With the surge of viral posts involving veterinarians lately, it is time for all of us to exercise extra caution. Not every story that circulates online carries the full context, and not all of them are fair to a profession that deals daily with life-and-death decisions.
This situation is especially heavy for veterinarians who practice alone. Those quietly fighting their way up, building their clinics from the ground up, often without a colleague inside the clinic to offer immediate second opinions. When something goes wrong, or even when the decision is medically sound, they are usually the only ones standing in the line of fire.
In today’s social media climate, a short video taken out of context, a single photo, or an emotionally charged post can destroy a reputation built over many years. What the public does not see are the explanations given, the clinical judgment involved, and the weight of responsibility a veterinarian carries with every case.
This is why a practical and timely reminder is necessary: be very cautious about allowing videos or photos inside the clinic. This is not about hiding mistakes, but about protecting yourself and the profession in an environment where judgment is instant and often unforgiving. Proper documentation, informed consent, and professional communication exist for a reason—not everything belongs on social media.
Most importantly, remember that not every veterinarian has the luxury of backup. Many are alone, yet genuinely committed to serving their patients. A little extra caution today may protect a career, mental well-being, and professional dignity tomorrow.
In the end, what we ask for is fair understanding. Viral content should never be the measure of professionalism. True professionalism is reflected in conscience, competence, and compassion—even when no one is watching.
𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐬 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 𝐚 𝐯𝐞𝐭. 𝐋𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮’𝐫𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐮𝐬.
