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.
What Veterinary Practices Should Leave Behind in the New Year
What Veterinary Practices Should Leave Behind in the New YearBroken processes, burnout culture, and unrealistic expectations included. The start of a new year is often framed as a time for fresh goals and big resolutions. But in vet med, sometimes the most...
The Twelve Strays of Christmas: Wild Things Clients Bring in During Winter
The Twelve Strays of Christmas: Wild Things Clients Bring in During WinterBecause nothing says “holiday spirit” like unexpected wildlife in a cardboard box. Winter in vet med is magical…in the sense that strange things magically appear at your clinic door every...
The Introvert’s Guide to Working the Front Desk in December
The Introvert’s Guide to Working the Front Desk in DecemberHow to survive holiday chaos without fully disassociating. December is loud. The music is loud.The lobby is loud.The phones are loud. The clients are loud. And if you’re an introvert working the front desk in...
Practice Managers: How to Stop Putting Out Fires and Start Preventing Them
Practice Managers: How to Stop Putting Out Fires and Start Preventing ThemBecause you deserve a workday that doesn’t feel like an episode of “Vet Med: Survival Mode.” If you’re a veterinary practice manager, chances are you’ve spent at least part of your career...
A Veterinarian’s Guide to Surviving December: Step One, Coffee.
A Veterinarian’s Guide to Surviving December: Step One, Coffee.Because holiday spirit alone won’t get you through this month. December outside the clinic might be all about twinkly lights, peppermint-scented magic, and adorable pets in sweaters. December inside the...
The Vet Clinic Thanksgiving Feast (Except it’s Not Food…It’s Chaos)
The Vet Clinic Thanksgiving Feast (Except it’s Not Food…It’s Chaos)While the rest of the world is debating stuffing vs. dressing, those of us in the vet med world are debating which room the mysterious smell is coming from and whether that “quick appointment” will...