What Exactly Does a Vet Do?
If you’re considering applying to vet schools, then it’s important to know what exactly a veterinarian does during her normal workday.
Since most veterinarians – a full 75% – end up in private practice, let’s see what a normal day looks like.
6 a.m. Wake up and get ready for the day. Most veterinarians have their own pets and they’re pretty hungry! Time to shower, feed your pets, and eat a good breakfast yourself. Pack a lunch and dinner.
7 a.m. Off to the office.
7:30 a.m. Work on paperwork, pay bills, make necessary phone calls for supplies, and inquire about new pet therapies such as new drugs used to treat different types of animal disease. Check on caged animals.
9:00 a.m. Staff meeting. Instruct staff on the goals for the day. Discuss the solutions for current office problems.
9:30 a.m. Waiting room is filling up with pet owners and their pets. Start seeing them. Some of the most common reasons for veterinary care include:
- physical check-up and annual shots
- heartworm preventative, heartworm tests
- pet vomiting, determine the cause
- pet urinary tract infection
- pet has no energy, won’t eat, and is not himself
- pet is pregnant; need instructions on what to do
- pet had puppies or kittens and need instructions
- kitten or pet died and wish to have its remains cremated
- dog has ear infection; cat has ear mites
- dog or cat was hit by a car, needs immediate help
11:30 a.m. Time for lunch. Grab a quick bite. Prepare for surgeries. Perform surgeries. Sterilize operating room afterwards. Then check out animals in cages.
2:30 p.m. Waiting room is filling up with pet owners and their pets. Start seeing them. Other common reasons for veterinary care include:
- pet swallowed something and it didn’t pass in feces. Needs x-rays
- pet was involved in a fight with other animals; needs wounds examined
- dog has maggots and they’re hatching
- small pedigree dog has bad breath; needs a dental examination
- pet’s tumor is getting larger, needs to be evaluated
- dog appears to not hear what is spoken to it; needs a hearing evaluation
- dog moves its head and yelps for pain; needs a physical examination
- cat limping from no known reason
- police dog was knifed by a criminal, needs immediate attention; this case may need referral to one of the hospitals at the vet schools
- puppy or kitten was found in a fire; fur is burnt and animal is barely hanging on to life
- pet needs to be euthanized
5:00 p.m. Last appointments are taken. Grab a small meal from the refrigerator and heat it up in the microwave.
6:00 p.m. Complete sanitization of the office waiting room, examination room, and cages. Any additional surgeries may need to be performed. One last look at caged animals to see if they need additional care.
7:00-8:30 p.m. Return home.
Attending an accredited vet school prepares a veterinarian to do this type of daily work and handle this type of daily load.
