THE COST OF COMPASSION: MENTAL HEALTH AND CHALLENGES IN THE VETERINARY CAREER

Abstract

This study addresses the impact of emotional exhaustion and occupational challenges on the veterinary career, focusing on the analysis of burnout syndrome, compassion fatigue, and professional devaluation. Searches were conducted across the SciELO, PubMed/MEDLINE, CAPES Journals Portal, and Google Scholar databases, encompassing 15 studies published between 2010 and 2026. The results indicate that continuous exposure to suffering, the stigma of "working out of love," and the practice of euthanasia, combined with exhausting working hours and precarious employment conditions, are associated with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and suicide risk within the profession. In conclusion, mitigating this scenario requires structured actions, ranging from undergraduate curriculum reform to the implementation of psychological safety and professional valuation policies in the workplace.