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AMA
Original poster

I'm a vet, AMA!

373 replies

KarlDilkington · 22/07/2018 09:42

I am a co-director of quite a large practice with 7 small animal branches and a central hospital, plus farm, equine and exotic clients. I mainly do small animals but also do some farm and equine. Happy to answer any questions, but please don't expect me to diagnose anything or advise on treatment plans over the net Smile

OP posts:
Rainbowtrees · 22/07/2018 09:45

What’s the most difficult thing about being a vet?

BiteyShark · 22/07/2018 09:46

What is the best and worst part of your job?

What is your favourite animal that you treat?

ScreamingValenta · 22/07/2018 09:47

Hello OP. How do you cope with the emotions surrounding euthanising animals?

LEMtheoriginal · 22/07/2018 09:48

Do you think nurses are undervalued and deserve more professional recognition?

BiteyShark · 22/07/2018 09:49

Another question, I have insurance so I am happy for my vet to run any type of investigation that may be needed. How do you deal with pets that aren't insured when their owners say they can't afford anything?

Urbanbeetler · 22/07/2018 09:50

Have you ever taken an animal and refused to return it because of cruelty?

Shmithecat · 22/07/2018 09:50

Do you have any pets yourself?
Are there any particulars animals you really don't like having to deal with?

Original poster
KarlDilkington · 22/07/2018 09:58

@rainbowtrees Honestly? The clients. So often being accused of just being after money if we have to request payment before we do treatments, or for euthanasia etc. I think in this country the NHS has made people very unaware of the true cost of medical care for any species. They think we should just treat animals as a volunteer half the time, like it's a right to own pets. Also clients who don't understand how difficult it can actually be to diagnose a mute patient who is trying their best to hide what is wrong with them. I want to shout "I am trying SO SO hard to help here!" quite a lot!

OP posts:
Original poster
KarlDilkington · 22/07/2018 10:01

@Biteyshark

My favourite part is the complicated cases where I need to puzzle over test results and symptoms and scans and do exploratory surgeries. When you figure out what is wrong and it's a hard one to diagnose it's very satisfying. Also, my colleagues. We have a great team.

The worst part is schlepping around farms in the winter when it's freezing and raining. And having to break bad news to clients about their beloved pets.

My favourite animals to treat are always dogs.

OP posts:
princesstiasmum · 22/07/2018 10:02

What would you do if people cant afford a high unexpected bill,would you still treat the animal,?
Would you offer a payment plan?

Original poster
KarlDilkington · 22/07/2018 10:03

@ScreamingValenta

It's so hard and myself and my colleagues often get upset along with owners. But then you usually have something else to do 5 minutes later... and life goes on. The worst times are when an animal dies in pain before we can get it pain relief. Euthanising an old loved animal doesn't keep me awake at night at all, It's more often a relief.

OP posts:
WaitrosePigeon · 22/07/2018 10:03

Why is it so expensive?

Original poster
KarlDilkington · 22/07/2018 10:04

@LEMtheoriginal

Yes absolutely, they are the backbone of our practice. We have a good long standing team which I hope means they feel treated well. I do not tolerate any shouting at nurses by vets or anything of the like, no matter how stressful it can get.

OP posts:
flumpybear · 22/07/2018 10:04

My DD wants to be a vet, she's only 10 but it's the only job (bar the tooth fairy) she's ever been interested in - is the job market good? How do you deal with the whole PTS bit too as it must be awful

flumpybear · 22/07/2018 10:05

Ahh just seem the PTS bit above!

Original poster
KarlDilkington · 22/07/2018 10:07

@BiteyShark

We have to tailor our treatment plans to our client's affordability. Sometimes we can substitute the best meds for a similar med thats a lot cheaper, or try a more wait and see approach than immediately doing exploratory scans or whatever. We always WANT to treat the animal, but we also can't do everything for free. It's the owners responsibility to only keep pets they can afford. They knew when they got them how expensive vet bills are after all. Sometimes we have to euthanase because the owner can't afford continued treatment and we can't allow the animal to suffer.

OP posts:
Original poster
KarlDilkington · 22/07/2018 10:09

@Urbanbeetler

Yes this isn't too regular but also isn't that uncommon.
We recently had reason to believe that an owner had inserted a broom handle or similar up a dog's anus, so we refused to hand back the dog and passed the case across to the rspca. Another owner had tried to amputate their dog's infected tail themselves. Things like that

OP posts:
PandaPieForTea · 22/07/2018 10:11

Is it hard to collect debt from owners? My mum always said that was very difficult for vets, but she wasn’t one, so I’ve no idea where she got that idea from.

Do you have any vets that are good with guinea pigs? We found it difficult to find vets that know anything about them.

Serin · 22/07/2018 10:11

I hear your point about being accused of being "just after money", but sometimes that is how it feels.
Whenever we visit we are always given the hard sell.....on one occasion I was up sold a bottle of malaseb for a tiny pink patch on our llhasa apso's skin. The patch had totally vanished before I had even opened the bottle.
Every visit we are also given the hard sell on expensive dog foods.....despite our dog never having changed from ideal weight in the 8 years that we have had him and never having even one illness....he seems to be doing fine on supermarket food to us.

Frouby · 22/07/2018 10:11

Do you get frustrated with clients who can't pay for treatments and won't pay for insurance?

Would you prefer an owner to have an unlimited pot to treat their animals and do so or would you prefer to deal with an owner who can afford everything but choses not to when there is very little hope of a positive outcome?

Have you ever advised an owner PTS and they refuse and how do you deal with that animal moving forwards?

Urbanbeetler · 22/07/2018 10:12

Oh fuck. That’s awful.

ShovingLeopard · 22/07/2018 10:14

So glad we have a vet doing this! I love our vet, who is fab, and am in awe of his rapport with his patients. You all do great work.

My question for you is what do you think of the Supervet? And do you think the cutting-edge, bionics type surgery he does will become standard practice, or do you think the expense involved will mean it always remains a niche area?

Original poster
KarlDilkington · 22/07/2018 10:15

Do you have any pets yourself?
Are there any particulars animals you really don't like having to deal with?

Yes I live on a working farm and horses, dogs and cats.

I kind of hate working with rabbits and guineas because they always try so hard to die! Cats can be nightmares if not sedated.

OP posts:
Shmithecat · 22/07/2018 10:18

Because they always try so hard to die!

Oh! GrinBlush

BiteyShark · 22/07/2018 10:20

Thanks for the replies. My dog would not be here now hadn't it been for several of the vets at our practice so I do appreciate them.

I do still have more questions Grin. Do you brush your dogs teeth and do you think it makes a difference I try every single day but he has still developed plaque and he's not even 2 yet