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I Still Love Veterinary Medicine and Here’s Why

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The charts keep piling up, the ever ringing phone is a reminder of more patients to help than available hands. Technicians bump shoulders as they quickly pass by in the hallway, rushing to the lab. The vibe inside the clinic spins along with the centrifuge, tossing those out who don’t sync in balance with the others. Exam rooms and surgery suites are dressed up each day to treat uniquely different patients, but all with the same underlying constants.

Beep, beep, beep the sound of the ECG leads gripped tightly to the patient’s skin. You can hear the humming begin, as the pump kicks on and the blood pressure cuff tightens securely around a furry leg. A trying alarm sounds, as you try adjusting the spo2 clamp for the third time, although the consistency of inaccuracy brings smirks and a laugh amongst tired staff.    This is a typical day in the back of the clinic, yet we still love veterinary medicine and here’s why.

We work in a field of measurable results and emotional connection. 

A patient comes in with a limp, we X-ray and diagnose. A patient comes in with a cough, we listen and prescribe. We work in a climate that requires puzzle-solving, as we link symptoms to lab work results and microscopic findings to samples. This, while constantly challenging ourselves to do more and be more. The eight-year-old Schnauzer who tries to bite you during every nail trim is the same one you comfort during his painful pancreatitis diagnosis. Our patient connection drives us into an unexitable roundabout of URIs And UTIs. Each patient matters the same as the last one, and as much as the next one.   

Veterinary medicine combines the two worlds of science and emotion. 

Science is dependable, consistent and measurable. Emotion is undependable, inconsistent and not measurable. This sounds like a bunch of fecal sample, right? Well, stay with me here. This could be the very reason why we stay in this stressful environment. 

Medical science is at the very core of what we do day in and day out. We can always depend on the fact that our patients will get sick. We can always depend on the fact that certain diseases present with a set of common symptoms. What we can’t count on is how the crying widow tugs at our heartstrings, as she says she can’t lose the Dachshund or deciding to sit an extra minute by the whimpering English Setter who just woke up from a spay. We can master our skills as veterinarians and technicians, but the emotion is what makes us human. 

Emotion in the clinic can lead to late hours in aged, dusty textbooks and varied VIN searches. We are driven to find the results for our patients because of our compassion and sometimes a little bit of our ego. It is always science that saves us though. Those who have forged down this road before us with groundbreaking treatments and who have created life-saving medications are our guiding lights. Our job is to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together and make them fit the mold of each patient. It is a pleasure and a privilege when all cogs click together and a treatment plan is formed.

We still love veterinary medicine because it allows us to be superheroes for our clients and satisfies our individual desire to conquer. 

We still love veterinary medicine because every day we walk through those doors, we can change someone’s life. 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the DrAndyRoark.com editorial team.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tasha Larsen is the technician manager at a small animal clinic in Utah. She joined the veterinary world after selling her Crossfit gym to pursue her passion in veterinary medicine. It was the best decision she ever made and she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

If You Need to Leave, It’s Okay

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The average vet tech’s career is 7-10 years. Did you know that? I did. And after 5 years in veterinary medicine, I thought I almost made it. That statistic won’t get me. Here I am. I have arrived. But it’s funny how quickly things can change.

When I became pregnant, I thought how serendipitous my situation was. I worked long but varying days as a vet tech and my husband was home during the day, working evenings and weekends as a musician. This is perfect! He’ll be home with the baby in the daytime while I’m at work, and I’ll just make sure I’m home before he has to leave. Things were falling into place perfectly; life was putting a path in front of us and we knew exactly what to do.

Then I went into labor, had a cesarean section under general anesthesia, and woke up to the most beautiful human I have ever seen lying on my chest. It’s amazing how quickly things can change. When you’re pregnant everyone tells you, “just you wait, everything is different after you have kids,” but they never tell you how. Maybe it’s something different for everyone. For me, this tiny little boy, yawning under a knitted hat, needed me more than anything in this world and I could not leave him.

