Comments on: How’s Your Vet’s Mental Health? (Part One)

By: Quinn

Quinn — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:07:04 +0000

I don’t think many clients realized how hard some veterinarians and their staff work at caring for their patients as well as the clients. Many clients complain about the lack of 24 hours emergency service from their RDVM. I would much rather have a well-rested veterinarian operate on my pet than one that was called 3 times in the early morning hours the night before due client’s percieved emergencies and hasn’t gotten any sleep and expected to put in another 12 hours at the hospital. Thank goodness for veterinary emergency hospitals, they give our RDVM a chance to refresh and recharge every night for their next day of business. Suicide rates are quite high for veterinarians too. I know of a vet I used to work with that took her own life recently. Please be nice to your veterinarian today and if you don’t like them then find one you do like. Not all vets are created equal.

By: Desert

Desert — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 21:31:11 +0000

As a patient who has to work to beable to afford the vet I would like to see a vet be opedend from 4pm to 10 pm I would also like to see vets working to gether to provide the services needed in different locations. i.e. : not being afraid to say look I’m closed at the time your looking for but may I suggest to you to see DR such and such at this location, we will share your file so that if ever he is closed and I am opened you can see me and I will have your history.

I think this would work wonderfully. But then again I may live in a dream world.

By: Julie

Julie — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 17:24:37 +0000

In today’s instant gratification society clients expect us to be open 24 hours a day 7 days a week. It seems more and more difficult to balance work and family life. Its scary to try and close on Saturdays when the neighoring clinc is open Saturday and Sunday.

By: Tabby

Tabby — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 12:05:54 +0000

The small vet’s office that we go to (two vet’s and a few technicians who double as office people/receptionists) recently switched their hours from being open on Saturdays to extended evenings twice a week. The main vet, who owns the practice, has a daughter and wanted to spend more time with her.

Most larger offices don’t have that luxury.

By: barrie

barrie — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 02:58:12 +0000

This is why I routinely take homemade chocolate chip cookies and other treats into the clinic where my dogs are seen. I know both vets personally now and I know pretty much all the staff/techs by name. One of the techs is a very close friend of mine. An extremely competent veterinarian whom you also personally like and trust is just too good of a find not to make sure I do everything I can to keep her life as stress-free as possible :-)

I *know* that MDs have a very high incidence of drug problems! There are numerous anonymous programs for them to seek help. Yes it is a good thing for them to be able to seek help without it effecting their practice but on the other hand, wouldn’t you want to know if your doctor was addicted to oxycontin? I hadn’t thought of a veterinarian being in that same category because I assumed it had a lot to do w/ easy pharmaceutical access?