Question for Vet Techs...how do you handle sick/dying animals regularly?

Question

I have the utmost respect for your job. I keep thinking about becoming one (Vet Tech) but I personally do not think I could handle seeing dying and/or dead animals on a regular basis. It makes me so sad to see my cats and dogs sick...I don't know how I could deal with that as a career. How do you guys/gals do it? I am very interested to know.

On behalf of all pet owners...keep up the good work :)

Answer 1

I think you have to have a certain frame of mind. Basically, don't let yourself cry over every death. I call it my 'chill' switch - if something upsets me at work I just take a deep breath, shake my head and get on with it - that's my chill switch. I lost it a bit when I lost my cat back in September - I couldn't do put to sleeps with old cats for a while, bit close to home I suppose!

It's not quite like what you think - often the animal is in real need of euthanasia. If you know what you're doing is a relief to the animal, it doesn't feel so bad. I also feel glad to counsel owners while they go through this - particularly if they're feeling guilty, I'm always the first to tell them not to (we never put animals to sleep unless there's no other option - if I felt it was wrong to put an animal to sleep I wouldn't let it happen. I always privately query it with the vet if I feel uneasy - usually it's just because I don't understand the situation, and then it's fine).

As for animals that are in a sorry way due to neglect - I just help it and console myself by trying to educate the owner. I became a veterinary nurse to help people help their pets, so I have to expect to see some unfortunate sights - all part of what I'm working to prevent.

So basically, you just to have a certain frame of mind - I don't think anyone would really get on well if they got all teary over every loss. You wouldn't survive emotionally.

Thanks for your support by the way!

Chalice

Answer 2

I love my job and can't see myself doing anything else. Other than the medical side, the best we can do is to comfort the ill and the old.

The most difficult and frustrating part for me is a pet who has no other options and the owner won't see it. Sometimes euthanizing a pet is the kindest thing you can do when they are suffering. There are times that I wish the owners could see their hospitalized pet suffering and in pain with no hope of recovery before they demand that we try everything in our power to save them. The vets are not God. Sometimes saving them or extending their life is not possible. If it is possible, it's not always best. I've been on both sides of the table in my life and neither is easy.
But as said before, we treat and send home more than not. The best part is when they come back to see us and they are happy and healthy and glad to see us.
I work in a hospital with five doctors and about a dozen techs. My worst euthanasia was with a long time client and her elderly german shephard. She actually requested that I be present and assist the doctor for this. The euthanasia itself went fine, but it was the aftermath that was hard. I had watched Sasha deteriorate over the years and was always the one that took care of her when she came in. Her mom and I cried like a bunch of babies for a half hour before we regained our composure.

But just like any other job, not everyone is cut out to do it. Years ago, I used to work in an office and thought I liked my job until this. I couldn't sit behind a desk all day without losing my mind. I have the warm fuzzy feeling inside knowing that I have done my part to help out, whether it be the act of caring for the pet or caring for the owner. I understand that not everyone knows what we do or why, so I enjoy calming their fears, explaining what we are doing and why.
I wouldn't trade my job for the world!!
Thanks a bunch,
Kim - Vet techie person

Answer 3

For me, I love my job. I like trying to help all the sick animals. without us vet techs and Vets there would be no help to the sick animals. As to the issue of euthanizing animals,...it is hard. Especially the ones you get attached to. There are some vets that will euthanize healthy animals but when i interviewed with the vet that owns the current office i work at i made sure he had a policy of only euthanizing sick animals. So it does help thinking of all the healthy animals when working with the sick. If i can make the sick animals feel a little better while at the vet office, give them a gentle hand and try to make them feel better then also make their upset owners feel a little more at ease then i feel good about my job. Thanks for the great compliment and question.

Answer 4

It is difficult to deal with at times.It is sad. The only way to really do it is to distance yourself mentally from it and not dwell on it. The good thing is that we save a lot more then are lost. We see more well animals then we do desperately ill.
The hardest to cope with is the deaths that could have been avoided and the ones that involve puppies/kittens.

Answer 5

You get used to it. Plus, for those that do end up dying, there are a lot that live as well. When you see the happy face of the owner of a pet who made it- everything is worth while.

Answer 6

Funnily adequate having a fish is unquestionably one of my known issues to do on a Sunday mornin...i like to verify my rod is prolonged and stiff earlier including the baiting maggot.I even have yet to have any court docket situations from any piece of fish i've got netted.i will sometimes upload some properly and relatively vetted shrimps just to verify a meaner capture.

Answer 7

It gets really hard, but we generally save more than we loose. It is somewhat fulfilling to get an animal that the vets thought was not going to make it. The worse ones are when they are young animals.