The Savvy VetTech

If you work as a vet tech in small animal general practice, you will become familiar with the treatment of canine and feline diabetes. While there are several interspecies differences in the management of diabetes, there’s also a key similarity between dogs and cats: the need for insulin.

It can be very intimidating or scary for owners to think about giving injections to their pets. With some encouragement and a good demonstration, the majority of pet owners will quickly become comfortable administering injections.

It is important that the owner receives handouts on diabetes, insulin, and administration. The information can be overwhelming, especially if they are apprehensive; they may forget some of what you tell them.

The doctor should go over diabetes with the owner, but technicians often give the insulin injection demonstration. Therefore, technicians should be familiar with insulin handling, and knowledgeable enough to answer basic questions about insulin and administration.