Why Can’t I Get A Veterinary Appointment Today?

If you’ve made an appointment to see the veterinarian sometime over the past several months, you were likely told that the schedule was full and that you’d need to wait several days or weeks for your pet to see a doctor. If you went to an emergency hospital you would likely have found yourself waiting for several hours for your pet to be seen.
There are several reasons veterinarians are experiencing unprecedented workload at this time. During the pandemic many clients delayed wellness visits and procedures, so now many veterinarians are dealing with a backlog of cases and trying to catch up. Many clients are still working from home to some extent. This means the pet owner is more likely to notice when their pet is sick, and more likely to be able to bring their pet in for care.
An increased demand could be handled by your veterinarian’s office, but efficiency issues are also a part of the problem. In a 2021 study by the AVMA, approximately 26% of veterinarians in 2021 indicated they want to work fewer hours, citing such reasons as stress, anxiety, and burnout, feelings of being overworked and issues relating to child care. These statistics were even higher in veterinary support staff. In an industry plagued by suicide, many individuals are exiting the profession to protect their mental/physical health, leading to staff and veterinarian shortage.
There’s also a small but growing number of pet owners who take out their frustrations on the veterinary staff. Verbal abuse is sadly not uncommon. At Copper Hill Animal Clinic, we understand your frustration. Our staff and doctors care deeply about your pets. Please keep in mind that the people at work today showed up to help. They deserve your kindness in these unprecedented times. Pet owners can protect themselves from frustration by planning appointments far in advance, keeping their appointments, and exercising understanding. We will get through this together and thank you for being gentle with our staff.
For more information about Copper Hill Animal Clinic email copperhillanimalclinic@gmail.com or call us at 661-296-8848.