How I decided to become a veterinarian

[@1959Berre]

Yesterday, my son and I had the sad task to bury our tiny wonderful cat Musti. He has been the daily joy in our life for nearly 14 years. Sudden organ failure (kidney's and liver) had poisoned his blood untill his heart could take it no more. It was a very fast turn for the worst. I drove him to the vet not knowing how serious it was. He had eaten very little for two days. He drank more than usual. That is why I noticed something was wrong. Three hours later he was gone. We are both devastated. I cried untill I had no more tears. God knows I how much I loved him.

[@PennySue]

Wishing you peace and comfort on the loss of your precious Musti. I've been through it more times than I can count and I still have a house full so I know I'll be going through it for a long time to come. Try to focus on the good times and how much your baby knew he was loved. 💔🐾💔

[@barbaracholak5204]

so sorry for your loss RIP 🙏

[@RLaraMoore]

Condolences for your loss. 🙏 I'm sure Musti was a much loved, God given, kitty. What a wonderful life Musti must have had because of your love. I believe that wherever they go... (and I imagine and hope, that there iS a place in Heaven for animals .. after all, God put us in charge of them, He saved them in the Flood ...and there is at least one White Horse in Heaven, so, there must be a place for others too 🙏)... ...that Musti appreciates, very much, having belonged to your family.

[@amorypeace]

Sorry for your loss😞

[@mikek8089]

I'm so very sorry for the loss of your beloved Musti!😿 We went through the same thing three months ago with our Callie. She had kidney failure at only 5 years old. The pain is still with us.

[@EricOfTheNorthlands]

I had the reverse experience Dr. Uri had. I thought from a young age that I wanted to be a veterinarian for all the usual reasons. First job I ever had in my life was the summer I turned 14, working in an animal hospital. That summer, I also shadowed another vet for a few hours a week. By the end of the summer, I came to realize *_working_* with animals was a lot different than playing with them. I also realized the work was demanding, difficult, often dirty, sometimes dangerous, with sometimes long hours late into the night and bites and scratches a frequent part of the job, plus being on call at times too. Most of all, I realized I had a harder time than most staying calm under pressure or when an animal was in pain. And on top of that, there were the inevitable clients who didn’t really care about their animals, who showed no interest or appreciation for your efforts to help them, who would then blame you when things went wrong, and who just generally felt entitled to disrespect and disparage your professionalism because you’re not a “real” doctor. Admitting to myself that I wasn’t cut out to be the veterinarian I always envisioned myself becoming was the hardest but probably the most mature decision of my life to that point. And yet, for all these reasons and because I know how incredibly hard it is both to be and to become a veterinarian and all that they go through, I have an incredible amount of respect for those who, in spite of it all, dedicate their professional lives to enhancing the well-being of animals (and by extension, their human companions). For what they go through, it has to be much more than money that gives them the will to choose this noble line of work.

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

I think it's great that you took the time to work in the industry andv realize it's not for you. Being a vet is a tough gig and very different from what people think it is like. That is why most vet schools in North America require around 100 hrs of industry experience before they even look at your application.

[@beingheardmedia6339]

I'm sorry. I completely disagree. It was NOT a poorly thought out decision. I think you did it exactly right. And the results speak for themselves 🙂

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Thank you for your vote of confidence 🙂

[@beingheardmedia6339]

@@HelpfulVancouverVet Easiest vote ever!

[@mariag.8242]

When you find the field that fits, it can feel like an instinct or emotional decision but it’s just your mind finding it’s home to work in - lucky are we who gain that knowledge early ❤

[@moonstruck562]

I have a rescue cat. She’s blind in one eye. I love her to pieces (even tho she rather I leave her alone most of the time lol). I very much hope my daughter becomes a veterinarian. She’s going to be graduating high school next year and loves “pet care” and “biology” classes. I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m grateful for all the good vets out there helping our fur babies and their parents. ❤🙏

[@brendon3145]

i started this journey only 3 years ago, after working 2 of those years in a shelter. I've always wanted to work with and help animals- the shelter was the easy work. It gave me the very vital basics of working with animals in a stressful environment, the heartbreak of the rare euthanasia (it was a 98% kill free shelter- those put down were medical or extreme behavioral PTS), and an incredible understanding of animal behavior. I got very lucky to find a job in a teaching hospital that will provide a CVT degree as a benefit. Sometimes this job is very, very hard, but every life I help save makes me glad to do what I do. All these little guys need is compassion, understanding, patience and attention in any setting that is not home.

