CamVet

Any UK veterinarians on this board who've taken the plunge and worked in the US for a while?

The lousy economy notwithstanding, large US animal clinics still seem to be advertising in the specialised press (vet record). 'Visas are expected to be plentiful this year'

- Are these large US groups on the level? (CVS, Banfield)
- What's the US vet job market like, in general?

Thanks!
CamVet

PS I'm fully aware of US veterinary licensing requirements, no worries.

Duncan Roberts

There seems to be a lot of vets about. The visa comment seems odd, there are the same number of visas available every year, it's the ciriteria for getting one that may be the issue.

Bluegrass Lass

Can't vouch for CVS, but I'm very familiar with Banfield. We took our pets there for years until we had to move out of their area. From what we could tell though, Banfield did very little in the way of trauma (only 'routine' type surgeries i.e. spaying/neutering). They send people to the 'emergency' type animal hospitals for the traumatic injuries (i.e. hit by a car). At least, this is what they did to us in our area.

Oh, and they are very, very pushy with their yearly little care packages, which were very pricey compared to vets in private practice.

Can't help on the visa q - don't know if being a DVM would give you any added visa advantage over anyone else.

Nutmegger

I do some work for a veterinary practice, and they have cut back the associate doctors' hours in the past year because of some very slow days. The pounds have seen a lot of animals given away because their families can't afford to keep them, and apparently veterinary care is a luxury to some people when times are hard.

No experience with CVS, and the Banfield concept is only found in a location in a pet store in this area. Thus I don't know much about it, but I understand it is successful in other parts of the country and it is certainly legit. However, I think most people prefer their local hospital and the familiarity that grows with the staff, rather than the package concept they offer.

Jerseygirl

Welcome to BE.

A lady who used to post in this forum called Tracym is married to a British vet who works in the Chicago area.

If you make 3 posts you can send her a Private Message. Here is the link to her profile page...you will see her contact details on the right hand side. She pops is frequently...hopefully she will be able to help answer your questions.

CamVet

Thanks for all the useful replies so far, much appreciated !

CamVet

That's a wonderful piece of advice - I'll send her a message straight away.

Thank you!

emailrob

Slightly OT. But to embarrass my OH...

We kept seeing all these guys on the side of the roads, homeless, with signs saying "Homeless Vet. Please give money for food" etc. This was when we first moved to California.

After a few weeks my OH turns to me and says "What is it with all these vets, can they not get jobs around here? Are there not enough ill pets to support all these vets"

lisa67

scrubbedexpat099

We have a lot of those as well.

Would not let any of them anywhere near my pooch.

Most of them seem to have their own dogs, presumably not those of their customers.

Bob

That would very much depend on the location you would be interested in...

Some areas might have more demand than not.

Rete

Okay I'll be butt end of this post just as I was with Nettlebed's Reese's job.

I thought he meant service veteran.

scrubbedexpat099

Let this be a warning

Do not let your daughter marry a vet.

Englishtart

Don't feel so bad Rete...you were not alone

that may not be much comfort though

Nutmegger

Don't worry -- when I first moved to the US I found that the full term, veterinarian, was always used, whereas in the UK folks always said "vet."