#askavetech

[askavettech]

Hey Guys...

I'm very sorry for my lackluster posting over the last *check notes* ouch...essentially two years.

I know I've made this promise before, but I'm going to really try to post regularly. I've got a backlog of asks and cool stuff I'd love to share with everyone. 

As for what the hell I've been doing, here's a quick rundown:

I graduated with my Bachelor's in Animal Science last August; very exciting considering how long it took me to get to this point! I was also able to conduct an independent research project and write an undergraduate thesis. A wonderful experience full of lots of work and stress, but, boy, is it rewarding to say, "I'm technically published."  (If anyone is interested in talking about research, I'd love to chat!)

With degree in hand, I applied to...a lot...of veterinary schools. And they all rejected me - whomp whomp. But, for a first try, I at least got to speak to some of the schools, so not too bad. Yes, I'm a little upset, but not surprised. So we try again! However, at this point, I need to retake some basic prerequisite classes before I can reapply, so I'm heading toward that.  (If you guys have questions about the veterinary school process and how to apply, I'm an open book!)

I have also started working at a new vet clinic! (This is the really fun part!) While I love all creatures under the sun - except ectoparasites, you know what you did - I have some serious knee issues, and wrestling with 150lb dogs isn't so great on the joints. So, last May, I started working at a feline specialty hospital. And I won't lie, I love it so much. My clients, patients, and especially the clinic's live-in blood donor cats are all just wonderful. Because the clinic is feline-oriented, it caters to many feline-specific disease processes - e.g. hyperthyroidism, lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, etc. I can't wait to tell you all more about feline diseases, symptoms, diagnoses, and treatments!

Right now, I'm laid up due to knee surgery (like I said, bad knees), so I think I'll have some time to really get going again on this blog. 

I hope to talk to you all soon!

-Jay the Vet Tech

[askavettech]

I am considering being a vet tech. I was thinking about being a vet assistant at first, but then I realized that you only need a HS certificate, and I want to challenge myself (go to college) more than that. But, I love animals, and want to care for them like vet assistants, so other than the usual vet tech stuff of giving shots, assisting in surgery, and what-not, would vet techs give the animals food, play with them, and so forth?

Good for you! It can be a very rewarding to work with animals in a veterinary environment!

As for certifications, its hard to say what you really need. Every clinic, state, and even area has different rules when it comes to working in the vet field as a technician or an assistant. You can go to school and becomes a licensed tech. This is usually a two year Associates program at the end of which you take a national and sometimes state (depending on where you live) exam. I also know there are Bachelor’s programs when it comes to technician training, but I am unsure what all is included in those. 

As for your duties as a vet tech, it also depends on the practice! For example, at the clinic I work for right now, I get to do basically everything besides actually performing surgery. As a tech you will restrain, draw blood, give injections, place catheters (both IV and urinary!), take x-rays, take TPRs and get histories from clients, cut nails, stock, clean, take care of in house patients, sometimes work reception, and assist your doctor however they ask. Some clinics have kennel techs that usually take care of in patients or boarding animals, but as I said, it all depends on the clinic. But as a tech, you do anything and everything; its all very day to day!

Hope this helps and thanks again for waiting so long for a reply!