26 August 2010

Life and Death

Veterinary medicine is full of situations that seem to directly oppose one another, and one of the most common of these foils is the simple matter of life and death.  When the average person thinks about a veterinarian, the first and most simple connotation that comes to mind is a professional who saves animals.  However, as anyone who knows the ins and outs of the veterinary profession understands, sometimes a veterinarian, despite all their efforts and practical knowledge, can do nothing to spare an animal's life.

Pondering the conundrums that are life and death in relation to animals and veterinary medicine also brings about other seemingly illogical conclusions.  When it comes to animals in our current world, sometimes life is death and death is life.  Take for example, the puppy born to an unregistered, mixed-breed bitch as a result of an accidental breeding. The joy of a new life in one of its most precious forms is overshadowed by grim reality, as the numbers of unwanted animals are soaring and millions are either taken to shelters or simply left to starve and fend for themselves when their owners can no longer take care of them.  Had his owner been more responsible and his mother been spayed, then sure, he would never have been born and thus the life he had never existed, which many would view as a tragedy.  However, he also would have not had to live a life of suffering at the hands of humans.

In the same token, as cruel as death sometimes seems, it can often show a kinder, gentler side with its ability to relieve the suffering of an animal who is too wounded or ill to make a recovery and remain comfortable.  In these situations, often the kindest gift we can provide to an animal is the chance at a dignified, painless end.  While veterinarians don't always have the tools to save an animal's life, they DO often have the tools to relieve animal suffering, be it in the form of medication, surgery, high-tech procedures, or the ability to relieve an animal of an excruciating existence and allow it to peacefully fall into a painless slumber.

While traveling with the large animal vet yesterday, I witnessed the miracles of both life and death.  Viewing the heartbeat of a foal at just a few weeks gestation on an ultrasound monitor is an amazing thing to see, enough to bring tears to your eyes.  Such a small little flicker will one day become the powerful pounding of a life-giving organ in a strong, magnificent, and noble animal.

Then there were the two little beef calves, so ill from a respiratory infection that all attempts to cure them had failed.  Human euthanasia was the only viable option for these little guys; it was time to end their suffering.  I was saddened at the sight of them passing from this world, but at the same time relieved for them.  Their raspy breath gradually quieted, their heaving sides slowed, and most importantly the pain faded from their eyes.  What a blessing that I had been able to be there with them, holding their heads and stroking them, comforting them as they slipped away.

That's the difference I can make as a veterinarian.  For those animals that can be saved, I can provide the procedures and medicine their bodies need to heal.  For those animals that cannot be saved, I can provide the peaceful, dignified end that every living creature deserves to have when their time comes.

So those are the musings that I've had for the past couple of days.  As for the vet school app, it's going well.  I've now got all my evaluators signed up which means that I am free to send in the app any time now.  I still have to finish my personal statement, write my explanation statement, and finish up my honors and awards but I'm thinking I should be able to get it in by the end of the first full week of September.  I take the GRE again a week from tomorrow.  I've got to find some more practice tests and watch the DVD that came with my workbook, seeing as I pretty much finished the workbook already.  As for right now, I've got to get going on that running I've been slacking on.  25 minutes straight again today, hopefully I won't keel over.

1 comment:

  1. just came across your blog and wanted to wish you good luck in applying this year :) im a third year at the university of illinois (and i have a really sad, unloved blog that i update occasionally) - but if you have any questions about applying/worries about vet school, im an unbiased ear - just wanted to throw it out there, i didn't know anyone in vet school while i was applying but i wish i had had someone to talk to about it!

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