Veterinary assistants need compassion for animals, manual dexterity and an orientation to detail. Most vet assistants have a high school diploma or the equivalent and learn through on-the-job training. They care for animals in animal clinics and hospitals under the supervision of veterinarians and technicians. In addition to feeding, their duties include preparing the animals and keeping them still for medical procedures. Although the work is suitable for animal lovers, there are definite disadvantages of being a vet to consider when you are weighing the pros and cons of being a vet tech.
Below Average Wages
This career comes with relatively low earnings even for those who only have a high school diploma or GED, which is a big drawback of being a veterinarian's assistant. The average wage for vet assistants, including animal caretakers in labs, was $571.20 per week, or $14.28 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2019. For full-time work, this is the equivalent of an annual salary of $29,702. This salary is less than the median income of other high school educated workers who make $746 per week, or $38,792 per year. This is a yearly difference of $9,090.
Unpleasant Working Conditions
Vet assistants perform some of the least pleasant tasks for a veterinary practice. For example, they clean kennels, cages and operating areas and sterilize surgical equipment. They bathe animals and take blood and urine samples for diagnostic tests. The job is sometimes stressful and physically demanding.
Animals become ill and need care at all hours of the day or night, so vet assistants often work holidays, nights and weekends. Assistants sometimes have to move large animals and hold them still for treatments. Vet assistants also endure the emotional stress of helping euthanize animals and seeing animals who have been abused.
Dangers on the Job
Vet assistants have a much higher rate of injuries on the job than the typical worker, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Lifting or restraining heavy animals can cause injuries, and frightened or aggressive animals sometimes scratch, bite and kick. Vet assistants also come in contact with numerous infectious diseases. The Minnesota Department of Public Health indicates that many animal diseases are transmittable to humans, such as histoplasmosis, Q fever, rabies and cat scratch disease.
Some animal-borne diseases are relatively difficult to diagnose but can damage an unborn child if contracted by a pregnant woman. Veterinary assistants also risk exposure to radiation during animal x-rays and may come in contact with harmful chemicals, including anesthetic gases and pharmaceutical drugs.
Other Considerations
The joy of working with animals may outweigh the negatives of a vet assistant job for you. If so, you can expect excellent job opportunities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that openings for vet assistants will increase by 16 percent between 2019 and 2029, much faster than average for all jobs.
Further, the large turnover of current assistants will open up many additional jobs. A vet assistant who wants to advance can complete an associate or bachelor's degree in veterinary technology to qualify as a technician or technologist. Weighing the pros and cons of being a veterinary assistant can help you determine if this job is right for you.
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- What are the disadvantages of being a veterinarian?
Cons of being a veterinarian
- Potential burnout and compassion fatigue.
- You will see animals in pain and suffering from every ailment, and will likely perform euthanasia.
- Long hours in the office and on-call during weekends and evenings.
- Revenue is a discretionary expense for caretakers.
What are some advantages of being a veterinarian?
8 Benefits of being a veterinarian
- You can have as much variety as you want. ...
- There's considerable job security. ...
- You can effect real change. ...
- You'll likely have fantastic colleagues. ...
- Learning is part of the job. ...
- You have the opportunity to shape your own career. ...
- You may have a hand in educating the next generation of vets.
What are the risks of being a veterinarian?
Veterinary Safety & Health: Physical Safety
- Animal handling and restraint hazards.
- Ergonomic and musculoskeletal hazards.
- Eye hazards.
- Heat stress.
- Ionizing radiation.
- Laser hazards.
- Motor vehicle hazards.
- Needlestick, scalpel and other sharps hazards.
Is being a veterinarian stressful?
Among all veterinarians who experience psychological stress, the most frequently reported conditions are depression (98%), burnout (88%), and anxiety (83%). And while half of those report seeking treatment, only 16% are using mental health resources available through national or state veterinary organizations.
What is the most negative aspect of a veterinary career?
And Number 1: The Inability to Treat
In my opinion, the very toughest aspect of being a vet is having a young, mostly-healthy animal with a solvable problem- but no resources to correct the issue. The truth is, even the healthiest of animals can run into unexpected illnesses or accidents.
PROS & CONS of being a vet
What are the pros and cons of being a vet?
List of Pros of Being a Veterinarian
- You'll have the chance to help animals. ...
- You'll have a job that you love. ...
- You can earn a decent income. ...
- You'll go through emotional roller coasters. ...
- You'll struggle for work-life balance. ...
- You'll be exposed to various injuries.
Is it worth it being a vet?
