What’s happening to veterinarians? Burnout and suicide are causing a crisis within the profession
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- čas přidán 12. 05. 2022
- From L.A. Times Studios: Veterinarian Karen Halligan says an epidemic of burnout in the profession is affecting care for animals. She warns tight profit margins, massive student debt and high rates of pet euthanasia during the pandemic are driving veterinarians out of the industry.
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I agree. I left the field... I'm working as a medical receptionist in human medicine even though I'm a CVT. Burnout is real 😔💔 I love animals, but my mental health spiraled working in animal medicine.
Good on you for putting yourself first. Working in the field of Veterinary medicine is no cakewalk, the stress, pressure and demands it put on you is devastating, and honestly not worth it. I'm working on getting out.
It’s very stressful. I’m starting to second guess getting my license to become LVT . I may just go out for behaviorist . I love physiology and working fear free. I’m certified in level one working on #2 and I want to try doing all and going to school and moving forward. I love vet medicine, but with recent events I just don’t know if I should stay with it. 😞😞
I went the other way. After 20 years in human med, I decided to leave the field, and go to vet med. I have learned so much, and habe great compassion for the drs lvts on down.
@@stephanieboonifer1633 that's awesome. I'm happy for you.🙏🧡 It can be a very rewarding field. I'm working on becoming a registered dental hygienist. I love the medical field, but I needed a field less demanding on my heart. I'm super sensitive and really struggled emotionally working in vet med. Thankful for people like you who love vet medicine I have a lot of respect for those in the profession. It's not an easy field to work in. Happy you found your happy place 😊
I wonder why?! Maybe it's because you know your doing the animals a disservice and ripping off people who cannot afford it to begin with? Ya I would have nightmares too
Corporate greed ruins everything.
will u marry me
As a vet - Thank you...
Thank you for your service
I would like to say thanks to all vets around the world. I am currently in Lebanon and had to take some cats to the vet hospital. One kitten was almost dead when we arrived. The Vet a young lady named Joanna Haddad of Paradise pet hospital, immediately started working on the kitten. The doctor managed to bring up the temperature of the kitten and placed an IV and other medication. I left the hospital expecting to hear bad news, however to my surprise the doctor saved the kitten just in time. They opened the hospital recently and are serving many animals in need of care. The hospital charges are very affordable especially with the economic situation in Lebanon. I would like to thank Joanna and her team for a great job and the care that they are putting in order to help the animals.
Veterinary technicians are just as burnt out and more underpaid… the veterinary profession really needs to have more support, pay and respect
I’ve had the worst experience with staff just because they chose that job. Does it mean they get to treat customers like crap? It sets the whole mood of the visit. Everyone’ is underpaid that has a calling. They should know that they are going to be underpaid not appreciated like police officers. Firefighters paramedics are military veterans, elderly it’s society society is changed.
@@carama3590 then you should probably find a new clinic to go to. The vast majority of vet techs are kind and compassionate, and the vast majority of the time we do not receive the same kindness back. I have literally been bitten by a dog without even doing anything to it yet, and the owners looked at me as if I was lazy when I told them that a nail trim could not be performed today due to the bite towards me and another coworker who simply walked past the dog and it lunged. I showed them my bitten hand, wrapped in a bandage, they rolled their eyes saying he’s an Angel.
I don’t expect kindness from clients, I only ask understanding when perhaps the previous client staff interaction that tech had was one of disrespect and disregard. It doesn’t excuse giving that attitude back, but I’ll tell you that the biggest most respectful thing a client can do for their vet tech staff is at least make it a point to 1) remember their name and 2) say thank you (name) at the end of an appointment if it’s warranted. I would be surprised if over 90% of clients know the person in front of thems name when it doesn’t follow the title doctor.
@@carama3590I’m a vet tech and I always try to treat my clients with respect because I’m glad that they’re bringing in their pet. If they’re rude to me, I’ll still be nice just not as nice as I normally would be. I’m sorry you’ve had a bad experience with your vet office, I promise not all of us are like that
What she said about corporations taking over vet services is so true. A vet surgeon told me procedures that she used to charge a couple hundred $ a few years ago, now go for over 10 times as much.
