We lost our cat, Chardonnay, last week. And by lost I mean she died. She was 12, but her death was sudden and unexpected. I feel like we’re jinxed, because our previous two pets died with similar short time frames. I like to think it’s a blessing for them, even if it’s not for us as there wasn't time to prepare for the loss. This is the second fur-child we have had die without a diagnosis and as a vet I find that incredibly frustrating and guilt inducing. It leaves me feeling

Like it or not (mostly not) talking money is the vet care team’s responsibility – from the estimate of costs of care through to the actual payment. The discussion can vary and be fraught with guilt, awkwardness and no eye contact, to being too clinical and abrupt about the whole thing. It’s easy to talk about set-price services, like a vaccination, and more difficult when there’s a case in hospital where the care has had to increase or change. Then you need to communicate th

Going into an interaction that you think is going to be confrontational is incredibly stressful – your heart rate goes up, breathing becomes shallow and palms become sweaty. Your hands turn into fists, your shoulders start to ache and you find yourself looking for the nearest exit. These interactions happen in all aspects of our lives - your boss did something you don’t agree with, your work mate seems to be taking advantage of you, your partner forgot (again) to let you kno

I cringed as a co-worker was confessing this. Truth is, empathy likely leaves you more vulnerable to compassion fatigue – a condition that can manifest itself as feeling teary, anxious, quick to anger or simply numb. Compassion fatigue leaves you feeling a shell of your usual self, and veterinary healthcare workers are at increased risk for developing this. We are dealing with companion animals that have been hurt or injured in some way, or with distraught owners, farmers, te