Hello! I am a senior in highschool and have a paper to write on what makes a good veterinarian. If you could help me with this it would be great!

My question is of course, what makes a good veterinarian?

Should you approach every case differently?

Should you let your person judgement effect how you handle cases?


If you could answer these questions I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you very, very much for your time.

Alpha

Hi, Alpha,

I suggest that you contact your local veterinarian and ask to spend a day in his practice, watching him at work and asking him your question.

W

Here's what your veterinarian probably goes through on a typical day.


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For most practitioners, the day starts early and ends late. After all, there are so many animals that need care in one way or another. Here's what your veterinarian probably goes through on a typical day.

Bright and early ...

Arriving well before appointments, the doctor greets the staff. Hospitalized patients each receive an exam. The vet reviews each chart, observing the overnight progress, and prescribes appropriate treatments. Owners are updated about their pets' conditions and when the patients may be released. Each chart is updated and any new charges are added to the bill.

The veterinarian also provides discharge instructions that explain how the owners should care for their pets at home.

The manic morning

The morning is filled with many appointments. Some pets are here for their routine yearly examinations and vaccinations, while others are ill. Ear infections, fleas, arthritis, diarrhea and "scooting" are complaints that are commonly encountered on a normal day.

The veterinarian will look at the pet's past records to determine if the patient needs any vaccinations, gastrointestinal worm and heartworm testing, or any other procedures.

A lot of what goes on at an animal hospital involves interviewing the clients about their pets (since animals can't speak for themselves). The physical examination, in combination with the information the owner provides, is used to determine the next course of action. Some patients may be admitted to the hospital to allow for more in-depth testing while others may simply be given a prescription and sent home for the owner to monitor.

Between seeing patients, the doctor is keeping an eye on the in-hospital patients and answering questions about phone calls that are critical. Routine phone messages often are saved for when the doctor has some time to get back to the client.

All throughout the day, the doctor will be submitting and interpreting laboratory tests and x-rays. These results may help determine the cause of the patient's signs, or how an animal is responding to a treatment. The veterinarian will notify the clients about the results of these tests.

No lunch break?

After a hectic morning of appointments, the doctor will check which surgeries are scheduled for the day and decide on a specific order. The technicians will set up for surgery while the doctor grabs a quick bite to eat and returns a few phone calls.

Back to the grind

A common surgery schedule usually includes several routine procedures (such as spays and neuters and dental cleanings), and also operations to remove growths. The afternoon will also be peppered with the occasional surgery to remove stones from the urinary bladder of a pet. Sometimes even more complicated surgery may be needed for ill patients -- the vet might treat pyometra or infection within the uterus, remove foreign bodies from the intestinal tract, or perform an orthopedic procedure to repair a fracture. After each procedure, the patient will be taken to a room to recover from anesthesia. Close monitoring will continue throughout the rest of the day.


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All throughout the day, the doctor will be submitting and interpreting laboratory tests and x-rays. These results may help determine the cause of the patient's signs, or how an animal is responding to a treatment.


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Then there are more appointments -- more check-ups and more sick pets to examine. Slots are left open periodically in the schedule in order to allow more time for last minute emergencies or patients that really shouldn't wait until the following day to be seen.

Going home satisfied

A lot of the day, unfortunately, is spent grumbling over the fact that, "We're running behind schedule again!" The goal of any good veterinarian is to provide dedicated care to all of the patients they encounter throughout the day, and being a little late is par for the course when a particular case requires lengthy time or when an in-house patient needs immediate attention.

It is amazing what one veterinarian can see in a single day. However, it is a great day when she can do something to make a difference in the life of an animal ... and the owner. And luckily for all of us, veterinarians have these days very often.

I am happy to say that not all veterinarians lead quite as hectic a time as Mathan seems to do! We some of us do try to make time to have a life outside the veterinary practice.
There are also a few males left working in the profession! ( tho'getting fewer every year!)
Walter

www.vetvideos.coz.in

I think communication and compassion are as important as knowlege and good examination technique.
I'm a VN and i find that sometimes owners are not always as informed as much as they need to be. they don't understand the diseases their pets have and often go to the internet for clarity - which usually end in tears.
Also good communication with the nursing staff helps to get the most out of the nurses and enhances smooth running of treatment.
Even after the hard slog of a 10hr shift, the vet still has to be understanding and compassionate to an owner when they can't make the decision of PTS despite the fact that he/she is dying right before your eyes. Very fustrating for the vet.
i am pleased to say that i don't meet too many vets that arn't.

I am 13 and hoping to become a vet. My dog means my life and our vet is so nice and my dog loves her! and she actually likes going ot the vet(for check up, vaccines, etc.) so i think a vet should be caring, kind, PATIENT(since animals don't always know what you want), and have a love for all animals<3
-Emily_ _ _-xox_!+?

It takes a range of skills and knowledge to work well as a veterinarian. Veterinarians must be good at science, so that they can diagnose problems and recommend treatment. They should continue to learn and educate themselves throughout their careers. They also should have the patience to work with animals.

Resume Sampels

I'm Interested in being a vet, I have made a book about animals and when it is completed I am planning to read it often so that the knowledge in my book will stick around in my head for when I am old enough to be a vet, why don't you try my idea it might help you.
Martin
PS: If you have any other ideas about what makes a good vetinarian then feel free to email me at martyboy3600@googlemail.com

just love animals and not the owner- that makes u a good veterenarian.

