Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I LOVE animals, especially reptiles.

I am trying to point myself in the right direction while going through high school, becuase my decisions on my courses affect my career for the rest of my life!!!

Is anyone here a vet? How do you like the job? Pleas give me any info on how hard it is to study to be a vet, or how hard it is to get a job etc.

I would also find it very convinient to be able to trat my own animals! It costs SO much these days to keep something very exotic and keep it alive.

Also, does anyone know about vet insurance? Does it exist?

thanks all

I used to be a Vet Tech and I absolutely loved it! I didn't have any school either...kinda worked my way from the bottom to the top, and was making pretty good money also. I think w/ Vet Tech you spend more of a personal time with the animals...

But, i dont know much about becoming a Vet except that your in school forever....well, it seems that way! haha

But, yes there is pet insurance...there's different kinds. Try searching for something online if ur interested. But, I'd call your vet and see if they accept it first, and maybe ask them what insurance they'd take. Good Luck

Jodi

Thanks for the feedback, I appreciate it!

I'm a vet tech too. not too many males in my profession, but more are definantly needed! Everyone at work depends on me for all the "manley" work. Like holding aggressive pit bulls and rotties. I LOVE it! I was going to school to be an exotics vet, but there is no way to keep up with the workload if you have to keep a job and pay rent, unless your a genious. Now I am working as a vet tech and going to Culinary Arts school to be a chef. Hope everything works out!

Sounds like the education you need for veterinary studies is pretty hefty, I'm prepared for it though. I'm finishing up grade 9 and I have never tried in school in my life, and have ALWAYS had near-top marks (excluding the nerds and gifted ppl in the class). I figure if I take an advanced biology course in grade 11 that might help to ease the workload later on?
I'm not quite sure what the system is here in Canada, but I know it's different than in the states in some ways. There are specific veterinary schools, there is a vet registration thing you need to be a part of in order to work (similar to being an engineer), and there are very high standards for private practices, the vet offices here are like a biohazard clean room...(spotless, shiny etc. lol).

In any case it sounds like a very interesting career that lets you by in life fairly well-off (important!!).

thanks for the help guys, good luck with your careers in the future and good luck at cooking school!!!

Good for you that you have an idea what you want to do. If your not looking for the whole Veterinary time, you could try a few other majors like vet tech or even Zoology (Both of which can be later used to go on to Veterinary if you so choose)
I love animals and grew up caring for them, so Im taking courses for a degree in Zoology right now. I am not sure if I want to go on to Veterinary or not. It is not that hard, but takes some good study skills (which I lack =P) I got top marks all through High school as well but then was getting C's in College.

Whatever you decide good luck with it!

p.s My advisor told me that the best way to get ahead is to start volunteering wherever you can. At zoo's, clinics, shelters anything. The more experience you have going into it helps you down the road with getting a job or an internship.

Hope this info helps!

Thanks again for the replies,
Zoology would be my other choice, I will choose later on when it's necessary. Thats great what you're doing at the moment and I hope you have a hell of a career later on. I presently know someone who co-owns and operates a local zoo, one of the only ones in my area. They have cages smaller than I would think necessary but I know their treatment is incredibile. They were home to the world's heaviest captive lion for a few year but he passed away a few weeks ago .
Anyway I will try to do some volunteering at some places in the next few years to build up some experience.
thanks a lot for your reply!

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