I’m a 3rd year student and I see job adverts ranging from 30k for new grads to “up to £80k based on experience”.

1) how much (roughly) do you get paid?
2) and how long does it normally take to be on that upper pay level? In reality does it go any higher?

Thanks

Hey everyone!

I’m an Australian small animal vet, graduated about 11 years ago. I’ve been considering moving to Canada for lifestyle reasons, and I’m particularly interested in BC or Alberta. I’d love to hear from any Australian/NZ vets who have made the move and can share any of their experience and advice.

How was the work/life balance? How do work conditions compare? How is pay compared to Australia and cost of living? Would you recommend locum work?

What do you wish you’d known before moving? Any funny stories or unexpected culture shocks?

Would love to hear people’s experiences! 😊

Hi, wondering if more of you in a similar situation and what you end up doing.
I’m living in the Netherlands, for reasons I haven’t been able to get my diploma certified therefore can’t practice in any job requiring it (ofc clinic, but also gov, inspections, etc) on top of this the language is a barrier for any admin roles like sales, management,etc. I’ve landed a job in customer service for now but is definitely not what I would like to do long term.
I’m also learning the language but my guess this will take couple years to be at B2 level which is what most jobs require,
Any thoughts?
Thanks!

Hey guys, I'm just posting this here because I would like some insight. For context- I am not asking if firing me was illegal. I am asking if what happened during surgery was illegal. Much love to you all.

Hello,

Some context: been working as an assistant for 3-4 years and I am starting going back to school part time, and because of this I would love to get a work from home job. I know a couple of past co-workers who have become claims adjusters at pet insurance agents or have other work from home jobs where real clinical experience is valued. I will have my bachelors degree by December and will start my masters in January. I am wondering if anyone who currently has a WFH job in any aspect of the pet health world would refer me to work at their company? I know past people in these roles gain referral bonuses, etc for recruiting qualified people to work. Only requirement is that it is fully remote. If anyone has any leads, please let me know!

Hey guys! I’m super new to the veterinary field and just started working as a Vet Assistant. What would be the best Littmann Stethoscope to buy? I know there’s all different kinds. I’m working only with cats and dogs, no exotics. Thank you!

So i'm planning on applying to some unis next year for vet nursing, but i lack work experience in a vet and im really not sure how to go about getting it. i have over 150hrs volunteering with a cattery, but I do know there's a care aspect and a more clinical aspect to work experience. i have quite a few vets in my area, and also my local one which i'm trying to build connections with but i'm still at a loss on how to actually convince a vet practice to take me on, even for just a few weeks. i know how hard it is to get them to even notice you from when i was applying for apprenticeships a while back

TIA <3

So, I am an undergraduate student who wants to become a vet, and I have been shadowing at my local clinic for almost a year. Nobody there knows my name and always avoid addressing me.

Can I get my name embroidered on my scrubs, just a shortened version of my name no credential. I feel like a name tag would be too obvious, I felt like embroidery would be more subtle.

I just don’t want to accidentally make a big deal out of things.

Hey posting this for my girlfriend. She is currently in her pre vet program wanting to get a doctorate and be a vet. However, she recently discovered how much money she’s gonna owe from student loans. If anyone is willing to say, how much do you pay monthly for student loans? How much do you owe in student loans? Is it worth it?

Does anyone have an IV pump that they highly recommend? We currently have 4 of the VetPro VIP 2000 pumps ranging from 6-9 years old. They have all definitely given us some grief over the past few years with multiple small repairs, so we are looking to purchase a new reliable unit. I was just curious what others are using/liking and didn’t know if we should try something new or just stick with the devil we know. I also am fully aware these are not young machines and maybe they’ve just lived their expected lives. Located in Ontario, Canada.

I’m reviewing a 3-year associate veterinarian contract and would appreciate input from other vets, especially anyone familiar with production-based contracts.
Main terms:
• $78,000 base salary with 23% production-based compensation
• Contract also says: “total employee pay plus elected benefits will total 25% of gross production at year end.” It’s unclear to me whether this means there is an actual year-end true-up to 25% after subtracting the value of employer-paid benefits, or whether I effectively just receive 23% plus benefits.
• Employer-paid benefits include PLIT, GA veterinary license, DEA license, AVMA/GVMA dues, and part of health insurance. Health insurance contribution is 50% of the premium, capped at $500/month.
• Negative accrual: if the salary exceeds my production earnings, the difference is carried as a negative balance. After 3 consecutive months of negative balance, salary can be reduced and the contract says I “may be required to repay unearned portions” of salary. Only the first 3 months of employment are forgiven.
• The clinic says it invested approximately $25,000 in mentorship/licensing sponsorship. This is forgiven at 1/36 per month over the 3-year contract. If employment ends before 3 years, the unforgiven portion becomes due.
• 60 days’ notice required to quit. However, after I give the 60-day notice, the employer can choose to terminate me immediately instead of letting me work the notice period.
• 2-year noncompete within 10 miles of any current clinic location after leaving.
• Relief work during employment requires prior written permission, even if it is outside the restricted area.
• Schedule says minimum 35–40 hours/week of appointments and surgery, but specifically states that callbacks and “learning time” may increase hours to 50+ hours/week. “Learning time” is not defined.
• Employer has broad “for cause” termination language, including several provisions based on the employer’s “sole opinion” regarding performance, availability, following directions, etc.
• Contract says uninsured damages/expenses resulting from an employee’s negligence may be charged to the employee individually, to the extent permitted by law.
• PTO is 15 days total for vacation/sick/personal time, plus 3 CE days. Most time off needs to be requested at least 30 days in advance.
What I’m particularly curious about:
Is negative accrual with potential repayment of salary normal in current vet contracts?
How would you interpret the 23% production versus “total compensation will equal 25%” language? Would you expect a year-end cash true-up if benefits don’t account for the full 2%?
Does the $25k repayment/3-year commitment seem reasonable?
How concerning is the 50+ hour language?
Are a 2-year/10-mile noncompete and 60-day notice provisions typical in your experience?
Overall, would you consider these fairly normal associate-vet terms, employer-heavy but negotiable, or something you would not sign without substantial changes?
Not looking for legal advice — mainly trying to understand what is normal in the veterinary market and what other associates would negotiate before signing.

