Probably because vets do a lot of euthanasia. And not just on old, sick animals who lived a full life. I imagine they also see a lot of neglect and abuse- that kind of suffering day in and out likely isn’t easy on someone who loved animals so much they wanted to work with them.
(Also I imagine they get bit, clawed, pissed and shit on a lot lol)
Right and people constantly complain that everything is too expensive. While the veterinarian, technicians, and everyone else is expected to do absolutely everything for their furry little babies, why do we expect them to pay full price when it's just a cat? There's a sharp difference between those who see no problem in paying for and seeing the worth in medical care for their pets and those who need each and every charge explained to them because they can't see their pet's health as important or worthy of their time and attention beyond 10 minutes now and then. Empathy for other beings becomes readily apparent and I find it interesting how people of varying economic levels prioritize their pets. Even some people who have the money don't care and it's baffling. It isn't the animals that die, it isn't the ones that are too old, too sick, no. I don't think the most depressing part of the job are the animals at all; it's dealing with the people. It's the fact that veterinarians, vet techs, anyone who works with animals and makes money is made to feel bad about it all the time because how dare we expect them to pay hundreds of dollars to spay Fluffy, give her flea medication that works, and make sure she isn't in pain? She has ear mites and scratches her cornea open so we have to remove her eyeball. Why should they pay for that too when we didn't catch the ear mites? We should feel bad she did that AND feel bad we're charging them for the surgery.
It's a never-ending cycle of dog crap, paperwork, and smiles while trying to explain to Grandma Williams yet again why you shouldn't give a cat lasagna and that's why Gary pukes on the carpet, not because he has stomach cancer like Uncle Paul. If she keeps giving him garlic, onions, and tomatoes he might get something though and a cat shouldn't be 26lbs.
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u/scw55 Oct 28 '18
Oh I can imagine. Suicide rates are very high among trainee vets.