Postpartum was hard for me. I had complications that made me closely examine my life in a way I’d rather not have. I spent weeks grappling with the decision: If I leave, am I giving up everything I’ve worked so hard for? If I stay, am I giving up precious time with my baby? My identity had largely become based around what I did for a living and if I wasn’t vet teching, wasn’t even working… then who was I? Ultimately my husband got a day job and I resigned. I felt horrible, like I was abandoning everyone I worked with, and after everything they’d done for me. I felt selfish. But guess what? They understood. And guess what else? Life went on without me and the whole hospital didn’t fall apart. 

My son is 8 months old now, I love being a stay at home mom, and my former bosses and coworkers are still doing just fine. Maybe that should be a bruise to the ego, but it’s a relief. I am not so important that the entire system will fall apart without me. Others will not crumble in my absence. This relieves me of the guilt that I felt for doing something that was really important to myself and my family. 

I know not everyone can do this. To be honest, I’m amazed that we have. If you have to work or want to work, there’s no judgment here. I felt strongly about something and I’m lucky that I was able to make it happen. But feeling strongly about it didn’t make it easy. I felt guilty, I questioned if I was doing the right thing. I questioned my whole identity.

If I’m being completely honest, I was feeling burnt out anyway, I just never let myself think about it until I actually thought about it. Then it was amazing how quickly things changed. Time and distance have refreshed my passion for veterinary medicine. I don’t know when I’m coming back or where I’m going, but I know I’m excited to see where I end up. I might feel very differently if I had never turned my whole life upside-down.

There’s no way to sugarcoat the fact that this is a hard career to maintain. My point is, only you know what’s right for you and you have to follow your own happiness. I’m not saying quit your job tomorrow, but if there’s something else you want to be doing then try to figure out a way to do it. If you’re not happy, start looking for something else. Change jobs, or change careers. Sure, things might be upside down for a while, but you would figure it out. You can always figure something out. No job is worth your happiness, your wellbeing, or your life. They will be fine without you, and you don’t owe anyone anything. If what you’re doing is swallowing you up, get out while you still can.

Because no matter how bad it seems, things can always change.

If you need to take a break it’s okay. If you need to leave, it’s okay.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the DrAndyRoark.com editorial team.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Candace is a graduate of the St. Petersburg College Veterinary Technology program and Certified Veterinary Technician in the Tampa Bay Area. In addition to being a CVT, she also holds a Bachelors degree in psychology from the University of South Florida – St. Petersburg. She shares a home with her husband, son and dog Sadie. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling and changing song lyrics to make the song about Sadie.


It’s Time to Redefine Myself – As a Mom and an RVT

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The time has come for me to return to my job as a registered veterinary technician (RVT). I have had one incredible year with my first child and can’t help but be completely grateful for this time with him and, if I’m being completely honest, the time with myself. 

Mastering New Goals

I am coming out of this maternity leave a completely different woman than I was just over 12 months ago. Is it just me or did any other mommas feel SUPERHUMAN after creating and giving birth to a child? The realization that I could get through anything my body or mind asked of me was the boost I needed to start pursuing more of my goals. 

I quickly dove into my first dream of becoming a vegetarian and not just eating like one on Meatless Mondays. Then I crushed my fitness goals with a combination workout of HIIT and weight lifting which was super motivating! 

The next dream would be the most challenging one yet and require me to test my faith as I had never tested it before. I honestly didn’t even recognize it as a dream until my friend “dragged” it out of me. We spent every Wednesday together with our babies who were born 10 days apart and one day we got talking about our careers and goals. My friend, being the go-getter she is, encouraged me to share any career aspirations I might have had. 

She managed to breathe life into this tiny spark of an idea I had lodged in the depths of my brain. I had never let myself sit with this idea or legitimize it in any way. However, once I had spoken of it out loud I could not put it to rest. It became absolutely imperative to start pursuing this goal. After all, my time on maternity leave was proving to me that I could do just about anything I set my mind to. 

