Being a vegetarian and studying to be a vet?!


Question: Being a vegetarian and studying to be a vet!?
Hi, I am a dedicated vegetarian and all my life have wanted to be a vet, but the problem in during pre-vet university and even veterinarian school I will be required to dissect things (and I won't be able to just refuse to do it like I do now in high school)!. My question is do you think it would be ethical and alright for me, as a vegetarian to do this!? I think that the animal would be dead anyway(and I don't believe the universities get them from the slaughter industry so I wouldn't be supporting that horrible industry) and by me dissecting it I would be learning for my future in which I would help LOTS of animals!. Ideally since I have lots of experiences with horses I would be an equine vet!. I am very conflicted so does anyone have any opinions on the matter!? Thanks Www@FoodAQ@Com


Answers:
Think about what you're saying and compare to being a human doctor!. People become physicians to save lives!. If you were going to be a physician you would have to dissect a human cadaver!. Is there an ethical dichotomy with studying to be a physician performing dissections in med school!? Of course not! In the same way, there is no ethical connection between being a vegetarian and performing dissections in vet school!. The dissections you perform will only make it possible for you to be a better veterinarian!.

Www@FoodAQ@Com

I think it is ethical for you to dissect animals if you are going to be a vet!. It's the only way for you to practice and get good at helping & saving animals!. Like you said, you will be helping lots of animals in the end!. I know it's really hard, just remember how many animals you will be helping & that will make it easier to get through it!. I'm sure the people who go to school are all animal lovers so you will have support from everyone!. Good luck :)Www@FoodAQ@Com

Hi vegetarian friend!. It's great that you want to be a vet and help animals!. I know of a vegan vet with a website that may help you!. http://www!.veganvet!.net/advice!.html She's active with animal rights, and I'm sure if you have any questions, she would be knowledgeable

I know there are more ethical options, and she may be able to direct you to them!.

Good luck to you! and thank you for caring for animals!. Www@FoodAQ@Com

I think this is the only case where dissecting animals can be justified!. People who want to become doctors have to work on human cadavers, so why shouldn't someone who wants to become a veterinarian work on animal cadavers!? The problem is, you may not be working with the type of animal in which you hope to specialize!. And that could be a problem!.

Your conscience will tell you what's right!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

I was going to be a vet (now at this time in my life, I'm going to be a vet tech!.)
I think it is okay to dissect the animals!. I mean I probably wouldn't be able to either being nauseous and/or just feeling so sad!. But especially if you are going to be a vet and help animals!.!. its makes those animals death not so much in vain because you will save more animals than the ones you had to dissect!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

I, personally would not like this!. Because I would have to dissect, and then put down animals!. I don't even like seeing 'the lion eats the zebra' or things like that on TV, even though I know it is natural!.That job is no for e, but if you really think that you can do it, then, you should!.!. good question! But it is your choice!.

PS, if you were to be an equine vet, does that mean you would have to dissect horse!? I looove horses:( !.Www@FoodAQ@Com

I think if you're going to be a vet, as in, in vet school, then it's okay!. in highschool, it's not okay!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Isn't it against your ethics to euthanize an animal!? That's part of a veterinarian's job!.Www@FoodAQ@Com

Well, unfortunately it will be necessary to learn!.!.!.like doctors have to use cadavers!.!.!.hopefully they will be using animals who died from natural causes!.!.you could always ask and insist on dissecting only those types, but even if not, remember you are doing it for the greater good, to learn to help animals, its not like you are testing perfume on them! So I would feel OK about it!. Good luck in vet school! I always wanted to be a vet, but I'm too emotional!. I hope you do great!Www@FoodAQ@Com





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