Vet Education

[stormie]

I think most of the negative comments about the new grads was more to do with the attitudes. Those who have posted here clearly have the right attitude and are keen to learn - the fact you're members of DOL says that anyway.

BUT, unfortunately, not all are as keen. I'm not stereotyping and saying that are all like this, but just that there are many who come out believing they now know more than those who have been practicing for 20+ years. Many have the attitude that seeing they've just come fresh from uni, that they are more up to date and should be the ones teaching the 'oldies'. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure you are learning more recent ways of doing things, pain relief etc and our first new grad was great in sharing her latest info and encouraging the older vets to get in some harder pain relief. The rest, didn't want help, advice or anything which was a shame because they ended up almost killing a few things.

Edited January 16, 2010 by stormie

[Flick_Mac]

Hi Stormie,

I agree with your post, and I think what us vet students ('scuse me for speaking for everyone!) are trying to stop is that generalisation... People tend to focus on the negative, it's part of human nature, but being young, keen, passionate vet students I/we really want to change this stereotype of the know-it-all young vet who stuffs things up by not listening...

I hope to get a job as a graduate under an experienced vet/specialist (depending which area I end up in) where I'm allowed enough freedom to do my own thing, make my own diagnosis, and try my own non-routine surgeries (with help if required), but also be in a supportive environment where I'm able to ask questions and query things to prevent needless deaths.

[WoofnHoof]

That was the funny thing about the young vet who looked at my liver shunt boy, because the knowledge was fresh in her head and she hadn't seen umpteen numbers of young dogs that had eaten something dodgy she picked up on the actual problem and if the senior vets had taken her a bit more seriously perhaps the suffering my boy went through before his actual diagnosis could have been avoided.

There is a very delicate balance between having experience and also being open to the possibility of a rarer condition and so I think it is important for the more senior vets to be aware of the danger of complacency as well. The senior vets also ignored my requests for them to consult with a canine internal medicine specialist regarding my boy and so further delayed his diagnosis.

[Jumabaar]

Hi Stormie,

I agree with your post, and I think what us vet students ('scuse me for speaking for everyone!) are trying to stop is that generalisation... People tend to focus on the negative, it's part of human nature, but being young, keen, passionate vet students I/we really want to change this stereotype of the know-it-all young vet who stuffs things up by not listening...

I hope to get a job as a graduate under an experienced vet/specialist (depending which area I end up in) where I'm allowed enough freedom to do my own thing, make my own diagnosis, and try my own non-routine surgeries (with help if required), but also be in a supportive environment where I'm able to ask questions and query things to prevent needless deaths.

You can talk for me since I agree with what you said!!

[Flick_Mac]

Good to know Woofenpup!

I actually haven't met anyone who's apathetic, or really a know-it-all (maybe a couple) in the whole of the UQ vet school... everyone is very open to learning. We're very much taught that we'll make LOTS of mistakes, and that we're dealing with live things so to take extra care.

Edited January 16, 2010 by Flick_Mac

[Crisovar]

There are so many dog breeds, cat breeds, as well as all the other species that a Vet is expected to understand that it would be almost impossible to cover all these. Think about it, human doctors deal only with humans, yet Vets deal with many different species. If you are concerned that your vet may not understand your breeds special needs make up an information pack for them.

[Flick_Mac]

That's a great idea Crisovar - i think what I'll intend to do when I begin practising is do some research if a breed I'm not overly familiar with is booked in. I"m never afraid to ask breeders about anything, and don't see how that would change after graduation... I'm always talking with pet food reps who are breeders about their specific breeds, of which I don't know that much about!

[Jumabaar]

There are so many dog breeds, cat breeds, as well as all the other species that a Vet is expected to understand that it would be almost impossible to cover all these. Think about it, human doctors deal only with humans, yet Vets deal with many different species. If you are concerned that your vet may not understand your breeds special needs make up an information pack for them.

I have to agree about the information pack. I was actually thinking about this today (planing future puppy packs LOL) and have decided to include in my puppy pac a little info for the vet re: breed traits (Ideal weights, unusual features etc), what the pup has had done up till then and anything else between now and then. This way they can get the information that I as a breeder need them to know so they can help my puppy owner. I would also include my details so that if they ever needed to contact me about anything genetic they could do it directly with the owners permission.

I think that as consumers we should be more proactive in letting vets know WHAT we want. If you want a vet to know about your breed- then give them the information. If they chose not to read it then you know that they are not the vet for you.

