Do you think veterinarians get paid enough for what they do?

Answer 1

No. We go through the same amount of school as human doctors do, have to deal with every species but one, and constantly have to justify our treatments since most people don't have pet insurance and have to pay out of their own pockets. Our patients can't talk to us to tell us what's wrong. We have to deal with people who are cruel to their animals, who dump them like so much garbage, who won't pay for essential treatments, who breed them to make money without any concern for the animals' welfare, who believe breeders and groomers know more than we do about medicine, and who drive new cars but who complain about our bills. We get peed on, pooped on, barfed on, scratched, and bitten.

On the plus side, we don't get sued nearly as much as human doctors do. And helping the helpless, saving lives no one else cares about, and being able to ease pain and suffering make it worthwhile.

But no, we don't get paid enough. Like a lot of other professions. Much better to pay our pro athletes, actors, investment bankers, stockbrokers, hedge fund managers, etc. obscene amounts of money, than to pay people who are doing good in the community, like vets, nurses, firefighters, etc.

Answer 2

Many vets should probably make more than they do. I think most people don't realize that the fee a vet charges for something (examination, setting a broken bone, etc) is a fraction of what a doctor of human medicine charges because we have insurance to cover it. It's easy to rush into the emergency room after falling down the stairs and know that your insurance is going to pick up the tab. It's not that way with veterinary care. Pet insurance is available, but the number of people that have it is a very small one. I work at a vet clinic and I can't tell you the number of phone calls we get that are people price shopping while their pet is extremely sick or injured. Most of these discount seekers hang up the phone as soon as they are given an estimate without another word. Veterinarians are saving lives. Can you really put a price on that?? We are paying for their expertise, their knowledge to help keep our precious pets healthy. Vets are dealing with patients who can't tell them what is hurting or that they are loosing their eyesight. The doctor I work for has been bitten in the face by a dog (who's owner neglected to mention that her dog was vicious) and yet he keeps on doing the job to save those vicious dogs. People who complain about the cost of veterinary care should take a detailed look at their next insurance statement. I guarantee that whatever amount was spent on their pet pales in comparison. If you don't want to pay, then don't get a pet. Would you let your child be treated by the cheapest doctor you could find? Would you wait 10 days to take him in when he hasn't been able to eat or drink because you'd rather spend your money on that new pair of shoes? So to answer your question, no I don't think vets get paid enough for what they do. They should make more, but they do the job because they find more than monetary satisfaction.

Answer 3

To tell you the truth they get quite a bit of money (depending what you do)! Compared to a teacher they get paid quite good, but for what they do it's questionable. If your doing surgeries (which i could never do) then i don't think so. I am not so sure about if you work at a clinic, because i don't know what they make.But be thank full for what you do make! if that's what you do.

Answer 4

My vet earns every dollar he makes and I would gladly pay more. He has all sorts of services available at his office, which means that I don't have to travel to specialty clinics. I have his personal cell phone number, because he knows I rescue and might have need of emergency services. He is the best.

The only time I can't get him is when he is out of town. On two occasions in the last seven years, I have had to use a local emergency vet clinic, and those guys are just inundated. Everyone in the waiting room thinks their's is the most urgent case, and they deal with everything from poisonings to animal/car conflicts. They certainly earn their money too.

Answer 5

Yeah. It is a free-market economy without being messed with such as maximum wage and what not. So, if you follow economics, they are getting paid exactly the value of their service.

Answer 6

Hi Lola...the rewards as a vet receives in caring for people's furry loved ones is greater payment than what they make in money.

Answer 7

Yes. Because my uncle is a vet and somebody designed & built him a new house in return for saving their pet. :P

Answer 8

Yes.

Answer 9

Absoulstaly. Here they make half a millon dollars a year. I know this because I am one :).

Answer 10

yes. they make as much, and sometimes more, depending on the work they do, than what doctors make. scary, some people are more worried about pet health than their familys.