Veterinarians far more likely to die by suicide than other Americans, research shows
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Veterinarians continue to die by suicide at rates well above the national average, according to a statistical analysis published Thursday, which for the first time quantified increasing suicide deaths among female vets.
The analysis, which was conducted by researchers for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or CDC, and published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association , reviewed the records of 11,620 veterinarians who died from 1979 to 2015.
It found that female vets were 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than was the general population, while for the ratio was 2.1-to-1 male vets.
Overall, men accounted for about 82 percent of suicides by veterinarians during the study period, roughly a 4.6-to-1 ratio, compared to a male-to-female ratio of about 3.6-to-1 in the general population .
Research has consistently shown for more than 30 years that veterinarians are at significantly higher risk of suicide than is the general population, owing to a combination of factors that include occupational stress, depression and burnout.
"The veterinary school application process commonly selects for perfectionism to meet the rigorous veterinary school academic requirements," the CDC researchers said. "However, perfectionism has been associated with higher risk for developing mental illnesses, including anxiety and depression."
The researchers also noted that veterinarians have broad access to pharmaceuticals used in animal euthanization.
What's startling in the new analysis are the trends in suicides among female vets.
Women now make up 60 percent of veterinarians in the United States, and while the percentage of deaths by suicide among female vets has remained consistent since 2000, the raw number of such deaths has risen as women's representation in the profession has steadily grown, the analysis showed.
And women are far more likely to use poison than are men, who are most likely to kill themselves with firearms, according to the analysis. Almost two-thirds of female vets used pharmaceutical poison, compared to only a third of men.
That could partly be explained by demographics: Because the percentage of women entering veterinary school and graduating to full practice has been rising sharply in the last few decades, more women than men are likely to have been exposed to more recent vet school training that teaches euthanasia as an acceptable method to relieve suffering in animals, which the researchers said can be accompanied by a reduced fear of death.
Demographics and changing times also explain another striking finding: that small-animal veterinarians, like those who treat your pets, are far more likely to die by suicide than they were 30 years ago.
That's because pet medicine has become much more popular over that time as society has moved away from an agriculture-based culture, sharply reducing the number of vets who work in agriculture and other industries. The American Veterinary Medical Association separately reported that 75 percent of U.S. veterans " worked exclusively or predominantly in companion animal medicine " in 2017.
The researchers cautioned that the high rates of suicide theoretically could have been skewed by incomplete data, especially if wider research reveals that veterinarians are disproportionately less likely to die of other causes. Moreover, they said, "death certificates for veterinarians might be less likely to list suicide as the cause of death because of high social standing within the community."
But they said the data clearly "highlights the need for comprehensive suicide prevention strategies targeted toward this unique population."
Dr. Robert Redfield, director of the CDC, agreed.
"Our findings suggest mortality from suicide among veterinarians has been high for some time — spanning the entire 36-year period we studied," he said in a statement.
"This study shines a light on a complex issue in this profession. Using this knowledge, we can work together to reduce the number of suicides among veterinarians."
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I always thought that being a vet would be a wonderful profession, but after reading this, I'm not that sure. I am wondering what would make veterinarians more likely to commit suicide than any other American?
Stress - they're subject to the same academic rigor as medical students, but I believe vet school is even tougher, due to the small number of veterinary schools available.
I imagine they'd also occasionally see the worst of what people can be - kind of like social workers.
And I personally would have a terrible time delivering euthanasia day after day, even if I knew it was merciful.
That's the first thing I thought about when I saw this. It must be depressing as hell for those who become vets because of a love for animals to so often have to play the role of pet executioner. Also, when you're not doing that you have to deal with suffering patients you can't communicate with, who can't be reasoned with.
I imagine being a vet must feel like a living hell sometimes.
I have to agree with that. I have had my share of putting my beloved pet to sleep and one time I saw my vet tear up, since she had been so involved in his care since he was a very sick kitten. I never thought I would see that.
I'm not a vet, but have been a professional horseman for 32 years. Farm managers, caretakers, owners and veterinarians all strive to make to make the most humane decisions regarding euthanasia........but that doesn’t mean you aren’t haunted by some of your decisions. Some of us use those decisions as motivation to make us better stewards, Some of us simply find another line of work. Sadly, some of us turn those decisions inward. Ending a life is a helluva thing, but to be a compassionate caretaker of animals it is sometimes necessary.
Oh, I'm not questioning the need for euthanasia. Just saying that I think it may have some bearing on the high suicide rate among veterinarians. Because yeah, I'm sure those decisions do haunt you, no matter how necessary they were.
Absolutely it has some bearing. Most vets simply can’t step away from their practice when they realize being a DVM isn’t for them. They have so much time and money invested, they can’t step away.
There is really no reliable way to predict who will be able to shoulder the burden of euthanasia and who won’t. I’ve had avid hunters on my crew who couldn’t process euthanizing a 2 day old foal.
Spent a decade as a paramedic. 30 years later still have the nightmares.
Have owned dogs and cats. It always ends in tears.
