As a veterinarian, we fill many roles including healthcare provider, public health advocate, financial advisor, family counselor, grief counselor, mind reader, animal psychiatrist, human psychiatrist, and on and on. We spin many plates on many sticks trying to keep up. Being a veterinarian is the most rewarding and taxing profession I can imagine. Picture a pediatrician with a pre-set budget and a parent insisting the child to live beyond its life expectancy. Oh, and add in a manicure for good measure!

As a general small animal practitioner, I currently see family cats and dogs. I work 4 days a week with rotating Saturday duties. At our practice, each veterinarian rotates through medicine days and surgery days. We perform only soft tissue surgery (spays, neuters, mass removals, dental cleanings).

On a typical surgery day, I begin each morning by reviewing the surgery schedule for the day. I perform presurgical exams and double check the information on the appointment is in line with the owners’ expectations.

We typically premedicate each patient with an appropriate sedative to allow them to relax. We place IV catheters in every surgical patient. When their surgical time is due, we have two dedicated assistants who help me monitor and support the patient during the procedure and recovery. Once fully recovered, I give the owner a phone call letting them know that the patient is recovering.

At our hospital, we perform surgeries before lunch. After lunch, the surgical staff convert over to seeing appointments. Appointments range from wellness exams and vaccines, all the way through sick patients and euthanasias. Every day in general practice is different. We never know what is going to walk in the door. This provides variety and keeps us on our toes.

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