Ask A Scientist© Veterinary Topics Archive

name katie
status student
grade 6-8
location WI

Question - When I grow up, I want to be a vet, because I love
animals more than anything else in the world. so now my aunt is going to
take me to spend a day with a real vet! I am so so SO excited. so I was
wondering if there is anything that I would need to know about animals?
PLEASE help me, I don't want to go in there looking like a total idiot,
not knowing so really important information.
p.s.
I've already know alot of info because of live experiences, and because I
have already started reasearching. Also, if it is too much to type out,
can you please give me a realy good site that could answer my question?
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Hi Katie!
It is wonderful that you are going to spend a whole day
with a real vet! I am sure it will be quite an
experience and more you can check if you want to
study to be a vet.
I bet you know most of the things you will need to
know.
But even i am not a vet there are some things i would
like to recommend:
1) go there with clean clothes, your regular ones, but
just out from the drawer. Dont forget to use clean
shoes, closed ones, not sandals. Maybe somebody can
lend you some white uniform to put it on, but it is
not mandatory.
2)Follow the vet recommendations of course, don't touch
anything before he/she says it is OK.
3)Careful with the animals, mostly will be sick, and
in pain so they can bite you.
4) even if some one is healthy (coming for check-ups
or vaccine) do not pick up them before asking the vet.
5) Speak or ask things in a low voice, the animals
can get scared.
6) Be prepared to see eventually some animal in pain
or (i hope not!) dying. The vets are like medical
doctors for humans, they do their best to care for
the animals and prevent souffrances, but this is not
always possible.
7) Finally i am sure it is going to be a great
experience for you. Profit and love always the
animals.
The Earth belong to them the same way as to the human
beings.
Have a great day!
and thanks for asking NEWTON!

Mabel
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Hi Katie,

It sounds like you are on the right track to learning all the right things! 
Vets usually remember when they were first exploring veterinary medicine and 
admire students who have already made the effort to start researching.

The best thing to do when you visit is to watch... and then ask questions 
after the animal and owner leave.

When I first visited a vet, he was really, really busy! So, he didn't have a 
lot of time for answering questions. I made a list of questions to look up 
when I got home. I asked the vet and the technicians questions that helped 
me know enough to look things up on my own. I also made notes in a notebook 
so that I would remember all the different things that I saw and what types 
of shots and treatments were common.

There are a lot of good websites that will come up as you search on pet 
disease names or vaccinations.

Good luck and have lots of fun during your visit!

Laura Hungerford, DVM, MPH, PhD
University of Maryland
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