Another Mother
Lauren Breuer
De Ag'I
I met a Veterinarian at a volunteer program in downtown NYC on Jul 12, 2022. After making small talk, I asked if he loved animals, or if he viewed his job as just a job. He told me that I was the first person to ever ask him that, simply because he said “when you are a vet/go to vet school, people automatically think that you LOVE animals.” He told me that he loved HIS dog, but that he doesn’t love someone else’s dog (he does love a few others, but not all). He said that he views them as animals, nothing more.
I inquired about the agricultural industry as that is where he mentioned most of his work and experience is. He began to explain the entire process of the meat industry, and the veterinary roles and responsibilities behind it.
ETHICALLY EXPOSED
I played it cool and didn’t mention my deep love for animals, I just pretended like I was not in awe of what he was telling me. But, as he wishes to remain anonymous, this is primary information/experience from a veterinarian in the agricultural industry.
Once I vocalized a little of my background about my feelings about animal testing, he told me that without animal testing that there would be no drugs and cures for heartworm in dogs/other medications for them. I listened as he began to answer my question about his role on farms for cows (as that is a very large industry).
He told me that bulls are castrated (basically neutered) 6 months after they are born because they get “very rowdy and can break fences, and assert dominance over the other cows so they don’t eat.” I asked about the castrating process and if the animals are given any sort of pain relievers or numbing creams and he said nope! He said that they are restricted and that it takes about 30 seconds for each castration. I read about this, but hearing it from a vet was insane. He also said that there is a specific technique behind not making them bleed continuously. Because I was concerned with the idea that they could just bleed out/bleed to death. He said that cutting on a specific angle is the key to it, and continued to elaborate more.
He told me about a farmer who asked him to come and castrate about 300 of his cows, and when he arrived to perform the task, the farmer said “you cannot do this today; according to the Farmer’s Manual (that you learn about in veterinary school – that the vet did not believe in at the time) the blood is in the head of the cows today – based on the manual and following it according to the days of the month/year. The vet said “dude I’m here now, and I am not coming back out this way until next week, it’s either now or never,” so the farmer reluctantly said okay.
The Farmer called the vet after he left and told him that 3 of his cows fainted, and bled to death. After this day, the vet said he would always take that manual into account. Yet, he showed no remorse or emotions as he told me this story.
He also told me that farmers (who are NOT vets) perform such practices. I personally do not understand how this is legal, or how people don’t care that this is extremely inhumane being a vet or not. I was also appalled by the fact that he told me that farmers also perform open abdomen surgeries. Again, I asked my question regarding the pain of the cows and if they are given any relievers, and he said “I honestly haven’t even thought about that.” He said they do give them a little numbing cream for the area but that it isn’t a lot because they need the cow to stand…
He also proceeded to tell me that if they did put the cows under anesthesia that they would have to wait to either milk them or kill them because the drugs are still in their systems – he also said that regulations for drugs are much lower for dogs and cats because we don’t eat them, but for cows, it is a lot higher, because we do eat them. But that it still isn’t something that they want humans to consume…So in order for a drug to be passed, by Pfizer for example (where this vet works) it is a lot more difficult therefore, they do not give the cows medicine to help with pain.
He mentioned that the procedure of castrating them is quick. I asked him to describe it, and he said “You really want to know?” I replied with a curious yes. He said you have to use a scapula but in most cases of performing this on 300+ cows, he/others just use a little knife looking shear to cut into the testicles and basically pull them out of the baby (again, with no pain reliever). If you are a guy, or girl, whatever, just imagine someone cutting into your balls, while you are restricted, you have no pain killers and they just rip them out of your body – no bandage “necessary.”
I cannot even fathom that thought of that, and yet it is done with no pain considering the baby.
Now make the judgment for yourself. Would you let your child go through this process and feel this pain? No, right? Why do we sympathize with humans, but not with animals? This world has demoralized us into thinking that animals do not feel pain like we do, meanwhile this could not be farther from the truth.
Think about the stress and emotional scarring the animal goes through waiting in line to be next in this procedure, let alone slaughter. Don’t let the news tell you otherwise, or your friends sway you, because the truth is, everyone feels pain, sorrow, anger, sadness, etc. You can’t argue with the truth and proof.