[@AndreaCIC]

Omg, I felt the exact same, but it was later in my career that I follow my gut. I'm a biologist, always loved animals and wanted to "work with my hands" (there's no better way to put it), and heal animals, not just watch from far. 10 years after I graduated, I am now half way vet school and loving it so far. I'm practicing in a clinic and hopefully when I finish school, I continue my journey to become a cardiologist. Thank you for this kind of videos, we all need word of experience in a journey like this.

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Good for you! You've clearly had enough time to develop perspective so I'm sure you made the right choice. Cardiology is pretty competitive though. Come do an internship with me if you can't land a residency spot 🙂

[@AndreaCIC]

@@HelpfulVancouverVet I'm in Perú, but if I go to Vancouver I would love to do an internship there 🇵🇪🇨🇦

[@sirBrouwer]

i wonder if your experience as a biologist might be of help. You might be able to look at the job to both lenses.

[@AndreaCIC]

@@sirBrouwer I feel it helps a lot, biology and science in general are a strong base for medicine, so I find it very helpful. I wouldn't change the fact I studied it before, I'm lucky in that sense.

[@Goddybag4Lee]

The four years was worth it. Your a star!

[@PotatoNinja101]

Always better late than never and glad you ended up a vet to share great advice with us. A couple of my high school teachers suggested I become a vet but I couldn't. Would have felt terrible if someone's pet died or continued to suffer. That most likely wouldn't have always been the case but negatives eat away at me more than the positives can help

[@emp6985]

I wanted to be a vet my entire childhood up until junior year of high school and i took a vet tech class and realized in that class that i could not handle the emotional toll it would take to be a vet. Its such an emotionally taxing job and all vets are heroes for choosing this profession.

[@mariag.8242]

You also have to be brilliant. It’s harder to qualify for vet school than med school.

[@lisadieter-burns]

I think you made the perfect career choice for yourself! 🐱

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Most likely.

[@edvaca8419]

I had a bit of the reverse experience in university. After shadowing and working for months at a hospital, I realized I like writing and being at home much better! Extremely grateful for what you and the veterinary profession in general do.

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Full respect for being astute enough to figure out yourself and brave enough to trust your instincts.

[@danielletanguay7272]

Your instincts were right on Dr. Uri!

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Thanks!

[@onepandacube]

I hope Mr Pirate is ok!! We haven’t seen him in a while 😭

[@mismisimognomo101]

thanks for your service, Dr. Uri ! 😻

[@mercyt2828]

Really GLAD YOU became a VET!! Finished reading your DAD’s book and gifted another copy to my Vet :) Thank YOU for ALL your CAT advice!!!

[@alisonchristensen1169]

Just found your videos after my Siamese got sick. Your videos are really helpful! Thanks so much!

[@vtheb1299]

I believe in angels on earth thanks to you doc. You're the best example I've seen.

[@PetrSojnek]

Thank you, you decided to become a veterinarian (obviously it was love at first sight :D ). But also thank you for making your youtube videos, I'm sure it helped many people... and they are very fun. Did you mention you studied acting? Did it in any way help you in youtube person career?

[@polygorg]

clawdia is wonderful! she looks very polite.

[@GenerationJonesi]

Well, I'd say everyone is happy you went into your career! Yay!

[@sitascott8446]

What a great way to check out a career! I'm sure all your clients and their animals feel you made the right choice.

[@Marquise1]

We're happy you made that choice. ^,^ it made the world a bit better!

