Euthanasia: Not the worst part of the jobJanuary 22, 2024"The biggest threat to the veterinary psyche is not over the death of animals. It has more to do with their humans."
SPONSORED CONTENTFast Itch Relief for Canine PatientsA treatment for allergic and atopic dermatitis, given just once a day. Visibly improves itch fast. + Learn More Now
Eight great reasons to retire early from veterinary practiceJanuary 17, 2024Some of us practice for years before acquiring challenges that preclude our ability to fully embrace traditional practice. While most who encounter these common obstacles feel compelled to see their way through however they can, there are limits to what any of us should drive ourselves to endure.
Tech disrespect and the rise of unionsDecember 26, 2023This month's column discusses the systematic ways in which our über-hierarchical profession too often relegates veterinary nurses-slash-technicians to roles several rungs below their veterinary-degreed colleagues.
VPN Plus+ ExclusivePositivity prevails: nine resolutions for the new yearDecember 20, 2023By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBAAfter last month’s column, it was brought to my attention that my last few columns have been somewhat less than positive in their outlook on our profession; and that’s no way to end a year, is it? To wit, it is time to offer a rosier take on how to succeed in veterinary medicine.
Handling 'snowflake' clients (not a 'how to' guide)November 27, 2023The most widely accepted definition for the slang term, “snowflake” is: “A very sensitive person. Someone who is easily hurt or offended by the statements or actions of others..."
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveDo we need a mid-level veterinary 'nurse practitioner?'October 16, 2023By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBAFor camels, the desert is home. For veterinarians, it represents a hiring wasteland. “The percentage of local certified technicians is shockingly low … Tech deserts are everywhere,” Patty Khuly says. Would a title change help? Photo: Bigstock/kaikups
How best to survive a license complaintSeptember 22, 2023Although a license complaint from their state’s veterinary board is among the few things every veterinarian fears more than almost any other professional calamity, it is rare for veterinarians to lose licensure as a result of a complaint.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveHow many new veterinary schools do we need?September 21, 2023By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBADo we really have a shortage of veterinarians? The answer is multifactorial and complex, but it certainly feels like a shortage to most of us. Yet, I can’t help but interpret the fundamental trends that fuel this feeling as stemming from fewer veterinary hours worked and decreased productivity overall—not from a lack of bodies.
VPN Plus+ ExclusiveThe correlation of veterinary compensation and mental healthAugust 17, 2023By Patty Khuly, VMD, MBAA recent article led to a long, lively discussion on how veterinarians should be paid, revealing a broad, interesting and informed range of opinions but somehow largely sidestepping the more fascinating issue: how modes of compensation may affect our profession’s mental health.
Unleash your own 'virtual vet assistant'July 28, 2023“Virtual vet assistant” has come to mean something vastly different to those of us using an online tool called ChatGPT.
