07/09/2026
IF VETERINARIANS TOLD YOU EVERYTHING WE SEE…
If every time an animal arrived at our clinic in heartbreaking condition, we publicly pointed out its owner, social media would probably be filled with stories every single day.
Because animals arrive on our examination table after having been hit by a car days earlier.
Patients who have gone three, four, or more days without eating.
Dogs and cats with vomiting and diarrhea that began days ago, but who are brought in when they are already completely dehydrated.
Animals infested with ticks.
Open wounds, infected and filled with maggots, that have already been there for several days.
Female dogs that have been trying to give birth for hours, with puppies stuck in the birth canal.
Extremely thin animals, practically nothing but skin and bones.
Huge tumors, ulcerated or infected, that have been growing for months.
Dogs with collars so tight that they eventually became embedded in their own skin.
Intestinal obstructions after being fed bones, waste, or inappropriate foods.
Patients who have been having seizures for weeks and are brought in when the situation finally becomes unsustainable.
And I could go on.
I am not talking about stories I have heard.
I am talking about patients who have actually been in front of me, on an examination table.
And when they arrive, the veterinarian has to put aside many of the things they are thinking, focus, evaluate the patient, and begin working.
Because regardless of how that animal arrived, at that moment our priority is to try to help.
But then a contradiction appears, one that we experience constantly:
“Doctor, do everything you can. Save him!”
And many times, immediately afterward:
“But don't let it be too expensive…”
Veterinary Medicine does not work solely on love for animals.
Love and vocation are important, but they don't buy medications, pay for an operating room, maintain diagnostic equipment, pay salaries, electricity, rent, taxes, or materials.
Behind every veterinarian are years of university, nights spent studying, books, practical training, professional development, conferences, courses, continuing education, and countless hours away from our own families.
And behind every veterinary clinic are facilities, staff, medications, equipment, laboratory services, anesthesia, surgical materials, maintenance, and an entire structure that costs money to maintain.
Charging for practicing our profession does not make us merchants.
It makes us professionals who make a living from what we studied and trained to do.
We are Veterinarians.
DOCTORS.
We chose to work with animal species, but we studied medicine: anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology, surgery, anesthesiology, diagnostic imaging, internal medicine, and many other areas.
And yes, we love animals.
But loving our profession does not mean that our work should be free.
We are people too.
We have families.
We have responsibilities.
We pay taxes.
We pay suppliers.
We pay for education.
We pay salaries.
And we also need to make a living from our work.
Of course, there are good and bad professionals, as in any profession.
And every pet owner has the right to ask questions, request explanations, seek a second opinion, or even change veterinarians if they are not satisfied.
What should not become normalized is the idea that because we work with animals, we have a moral obligation to solve every situation, regardless of how long it has been neglected, and to do so practically for free.
And even less should we accept insults, threats, or public exposure on social media simply because a diagnosis, treatment, or bill was not what someone expected.
Veterinarians deserve respect too.
Hopefully, the time will come when our profession is valued not only when we manage to save a life, but also when we explain that we can no longer do so.
May our knowledge be valued.
Our time.
Our responsibility.
And our work.
Because behind every white coat there is a person who also worries, gets frustrated, gets tired, and often takes difficult cases home in their mind.
Loving animals was part of what brought us here.
But practicing Veterinary Medicine is our profession.
And every profession deserves respect and fair compensation.
Dr. Henry Martínez
Veterinarian
© Dr. Henry Martínez — All rights reserved.
Original message by Dr. Henry Martínez, Veterinarian.
