• Hero Banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Buying or Selling a Practice
Hospital Design
Leadership & Personal Growth
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Technology
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Live Conferences
Conference News
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

What is compassion fatigue?

January 1, 2011

Discover the difference between compassion fatigue and burnout.

Compassion fatigue, or the stress you feel as a result of constantly supporting the emotions of others, comes from not taking time out for yourself. For example, after a pet euthanasia, you most likely turn your attention to helping the grieving client. And there's nothing wrong with that. Just don't forget to console yourself. After all, you too just went through a difficult experience.

One of the most common causes for veterinary compassion fatigue is the prolonged and continuous exposure to pet death and client grief. Failing to address your emotions can result in a type of grief pileup. When this happens, traumatic memories can invade your daily thoughts, much like post-traumatic stress disorder. It can also result in feelings of resentment, anger, and disdain for others, including clients and co-workers. On the other hand, compassion fatigue can cause you to become emotionally detached, ripping away your passion for working with animals.

While it may sound foreign and even selfish to put yourself before others, self-care is the key to dealing with and preventing compassion fatigue.

Advertisement

To learn more about compassion fatigue, click here.

Related Content:

Education
Tuskegee University celebrates 2023 spring commencement
Tuskegee University celebrates 2023 spring commencement
Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine names founding dean
Lyon College School of Veterinary Medicine names founding dean
PetSmart Charites will gift $6 million to UC Davis with endowed chair
PetSmart Charites will gift $6 million to UC Davis with endowed chair

Advertisement

Latest News

Advice on dog and cat seasonal allergies with air quality threats

News wrap-up: Keeping pets safe from wildfire smoke, and other veterinary news

Morris Animal Foundation celebrates 75th anniversary

Why ingredients for pet food supplements should be studied

View More Latest News
Advertisement