I have the best vet!!!! I went through a year trying to save my rabbit, Bea. She let me run credit with her (something she had never done-ever), she didn't charge for certain things, she offered sample meds. I don't regret one dime. And I know the vet was rooting for her just as much as I was. When ultimately I had to put her to sleep the vet took care of everything and again trusted me to pay. I all but lost my mind after. Jump forward, a year later and two new bunnies, I took them to her for their first checkups. When I walked in they had kept all of Bea's things that entire year knowing I'd be back eventually.
I absolutley can understand how devastating it would be to be a vet seeing abuse, money before life, wanting to treat animals but ending up essentially emotionally treating the people, relentless hours..... on and on.
As a vet from Germany, praticing in the Netherlands, I can unfortunately cocmpletely agree with the mentioned crisis like conditions of our profession. Luckily we do not have to put up with those tremendous student depts but all other points also apply to work here. We also face little appreciation for our work, which I would also want to emphasise and financial euthanasia is almost establishing itself within many owners ethics/realities as a quick and comfortable solution for not dealing with health issues. I have encountered many owners consciously neglecting issues to the point that euthanasia was neccessary in order to avoid treatment costs and "work". My heart goes out to all my collegues in every country holding up this profession. ❤
I remember during Covid it was impossible to see an emergency vet. They all were diverting to other hospitals and if you found one that would take you, the wait was up to 24 hours. I wonder how many people lost their beloved pets because of this. It was truly frightening.
I had just lost my 17 year old silky terrier who was my BEST friend. He was like another child to me. He was diagnosed with diabetes almost 9 years ago - I had seen my mom take care of a diabetic pet who really did not have issues. I thought to myself. Ok I love this dog so much I can handle this. I had a small baby at home and one on the way. It was good for a few years then came it all. The pancreatitis. The hospital stays. The ketoacidosis. - the cateracts. The kidney problems. The liver problems. He also had a collapse trachea. Issues with that. I was in the vet all the time. But my dog came out of it beautifully each time and outside of those issues he was energetic. Happy. Beautiful appetite. Vets said he was unbelievable. He really was! But I was on edge all the time worrying over his medical conditions- of course I never let on nor was he ever a burden but I was constantly on edge. Watching his blood sugar. Scared he would have another seizure. I spent probably 100k through his life on insulin. Eye surgery. Medication. A hospital stay. Specialized food. I did it all and glad I could financially and my dog had the will and fight in him so it was worth it. But it took a toll on my mental health worrying. Knots in my stomach going to the vet. Restless nights etc. it was traumatic for me at times but I loved him and his love and friendship and his happiness to live meant it was all worth it. At the end my vet was devastated for me Bc she knew how much I loved him and how much I did for him - she also knew him for so long. I was “ surprised “ she took it so hard too but now I see how much they love these animals as well. I salute all the vets out there. I know there is a down side to all this but you gave me my best friend for as long as he could. I love them for that. But I was your textbook owner. I was respectful. Had the funds and was appreciative. I know there aren’t many like me and I don’t say that to brag. It’s Bc of all I am hearing on here and a few friends who are vets. I respect what you do but can see why you do it and can see why you can’t anymore. I witnessed the tough end of the vet world with my sick dog and I cannot go through all that again - sadly it made me scared to possibly face it again😢 I know my dog was a rare case but I don’t think I couid take it on again. I honor you all and I understand how hard it could be on your end but I thank you all ❤ Pacino. I’ll miss you forever 😢
Your a kind person.
@@Chad-Giga. awww thank you so much. I cried when i read this comment. I’m struggling with this loss and it’s been a difficult holiday. So for you to take the time to just write a simple yet really touching comment means to much to me. So THANK you. And you know what? YOU are a kind Person as well. Wishing you a very happy new new year ❤️
I find the emotional part of it the hardest . Taking is personally when patients die and wondering if I should have done something different
Passion fatigue is very serious . Please seek help if you are in deep sorrow 😞😞
As a child I wanted to become a vet, then a human neurosurgeon. I, however, didn't inherit any "smart" genes. Now as an adult having experienced health declines in family and pets, in addition, to working in the medical field I have witnessed many illnesses, deaths, and suffering that I personally would not be capable of handling having a responsibility on them. As for pet insurance, I have Healthy Paws which is around $65 per month, here's the joke... they don't cover all services. For annual wellness and a few tests, I paid around $435.00 out of pocket and just received my reimbursement of 82 cents... 82 cents.
