Idiopathic Issues

Each month we will highlight a veterinarian in our Spotlight Veterinarian segment.  Our goal is to bring you different points of view from veterinarians in various specialities throughout our diverse profession.

September Spotlight Veterinarian

Our inaugural veterinarian is Dr. Mauricio Dujowich, DVM, DACVS. He is a multi-talented veterinary surgeon from Gainesville, Florida. He is a 2004 graduate from the University of California, Davis and pursued his surgical residency at Iowa State University. He is both a board certified surgeon and entrepreneur. Currently, he has two active positions as a Clinical Assistant Professor in Small Animal Surgery and also as President at XPrep Learning Solutions (the creators of VetPrep, VetTechPrep and most recently ViralVet).

Like it or not, finances are an extremely important aspect of veterinary medicine. Just like every other industry, money makes the world go round.  Veterinary students are graduating with record debt.

Veterinary hospitals are struggling to pay living wages for all employees while simultaneously keeping the lights on. Owners are scrounging up funds for improved veterinary technology and sometimes that plight is heartbreaking.  

Veterinarians hate talking about money because we don't like being accused of not caring.  Somehow charging for our services makes us evil. It's ridiculous because there are very few people working full time jobs for free, so why do we always feel guilty? Getting paid is not actually something to feel bad about.

Taking advantage of a client is something to be ashamed of, but earning an honest living and being able to pay off your loans is just being a responsible member of society.

By Bradford P Smith, DVM, DACVIM, Professor Emeritus

The Golden Rule: One should treat others as one would like others to treat oneself.

It’s a simple concept really. By no means am I trying to say that I am perfect and haven’t fallen victim to stress and meanness so don’t go thinking that I haven’t made these mistakes myself. But here is an important lesson that I think you should know before graduation.