Things Our Clients Say That Would be Weird Anywhere Else
Vet med is full of strange moments…but nothing is stranger than the things clients say with total sincerity. Things that, if uttered in literally any other setting, would earn at least a raised eyebrow (if not a restraining order).
Here are a few real gems that only make sense in a clinic…and why we love it.
“Oh, I have Buddy’s stool sample here in my purse, let me get it for you.”
At Target? Weird.
At brunch? Illegal.
At a vet clinic? Typical Tuesday.
Somehow the waiting room becomes a judgement-free zone where people casually whip out baggies of poop like it’s currency. Bonus points if it’s double-bagged. Double bonus-points if it’s in a Tupperware container that you hope isn’t going back into their kitchen cabinet later.
“Can I get his anal glands done while we’re here for vaccines?”
At the vet: Totally reasonable request.
At the dentist: Deeply concerning.
“The diarrhea only happens on my white carpet.”
Classic. Because pets are contractually obligated to ignore tile, hardwood, or literally any other wipeable surface.
“I think my cat’s depressed because I rearranged the living room furniture.”
This is either the most relatable statement ever…or proof that cats are secretly running the housing market.
“She only tries to bite people in uniform.”
We’re not saying your dog is anti-authority, but we are saying she’s one protest sign away from joining a rally.
“He only vomits when I wear sandals.”
Some dogs bark at the mailman, some dogs chase squirrels and then there’s some dogs whose owner swears that their pet has a personal vendetta against open-toed shoes.
Somehow, the client says this with 100% seriousness, expecting you to jot it down in the medical records:
“Vomits exclusively in summer months. Correlation: owner footwear.“
“Oh don’t mind the smell, that’s just his normal breath.”
“Normal” in this context translates to: “smells like a decomposing fish marinated in garlic.”
“I didn’t bring her in sooner because I googled it and it said to wait 3 days.”
Translation: I trusted a forum post from 2009 written by a guy named DogLuvr420.
The Takeaway
Vet med is one of the only worlds where these statements make sense. And honestly? We wouldn’t have it any other way. These bizarre little soundbites are the stories that get retold in the treatment area years later, usually while someone’s stress-eating Goldfish crackers at 10pm.
So the next time a client says something that would sound completely unhinged outside the clinic walls – write it down and treasure it. These quotes are the glue holding our collective sanity together.
An Ode To Vet Med
An Ode To Vet MedFor the lovers of fur, the fighters of fleas, and the fixers of all things four-legged. Oh vet med, you beautiful beast,You offer no break, no nap, no feast.Yet still we come, day after day,To poke, to prod, to spay and pray. With scrubs askew and fur...
Tough Love in Vet Med: When a Client is No Longer a Fit
Tough Love in Vet Med: When a Client is No Longer a FitAs vet med professionals, we enter this field to care for animals, support pet owners, and make a positive difference. But sometimes, despite our best intentions, certain clients create situations that are...
Beyond Pizza Parties: How to Celebrate Your Vet Techs in Ways They’ll Actually Appreciate
Beyond Pizza Parties: How to Celebrate Your Vet Techs in Ways They'll Actually AppreciateVet tech week (October 12-18 this year!) is almost here - and if you're a practice manager, you're probably brainstorming ways to make your technicians feel seen, valued, and...
From Micromanaging to Empowering: How Delegation Transforms Clinics
From Micromanaging to Empowering: How Delegation Transforms ClinicsIn the fast-paced and sometimes hectic world of veterinary care, your role as a practice manager (PM) plays a crucial role in ensuring your clinic operates as smoothly as possible. From managing...
Lateness, Lies, & Loose Heifers: The Client No-Show Excuses Hall of Fame
Lateness, Lies, & Loose Heifers: The Client No-Show Excuses Hall of FameA Definitive Ranking of the Best (and Worst) Client Excuses of All Time. Let's face it: every clinic has its own personal anthology of client excuses for missed or late appointments. Some are...
When Loyalty Comes With Luggage: Handling Difficult, Longtime Clients
When Loyalty Comes With Luggage: Handling Difficult, Longtime ClientsEvery veterinary practice has that client. You know the one. They've been with the clinic longer than half your staff. They bring every new puppy, every senior cat, and sometimes the neighborhood...