It’s been less than 8 months since I committed to starting my own side hustle, as a Pawdoption Guide, and there’s no turning back! My mission is too important! I want to shout from the rooftops to #adoptdontshop and empower pet owners and future pet owners with knowledge and tools to cultivate amazing relationships with their pets. I will see to it that more people choose pet adoption because they feel supported and educated in their efforts to become pet owners. 

Getting Back in the Clinic

It’s no wonder I’m feeling a bit apprehensive in the last few days of my leave. What an amazing road I’ve had to get to where I am now. What an opportunity for reflection and self- development.

My anxieties seem to revolve around less time with my son (how that will impact myself and him) and how our family will handle the displaced housework and the morning/evening change in routine. Can I just say that it’s okay to FEEL! I am a rational person, I can reason out why I must return to the clinic but it doesn’t make it any less difficult. Just so you know, the best thing you can do when talking to a mom is just listen and let them feel their feelings. I know this transition is necessary and the time is right but it’s still stressful and I’m not going to pretend it’s going to be a cakewalk.

The role I am returning to as an RVT will also be a big transition. In order to have more stability and routine, I have taken on new responsibilities at the animal hospital. This decision was not made lightly. Previously my day to day revolved around surgery; admitting patients, prepping for, monitoring and aiding in the recovery of surgery. I will now be assisting veterinarians with appointment flow and spending much more time interacting with clients and their pets in the exam room. 

At first, when thinking about this, there were a lot of tears, I couldn’t control the emotion pouring out of me. How could I be an RVT and not do surgery? I had come to love surgery and that feeling I got from keeping our patients safe and comfortable. After I calmed down, I realized I had come to define myself by these skills. My self-worth was totally wrapped up in surgery. The ability to place catheters, monitor surgery, adjust anesthetic gas and fluid rates, even bond with the veterinarians in surgery – these things defined me as a tech. If I think less of myself without surgery, what would others think? Will I still be respected?

I had no clue that I was so attached to one aspect of my job. However, it took me very little time to decide that my family took priority and that I needed stability in my life right now. This is probably one of the most selfless choices I’ve ever made – giving up something I love for the people I love. But I’ve come to think of it like this; it is what you make of it! If I go into this new role kicking and screaming I have no doubt I’ll dislike it, but if I choose to give it my all, start honing new skills and become an expert in something completely different I could really grow. It’s time to redefine myself as an RVT. I am responsible for who I become and I am limited when I define myself by one thing. 

It’s almost impossible to prepare yourself for this transition. You just have to live it and feel it. Going back to work means less time with my son but it’s an opportunity for career growth. The growing pains are inevitable but it’s time. It’s time for my son to have more independence and it’s also time for me to relinquish some of my control and dependence on him. 

Moms everywhere are amazing for going through this crazy, emotional journey that is motherhood. We are warriors in all we do and all that we have done! I have never felt braver than I did following my son’s birth or now in my choice to go back to work. All I can say is that it’s time… 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the DrAndyRoark.com editorial team.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bethany is a Registered Veterinary Technician from Kitchener, ON Canada. She proudly serves as an RVT at a small animal practice for 6+ years now. Rescue pets are near and dear to her heart; heck, she’s got 3 of her own! She launched her very own side hustle Pawdoption Guide while on maternity leave, in order to connect families with the RESCUE pet of their dreams! Please join the #adoptdontshop movement and find out more at www.pawdoptionguide.com.

