Lee High School
What do Veterinary Technicians do to aid vets, help clients and their pets?
Rebeca Barajas Avila
Senior Capstone
Peter Foote
April 13, 2018
Rebeca Barajas Avila
Senior Capstone
Peter Foote
April 13, 2018
Veterinary Technician In Action
When it comes to veterinary technicians there’s more to it then what people think.
They’re more than just an assistant to veterinarians, they handle many important roles in day to
day pet animal life. The only thing veterinarians do that veterinary technicians don’t, is they
don’t do surgery they assist during it. Veterinary technicians need to know “anatomy and
physiology” as they “focus on various species… and don’t just work with dogs and cats” but
“also focus on reptiles, birds, horses, cows” (Carrington College.). Veterinary technicians aid
veterinarians and help clients and their pets by assisting in surgery, giving medications,
and animal care.
Veterinarians need their veterinarian technicians just like doctors need their nurses.
According to [Link], “In a clinical practice setting, such as your local veterinary hospital,
veterinary technicians handle many of the same responsibilities that nurses and other
professionals perform for physicians” (Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants.)
Veterinary technicians are trained to do basic techniques to handle an animals care. Veterinary
technicians are also trained to keep a clients pet records, prepare equipment for a surgery, assists
during x-rays, nursing animals, dental care, and educate the clients. During surgery, veterinary
technicians are there to help and hand tools that veterinarians need during the procedure. “These
instruments and supplies need to be properly identified, cleaned, maintained, and sterilized to be
ready at a moment’s notice” (Dobbs, Katherine.) Veterinary technicians “cannot diagnose,
prescribe, perform surgery, or engage in any activity prohibited by a state's veterinary practice
act” (Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants.) The veterinary technician injects
medication including pre-induction, induction, and maintenance anesthesia, including the
percentage of oxygen and inhalant anesthesia” (Dobbs, Katherine.) Before surgery though,
veterinary technicians clean the area that is going to be used during surgery and also monitor the
animal checking if there is any vital signs. They collect and help examine urine as well as blood
samples.
Giving medications is another thing veterinary technicians do. “After the veterinarian
makes a diagnosis and prescribes the right medications, the vet tech is responsible for
administering the medication” (Brown, Sanford.) This can be anything to having the animal
swallow a pill, an intramuscular injection, or suppository. An intramuscular injection is a method
used to deliver medication deep into the muscles. It allows the medication to enter and absorb the
bloodstream quickly. A suppository is a “solid medical preparation ication in a roughly conicael
or cylindrical shape, it is designed to be inserted into the rectum to dissolve.” (Change into own
words)
“For frequently used medications, a binder or card file system can be created to refer to,
which lists the doses by weight for the medication” (Dobbs, Katherine.) If the medications
changes over time it is important to update the papers or system as needed to. When an animal
comes in and is in critical condition, while the veterinarian is busy with the animal, the
veterinary technician is there to help with medications. There is a large chart of drug medications
that have the right amount of dose needed for the animal so when the veterinarian calls out for a
medication, the veterinary technician knows exact amount. There is also a medication were it
calms down symptoms and it slows down the progression of the disease or illness. Medication by
mouth can be tricky for some animals, but others there’s a way. “For dogs, you can often trick
them into taking the medication in a ball of food” (Dobbs, Katherine.) The only thing you need
to make sure is that the pill is not noticeable or sticking out of the food or they will eat around it.
Good animal care is the main thing veterinarians and veterinary technicians try to
achieve. People allow their pets to be in the hands of veterinarians and veterinary technicians,.
They have faith and trust that they are pets are in good hands.. “There are many opportunities for
us to help them remain or regain their health and happiness”(Dobbs, Katherine. )
Elimination trial is when a veterinarian suggest a new food diet and is “recommended for
8-12 weeks” (NAVTA.) Veterinary technicians are there to answer all the questions and concerns
of the animals owner, letting them know that it will be okay. Even though it can be a struggle
getting used to the new food, it is important to keep it up. Veterinary technicians should call the
owner and keep in contact with them making sure that they are continuing with the diet. This
creates communication between the owner and trust letting them know that they care about the
animals care and health. “Once a food allergy is diagnosed, the veterinary technician can help
owners understand the importance of feeding a therapeutic food for the rest of the dog’s
life”(NAVTA.) Food allergies can affect a animals future. So with proper care, treatment, and
diagnosis the animal will feel better and improve in health.
In conclusion, veterinary technicians have a huge role when it comes to animals in need
or just in general. Veterinary technicians aid veterinarians and help clients and their pets by
assisting in surgery, giving medications, and animal care. When it comes to animals,
veterinary technicians are there to guide people and their pets in the right and healthy way. They
just don’t focus on dogs and cats, there is a variety of exotic animals they take in. If a
veterinarian is busy, no need to hesitate to ask a veterinary technician questions, they will gladly
answer anything that is needed.
Works Cited
Brown, Sanford. “Sanford-Brown Blogs.” Sanford-Brown, 28 Apr. 2014,
[Link]/Student-Life/blog/April-2014/What-Do-Vet-Techs-Do.
Carrington College. What Will I Learn: Veterinary Technology, YouTube, 30 June 2016,
[Link]/watch?v=nRppwSTECtg.
Dobbs, Katherine. 101 Veterinary Technician Questions Answered . 2009,
[Link]/eds/ebookviewer/ebook/bmxlYmtfXzM0ODc0Nl9fQU41?
sid=6892e9d6-98a6-4377-91da-
074c3e925ac6@sessionmgr120&vid=0&format=EB&lpid=lp_v&rid=0.
NAVTA. Veterinary nursing in action. 2018, p. 12. Accessed 2018.
Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary Assistants.” Veterinary Technicians and Veterinary
Assistants, American Veterinary Medical Association, 2018,
[Link]/public/YourVet/Pages/[Link].
“Veterinary Technicians Surgery Duties.” RSS,
[Link]/veterinary-technician-surgery-duties/.