Yep, unfortunately, that’s the way it’s supposed to end. We’ve got to be able to promise a good life AND a good death to our animals. I would never want a pet to outlive me.
After our previous dog was euthanized, we said......nope........can’t do it again. Well, that changed with one trip to the local shelter.
There was an article a few months back that might be a hint as to one of the reasons for the high suicuide rate.
They asked a groups of vet's what is the one thing that they wish dog/cat owners would do. They said that over 70% of owers that leave their dogs with the vet to be euthanaised leave because they can't bear to be their when the dog dies. Leaving the vet with all the pressure/pain and seeing the dog frightened/alone is very difficult for them.
That makes good sense. I have even decided never to do it at the vets office anymore, but do it at home, if I can avoid it.
This is a social media post by a vet. Every pet owner should read this.
My sister-in-law is a Veterinarian and has a couple of clinics in southern Minnesota. She lived with us through much of her schooling and I can testify just how difficult that education is. She also takes call just as other medical professionals do; getting up at all hours to drive through the winter to take care of some ones beloved pet. she also is constantly pestered by people who don't take responsibility for their pets, and expect to treat them any ol' way and still be just fine. The insurance is horribly expensive; it's just as bad as malpractice insurance. On top of that, these angels of mercy got into the profession in the first place because of their strong love and passion for animals; and, they spend much of their time dealing with the consequences of assholes who should have never had an animal in the first place. It breaks their hearts daily to not just see this; but, deal with it. I wonder why the suicide rate is so high (sarc).
OK, my tail -
We have numerous clinics in 'Cruces and had been taking our five (5) furry monsters to one of them until the prices got to be outta hand. Our daughter was working at a clinic during the summer 'cause she wanted to be a vet, so we started taking our critters to that clinic. Fell in love with them. Three practitioners, all women, with a staff of 12 - 10 women and 2 males.
After a few visits, it seemed like family to us and, all but two kitties had no issue with the vets.
Well, our baby, Grey Poupon, got an eye irritation 'bout a year ago and her vet started treating her for an eye infection. Unfortunately, the infection turned into cancer, so last March, they had to take her right eye out. We had her on different meds with the hopes of defeating the cancerous cells behind the eye, but, alas, it spread to the bones in her jaw and nose - and finally into the skull.
Poor Poupon never complained, knew she was ill and would try to be with a human family member as much as possible - I guess to gather comfort and strength. We knew she didn't have long, so we gave her all the care and attention we could. In June, we took her in for a follow-up and her Vet, Dr. Gray, came out with tears in her eyes and told us that it was time to let her get her needed relief. She let us keep Poupon in the house for another week.
Vicky, my daughter, and I took Poupon to the vets that final day and left a very sad household. Believe it or not, it seemed as though the other four cats "knew" she was leaving 'cause they gave her a lot of loving the night before. She had the cleanest coat of hair of any cat in the world.
We went into an exam room, Dr. Gray administered a sleeping injection and we waited 'bout 10 minutes for it to take full effect. When Doc was getting ready to give her the final shot, she was also crying, along with Vicky and I. We got to hold Pon's paw while she crossed the bridge and have placed her ashes in a vase on the fireplace mantel, with a pic of 'Pon behind it.
On August 11, I came home from playing golf and Audra and Vicky were bitching 'bout a box in my office that they couldn't open. So, I went into the office and found a cardboard carry box in the middle of the floor. Opened it up and, lo and behold, that was a little six week black ball of fur who immediately attached himself to me. ("I" named him Dark Vader, but Vicky and Audra call him Blackie. Guess what name has stuck?)
To the meat of the story. Vader had his claws removed and he was neutered. Unfortunately, the vet cut too deep into the dew claw and his foot got infected. They did serious meds/antibiotics and he had to wear that damn blue collar for six weeks. We had to take him to the vet twice a week to change bandages and re-medicate. During this whole time, Dr. Jones, Vader's doctor, was going frantic 'cause she said she had never seen anything like it. Thought we were going to have to take the paw off - and she was scared. At the end of six weeks, all came off, including the collar, and he is now the terror of the house. The day Dr. Jones released Vader, she was crying with joy and asked that we call occasionally to let her know how he's doing.
My overall point is - this clinic has 3 female Vets and 10 female techs. They work about 60 + hours a week - give out their home phone numbers so you can call for an emergency, will personally come out and talk with the "parents" of the critter public. The oldest Vet is, maybe, 50. The other two are in their late 30's, early 40's. Everyone of them has grey hair and many wrinkles on the face. (Their techs are getting the same way). When we walk into the clinic, we are joyfully welcomed and given absolute professional care. They call the house just to "check on the kids". Their stress level is humongous because of all the "babies" they take medical responsibility for.
I'm glad Vicky opted out of Vet School because, seriously, she isn't strong enough emotionally, physically nor psychologically to live that life for 40 - 50 years - and I love her for it.
In the pic, Vader had gotten into my prayer space. Well, he's part Chickasaw, so what would you expect?