Caring for Itchy Dogs This Allergy Season

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Sponsored content from Zoetis Petcare

Allergic dermatitis is the number one reason why owners bring their dogs to the veterinarian, yet many pet owners are not aware that their pets can get allergies, and don’t realize that there is an underlying medical issue that’s causing their dog to itch. With August being the peak of allergy season, Zoetis Petcare is proud to have launched the inaugural Itchy Pet Awareness Month to bring attention to how itching can negatively impact a pet – and owner’s – quality of life. As veterinary professionals, it’s our job to protect that pet-owner bond, provide itch relief through effective treatment and get life back to normal as soon as possible. We hope Itchy Pet Awareness Month helps do just this. 

Veterinarians need to get dog owners past the thought that constant or even intermittent itching or scratching is their dog “just being their dog” – because if left untreated, itch can begin to impact the day-to-day lives of dogs and owners, and may progress to become something more serious that could be increasingly difficult to manage. I strongly encourage veterinarians to discuss general skin and coat health at wellness exams, and when there is any indication of pruritic behavior, make it a point for active discussion and investigation; don’t let the early subtle signs go unattended. 

To ensure the appointment is as efficient as possible, it’s important that every member of the veterinary team knows their specific and unique role for the patient visit, from the first phone call to the check out after the appointment. Remember that pet owners don’t want to answer the same questions over and over, so consider these tips on how the larger team can be used to add depth to the visit, to better inform the veterinarian, resulting in a work-up with the best possible outcomes. 

• Receptionists are often the first point of contact for our clients. Receptionists should reassure the pet owner that they have done the right thing by coming for an exam, and have the pet owner complete an intake form to help the team understand the cause of itch. 

• Technicians have a responsibility to review the intake form with the pet owner and gather a more detailed history including signs of allergic itch beyond scratching. Start the conversation about skin health to help identify itchy dog behavior. Technicians can also connect with the pet owner to gain clarity on how the itch is affecting them and their dog. Ask questions like, “Is the itch getting in the way of normal activities and your time with your dog?”

Technicians also have an opportunity to educate pet owners on the value of the diagnostic work-up and what to expect. They may also assist the veterinarian in diagnostics and provide the pet owner with positive reinforcement of work-up findings.

• Veterinarians engage the pet owner in a deeper discussion of history and stress the importance and value of a full diagnostic workup to understand the cause of the issue and to identify specific treatments for long-term solutions. They can further reassure the pet owner that the entire team is committed to providing their pet with relief from the itch.

Even during wellness visits, it’s important to not ignore those mild early signs – redness of the ear canals or between the toes, or the dog that scratches or chews on itself in the exam room. When discussing pruritic behavior, as soon as it is obvious that the problem has persisted for several weeks, or is recurrent, we need to impress upon the pet owner the importance and value of a diagnostic workup, to understand the cause of the issue and to identify specific treatments for long-term solutions. If we don’t complete a full diagnostic workup, then we are left with fire engine medicine: short-term solutions that can put pet owners and dogs on an emotional rollercoaster.

Oftentimes, allergies cannot be cured. However, pet owners need to know that there are great treatment options, like APOQUEL® (oclacitinib tablet) or CYTOPOINT®, that veterinarians can provide that are specifically designated to relieve their dog’s itch and inflammation. These treatments go beyond at-home treatments like lotions, shampoos and antihistamines that may not provide the much-needed relief to their dog. Relief of itch is so important to maintain a positive quality of life for the pet and their owner.

This allergy season, clinics can implement activities to impress upon owners the importance of finding effective treatment for their itchy dog. By visiting www.ScienceofStrongerBonds.com/Resources, you can download helpful resources for your practice to help spread the message on recognizing and treating allergic itch effectively. 

APOQUEL IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

Do not use APOQUEL in dogs less than 12 months of age or those with serious infections. APOQUEL may increase the chances of developing serious infections and may cause existing parasitic skin infestations or pre-existing cancers to get worse. APOQUEL has not been tested in dogs receiving some medications including some commonly used to treat skin conditions such as corticosteroids and cyclosporine. Do not use in breeding, pregnant, or lactating dogs. Most common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea. APOQUEL has been used safely with many common medications including parasiticides, antibiotics and vaccines. For more information, please see the full Prescribing Information at https://www.apoqueldogs.com/apoquel_pi.pdf.

