The Savvy VetTech

In this great article by Jade Velasquez, LVT, she lists some reasons that are contributing to this issue. Wages, under-utilization, compassion fatigue, and toxic environment are the four she discusses. We know that the vet tech field has a high turnover.

This is why continuing education, certification, stress reduction, and vet tech appreciation are cornerstones for job satisfaction. Trying to fend off negativity and creating a more positive work environment should be the job of all hospital members. Take a moment to read this article to learn more!

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This month I am happy to feature Monica Mosier! She is a veterinary technician working in sunny Florida. She has been in the veterinary field since she was 17! I think that one of the coolest things about Monica is that she has an ultrasound certification. Her story is very inspiring and we thank her for sharing her path in veterinary technology! Read More

Cats and Dogs share many disease, although they may have different names or pathology in each species. This article discusses heartworm disease, obesity, arthritis, and dental disease. While dogs and cats can both get these diseases, they may show different symptoms. Check out the link to learn more!
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Here is an infographic for Vet Techs on a blood gas analysis in your anesthetized veterinary patient. Analyzing arterial (can analyze venous sample) blood gas can provide vital information about your patient. An analysis provides accurate representation of a patient’s respiratory function and acid-base status.

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There are many great veterinary social media accounts- and all platforms have some favorites. Some are great for a laugh, and others are educational or inspiring. Here are a few of my favorites you should definitely check out. If you have favorites, please share in the comments so others can follow too!

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I have followed his account on Twitter, a kind-hearted man who cares for these abandoned cats in a small sanctuary in Aleppo.  You can see him at work in this YouTube video. 



I was saddened to read today that his sanctuary was hit by airstrikes, killing his dog Hope and some cats. He survived the bombings, but please keep this man and his good deeds in your prayers and thoughts. You can follow him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1509943749305018/ or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/gattarodialeppo
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Did you know horses have three pairs of glands that produce saliva – the parotid, the submaxillary, and the sublingual. Did you know a 500 kg horse will produce on average 12 Liters of saliva a day?  How well do you know your equine terminology, take this quick quiz.

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Every year at this time, I start to think about dog pancreatitis for obvious reasons. Lots of delicious food and soon to be holiday parties taking place.

And as the old saying goes, and ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! This is especially true with dog pancreatitis prevention, as this can be a very serious and even life threatening disease for dogs.

Take the time to remind your veterinarian clients about the dangers of various Thanksgiving food for dogs when they come in to the clinic, and potentially even have a handout or e-mail for them as a helpful reminder.

While some dogs may easily tolerate some plain turkey meat, others can become seriously ill. The most common thing that I see in practice is a dog with pancreatitis or gastrointestinal upset because of things the GUESTS give the pets without the owner knowing!

Multiply that across multiple guests and it can make for a bad combination. So besides educating your clients, who may know what their dogs can and cannot tolerate, remind them to tell their guests- politely but firmly- that they must not feed the pets without permission, or better yet not at all. Otherwise...they can pay the vet bills!

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We hear about dogs and rattlesnake bites a lot, especially where I live in the state of Arizona. But, what about cats? Can they survive and is there a rattlesnake bite treatment?

Yes, they can survive, but timing may be everything! It acts mostly as a neurotoxin in cats, which can cause paralysis and mentation changes. They can also suffer from coagulation problems and vasculitis like dogs. Typically prognosis is not good, but if they receive treatment quickly (yes they can have antivenin) then they may have a better chance of survival. Check out this article link for more info!
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Here is a quick infographic for Vet Techs about important medical abbreviations they may encounter on the job.  Be sure to check out our other fact posts.

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Vet Tech Case study question:

You are presented a 5 year old male-neutered domestic short hair who is indoor/outdoor and has been coughing recently. After searching Dr. Google, the owner is concerned that the cat may have lung worm and demands the cat be tested.  Answer the following questions in regards to this case. Read More

We know that veterinary technicians are a valuable part of every practice. But there is high turnover in the profession and often job dissatisfaction. Most of us in the profession already realize that vet techs deserve higher pay. It is easier to ask for a raise when you know that you truly deserve one. By doing these 10 things and making yourself invaluable to a practice, you can feel sure that at your yearly review you should get that raise, and can feel confident asking!

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Americans are estimated to spend over $62 billion on their pets this year, a 23% increase from just 5 years ago. The pet industry appears to be recession-proof with no sign of stopping, a fact that large-scale pet and pet accessory stores are happy to hear as we head towards the holiday season.

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