While salaries vary widely, veterinarians rarely become wealthy. As long as there are animals, there will be a need for veterinarians to care for them. The emotional and intellectual rewards of veterinary medicine are rich and diverse.
Why do vets quit?
“The problem is that so many individuals leave the profession.” Part of the reason is finances. A recent vet school graduate who works in a companion-animal practice in Pennsylvania can expect to earn, on average, about $110,336 a year, according to the AVMA.
What challenges do veterinarians face?
Common Problems Veterinarians Face
- Angry Customers. Most pet owners are easy to deal with. ...
- Pricing Issues. It can be difficult to determine how to set your prices. ...
- Disgruntled Employees. Employees can help your practice flourish. ...
- Competition. ...
- Finding Good Employees. ...
- Contact Our Experienced Veterinary Attorneys.
Is being a vet a happy job?
Veterinarians rate their happiness above average. At CareerExplorer, we conduct an ongoing survey with millions of people and ask them how satisfied they are with their careers. As it turns out, veterinarians rate their career happiness 3.7 out of 5 stars which puts them in the top 20% of careers.
What are the top 3 injuries to veterinarians?
Prior analyses of American Veterinary Medical Association Professional Insurance and Liability Trust workers' compensation data have reported that the most common injuries in the veterinary care setting are animal related injuries including bites, kicks, and scratches, as well as worker sprains and falls [Hub ...
What are 10 common injuries for veterinarians?
The major physical injuries were dog and cat bites, cat scratches, scalpel blade cuts and back injuries from lifting heavy animals. Exposure to chemicals such as flea rinses, formalin, glutaraldehyde, x-ray developers and gaseous anaesthetics were reported to cause headache, nausea and allergies.
Are veterinarians poor?
Veterinary students in the U.S. graduated in 2018 with an average of $150,000 in debt, according to the AVMA. Yet data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the median annual wage for veterinarians in 2018 was $93,830, and starting salaries are significantly much lower.
Is vet school stressful?
A later study by Dr. Hafen indicated that veterinary students often experience psychological distress, with a combination of stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms throughout their four years. Depression scores peaked in the third year before falling in the fourth back to first-year levels.
Do vets treat their own pets?
The American Medical Association (AMA) Opinion 8.19 - Self-Treatment or Treatment of Immediate Family Members states that “physicians generally should not treat themselves or members of their immediate families.
Do vets make good money?
Companion animal practice vets generally earn the most, at an average of $110,000 a year. Mixed animal vets are generalists and earn an average annual income of $100,000 a year.
What is the hardest thing about being a vet?
The hardest part of veterinary medicine is knowing that you can do something to help the animal in front of you, but being told that you can't. Cost is certainly the most common reason people decline to move forward with things; however, people may have moral or religious objections to diagnostics or treatments too.
What is the greatest challenge for veterinary care?
The biggest challenge of all is for veterinary practices to keep on top of changing standards, emerging trends and new drugs, therapies and treatments in the field. Health challenges related to heart worm, diabetes and cancer continue to grow.
What is the biggest challenge facing the veterinarian community today?
Biggest Challenge – The biggest challenge for the veterinary industry by far is the widespread shortage of veterinarians. The two big reasons: poor remuneration and poor job satisfaction.
Why are vets so unhappy?
They have wanted to save animals since childhood—and still do—but are often unhappy about other areas of their chosen field. Many veterinarians do, however, lack purpose. They struggle with a sense of belonging and may not feel they fit in with their workplace culture and values.
Is being a vet sad?
Veterinarians Share Your Worry and Grief
The toughest part of a veterinarian's work comes when we ask for their help in saying goodbye to a beloved pet. “Veterinarians devote their lives to providing care for and saving the lives of animals. There is no easy way to cope with the sad aspects of the job,” says Dr.
Why do vets not make a lot of money?
2. Money Issues. Considering the amount of schooling they go through, the cost of their students loans, and the intensity of the job, veterinarians don't make that much money. The median salary for a veterinarian in the U.S is $72,709.
What is the highest paid vet?
The highest paid veterinary specialty is: Ophthalmology
Average salaries for a veterinarian vary, but we found that the highest paid specialty in the industry is Ophthalmology, with AVMA reporting annual incomes of $199K+.
Is becoming a vet harder than a doctor?
Many of the prerequisites for these schools are similar because biology and chemistry are needed in the veterinary and medical fields. Though aspiring med students have to take the MCAT before applying to medical school, most people agree that vet school is harder than medical school.
What are 5 things veterinarians do?
Their day-to-day tasks can involve treating wounds, diagnosing illnesses, performing surgery, administering vaccines, and prescribing medications. They also euthanize animals nearing the end of their lives.