If you’re thinking about becoming a veterinarian, you’re probably imagining something along the lines of how wondrous it will be to save the lives of furry little animals and get to play with puppies and kitties all day long. Unfortunately, that is far from the case. Although you do get to enjoy the company of lots of animals, it’s not all warm fuzzies. One problem that faces veterinarians is the desire to save all of the animals, or passersby dropping off strays. You have to learn you can’t take them all in, or you’d be a zoo keeper instead of a vet. But that’s the least of your worries - here are the pros and cons.
Animal-Oriented Education
Pro: Human medicine isn’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean veterinarians don’t like operating, diagnosing, and doing lab work. Veterinarians have essentially the same credentials as regular doctors, just for things with four legs or wings instead. Just like in the human world, you have the option of specializing. You can be a doggy dentist or an internal medicine doctor; you can open your own clinic, work with a lot of other doctors, or work in the emergency room. Being a vet isn’t just being a vet.
Con: It takes a lot of years of schooling, just like people medicine, so if you think you’re getting off easy by going to vet school, you’re wrong. You still have to do internships and spend extra years in school. Not only that, but a lot of undergraduates get their degree in things like biology before going into veterinary school. While that is helpful, it doesn’t prepare you for a lot of things you’re expected to know, so it’s important to look for a school with an animal care program during the undergraduate stage of your degree work.
Cuddles vs. Bites
Pro: Puppies and kittens: Yes, you do get to play with them, and lots of other sweet tempered, well-kept animals that will let you do whatever you want to them. Some cats are very complacent and sit quietly while you look in their ears and stare at their butts. You get the chance to really use all that knowledge you acquired in school, because such a wide array of animals with such a wide array of illnesses come in needing your help. And many owners who actually bring their pets into clinics are responsible owners who take what you say seriously, keep vaccines and check-ups up-to-date, and are pleasant to work with.
Con: The 150-pound German Shepherds who fear-bite every time you try to give them a shot, poop on the floor out of terror when you listen to their heart, and require five technicians to hold them down so you can get a good look at them. Ill-tempered dachshunds, who are pretty vicious despite their small stature, tearing into your hand just because you tried to pet them. And their owners can be just as nasty. Not only that, but many of them just don’t want to spend the money necessary on their animal, when you know very well that you could save it.
Miracles and Bodily Fluids
Pro: Saving lives. Some of those puppies that come in have life-threatening illnesses, like parvo, and older dogs come in with liver failure and all sorts of other issues. Sometimes you can’t save them - and that’s a con. But sometimes you work a miracle with your own two hands, bringing four-legged family members practically back from the dead. Nothing feels better than that.
Con: Really gross stuff. Some animals come in covered in urine with tape worms hanging out of their rectum and all sorts of human communicable skin diseases. You spend a good portion of your time dealing with stool samples and vomit (although you do get the benefit of having vet assistants and vet techs who deal with a lot of that stuff). And operations aren’t limited to the abdomen; sometimes you get the very great pleasure of surgically removing anal glands.
