So I want to be a veterinarian... I think

Question
Hello,

I am a freshman at the University of Florida right now and am currently planning on becoming a vet. Where to start.. I've always loved animals. Always had/have them. And even worked at an animal shelter for nearly four years. I'll be frank and say that making money in my career is important to me because either when I retire or get free time I would love to travel but making money is definitely not my top priority. Through extensive Q and A and research, I realize vets really don't make truckloads of dough. They also have strenuous hours, not to mention a lot of college to go to and it's very competitive to get into vet school. But it has got to be a rewarding job!

I'm torn in a lot of ways about my major. I love to write and I know that I am very good at it. I never hesitate in thinking I would excel at business management and marketing. There is no doubt that I want to own my own business. And when I look at becoming a vet, I see a career where there are no promotions and hardly any change. Sure I am constantly required to refresh my knowledge about this new disease with whichever animal, but you have GOT to LOVE your job. it's just such a colossal commitment, I fear that at the end of vet school my interest will be fried and I'll have wasted a huge chunk of my life!

Now in a more positive light, I love disease, and biology, and medicine and just that whole field in general. I've never considered becoming a doctor really because I think I like animals more than people. But animals sometimes have a lot more terrifying way of lashing out at their doctors than human patients do. To have my own practice (or make partner with another veterinarian) and have people that come to me because they trust my judgment and my competence for years is an awesome idea.

Now for some actual questions.

I don't doubt my science capabilities. I can handle it. It's just the math. I've never been strong in math. I've gone to countless tutors and rack my brain but to no avail. I need to know what kind of mathematic skills a veterinarian needs on the job. the stuff I really will be utilizing daily, not physics and trigonometry. Please, sweet lord, don't tell me I NEED physics and trig. on the job...

Also, are there ways to boost your income in a practice? I know it's much easier on a vets personal life to be a partner with another vet but you don't make as much money. But I will want free time. So I bet I'll try and partner with someone. But what about opening up an overnight kennel? And I could have my staff stay a little later to care for the animals in come in earlier to do the same. That would add income, right? Do vets do that?

Now, what about when you first become a vet. Your first surgery on your own. is it hard to swallow? I l know it depends on the person and I'm strong-stomached but man oh man, you see some gross stuff. I'm not quite sure of what to think about being called int he middle of the night to check out a dog whose intestines are splattered out all over the place and in need of being patched up by yours truly. I could do it. I might get physically ill the first few times, but what I'm asking is do you adjust?

As a vet, I would also like to know how you knew this was the career for you? Is your love and devotion just as strong now? Do you ever think well, what if I would have done something different?

I know I have more questions, I just can't seem to think of them all at this moment. But I would greatly appreciate your advice. I just want to know- everything. Financial hardship, ethical clashes, strain on personal time, everything. please, I would appreciate it so much.

Sincerely,
Katy S.

Answer
Katy;

Believe it or not, I graduated from the University of Florida (1972) before I got in to vet school.  I loved Gainesville!

You are right about the money.  You will make a living wage as an associate vet, but you will only make any substantial money owning a clinic because then there is the real estate as well as the goodwill of the clinic that creates wealth.  We do boarding and grooming in my practice as a way to get more income and it really benefits the clients, too, because they like to go to one place for everything.

As far as the blood and gore.  You will see all kinds of things in your training in vet school.  You tend to divorce your feelings from the actual case because you are like a "mechanic" working under the hood of a car.  You have a part to fix or replace and then you are done.

There is nothing more gratifying than helping a sick or an injured animal get well using your years of knowledge and skill and then go home to loving owners.  

I have been doing this for 27 years, and I still enjoy going to work each day and finding out what weird things I will see.  It is constantly changing and is never boring.

Don't sweat the math.  Just get through it like everyone does and then forget it.