“It’ll Be a Quiet Day”: Famous Last Words in Vet Med
There are many things in vet med that can’t be predicted:
- How a patient will react
- How long an appointment will take
- Whether the printer will work
- If you’ll actually get a full lunch break
But there is one thing we can predict with absolute certainty:
The moment someone says, “It should be a quiet day”…it will NOT be.
This is not superstition.
This is science.
Let’s walk through what that typically means.
Step 1: The Confidence
It’s usually early.
The schedule looks…manageable.
No emergencies yet.
Everyone has coffee.
Someone – bold, fearless, unaware – says the dreaded “Q” word:
“Wow, it’s kind of quiet today.”
There is a pause.
Somewhere in the clinic, a tech slowly turns their head.
Step 2: The First Sign
Within minutes:
- The phone starts ringing more
- A “quick question” turns into a 15-minute conversation
- Someone walks in holding a pet like it’s a fragile artifact
You ignore the signs…
You think to yourself: “That’s fine…totally normal.”
It is not fine.
It is the beginning.
Step 3: The Schedule Collapses
Suddenly:
- Three same-day requests
- Two emergencies
- One “can’t you just squeeze them in? We are going out of town tonight.”
- And a recheck that was supposed to be quick (it is not quick)
Lunch?
Gone.
Time?
Gone.
Hope?
Fading.
Step 4: The Phone Situation
The phone is now:
- Ringing
- Flashing
- Ringing again
- Ringing while you’re already on the phone
You place someone on hold.
Another line rings.
You make eye contact with a coworker like:
“So this is how it ends.”
Step 5: The One Appointment
There is always one.
The appointment that:
- Runs long
- Brings up multiple concerns
- Requires extra diagnostics
- Somehow affects the rest of the day
It is scheduled at either:
- 11:30am
- Or 4:45pm
There is no in-between.
Step 6: The Printer Betrayal
Right when you need:
- An estimate for emergency services
- Discharge instructions
- Literally anything important
You stare at it.
It stares back and does nothing.
Step 7: The Emotional Support Snack
Someone says:
“Did anyone eat today?”
Silence.
You all realize you have been surviving on:
- Caffeine
- Stress
- Vibes
Step 8: The Final Hour
It’s the end of the day.
You think:
“Okay, we made it.”
You did not make it…
A last-minute call comes in:
“Hi, I know you’re closing soon but…”
Step 9: Reflection
At the end of the day, someone says:
“Well…that escalated quickly.”
And everyone silently nods.
Because deep down, you all know the reason why…
Final Thoughts
There is no such thing as a “quiet” day in vet med.
There are only:
- Days where the chaos hasn’t started yet
- Days where it already has.
So next time someone says the dreaded “Q” word…
Do the only logical thing:
Immediately knock on wood, glare at them, and prepare for impact.
Clinic Culture Isn’t Just a Buzzword – It’s Your Daily Reality
Clinic Culture Isn’t Just a Buzzword - It’s Your Daily RealityAnd your team feels it whether you define it or not. “Culture” is one of those words that gets thrown around a lot in vet med. It shows up in job postings.It gets mentioned in meetings.It’s something...
When Burnout Meets Short Staffing: How it Impacts Clinic Performance
When Burnout Meets Short Staffing: How it Impacts Clinic PerformanceThis isn’t about people failing. It’s about systems under strain. Vet med is no stranger to being busy. But there’s a difference between a busy clinic and a clinic that is running on empty. When...
Things I Say to Cats That Make Me Sound Like a Creepy Old Man
Things I Say to Cats That Make Me Sound Like a Creepy Old ManAn ongoing investigation into my own behavior. There’s a very specific version of me that only exists around cats. That version: Speaks in a tone I do not use anywhere else Says things that cannot be...
Things Practice Managers Secretly Think During Meetings
Things Practice Managers Secretly Think During MeetingsStaff meetings in vet med are meant to be productive, collaborative, and informative.And they are.But they are also…an experience. Because while practice managers are leading discussions, reviewing updates, and...
Managing Difficult Employees in Veterinary Clinics: A Practical Guide for Practice Managers
Managing Difficult Employees in Veterinary Clinics: A Practical Guide for Practice ManagersIf you’re a veterinary practice manager long enough, you will eventually encounter a difficult employee. It may be someone who: Resists feedback Disrupts team dynamics...
Patients Who Believe They Are Human: A Veterinary Field Guide
Patients Who Believe They Are Human: A Veterinary Field GuideEvery vet clinic sees them... The pets who have somehow decided - through a combination of confidence, poor boundaries, and enthusiastic owners - that they are not animals at all. They are people. These...
