2 Shocking Signs That You May Be Suffering from Burnout in Your Veterinary Career (and What You Should Do About It)

“Burnout doesn’t shout, it whispers.”

I heard that today on an episode of The Masterful Coach podcast with Molly Clarke and Midore Takada, where two coaches discussed how to recognize burnout in high-achieving women.

If you’re a veterinarian, statistically speaking, you’re probably a high-achieving woman—according to a 2022 census, nearly 67% of veterinarians in the U.S. are female. This podcast episode got me thinking: with the financial and emotional costs of veterinary care, how is burnout uniquely experienced among veterinary professionals?

The typical signs of burnout include:

• Physical symptoms: headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and GI issues
• Emotional signs: feelings of helplessness, depression, cynicism, and loss of motivation
• Mental signs: poor focus, decreased work quality, confusion, and loss of enjoyment in work or hobbies

These symptoms are vague and can often be difficult to distinguish from physical exhaustion or compassion fatigue—both of which are common in vet med. But here are two shocking signs that I’ve experienced personally—and heard others describe—that may signal burnout is creeping in.

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1. Feeling Relief When Clients Can’t Afford Full Treatment

Have you ever felt relieved when an owner declines the full diagnostic workup, the best treatment plan, or a surgical option—because it means less work and you can move on with your day?

This is especially common in ER and urgent care settings, where there’s a relentless stream of patients, clients, and tasks. When you’re maxed out, it’s no wonder that a quicker case can feel like a small mercy.

But what often follows that fleeting sense of relief? Guilt.

Of course, you want the best for your patients—even when it’s inconvenient. And you’d never intentionally feel that way… but the thought still happens.

So, what do you do when that feeling hits? The first and most important step is to slow down. I know it can feel impossible in the moment, but try to lighten your load: call for backup, reschedule non-urgent cases, or defer incoming emergencies until you catch up.

Remember: if you’re so busy you can’t provide the standard of care your patients deserve, you’re too busy. Something has to give.

And once the shift is over? It’s okay to forgive yourself for the thought. Thoughts make us human. You didn’t act on it—and that matters.

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2. Wishing for an “Emergency” So You Don’t Have to Go to Work

This one is dark—and surprisingly common.

In vet med, many of us almost never call out—unless we’re seriously ill or experiencing an emergency. We’ve been short-staffed for years. We know how hard our absence hits the rest of the team. And taking a mental health day? Not with that caseload!

So we start wishing for something external to “force” us to rest.
Maybe it’s a flat tire. Maybe it’s catching the flu.
Sometimes it escalates to something more concerning, like: “Maybe I’ll get in a car accident.”

If you catch yourself thinking this way—even if it starts innocently—this is a red flag. Work should never feel scarier than a potentially life-changing event.

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What to Do If You’re Experiencing Burnout

If this feels familiar, start here:

1. Evaluate your mental health and work/life balance.
   Consider speaking with a therapist, doctor, coach, or mentor. Sometimes, just saying the thought out loud can be a relief in itself.
2. Take a break—any break you can manage.
   It doesn’t have to be a vacation or a full day off. Maybe you can take a half day, leave early, or come in late. Use that space to get more sleep, eat a real meal, go for a walk—anything that brings a little more breathing room into your day.
3. Think about how to make your workday more manageable or enjoyable.
   Do you just need some time off? Put in the vacation request.
   Would an hour at the end of the day for callbacks help? Talk to your manager.
   Maybe it’s as simple as starting your day with an iced coffee or scheduling something fun for after work.

You deserve a work life that feels sustainable.

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You can read more burnout advice in my last post, here.

How do you recognize the signs of burnout in yourself or others?
What strategies help you the most in preventing or recovering from it?
Comment below—or email me at DrKatieHogan@KatieHoganDVM.com with the subject line “Breaking Burnout” to chat.