I would agree with Susan's comment that a good veterinary surgeon requires strong communication skills and compassion as well as knowlege and good examination technique but I would add a high level of confidence to that criteria as well. I have just transferred my two dogs to a new veterinary practice after having been with the same practice for 9 years. After many years of simply asking my vet to administer annual booster jabs, I never really knew what a good vet was until my old dog (who has atopic dermatitis) developed a pyoderma which lasted for four months. Half way through his treatment and having dealt with four out of six vets in the usual practice, I wasn't happy with my dog's progress so I requested that he be referred to a specialist. To say that this request did not go down well was an under statement and I found myself browsing on the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeon's (RCVS) website and their Code of Practice to make sure that I was on a sound footing for requesting the refferal.

The difference in dealing with the specialist compared to the normal vet was like chalk and cheese and for the first time in my dog owning life I realised what sorts the 'wheat from the chaff' in veterinary circles! Sure, the specialist attracted the higher fee but in my mind it was like that old Fairy Washing Up Liquid advert - penny for penny the more expensive Fairy lasts twice as long and gives you value for money in the long run. Needless to say, I didn't stay with my normal practice for much longer after being referred back to them and I transferred both of my dogs to a new practice when a convenient opportunity arose.

From experience I know that vets gain a lot of new business through pet owners singing their praises but usually pet owners have no knowledge of other vets and therefore their recommendations have no foundation. They tend to suffer from the dog breeders equivalent of 'kennel blindness' when it comes to appraising their usual practice and can't see any faults with them. For years I thought my practice was a good one but I realised that it's not until you ask your vet(s) to pull out all the stops and get to the nub of the problem do you actually discover how good or bad they actually are. Refferals and second opinions are prickly subjects in veterinary circles, however, in the best interests of your animal if you feel that is appropriate to request a refferal or a second opinion, even if it means upsetting your usual vet, then go for it in my opinion - I did and it was the best thing that I ever did.

I would recommend visiting the RCVS.org website. Many free publications on the site which will help you including the code of practice.

Hi Suzanne,

Due to some difficulties that I experienced in obtaining a refferal to a specialist dermatologist (my usual practice wasn't keen on the idea and I soon found out why!) I was 'forced' to become very familiar with the RCVS's Code of Practice and I was pleased that I did and would agree with your comments and encourage every pet owner to familiarise themselves with this code. I would also encourage them to watch Vets TV on the internet - especially the video clip with the lawyer and what vets should do when things go wrong and how to manage client's expectations.

On the subject of the Code - Walter Beswick, the moderator of this forum, is listed under the section as a working party member concerning the 'Report of the working party to consider the interface between the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966 and the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986'.

Kindest regards

Ian

Hello, my name is Rachel. I plan on being a vet, due to my studies. Vets need to care for animals. Some parts are hard, like putting them to sleep. Some are easy, doing a checkup, and some make you shine, like after preforming surgrey. I hope you liked this.

My name is Brooke and I am in grade 8. I want to have the career of being a veterinarian. Your article is very helpful to see what I should be expecting. I love animals; my family says that I am great with animals, which is true. I don`t think I have any fear of any animals. I want to live in the country and have my own veterinarian`s office for house pets and farm animals(any animals). Again, your article was inspiring to me, so thank you!


Sincerelly,
Brooke Henry

my name is jessica im in the 11th grade at mount airy high school. my whole life i wanted to be a veterinarian but when i started school my grades arent that good so i just wwant to know what i should do about that can any one help me

Hi,

If you live in the UK unless you can achieve A levels at A or A* grades inj Chemistry, Biology and Physics/Maths
you have no chance.

W

What makes a good vet? Not an easy question to answer. Dedication, compassion, communication skills, an appreciation of your own limitations, honesty amongst others, but above all a sense of humour! We'd go mad without one of those. Oh, and a strong stomach...
I am a practicing vet, and my advice for all those above who 'want to be a vet' is get yourself to local farms, kennels and stables and work with the animals. Some of you won't like it, its often a profession that is associated with far more glamour than it deserves, and also universities are far more interested in your practical experience in handling animals than days spent in vet practices.
And to those who haven't been happy with your vet, bear in mind not all first opinion vets are cast from the same mould, look around find one you can form a bond with and trust and things can only gett better from there!
Good luck all.

Hi Everyone,

Im writing a report and i have some questions please help me answer them.

1. what do you have to do to get this job?
2.who are some of the people who have this job?
3.when could you be able to do this job?(age restrictions,etc.)
4.where would you have to go to have this job?(would osu be a good school for this?)
And finally i want this job because i love animals and i want to help them as much as possible.
please help me,
airborn6500

Hey Airborn!

Looking at your inquisition for veterinarian career I just wanted to give you some information. Veterinarians are those who provide healthcare for pets, livestock, and zoo, sporting, and laboratory animals. Most perform clinical work in private practices. Of those, the majority work with small animals while a few work with large animals, including food animals, only.

To become a veterinarian one must earn a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M. or V.M.D.) degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine. Most veterinarians begin as employees in established practices and when they become experienced, set up their own practice or purchase an established one.

The following site may help you in getting the required information. [www.bls.gov]
I hope the above information would be able to answer to all your questions.

Thanks

i think a good vet is getting to the very heart of the problem in a quick amout of time. And doing as much as you can to solve it!

the heart and skill is what makes a good vet you haft to care and love animals you also haft to make sacrifices like making a deshion for whats good for that animal make shore to do the right thing even if it hurts

I haven't been thinking of being a veterinarian for long. In fact I was thinking of being a firefighter. Since 5th grade I learned I had a passion animals. Im in 6th now. Well a good vet should love and care for not only humans , but animals. They should have passion for animals like me. A good bet should be hard-working and doing a good job.