We've reached the end of season 2, Idiot Army! The Idiots close out the season in a role reversal, with Dr Kent hosting and Cory co-hosting. Cory pitches nontraditional, nonmainstream, and nonscientific medicine to Kent, who shoots them all down. Discussions include antivaxxing, amber beads, and other whack crackadoo stuff. It's a good time. They also do a small mail call, talk about the future, and discuss what NHL players Cory would beat up in a fight. 

All aside, thank you for two seasons of listening. If you keep spreading the word and listening, we'll keep doing this. 

The Idiots discuss dog mods, specifically dewclaws, ear cropping, and tail chopping. If you are a AKC aficionado or a 1700s hunter, you may really want to pay attention. Basically, this is it in the episode. If there was one to skip, it's this one. Normal episodes are terrible, but this one is bad even for the Idiot's standards. Cory the Common Idiot does start with a joke, which is fun. It peaks 13 seconds in. 

Howdy young Idiots! If last week's episode didn't sell you on the easy and gravy career path of a veterinarian with exciting tales of clinicals, this one will really grab you when we talk about resident work with the Resident Doctor Idiots, Dr Rigo and Dr Louie. They discuss the world of internships and residencies, the difference between private practice vs acadamia from a resident standpoint, how to make a bionic frog (we can rebuild him, we can make his stronger, faster, ribbitier), and other fascinating things. Plus, Dr. Kent makes fun of other people than Cory. 

BONUS EPISODE! SURPRISE! In a VMFIBI first, the Dr. Idiot ventures on his own with Dr. Erin, better known as the Large Animal Idiot, or by the end of this bonus episode, Food and Bird Idiot. They continue the conversation from the Vet School Expectations, with a few beers, margaritas, and arts and crafts. Join them for a fun conversation, hear about more horror stories, but, see the light at the end of the table. Yes, it's tough, but it's also worth it. And remember, young veterinary professionals, advocate for yourself. Your hard earned degree gives you more power than you'll realize at times. 

The Idiot Army has asked, and the Idiots have sorta answered. Vet school life, what to expect. The good, the bad, and the clinical. This motley group of Dr Idiots join The Original Idiots in giving picture of vet school and clinical year as realistic as possible. It's hard, it's stressful, it's exhausting, and it's worth it. 

Dr Erin

Erin Masur – Mother Earth News

Dr Laura 

Veterinary Mentorship, Veterinary Relief, Equine Chiropractics | Fernandez Veterinary Services | Ohio

The Idiots discuss paying for veterinary medicine in this week’s episode, and why the costs can get to what is perceived as high. Remember, if you don’t pay your bill, you’re not just scum, they know where you live. Doctors often have a huge degree (no pun intended) of debt they come out of vet school with to keep your pet alive and being the best version of themselves. If you are facing hardships, google is your best friend. There are often clinics and resources in the community that can help with low income families with veterinary care. Some food banks actually have pet medicine and food, as well. People care about your dogs and cats and other animals. Please, if you cannot afford the proper care for your pet, wait rather than letting them suffer with mediocre care, and add to your family when you can properly afford them, but should hardships strike, know there are resources that can help, both for you and your pets. Call 211, your local United Way resource, and they may be able to help. And again, google is an amazing resource. The Common Idiot uses it often to find resources for his clients in his regular job.

Episode 20- Mental Health in the Vet World. The Idiots are joined by Idiot Brainwitch Amber, LLMSW (and a whole lot of other letters) who discusses the importance of boundaries, mental health, and staying safe in your own head. The episode goes a little off the walls, as you would imagine with three neurodivergent people. If you are in the veterinary world, this is a must listen. If you are not, this also is a good listen as burnout and secondhand trauma exists in many careers. We also discuss the importance of boundaries and that veterinarians do not owe you anything, even if you sorta kinda knew them in high school over a decade ago. Don’t be cheap, don’t be an ass. 

If you are feeling any mental struggles, please review below. The world is better off with you in it than without. Please, find the help you can get. We love all of our Idiot Army and do not want to see one lose to the silent killer. You matter. You belong. Reach out to anyone, and if you don't have someone, please, call one of the numbers below. 

Suicide and Crisis Helpline: Call or Text 988

https://988lifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/

University of Tennessee - Veterinary Social Work

Grief and Bereavement services available as well as pet loss support groups. Consultations and resources for animal caring professionals experiencing compassion fatigue, stress, burnout, etc.

Veterinary Social Work Helpline 865-755-8839 

For pet owners: https://vetsocialwork.tennessee.edu/get-help-for-people/

For professionals: https://vetsocialwork.tennessee.edu/intentional-well-being/

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help

1-800-662-HELP

Not One More Vet

https://www.nomv.org

CompassionFatigue.org

Self-Compassion.org 

Yoga Nidra

Why it helps! https://yogainternational.com/article/view/5-benefits-of-yoga-nidra/

A great meditation: https://youtu.be/8mM5Oks8yZc?si=Gi9XGVY1ygszOKVT

This weeks episode brings the Doctors Fernandez (@thedoctorsfernandez) who discusses mixed animal clinics, what it takes to work on a kangaroo and an owl, why you should learn to duck faster if you are castrating a bull, and why they are an incredible resource for all the young Pre-Vet Med Idiots out there. Also, Kent and Cory say some stuff, but does anyone really listen when they talk?

In today's episode, The Idiots speak with Melissa Sluiter, parent of the first FIP (Feline Infectious Peritonitis) patient Dr. Kent saw beat the odds and survive. FIP has historically been the kiss of death, and now, with pushes from brave owners like Melissa and Idiot Doctors like Kent, it is both survivable, and 100% legal in the US. 

The actions described in this episode might be fictitious in nature, and are in no way condoning breaking any laws, even if it means the survival of your furry child

If you are a cat parent dealing with FIP, please consult the following on social medias;

-FIP Global CATS

-FIP Warriors 5.0

-US Based Stokes Pharmacy, in partnership with BOVA, who now offers legal treatment for FIP with GS-441524

-Dr. Niels Pedersen at UC Davis

-SOCK FIP

The Idiots discuss holistic medicine (not the pseudoscience “crystals and burning sage” version, but the whole body mentality) with Dr. Tim Combs, whose resume puts most people to shame. He’s certified in basically everything, so he’s the Everything Idiot. Discussions in this episode include lasers, acupuncture, rehabilitation, penis jokes, dog massages, and the metal scene. Oh, and Combs is the founder of an emo metal pet clothing company, Disgust Clothing. Apologies, there was something in the recording that caused interference. The sound editor did the best he could do, but The Idiots only pay him nothing. They say it’s intern work, and builds character. Cheap pricks!