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  • Please Note - Medical Advice

    Please keep in mind that posts on this forum are from members of the public sharing personal opinions. It is not a replacement for qualified medical advice from a veterinarian. Many illnesses share similar symptoms but require different treatments. A medical exam is necessary for an accurate diagnosis, without which appropriate treatment cannot be given.

    You should always consult your vet before following any suggestions for medication or treatment you have read about. The wrong treatment could make your rabbit worse or mean your vet is unable to give the correct treatment because of drug interactions. Even non prescription drugs can do harm if given inappropriately.

    We are very grateful to members who take time to answer other members questions, but please do be clear in your replies that you are sharing personal experience and not giving instructions on what must be done.

    Urgent Medical Advice: If you need, or think you might need, urgent medical advice you should contact a vet. If it is out of working hours phone your vet's normal number and there should be an answer phone message with instructions on what to do.

Veterinary Qualifications?

C

Chris10

Young Bun
Could someone clarify what it means if a vet is listed on a vets website as a veterinary surgeon, but is an assistant? They are listed as a vet but it has assistant after their qualifications?
 
Our main Vet at work's job title is 'Veterinary Assistant'. He is fully qualified but I am not quite sure why assistant is put in the title :?
 
'Assistant' generally refers to a vet that has been qualified less than 5 years, i.e. is not a practice partner or a specialist. Its a bit like being a junior doctor - they are fully qualified but not as experienced as an 'older' vet.
 
The reason I ask is that I had a consultation yesterday with a vet and I went home feeling like he didnt have a clue and that I could have done a better job diagnosing, then when I got a second opinion I was right. Then I looked up his qualifications and it said assistant after it, are these vets less qualified?
 
Thanks for clarifying vikkivet, I know we all have to start somewhere (I was only a student nurse a couple of months ago) but I wish if professionals were unsure about things they would have the sense to ask for a second opinion, rather than pretending like they know what they are talking about!
 
'Assistant' doesn't relate to experience or qualifications, it only means that the vet is fully qualified and not a partner so hasn't got shares in the practice. I know many fabulous, very experienced vets that remain assistants as they love clinical work but don't want the stress and paperwork of owning part of a practice.
 
think Marie explained it better - i didnt mean to imply that all assistants are less experienced, its just generally people get another title after a few years so they tend to be younger vets. But as Marie says, some are "assistants" for life if they do general first opinion practice without specialising.

If you arent convinced by a diagnosis, say so and tell them what you think it is and why. Most vets will enter a discussion. Failing that, ask for a second opinion from another vet in the same practice. Just be polite and open minded! (we're lovely people really, we dont bite so please dont bite us! :lol::lol:)
 
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