Working in veterinary medicine often means encountering the unexpected. From strange pet ailments to quirky owner beliefs, vet professionals have seen it all. We asked our social media followers to share their most memorable stories, and their responses did not disappoint. Here are some of the craziest, funniest, and most unbelievable tales from the vet world.
1. The Laxative Mishap
One follower shared a tale of a cat with diarrhea: “My cat was having diarrhea, and I know the neighbors feed her, so I assumed it was something that disagreed with her. I had been giving her a huge dose of laxative (prescribed as she is prone to constipation) to flush out whatever she ate. Now she’s really flat and poorly.” 
2. The Ear Infection Solution Gone Wrong
A client didn’t read instructions for cephalexin and poured the powder into the dog’s ears because that’s where the infection was. This was in addition to the prescribed otic ointment. Misunderstandings like this remind us how crucial clear instructions are.
3. The Hot Sauce Incident
One particularly shocking story involved a man who poured hot sauce directly onto his dog’s open wound because the dog kept licking it. Not surprisingly, this method did not have the desired effect.
4. The Miscommunication Catastrophe
One follower recounted a surreal call: “Client called requesting anesthetics for at-home use. Reason? ‘The world is going to flood. I live on a hill, and I think I can make it as long as I have enough food. My plan is to capture some deer and keep them in my spare bedrooms.’ The chilling part – 3 months later, Hurricane Irene hit Vermont, and the client had to have food dropped from a helicopter to his front yard. 
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5. The Cookie Reinforcement
Another story involved a woman who gave her snappy Yorkie a cookie every time it bit her, thinking it would learn not to bite. Instead, the dog learned to bite more to get more cookies.
6. The Heartworm Prevention Myth
Many owners have misconceptions about heartworm prevention. One client confidently claimed, “She doesn’t need heartworm prevention; I have a fenced-in yard!” This highlights the ongoing need for education about pet health risks.
7. The Y2K Cat Crisis
Back in December 1999, a client was frantic that her cat wasn’t Y2K ready. She worried the power would go out at midnight and her cat would freeze. The vet had to explain that houses don’t cool to freezing in just a couple of hours.
8. The Confused Owner
A memorable moment involved a woman who asked if her aggressive Golden Retriever had become “more wild” because of the wildlife in their new home in the woods. The dog’s “aggression” was simply excitement at seeing new animals.
9. The Half Vaccine Request
One vet tech was baffled when a client asked if they could give their small dog half of the rabies vaccine dose due to its size. Vaccination dosages don’t quite work that way.
10. The Emergency Flea Case
A client once showed up claiming an emergency because her dog still had fleas 24 hours after an appointment. The vet had to explain that flea treatments take longer to work and that it wasn’t an emergency.
Conclusion
These stories highlight the unpredictable and often humorous nature of veterinary medicine. From bizarre home remedies to unusual client requests, vets and vet techs handle it all with professionalism and a sense of humor. If you have your own crazy vet story, share it with us in the comments!
For more hilarious and unbelievable veterinary tales, check out our social media post >