628 · 02-14-12, 11:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

I actually love my vets! They're really great (both my mammal and reptile vets). I do understand the hostility though, because I have often seen people post on other forums about how they took their reptile to their cat vet and the cat vet misdiagnosed and subsequently killed their reptile.

I can understand that to a certain extent. If you do not have a reptile vet in your area and you have no choice but to take them to a normal vet, then you must understand that there's a chance of misdiagnosis. You can't really blame the vet (much), but the circumstances and environment. That's why I work so hard to make sure my animals get the best husbandry I can provide. I'm extremely OCD about my animals, sometimes to the point of doing cage cleanings twice a day. As soon as I notice something that needs to be cleaned up, I clean their cages completely, not just spot clean. I keep a constant vigil on their heat and humidity, especially lately since the weather can't decide if it's wants to be hot or cold and it keeps screwing with my humidity and room temps.

Insignia, what are your vet plans once you get licensed?

BarelyBreathing · 02-14-12, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by insignia100

Well, one of the most common misconceptions I've seen is that people assume our salaries are on par with human doctors (even though my debt WILL be). Trust me, I'm not doing this for the money. Average starting salary is around $60,000, but by the time you figure that half of that will be going to pay off my $250,000 student loans (which is what I will owe including interest by the time it is paid off)... it certainly is not as lucrative as some might think.

Huh? I didn't say anything about money...

insignia100 · 02-14-12, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

Huh? I didn't say anything about money...

Sorry, I've got bovine neonatal diarrhea on the brain... I think I was just pointing out something... I think. I also think I need sleep.

Trent · 02-14-12, 11:43 PM

I love my vet as well,but the price for vet care has gone way up.Might have something to do with as well.

insignia100 · 02-14-12, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rogue628

Insignia, what are your vet plans once you get licensed?

Either back home in WV, Tennessee, or possibly Virginia... but honestly, it will probably be wherever I can find a job (with the option of moving later).