Things People Don’t Realize About Being a Veterinarian – A Vet’s Perspective (2025)🩺🐶

By Dr. Duncan Houston BVSc

To most people, being a vet sounds like a dream job filled with puppy kisses, kitten purrs, and happy reunions. And yes, those moments exist. But behind the scenes, veterinary work can be emotionally, physically, and ethically intense. As a practicing vet, I want to share what people don’t often realize about this profession. 🎓🐾

This article offers an honest look at the hidden challenges and surprising realities of being a veterinarian—plus how support platforms like Ask A Vet. 🧠

📚 1. It’s Not Just Medical—It’s Emotional Labor

Every day, we navigate the emotional needs of pet owners while delivering complex medical care. From delivering difficult diagnoses to helping grieving families say goodbye, empathy is essential—but emotionally exhausting. 😢

What people don’t see:

• 💔 Euthanizing a beloved pet—sometimes several in one day
• 🧠 Supporting overwhelmed or grieving clients
• 💬 Managing guilt, blame, and tough ethical decisions

💸 2. Veterinary Care Isn’t Free (and We Know It Hurts)

Clients are often shocked by costs—and while we understand their frustration, veterinary medicine doesn’t benefit from subsidies like human healthcare. 😓

Behind the cost:

• 🔬 Advanced diagnostic tools and in-house labs
• 💉 Medications, surgical supplies, and staffing
• 🏥 No insurance billing systems like human hospitals

We never want to make money off a pet’s pain—but we do need to keep the lights on. That's why virtual services like Ask A Vet offer affordable triage and advice. 📱

🩹 3. We Treat More Than Cats and Dogs

Depending on the clinic, we might also see rabbits, ferrets, reptiles, birds, goats—or wildlife brought in by concerned citizens. 🐍🐰🦜

This requires broad knowledge and quick adaptation. Not every day looks the same, and there’s no such thing as “routine.”

😓 4. Compassion Fatigue Is Real

Veterinarians have one of the highest suicide rates of any profession. Constant exposure to suffering, emotional decisions, and economic euthanasia takes a toll—especially when paired with perfectionism and burnout. 💔

What helps:

• 🧠 Mental health breaks and boundaries
  
• 👥 Peer support networks and therapy

🧠 5. Client Communication Can Be the Hardest Part

We spend more time talking than treating. And when a pet’s outcome isn’t clear—or care isn’t affordable—tensions rise. Explaining medicine in plain language while managing emotions is a skill not taught in school. 📢

Veterinary telehealth platforms like Ask A Vet help bridge gaps, offer follow-up, and reduce unnecessary ER visits. 🩺

🧬 6. We Don’t Stop Learning

Medicine evolves fast. Vets must earn continuing education credits every year and stay updated on:

• 🧬 New vaccines, surgical techniques, or treatments
  
• 🌿 Holistic and fear-free handling approaches

📦 7. We Handle the Gross Stuff (and Still Go Home to Dinner)

• 💩 Anal glands, vomiting, and parasites
• 🦴 Orthopedic surgeries and abscesses
• 🧪 Lab work involving bodily fluids

It’s not glamorous—but it’s necessary. And we do it because we care. 🐾

👨⚕️ 8. We’re Pet People Too

Yes, we love animals. But that doesn’t mean we never make hard decisions for our own pets. Many vets know the pain of putting down their own beloved companion—and it gives us more empathy when guiding others. 🐕🦺💔

📱 9. Tech Is Helping Us Be Better Vets

Thanks to telehealth, apps, and platforms like Ask A Vet, we can:

• 📋 Triage non-urgent cases remotely
• 💬 Guide post-op care or behavior issues
• 🧠 Support clients emotionally—even between visits

✅ Final Thoughts: Being a Vet Is Beautiful, But Complex

Veterinary medicine is a profession of heart, resilience, and constant learning. Behind every exam is a person trying to do right by the pet, the client, and their own well-being. Next time you visit the vet, know that we see you—and we’re here to help. ❤️🐾

Quick Recap:

• 😢 Vets handle emotional decisions daily
• 💸 We understand cost concerns and try to help
• 🧠 Mental health is a real challenge
• 📱 Tools like Ask A Vet help expand access
  

Want to support your vet team? Be kind, be patient, and take care of your pets proactively. And when in doubt, check in with AskAVet.com for support between visits. 🐶🩺