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How is work as a veterinarian ?
I am interested in becoming a veterinarian someday but besides having the basics of having to check up on animals health and such, how does one emotionally prepare themselves for having to put down an animal?
I really don’t do well with animals dying so I would like to know how experienced veterinarians deal with death so often.
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Louise’s Answer
Hello! I'm an LVT in Michigan and I've been in the veterinary field for about 3 years. While I'm not a veterinarian, I do assist in euthanasias almost daily.
Most people don't know, but the word 'euthanasia' literally means 'good death'. When you are putting an animal down, you are ensuring that the animal dies with minimal pain and discomfort. When the animal comes to see you that day, they are with their owners and we give them any treat they want. They get soft blankets and a big bed. We give them sedatives and pain relief so that the entire process is just like going to sleep. With how much you are able to control and prepare for, you can make their passing painless and gentle.
Without euthanasias, there is no telling how pets will pass. A cat in kidney failure will die over several days of dehydration. A dog with a mass on their liver will have internal bleeding until they die from blood loss. An epileptic cat may die in the middle of a seizure, terrified and convulsing, with the whole family and children watching.
Putting an animal to sleep ensures that we prevent any of those scary and traumatizing ways because we have the control to make it a 'good experience'. They are warm and safe, they have unlimited treats, they have their loving owners with them and we give them medication to make them calm and pain free.
Most people don't know, but the word 'euthanasia' literally means 'good death'. When you are putting an animal down, you are ensuring that the animal dies with minimal pain and discomfort. When the animal comes to see you that day, they are with their owners and we give them any treat they want. They get soft blankets and a big bed. We give them sedatives and pain relief so that the entire process is just like going to sleep. With how much you are able to control and prepare for, you can make their passing painless and gentle.
Without euthanasias, there is no telling how pets will pass. A cat in kidney failure will die over several days of dehydration. A dog with a mass on their liver will have internal bleeding until they die from blood loss. An epileptic cat may die in the middle of a seizure, terrified and convulsing, with the whole family and children watching.
Putting an animal to sleep ensures that we prevent any of those scary and traumatizing ways because we have the control to make it a 'good experience'. They are warm and safe, they have unlimited treats, they have their loving owners with them and we give them medication to make them calm and pain free.
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Lindsey’s Answer
Hey there, while I am not an experienced veterinarian, I am an experienced veterinary technician of 16 years and I have experienced a good amount of euthanasia's. At first, it was difficult to witness and difficult to perform a euthanasia (in my state a technician can perform a euthanasia under the supervision of the veterinarian). However, there are some cases where it is the most humane act we can do for our pets because the pet is suffering so much, and no amount of pain medication or other treatment will take away that suffering they are enduring. I now look at euthanasia's as a gift that we can offer to not only the pets but for the owner's well being also. With any disease or treatment, you have to think of the pet first but also consider the owner's commitment to the situation. There are many owners who will run themselves down so much to keep their pet alive a little longer and they end up getting sick themselves and unable to care for the pet. You will never 'get used' to euthanizing a pet, but you will eventually find the peace in it and offer it as a valid option when needed.