[@annastochee1001]

Nice to know how you became a vet ! Thank you to you

[@AdamArchangel]

I'm currently a vet tech student and would love to study to become a proper veterinarian, but here (Australia) the entry requirements are just insanely high

[@rickbear7249]

Don't believe this guy. Claudia is the qualified veterinarian, Uri is just the guy who does odd jobs around the house !

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

It's true! I'm merely the assistant to her fluffy highness.

[@moonstruck562]

😆😆😆 claudia rules

[@lauryn6059]

Is that who I think it is in the thumbnail 😍🐈

[@blundettoad]

Everyone's fav swashbuckling fat cat?

[@rogerborg]

@@blundettoad "Big boned".

[@princessmochi6214]

Cats r so cute!

[@Barbara-ex3ge]

How great for all the (fur baby) master and mistresses and their servants who have been under your care

[@MelodyFaus]

That's just how life works sometimes, but at least you're happy in decision

[@CrashPilot1000]

I thought you just wanted to become rich and powerful, now this. All good, just making fun here. You took the right decision.

[@mischadijkstra7645]

Do you know the new British tv series All creatures great and small about a vet in Yorkshire Dr Yuri? I think you will like it

[@Zenithx3]

Thank you So Much. I am a physician who Loves Cats and during my first year of Medical School, I adopted my Prince Jafiz and while learning (memorizing) Neuroscience, Anatomy, Physiology, I came to the Stark Realization, that my diet was actually supporting Violence towards Animals. Since then, I transitioned from Weekend Vegetarian, to Full Vegetarian and now Vegan. It is so Horrific how so many people do not know the Horrific Suffering that happens Every Second on Factory Farms. Did your Profession also make an impact on your Diet? I cannot Imagine dedicating your life to Animals and then supporting the Grotesque Dystopian Nightmares of Factory Farms. I feel Confident that by adopting a Vegan Diet, we can Save our Health, The Animals, The Economy and the Planet.

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Most veterinarians are not vegetarian. Working on farms gives one a much more balanced and less reactive perspective on animal welfare in food production. You must follow your conscience, of course, but please reserve judgement for the US republican senate 😉

[@Zenithx3]

@@HelpfulVancouverVet Perhaps I took my Oath more Seriously than Others.

[@nelsonmediacreations]

Hello Uri, I really hope to meet you some day. I love and appreciate your values and world views. John

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Thank you very much!

[@Valdagast]

How is Mr Pirate?

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Adorable

[@vietnsmcttnhhvps1198]

Hay quá

[@pathways678]

Hi Dr Uri... recently my indoor cat somehow got fleas. I feel really overwhelmed. Any tips on getting rid of the fleas from your house?

[@shroomyk]

My sister wanted to be a veterinarian at first. Then she remembered she hates blood and didn't want to do surgeries. Also vet school is extremely competitive and expensive. So she is now a dentist. lol

[@pixiieeq]

I read the title as “how i decided to become a watermelon” 😭

[@HelpfulVancouverVet]

Well, if I had to pick a member of the vegetable kingdom to be... it still wouldn't be a watermelon! Too delicious. I'd go for sequoia or a giant redwood. Or maybe a cool fern.

[@GenerationJonesi]

Hahhaha! Hilarious!

[@rexremedy1733]

Cats are funny.

[@pmabrouk]

I am so sorry that you did not have a chance to experience science for yourself. The ‘a-ha’ moments are wonderous. Not all research involves working with animals but I feel the need to correct your misconception. Animal research remains an important and carefully overseen form of research. We are evolving new models such as body-on-a-chip that hopefully will one day replace animal work. Scientists are not all old white old men. Some of us are women, black, hispanic, first-generation. We don’t sit at lab benches. You will find us developing drugs (for people and cats!) including COVID-19, doing fundamental work to understand chronic kidney disease, cancer, etc. Respectfully submitted.😊

[@mariag.8242]

Watch the video again - you didn’t understand what he said. He did do science, he did do animal work, he validated its importance but it wasn’t for him. He found the work dull. He also said nothing about the kinds of people who become scientists.