If you are conserned about your vet not being up to date in current laws- same deal provide them with the infromation in writing and if they chose not to do anything with it again you know to avoid them.

[Jumabaar]

There are so many dog breeds, cat breeds, as well as all the other species that a Vet is expected to understand that it would be almost impossible to cover all these. Think about it, human doctors deal only with humans, yet Vets deal with many different species. If you are concerned that your vet may not understand your breeds special needs make up an information pack for them.

I have to agree about the information pack. I was actually thinking about this today (planing future puppy packs LOL) and have decided to include in my puppy pac a little info for the vet re: breed traits (Ideal weights, unusual features etc), what the pup has had done up till then and anything else between now and then. This way they can get the information that I as a breeder need them to know so they can help my puppy owner. I would also include my details so that if they ever needed to contact me about anything genetic they could do it directly with the owners permission.

I think that as consumers we should be more proactive in letting vets know WHAT we want. If you want a vet to know about your breed- then give them the information. If they chose not to read it then you know that they are not the vet for you.

If you are conserned about your vet not being up to date in current laws- same deal provide them with the infromation in writing and if they chose not to do anything with it again you know to avoid them.

[armahani]

If you are concerned that your vet may not understand your breeds special needs make up an information pack for them.

I have to agree about the information pack. I was actually thinking about this today (planing future puppy packs LOL) and have decided to include in my puppy pac a little info for the vet re: breed traits (Ideal weights, unusual features etc), what the pup has had done up till then and anything else between now and then. This way they can get the information that I as a breeder need them to know so they can help my puppy owner. I would also include my details so that if they ever needed to contact me about anything genetic they could do it directly with the owners permission.

I did this with my first litter - put together a nice letter for the vets giving them that kind of information. Except the feedback I got back from my owners was that the vets weren't remotely interested in even reading it. :D

[Fordogs]

I have a large breed and I am so sick and tired of vets especially some of those in ACT they want to desex, x-ray and do a hip fusion before 20 weeks (Juvenile Pubic Symphiodisis). This is all VERY UNNECESSARY but they make puppy owners feel as if they are non caring owners if they do not go ahead and do exactly as they say.

I feel it is time to Stand up and say Enough Is Enough Some vets assume all new puppy clients have endless amounts of money and they are buying puppies from breeders that do NOT health check their breeding stock.

Edited January 17, 2010 by Fordogs

[poocow]

Thats such a shame armahani and it makes me glad I have my vet. He was so excited when he heard I was getting Morgan as he'd never met a Field before and was looking forward to going over her.

[sandra64]

I have to say, i love my vet...He is soooo caring and his practice is on the cusp of city/rural...I travel 35 min and passed probably 6 vets to get to him..There is nothing wrong with any that i pass, but mine seems to know more about working breed dogs....

[spottychick]

I'm sure there's good vets out there - and I knew a great one in Canberra! But since moving to Tassie I have to say it's been a nightmare for the most part. I'm currently deciding whether or not to take action against at least 2 vets over the unnecessary death of my beautiful boy. But that doesn't mean there aren't good ones around. It's just FINDING them that's so difficult - and that's a real shame.

But after 4 useless vets and spending a small fortune for no good reason, I did end up with one vet who showed a bit of intelligence, knew what needed to be done and how to approach things and - most importantly - showed a bit of compassion. Sadly they were too late to help as it turned out, but they sent me a beautiful sympathy card with a personal message about my dog after he died. I really appreciated that.

Anyway - I havent followed the whole thread - it all got too argumentative for me on a subject that is - right at this moment - a little too touchy for me.

But I wanted to say I think all vets should be taught LOTS more about basic animal nutrition in vet school. This seems to me to be knowledge that's sadly lacking amongst vets and fundamentally important to animal health. Doctors used to have the same problem but they seem to be more aware of nutritional issues these days.

And vet students should be taught a whole lot more about communication and responsiblity. EG Be very very clear about what they do and don't know about. Eg if you know stuff all about cancer then REFER people who have a dog with cancer to someone who does instead of providing an incorrect diagnosis, making up some half-baked treatment option and then desperately trying to avoid having any more to do with it.

For those who are studying vet at Uni now - good luck to you! I've known some wonderful compassionate vet students who went on to be fantastic intelligent vets (tho not necessarily very rich). I hope you do the same (tho not necessarily being poor or anything LOL).