CYTOPOINT has been shown to be effective for the treatment of dogs against allergic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis.

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the DrAndyRoark.com editorial team.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Andy Hillier is from South Africa where he went to veterinary school. He spent 8 years in small animal practice in South Africa and Australia before going to the University of Florida to complete a residency in dermatology. He was on faculty at Ohio State University for 17 years, becoming a full professor and head of the Dermatology and Otology Service before joining Zoetis in May 2013 as a senior veterinary specialist. He now serves as the Veterinary Specialty Operations and Veterinary Medical Lead – Dermatology for Zoetis Petcare.

Coping With An Unknown Diagnosis

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As an ER veterinarian, I have become quite skilled at quickly assessing an animal and coming up with a plan to begin patient stabilization. Unfortunately, this does not mean that I always know exactly what the underlying cause of each patient’s illness is. If a situation arises when a diagnosis has not been reached, it may be upsetting for the pet owner, but also affects me, the veterinarian.

Imagine the following scenario: Concerned owners bring a sick cat to the emergency room because she has been acting abnormally lately. Examination reveals a high fever and some lethargy but little else. We proceed with a blood panel, urine sample and X-rays and still, there is no concrete diagnosis. The owners have now spent hundreds of dollars and, while we have ruled out many possible causes for the cat’s fever, it feels to them like we have done nothing productive. How would you feel in this situation? If you answered annoyed, aggravated, frustrated, worried or any other synonym for just plain unhappy — I am with you! Welcome to the realities of medicine.

Human or animal, medicine is imperfect. Yes, there are plenty of times when an examination and history on a patient, combined with the basic diagnostics that are available to us in an ER setting, may lead to a final diagnosis. But there are also numerous times, possibly even more times, when a clear diagnosis cannot be reached. This may be because the test required to interpret the cause of illness for the pet has not yet been tried. For example, we have not performed an ultrasound or perhaps advanced imaging like an MRI. Or it may be because the animal may have something that can be very hard to diagnose with certainties such as a viral response or behavioral-based anomaly. Whatever the case may be, a lack of diagnosis leads to feelings of frustration.  

In these moments when we have exhausted our readily available modes of diagnosis and have still not solved the mystery of the cause of the clinical signs, a feeling of frustration is fully justified. And believe me when I say that those feelings are felt by me as well. As a veterinarian, I feel it is my duty to give each and every animal my all and do everything that I can to put together the pieces of the puzzle that is each animal’s illness.  Unfortunately I, like many in my field, also struggle with attempts to hold back feelings of inadequacy in those moments. Maybe I am missing something? Maybe there is a hint on physical examination or history that I neglected? Maybe if I had another tool at my disposal I could solve this? Maybe someone “smarter” could figure this out? Well, maybe! But maybe not! As a veterinarian, and as a person, I try to do my very best. And in those situations, despite not having all the answers, I always come up with a plan to help the animal by stabilizing, increasing comfort, and then determining how best to move forward towards obtaining a concrete diagnosis.  

Medicine is imperfect, even under the best of circumstances. But rest assured that while I, your emergency veterinarian, may be unable to provide you with an exact diagnosis at the time of your pet’s presentation, I will do everything in my power to help your pet by controlling the pain, alleviating discomfort, treating the clinical signs and stabilizing him/her, as best I can. If the situation necessitates obtaining additional information, I will discuss additional options with you and we will collectively formulate a plan. Not every question can be answered. But, rest assured, in those moments of frustration that stem from a diagnosis that has not been achieved, we are all in this together. 

