What is the single most important question to ask at every feline office appointment? I imagine that you may have several, depending on the circumstances or maybe on your experiences. But I think there is one question that needs to be asked at every non-emergency (or euthanasia) appointment. Let’s run a sad but familiar scenario…. Read More
I’m Insecure But That’s OK. For Now.
Everyone says that your first job out of school is the most important. It “sets the standard for how you practice throughout your career.” When I was in vet school, I knew exactly what my first job would be. I would work at a multi-doctor practice owned by one of my excellent mentors. I’d always… Read More
No Pet Should Die on His Own is a Myth
Ali was a beautiful golden retriever with a large liver mass in her abdomen. She had seen both her regular veterinarian and the local specialists prior to my visit with her. Her owner wanted her to be comfortable, and was open to euthanasia if he could not make her comfortable. She was already on some… Read More
5 Ridiculous Ways to Tick Off Veterinary Clients on Social Media
Facebook and other social media sites can be great customer service tools to delight your veterinary clients in between visits. However, veterinary hospitals can also manage to really tick customers off with some seemingly harmless posts. Here are a few moves I’d avoid to keep pet owners coming back to your social media accounts (and… Read More
The Unfair Necessity of Euthanizing an Aggressive Dog
Over the years, I have euthanized hundreds of dogs and cats for a multitude of behavioral issues that made their life with their families unsustainable. The vast majority of them were young and physically healthy with the potential to live years longer. These families either tried behavior modifications unsuccessfully, attempted to find a safer home,… Read More
How My Vet Tech Teachers Ruined My Tech Career
Not all vet techs are created equal. I don’t mean this to belittle anyone, or for it to be a bad thing. It’s just a fact. We all start out in this field because we love animals (and very obviously not because we love money), but the paths we take lead to very different clinics and… Read More