Roles

Due to the fact that critical patients are more fragile than stabile patients, they require special nursing care. The same is true of these special patients under anesthesia.

Veterinary technicians are the veterinary hospital's mainstay when it comes to carefully and successfully anesthetizing critical patients. A large number of elderly canine and feline patients are affected by cardiac disease, and knowledge of how to safely monitor, anesthetize, and problem solve cardiac patients makes for a less stressful anesthesia for both the patient and technician.

Common acquired cardiac diseases of the dog include those that are caused by valvular defects, myocardial failure, infectious reasons, as a result of arrhythmias, and parasitism.

Monitoring, for these purposes will consist of checking vitals on a regular basis. The vitals being monitored may be changed based upon the patient's status and the procedure performed. By watching for changes in trends we are able to catch and potentially stop a crisis from happening..

In the previous lecture, the importance of being able to identify periodontal indices was discussed as well as the importance of correctly recording that pathology on dental charts. The indices most commonly evaluated are gingivitis, probe depth, gingival recession, furcation involvement, mobility and periodontal attachment.

Sustained hypotension is a life threatening situation where the body's major organs (kidney, liver, brain, and heart) can experience irreversible damage from inadequate perfusion pressure. Veterinary technicians may encounter hypotension frequently when caring for emergency and critical care patients, as well as anesthetized or post operative patients who are frequently at risk of systemic hypotension.

Production medicine probably means something different to each of us, which has also been the case with written treatment plans definitions, our standards for accountability of welfare, defining the KPI's to monitor, and our drug protocols.

In the current economy, one thing that has become abundantly clear is that things are going to change. One of the changes occurring rapidly is the increased interest in allowing the animal (cattle) to harvest the forage growing in the pasture.

The request for a written treatment protocol is made frequently and easily by people that don't have to accomplish the task. This request is made with the best intentions and it is necessary that we accomplish this, but it is not quite as simple as it sounds.

Fears about job security have crept into the workforce at large, but they don't need to sneak into veterinary practice. By taking initiative to be an A-plus team member, you'll solidify your place at the top of your boss's must-have list.

As veterinary technicians, your role is vitally important in enhancing the lives of the patients you care for (and for the clients who own them). Did you know that you are also important in creating and sustaining the culture in the hospital where you work?

The Board of Veterinary Medicine regulates and licenses people practicing veterinary medicine in the State. Although there are professional standards defining "veterinary-client-patient relationship" and proper prescribing of medications, it falls to the Board of Pharmacy in the state to regulate how prescription medications are dispensed to the general public.

The whole issue of ordering, storing, dispensing and recording controlled drugs can be of the most confusing in the veterinary practice. Since it's inception in 1970, the Controlled Substance Act has placed specific mandates on those who manufacture, distribute, administer or dispense drugs that are deemed addictive or abusive.

Supervision of the drug usage on the dairy is a foundation stone for achieving the VCPR and is referenced frequently in the regulatory documents that we are obligated to comply with. In 1996 the Animal Medical Drug Usage Clarification Act (AMDUCA) became the law that regulates extra-label drug usage (ELDU).

Whether the economy is good or bad, it seems we're always short staffed. So what do we do about it? First, you must develop a strategy. Remember, manpower is a resource just as money is.

The regulatory agencies that license and regulate us include the requirement that we maintain a valid veterinary client patient relationship (VCPR).

In the language of law (at least in the US), the term "zoonoses" has not been defined. In medical terms, it refers to "infectious diseases shared by animals and humans." Of particular importance in both human and veterinary medicine are those zoonoses known to be transmitted directly from animals (vertebrates) to humans.

Cats are masters at hiding illness, so that clinicians must become expert at uncovering illness with a thorough medical history and feline-specific physical examination. Obtaining a medical history is easier than ever in today's electronic world. Clinicians can take advantage of multimedia tools to collect information, ranging from an email containing a basic signalment to videos of a particular behavior.

Companion pets are happier, healthier and living longer today than ever before for several inter-connected reasons. Changing owner attitudes toward their pets, has significantly contributed to increases in life expectancy.

Step one: Figure out the causes of team conflict. Then take action against them.

See our latest survey data on the gap in dreams of veterinary practice ownership between women and men veterinary associates.

Does gender play a role when it comes to management skills in veterinary practice?

You may trust your employees, but are you certain there are no thieves among your staff? Here's a look at how veterinary practices are dealing with theft-and the warning signs you should look for.

Does gender play a role when it comes to management skills in veterinary practice?

Your high anxiety is due to more than just the economy, although that's a big part. See what pushes your buttons and how you can lower your stress levels.

The lowdown on which species veterinarians and veterinary team members prefer to work with, why-and if it matters.

Here's a look at how the economy has affected your veterinary practice, your clients, and your patients.

More veterinary hospitals than ever are sporting new managers to take the load off overworked veterinary practice owners.

Helping clients pay is about more than just the bottom line. It's about building bonds and providing pets with the care they need.

Veterinarians? Team members? Clients? You told us who you felt was at fault.