Online bashing, violence, mental stress: vets are not only fighting for animals, but increasingly for their own mental health. The Luxembourg professional association AMVL warns that if the psychological pressure continues to rise, it will not only jeopardise individual livelihoods - but also veterinary care in the country.
Veterinarian is a profession with an exceptionally high suicide rate. Sarah Raparoli spoke to Luxembourg veterinarian Dr Caroline Mousel about this in May 2021. Today, four years later, the Association des Médecins Vétérinaires du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg has issued a press release to draw attention to the tense situation: "Especially in clinics, we work day and night for the well-being of animals and are increasingly confronted with attacks, especially on social networks, " it says. Worse still, colleagues are sometimes confronted with verbal or even physical violence.
The association draws attention to the serious consequences this can have for mental health. Ultimately, this also has an impact on the quality of animal care. "We have a feeling of powerlessness and injustice in the face of this situation." The press release speaks of pressure from the pet owner's demands, hasty judgements and threats, which hinder veterinarians from practising their profession to the best of their knowledge and belief.
The AMVL notes that online bashing would also discourage new vets from entering or staying in the profession. This in a job where the suicide rate is far higher than that of the general population.
"Every vet knows someone else who has either committed suicide or is going through a difficult time, " said Dr Caroline Mousel in 2021. She herself knew two vets in Luxembourg at the time who had ended their lives. As examined in various studies, the doctor was also of the opinion that easy access to appropriate medication was a significant reason for the increased suicide rate. "We are in possession of drugs that are used to euthanise animals and we know how to use them."
Nobody likes to put an animal to sleep, said Dr Mousel. Prospective vets need to be aware that such a process can be very stressful – not only for the owners, but also for the doctors treating them. "I think that the people who choose this profession are emotionally moved. These people have a lot of compassion, they want to help the animals." From a psychological point of view, people with a lot of compassion are more vulnerable than others, the vet added.
"Every vet knows someone who has either committed suicide or is going through a difficult time."
Dr Caroline Mousel, vet
The AMVL is calling for collective awareness-raising to promote constructive and respectful dialogue about veterinary practice. Animal owners should ask questions, express concerns and ask their vets for clarification "instead of using the fourth estate in our democracy, namely the media, before any discussion even with professionals".
There is a lack of qualified specialists in veterinary medicine. While the OECD reports an average of 3.8 human doctors per 1,000 inhabitants, the European average in veterinary medicine is only 0.43 per 1,000 according to the FVE. In Luxembourg, the figure is around 0.75 per 1,000 animal patients – a figure that probably seems too positive due to the many part-time positions. The few that remain ensure night-time emergency veterinary services and hospital care in Luxembourg – but according to the AMVL, "their numbers are steadily decreasing". "If these facilities and their vets eventually collapse under the psychological pressure exerted by pet owners in whatever form, the entire night-time emergency service in Luxembourg will collapse."