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the DrAndyRoark.com editorial team.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr. Chivvis is a 2011 Iowa state graduate and emergency veterinarian in Roanoke, Virginia. She completed undergraduate studies in Massachusetts and moved to Iowa for veterinary school and an additional 1 year Small Animal Rotating internship. Dr. Chivvis is strictly an emergency veterinarian, who treats dogs and cats, and strives to provide her patients the highest level of care as well as communicate with, and support, their human families. 

Giving Our Patients the Best of Both Worlds

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I was sitting on the exam room floor with Lucy, a 13-year-old black Labrador Retriever. Her eyes darted from her mom, then to me, and back to her mom as we talked, her tail gently wagged every time her name was mentioned, making soft thudding noises on the floor. Mom was holding back tears when she said, “Isn’t there anything else you can do for her?”

Lucy had severe arthritis that limited her mobility. She could barely get up and when she moved, it was with great difficulty. We knew she was in pain and we tried medications, but we couldn’t get the result that we hoped for. We also decided together not to pursue treatments that were overly intrusive. But Lucy loved life – she loved being around her family and following them around to see what was going on with everyone. Her health was good otherwise, but her arthritis was causing significant quality of life concerns. I’ve been treating Lucy for years, she was one of my favorite patients. My heart was breaking for her and I wanted to wave a magic wand and cure her debilitating condition. My brain raced to search for all other possibilities that can help with her condition but in a gentle way that was right for her family.

This was the beginning of my journey as an integrative veterinarian – to practice both conventional western medicine and holistic eastern medicine. It started with an overwhelming desire to be able to offer more options for my patients. Two years later I received my certification of veterinary acupuncture and really began to incorporate eastern medicine modalities into my existing western practice. 

Practicing integrative medicine means the best of both worlds to me. I love the advancements of scientific diagnostic tools and treatment modalities that continue to provide specific ways to improve the physical wellbeing of the animals. At the same time, I am a strong advocate for using holistic modalities to heal the body as a whole.  

In my mind, combining both modalities should be a harmonious art, weaving together threads of different practices and philosophies and ultimately creating a fabric of options that are unique for each patient and their circumstances. 

But sometimes, it becomes difficult to blend the worlds of western and eastern medicine. Most troubling to me is how divisive our profession can be when we disagree on the different approaches of patient care.  

For example, what do you think the ideal diet for a pet should be?

This topic has always triggered passionate responses from the pet-loving community. The debates intensified with the recent discovery of problems associated with grain-free diets. 

I can scroll through comments firing off in the veterinary community with colleagues on each side passionately defending their beliefs. But I am often shocked when this escalates to blaming and name-calling. 

If I came into a holistic discussion as a western practitioner, would I be immediately considered as closed-minded and dogmatic? And what if I presented myself in a conventional veterinary forum as a holistic veterinarian, would my colleagues dismiss things I have to say as anecdotal and woo-woo?

At the end of the day, I can’t choose sides. I can’t even see why there are sides. These labels that we place on each other are discrediting all of the hard work we have done to get to where we are. And we are all working towards a common goal of giving our patients the best life possible.

I am not suggesting we can all agree. Our practice of veterinary medicine is our art. An art curated to the unique needs of each patient. We can choose to disagree with a colleague, and we can choose to do so respectfully. We can share more facts, rather than emotions, so others can learn and grow from these lessons. We can put aside our biases, in the name of advancement of knowledge. We can listen.  

What I know, for a fact, is everyone I have met in the veterinary community has the best interests of our patients in mind. I don’t know of another profession that cares so deeply and personally about the work we do. This is an industry of compassion. The compassion and empathy we have for our patients and their families, we can have for each other – because we are all really working towards the same goals. 

As for Lucy at that time, I continued to manage her care as her regular veterinarian with conventional medicine, while another colleague took her on to treat her with acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Lucy had the best of both worlds. She had another year and a half of very good life, going on walks and playing outside with her family. These are the things that meant the most to her and her family.   

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of the DrAndyRoark.com editorial team.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lily Chen, DVM, CVA is an integrative veterinarian practicing in Southern California.