Technicians

All patients should be stabilized prior to attempts at decontamination. Once stabilization has been accomplished, decontamination should be considered to prevent systemic absorption of the toxicant.

The estrous cycle of the bitch consists of proestrus, estrus, diestrus, and anestrus. Proestrus is the first stage of heat, when the bitch first shows swelling of the vulva and exudation of serosanguinous vulvar discharge. Male dogs are interested but she does not allow mounting. Estrus, or standing heat, is characterized by softening of the vulva, a change from serosanguinous to a more tan-colored discharge, and flagging and standing by the bitch.

Perform urinalysis within 30 minutes of collection or refrigerate. Allow urine to warm up to room temperature before analysis if it has been refrigerated.

Individualized drug therapy increasingly is being recognized as an important aspect of health care for both human and veterinary medicine. Consequently, veterinarians must reach beyond FDA-approved veterinary products to provide the current standard of veterinary care to their patients.

It has been stated that: Systemic hypertension associated with kidney disease is a very real problem, and has been diagnosed in over 60% of cats with chronic renal disease.

A complete blood count (CBC) is a useful and very often-used method of screening and diagnosing patients who present for a wide variety of conditions. It may include both quantitative information about cell numbers, sizes, variability, etc. as well as descriptive information based on evaluation of a blood smear and description of any morphologic abnormalities or infectious agents present. A CBC is probably the most useful when both types of information are reviewed.

Practicing veterinary dentistry is beneficial for clients, pets and you.

Your patients didn't cause the recession, and they're not responsible for your clients' money woes. But they still need essential veterinary care. It's up to you to help your clients figure out how to pay for these services̬and sometimes that means thinking outside the box.

Here are vaccine recommendations made easy.

Not everyone is good at everything. Here's how to get additional team members on board with training others

If your trainer-trainee relationship isn't working, consider the following advice and get back on track.

Follow Pollux's tale, and discover more about disk disease in cats.

Update your lost-and-found.

Q: Should my boss pay me for paid time off (PTO) hours even if I didn't work full-time during the pay period?

A trip to buy shoes demonstrates the meaning of value ... in retail and in veterinary practice.

Your clients know these bloodsuckers are gross, but do they know how to protect their pets? Become a tick expert and educate your veterinary practice clients.

Image Quiz: Can you clue in on canine anxiety?

Use these resources to communicate to communicate to clients about the disease.

Gossip can strengthen relationships at your veterinary practice ... or tear them apart. Do you know when to talk and when to stay silent?

Stats show that a toxic team loses revenue. Shawn McVey and Firstline Live can help you bring back harmony-and profits.

Firstline and Banfield partnered to survey more than 2,000 veterinarians, technicians, and other team members. Here's a peek at some of the results.

Therapist Jill Cody shares top tips for stressed veterinarians and team members to loosen up, handle criticism with flair, and start focusing on what you value most.

Offer your clients this list of questions to find the level of care and insurance coverage that's right for them and their pet.

Technicians should treat dental records like the medical documentations they are.

You'll fall for this tip.

The pain of euthanasia takes a toll on clients-and you. Veterinary team members and experts share experiences and advice to help heal the hurt.

Use fun and games to define your practice's unique selling proposition.

Never underestimate the power of paper towel rolls.

Start counting down to efficiency today.

Survey Results: Are veterinary technicians valued?