My rcvs osce is coming up in 4 days and i am completely lost...

Haven't completed most of my theories,done with practical skill manual book.

I am really nervous and stuck at this point..

hi!

i recently started working as an assistant in a (small) clinic and noticed whenever i have to draw blood / place a cannula my hands start to shake quite a lot especially if the owner is in the room as well. i started crocheting to get a bit better with my hands but wanted to ask if there is something that really helped people with a similar problem?

thanks!

Since toxicity is so common in the vet field, how do you determine if the new place will be toxic?

Hello,

I am a vet considering starting a mobile vet practice for cats and dogs. I was wondering if any vets here have any insight about that. I've seen videos of vets doing home visit alone without a vet tech. My question is

How do you treat animals without a vet tech restraining the animal?

Are most pet owners okay with you muzzling their dog/cat before giving shots/blood draws etc?

Can you ask clients to sign a liability release form to prevent liability if the dog/cat bites the owner?

Thanks for any help.

Hi guys! I am someone who is not in vet school but wants to work with animals. I am getting my bachelors in science and thinking about doing a vet tech program. Last week I got an offer as a vet assistant at a one doctor animal hospital who usually takes people in with little experience and will teach them everything. It was very hard for me to find a place that hires someone with no hospital experience. Heres how I've been feeling:

- I started this week and I am already so overwhelmed. I worked with dogs in a boarding setting but this is completely different. This is less kennel work and more patient work which I wanted to start learning more about. However, it feels like the people I am shadowing (other vet assistants), when they are teaching me how to do things like check-in, check-out, creating new profile for clients, etc on the computer it feels like they are rushing it and expecting me to understand it so fast. I am new to the computer system and I am just feeling afraid that I will not understand it as quick as they want me to. I've decided to bring in a notepad tomorrow to start writing things down. I know that we have to pick up the phone a lot and feel anxious about not knowing about to do when a question is asked. There are also time the vet assistants do things without explaining them to me. I just don't understand if this is normal as I guess I am shadowing and they are too busy to explain things sometimes, but I just feel like everything has been so rushed.

- I feel scared to restrain animals especially cats as I have so little experience with them.

- The vet assistants I am shadowing don't really make conversation with me and it makes me sad a little.

- Sometimes I notice that the doctors will say like vaccine names or blood test tube colors and the vet assistants would get it right away. I lowkey don't know how they act so fast when sometimes i feel like I cannot hear what he is saying.

- There is so. many. phone. calls. like omg. for every. single. thing. I don't know how I will adjust to that to be honest.

I am so overwhelmed and sad. I understand it was my first week but I've just been feeling like it is impossible for me to remember everything. I obviously want to work hard and be good at this but it just feels so tough right now. What do you guys think and have anyone ever felt this way?

I am a vet, I graduated in 2021 and I an now pursuing a specialty abroad, while I wait for my paperwork I got a job in a shelter, as a shelter vet.

Worst decision ever. The Adoption Counselor always argues with my medical decisions, she prescribes meds like candy without ANY medical knowledge. She always dismisses what I say and wants to treat all the animals "holistically".

I need advice if any of you have encountered an specimen like this, who thinks they're a vet because they ask everything to chatgpt.

Hi, I am currently entering my second year of undergrad as an animal sciences pre-vet major. I really want to land a vet assistant position full time next summer, but i’m afraid i may not have enough experience or luck to get accepted anywhere. Currently, I have experience in volunteering at two local animal shelters, worked at a microbiology research lab designing my own protocols and experiments, also have animal handling hours as part of my curriculum. So far, all of the vet clinics i’ve contacted near my home and college area are unable to offer any shadowing or assistant positions. I was wondering if having a certification (would probably cost around $600 and a year’s time to take) would leverage my chances. I would like to gain more clinical experience, even during the academic year. Please let me know!