AMA I work in a vet practice

[Davesmum2021]

After a very shitty day today, the last client of the day said that “we was robbing bas@£-d’s and that we don’t love animals cause if if we did we wouldn’t be charging that.
Really wanted to say that earlier this morning causes it’s a Saturday I had to help give cpr to a dog and what she’s paying paid for me to do my cpr training refresh and save that dog!
So got me thinking what would you lien to know about vet practices?

We do not, even if someone is insured it may not cover the full cost of the treatment anyway. So many people do not understand insurance and are shocked when something does happen.
We always tell the owner the cost up front. We offer interest free finance and we always check if the client is eligible for the PDSA. Honestly though I would say 90% of clients pay no matter what the cost. I certainly would for my pets.
Yes I would insure my dog no matter what the cost was. I’ve seen some owners spend £10k plus on an elder dog. I think it’s something you need to factor in when you get a pet.

😂

You are exactly right. Difference is with us if it’s a genuinely emergency you will not wait to be seen as soon as that emergency phone goes off everyone starts getting prepared and we’ve run toward the front door before to get a dog and it got seen by our nurses straight away. If people had to pay for the health care they would soon realise it’s not expensive.
I’m often found sitting in kennels in my lunch hour taking to patients we generally care and if we don’t know the answer we will find out for you.

You sound ace. I have such a vivid memory of coming home from college to one of our cats lying on his side and frothing at the mouth. I called my mum and she said to call our vet because she couldn’t get out of work. I called them - out of hours - and they said to bring him in. I’d only passed my driving test the week before. But bundled him up, he wouldn’t go into a carrier, so it was a towel on the front seat with him strapped into the seat belt. Poor little boy. Drove there in a panic and my goodness how kind were people. Let me stay with him while they shaved his little paw and sedated him. Made me a cup of tea with immense amounts of sugar. And when they realised he was beyond the point of return the vet said: “Stay as long as you want and need.” I needed my mum to come and say goodbye. So it was two hours and in those hours, the vet honestly treated our cat as if it was their own. I’ve never and will never forget their kindness.

We all genuinely do the job cause we love animals. Yes we all get excited and have cuddles with the puppies and kittens but that’s not all our job is. I’ve been there with owners and they pet when they have decided to go to heaven. I’ve cuddled owners, I’ve sat there listening to the stories many times even though I should’ve gone home 20 mins ago. I’ve been there when no one was to make sure that animal is not alone at the end.
It helps with a great team who all believe in the same way a vets should run.
Thank you x

How do injured pets, guessing mostly dogs, get brought to you if they were in a car accident? Do The Police bring them in and do they have cages in Police cars?

Just curious because I was in with my cat for a routine checkup a few months ago and passed a nasty looking multi car accident that had just happened with emergency services just arriving. When I was with the vet the receptionist popped her head in the door and said dog in RTA being brought in by Police, ETA 5 mins not in a good way or something like that and the Vet said she had to go and prep and could I head back to reception.

Sensitive one - apologies. What happens after you leave your late animal with the vet to be cremated? How and where are they stored and where do they go for the cremation? I have never requested ashes, but if you do request ashes, how does that work?

Yes I have a dog and hamsters. Would love more though

Most are bought in with their owners but if they can’t walk we will always take stretcher to the car with multiple staff.
we’ve had police bring in cats, and some school kids bought a cat in.
We’ve also had the police accompany the owner as the dog had a police order to put to sleep.

We have to put them in cold storage ie a big freezer. It might sound strange but we still talk to the pet and stroke them. I always say good night to them.
we have collections once a week and they go to company who cremates them. Owners have the choice of ashes back or not. For they wanted ashes back then it will be an individual cremation and if not they go to communal. If you want the ashes we have a choice of what you like then to come back in.

I've noticed you using the phrase "go to heaven". What phrase or phrases do you use at work and with owner? Is there a standard phrasing used by all vets or is it personal preference?

I am sorry. But you genually sound like a receptionist at most and even this would be insulting to our receptionists at my vet practice.

I’m pretty sure this topic is in AMA

Not ‘be randomly rude for no bloody good reason’

I wouldn't knock anyone working at a vet practice. In my experience, whatever the role, you will find some incredibly knowledgeable and caring people. Often being paid peanuts to deal with us and our pets at our most vulnerable.