That's a slap in the face
Is there a pet insurance reform underway, so the pet owners and the vets can benefit from?
God bless you - stay strong.
Human society suffers in the end. While all this is happening , dog culture keeps pushing pet ownership.
Very important!!!
Omg this is so sad and heartbreaking
A vet college here in the US accepts 100 applicants per year. They specified that number as 10% of what the applications they receive.
That might have been true 4 years ago, but not anymore. Applications themselves are on the rise. Students want in this profession! They see the need for vets and they want to dedicate their lives to it! This year, there were almost 2,300 applications to this college. They still only accepted 100.
We want to be vets! Look to your universities as a problem.
My dog needs teeth cleaning + checkup= $1100. Spained leg poor guy is limping 2k t0 5k. Cant afford it.
~pet insurance~
A bigger scam than vet racket@@taylorellis6358
I'm so sorry for your dog. Have you tried searching other vet offices outside your area? Hope you find him help soon.
I wish they could make it affordable for people to get into the veterinary field. Then they could change careers if it ever gets too stressful without worrying about their animals they cares for for so long 😔
True still greed is a big part of it, not from, the Vets the schools teaching the vets charge way to much for their leaning!
Since Corporate America and Wall Street have gotten involved in health care, everything has gone downhill fast in terms of excess stress and health care.
I identify with the issues, I just think there should have been statistic to back up the suicides......that was glaringly absent.
Each year, America treats animals worse and worse. This year, thousands of pets and livestock will die or treatable conditions because of the veterinarian shortage.
The staff I’ve encountered at the last three veterinarians in Louisville Kentucky have had me baffled at how bad veterinarian medicine has changed. In the past you could go to the neighborhood veterinarian. Nowadays and 25 different vaccinations that are bullshit they look at you like you’re gonna kill your dog or you’re abusing your dog if you don’t give them this flu shot that is actually horrible. I’ve heard friends I’ve had that have received this flu shot for the dogs their dogs are sick lethargic diarrhea, even dying. I could go on and on it’s ridiculous, the young girls they hire that love animals but hate human beings. The problem children that were never told no so they treat the customers like crap and keep the veterinarians hostage in the back so you can’t discuss a complaint. The first vet I went to when I was volunteering for a rescue with seven other women, so we brought in. I don’t know how many pets in their month to get fixed and treated so I started bringing my dog in there, of course the same type of dog in the same name as another dog that went there. I asked them not to schedule my dog on the same day as the other dog. Why? I have a special needs dog. ( he will bite you) and why do you know my dog being a biter was dropped on his head they lied about it ( I had a whistleblower come forward six months after she got tired of working there ) Charged me $800 for an x-ray I could go on and on the next vet the staff of course canceled grooming appointment he had because she had a bad day the couple appointments before that I noticed she was miserable so I brought them in donuts in the morning the second time I brought them in muffins to try to cheer them up. It doesn’t work , so now I’m on my fourth vet because the third one retired or now I’m beginning to think at 45 years old she just quit we’ll see what happens with the fourth vet. Unbelievable I’ve had five different Maltese is all living beyond 15 years old back then there was no flu shot , every time I go to the vet it is always ALWAYS over 400$. The last time I was at the vet they weighed my dog and literally that’s it and it was $75. I could’ve weighed my dog at home. This is their idea of blood work in a physical they no longer take pictures before and after they charge you $600 to clean your dogs teeth and look at you like you’re nuts when you do you want before and after pictures Thank God I had Dr. Joe Murphy in Palm Harbor Florida for years. Thank God I have Dr. Winger at Beechwold veterinarian in Ohio. Thank God for these old veterinarians. Hopefully they’ll fix the staff issues or start holding people accountable in society. Until then we are working our way back not forward. I’m beginning to think some of these reviews at these veterinarians are the animals they could handle maybe 10 in a day because you’re getting five stars or one stars there’s no in between. When people wake up and realize that doctors are even fleeing, some states they’ll start to get it that these lobbyist these corporations are buying up everything to control YOU including your pet. These are the devils soldiers.
