Veterinary medicine falls right in the middle of the Venn diagram conversion of emotions and money. Pets are increasingly considered part of the family, and we the parents of our furbabies. But medicine costs money, and unlike with our human family members, most pets are not covered by insurance. This can make for a pretty… Read More
Perspective
I Rejected the Perfect Adoption Family For the Wrong Reason
I read an interesting post today on my social media page. It said: “I continue to see rescues treat people in a way that will sadly keep irresponsible breeders and pet stores in business.” Before you judge that statement, this person is heavily into rescue. I’m involved with rescue and I have more friends… Read More
What I Wish I’d Said to Dr. Paul Nicoletti
Last month I was at a veterinary conference in Orlando when I ran into Paul Nicoletti, DVM. His hair was thinner than I remember and he moved a little more slowly, but he still had his warm, magnetic smile. When he saw me, he cut across some heavy foot traffic with a spryness that was… Read More
How Being a Vet Makes Our Own Medical Choices Better and Worse
My Father was a talented physician. However, he spent his career in public health research and, as such, felt far removed from clinical medical practice. Growing up I always wished he could sign off on my requisite physical exam form for sports. He never obliged and always sent me straight to the pediatrician. Any… Read More
Five Things I Wish I Could Tell Younger Me About Vet Medicine
Ever since I watched Doc Brown leap out of a frozen DeLorean and tell Marty McFly they’re going Back….to the Future, I’ve dreamed about all the ways time travel would make my life better. The trilogy taught me some important lessons: namely, mucking about with gambling winnings is an overall bad strategy, as is meeting… Read More
What I Learned From my Own Brush With Pinkeye
I’ve diagnosed and treated a lot of conjunctivitis in my career as a veterinarian. But, I’ve never had to treat myself for conjunctivitis until this year. What misery! I had no idea inflamed conjunctiva (the pink tissue that lines your inner eyelids) feels like burning sandpaper contacts in your eyes. I never knew that the… Read More