This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Vet with snake phobia ???

Hi Guys

I want to apply for Veterinary Medicine with a view to specialising in large animals. However, I have a phobia of snakes and spiders... does this make veterinary medicine a no-no? I'm fine with blood, needles, and everything else medically related; it's just snakes and spiders that I don't like. Is there some way of training without having to handle them?

Thanks :smile:

Reply 1

Broderss

Do you get spiders at vets?? :s-smilie:

Reply 2

jpatel10

Broderss

Do you get spiders at vets?? :s-smilie:

This

Reply 3

skipp

I went to the vets the other day with my rabbit, and the vet was really allergic to...rabbits, I'm sure if he can be a successful vet you can too :yep:

Reply 4

overtherainbow

err providing you can cope being in a room with them you should be ok- we had a handling session but maybe 3 out of 11 chose not to touch the snakes/spiders and no one had a problem with it

Reply 5

Maxy-Q.O.S

Psychologists have apparently found a way to cure snake and spider phobia but I haven't looked into it too much since I am **** scared of snakes! I also have no desire to cure my fear of snakes as I believe that one day my snake fear will save my life lol!!

Reply 6

Aivicore

I think having to acknowledge this would make it harder, but you don't get snakes or spiders visiting non-herp or arachnid specialists all that often.

Seriously, I think the best thing to do is try and overcome the phobia.
You could expose yourself to them occasionally and increase the amount of time you spend with them.
Even if that means doing something as little as going in your local pet shop and walking down past the snakes every so often!

I keep snakes and believe me - they're lovely creatures! With a horrible reputation lol.
Also, with large spiders you've just got to bite the bullet and hold them to find out they're sensitive little things that feel a bit furry!

Face it rather than work around it, I say.
If it's an extreme phobia you could always get help from a psychologist - my sister is one and she completely changed one womans view of spiders lol.

Reply 7

Aivicore

Broderss

Do you get spiders at vets?? :s-smilie:

People keep tarantulas all over the world, so yes. :rolleyes:

(Me being one of them).

Reply 8

Ivan Stanchev

I also have a snakes phobia.Glad there arent many dangerous species in Europe

Reply 9

daj198

Thanks everyone... I suppose a lot of people don't like snakes and things but still make it in the vet world...

"err providing you can cope being in a room with them you should be ok- we had a handling session but maybe 3 out of 11 chose not to touch the snakes/spiders and no one had a problem with it"

I presume you're doing vetmed at the moment then? Where? Sounds like I could work with that system! Being in a room with them I wouldn't mind but examining them.... :eek:

Reply 10

Beckybob

I'm terrified of spiders, moths and crane flys, to the point that if there not touching me, or attempt to touch me its absolutly fine. I was in a barn once on work experience with a farmer stood next to me, and a hugeeeeee moth was fluttering around my head. It took all the willpower to not run away screaming as not to look stupid, i just stood rooted to the spot completely paranoid that it was crawling on me, ahhhh, i'm reliving it lol. But anyway, a vet i worked with is terrified of spiders aswell, she didn't seem to ever have any problems, and said as long as its not an extreme phobia, you should be fine.

Also, one vet i worked with, really doesn't like birds, he just specified that noone book him an appointment with any :smile:

Reply 11

nadiah

You could try and get over your phobias? I had a massive phobia of spiders, but had a few months of CBT and am starting to get over it :smile:

I still have a long way to go, but i'm getting there! It's not easy but every time you take a step it's such a great feeling :smile:

Reply 12

overtherainbow

daj198

yep im a first year at cambridge but i guess its similar all round

Reply 13

~*starlight*conquest*~

daj198

Watch the board while I run through it. :p:

Reply 14

Annaconda

skipp

I went to the vets the other day with my rabbit, and the vet was really allergic to...rabbits, I'm sure if he can be a successful vet you can too :yep:

this made me laugh so i tried to rep you with this picture

until i realised that was a cat not a rabbit lol
i have to wait a day anyway

Reply 15

skipp

Annaconda

this made me laugh so i tried to rep you with this picture

until i realised that was a cat not a rabbit lol
i have to wait a day anyway
:cute:

Ah man I love Nekozawa and Bellzeneff thanks Anna :smile:

And ye the poor guy...amazingly good vet, he gave them a proper check up...despite being obviously uncomfortable, some of them just inject and send you on your way unless you specifically ask otherwise, massive kudos to him :yep:

Reply 16

Tarnia

I'm at the Dick Vet, we recently had a handling practical, and I know of at least 2 people in my class that were afraid to touch it. The staff encouraged them to do so but did not MAKE them. One girl had been cornered by a snake she said as a girl, so even being in the same room was difficult-she pushed her chair all the way back. At the end she asked the handler if she could go into the room privately with a friend and the handler, and they did that. So I agree, it is not the be-all or end-all of things.

Reply 17

AshMashMash

As long as you don't go into exotic medicine you'll be fine :smile:

As for the "vet's don't treat spiders!" comments, ok, this isn't a spider, but they certainly do treat arachnids (including spiders):

http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/spiders-inverts/237422-haemolymph-sampling-those-interested.html

Pic that isn't working:

Reply 18

FellForAJinx

I'm really, really creeped out by spiders, creepy crawlies etc etc and I'm in my third year, doing fine. Had a tick practical a couple of weeks ago that just about killed me though! :P