You are literally the prime example of what makes veterinary staffs mental health so poor it’s like you wrote a case study for a textbook
Why don't they just operate them for free like other countries would? America is ridiculous.
And who would be paying for the staffs time, the medicine, the surgeon and the overhead of simply keeping the lights on. The government won’t even cover universal healthcare for its citizens, they sure as hell wouldn’t cover it for what is still classified as a “piece of property”. Yes, animals are luxury property. Some ofc are service animals necessary to people but that’s like 0.05%
Cause I got bills to pay you doof?
Please elaborate what country provides veterinary services at NO charge?? Like the video said, vets are in huge debt. Vet techs have to have schooling as well, they’re in debt. Not to mention having to pay bills. The utility bills needs to be paid for the building. The cost of all the drugs. Like what world are you living in??
They to few,
I thinking, download more animals, +. Stand up in industrial animals farming
Organic farming , is less
Dangerous,
Fixed, pig's, indoors cows
Something gonna be change
I'm in the field too. Yes these things are a factor, but burnout is do to a lot of wrong decisions we make as humans by either not being taught correctly or not doing research.
If we stopped overvaccinating, stopped recommending kibble, stopped shoving meds down animals throats that causes additional issues that arent totally necessary (example of this is flea, tick, heartworm prevention and metronidazole for diarrhea), then health and longevity would significantly increase in our animals. Because we force these owners to do so much crap they dont need, those animals have been reported over the years coming down with more and more human health issues.
The more we properly educate ourselves and go against the corrupt industry, the easier it will be on vets and techs. The animals will live longer and healthier too.
As for the cost of schooling to become a vet, thats a whole other demon. It shouldnt be that way at all or vets should indeed make a lot more than they do, but they dont.
Corporate greed is also massively sad and true. Shit like Mars candy company is taking over everything and dictating.
My vet school class was exactly 75% female. All of them had the same freaking story. "I wanted to be a vet since I was a 5 year old girl blah blah blah." I always thought the majority of them would be better off just having kids and staying home and sparing themselves the giant student load debt. I know a dozen or so of female class mates spend most days at home now with the kids. Some times dreams are stupid. The problem with becoming a vet is it doesn't make a lot fincnaical sense. You spend $300k to $400k to become a vet and only make $100k. I would not recommend the vet profession right now. Maybe later in a decade or 2. Some of my classmates were in their 40's and 50's though vets school is much harder if you have kids to take care of too. You can always help animals on the side as a volunteer basis if you can't live without it. Just my 2 cents. I graduated vet school 8 years ago.
Feed the cats a dogs what they were designed for, raw meat, won't ever need a vet except for physical injuries.
If only the gene pool could be pushed back in time 5000+ years, sure. A chihuahua isn’t a wolf, and a domesticated cat isn’t a tiger. Though cats are a bit better with raw foods, dogs are omnivores and can’t handle as much protein.
@@sapphirepool5183 5000 yrs is drop in time, very little change is going to happen in the digestive and mouth structure. Dogs are 95% raw meat eaters of fresh kill of a course natural organic meat
@@safffff1000 the digestive tract is the same in most mammals barring animals such as ruminants. What is different is how well the body is capable of absorbing and utilizing the nutrients in the foods they eat, and what percentage of each food group they require. A domesticated dogs diet should be only 75% meat, not 95%. Also, 5000 years is more than enough time. in just 50 years, with human intervention the English bulldog changed so drastically in its physical and physiological features that they hardly seem the same breed.
Anyways, its really besides the point of the video. Pets need to also see vets for vaccines, which diets are not going to prevent against the occurrence of rabies, only a vaccine will.
Pets were not designed to eat raw meat. They can die from it.
@@jeansherwood2428LOL,LOL, gee who cooked for them for millions of yrs.?
The BARF (Biologically Appropriate Raw Food) diet is an alternative raw diet type for adult dogs that consists of raw meat, bones, vegetables, & fruits.
You're cruel to dogs, this diet has cured cancer and arthritis in dogs. You I guess like to see them get human diseases, suffer and die like people who don't eat right.
Betcha you got the jab too.