Anesthetizing cats can present several challenges, from managing patient stress to administering anesthetics to monitoring during the procedure. Read this article for information that can help you improve the anesthesia experience for your feline patients.
For those who live and work with animals, zoonoses are occupational hazards that most other professionals do not encounter. These hazards extend to pet owners, and humans can also transmit disease to their companion animals.
Pain has multiple negative effects that can delay or prevent healing, and veterinary technicians play a central role in pain management. Understanding pain, its consequences, and how it can be addressed helps veterinary technicians ensure that patients are comfortable during hospitalization and when they go home.
There’s an ancient parable about how hunters used to trap monkeys. Coconuts were hollowed out, filled with monkey delicacies, and tied to a tree. A hole big enough for a monkey’s hand was cut in each coconut, crafted such that although a flexible hand could fit in, a fist could not be pulled out.
In October 2014, my veterinarian husband noticed a swelling on the left side of our sweet, old golden retriever’s face. Maybe it’s nothing serious, we reassured ourselves as we proceeded with the diagnostics. The histopathology results were devastating. Emme had a malignant melanoma.
Animals have always been a huge part of my life. Growing up on a dairy farm in upstate New York, I was the kid who brought stray animals home in the hope I could keep them. As I got older, I knew that a job working with animals was what I wanted.
“This is a very demanding career and it’s not easy to remain steadfast in our resolve, but your editor’s note, as well as several other articles, really gave me a sigh of relief that there are not only just a few of us, but a lot of us that feel blessed by being a tech, and none of us would ever consider quitting.”
The veterinary technician profession is not only emotionally and mentally challenging, it also takes a physical toll. Many of us concentrate so hard on being a great veterinary technician that we don’t think about the physical demands until it is too late. Fortunately, there are opportunities for advancement within our profession that allow us to escape some of the physical stress, yet still work closely with clients, pets, and our team.
Ocular problems are often described as “red” and “irritated” eyes. Myriad problems can present as “red eye.” Commonly missed causes of red eye are irritants that arise from the eye itself. Surprisingly, in practice, it seems that the most common causes are not external irritants or trauma, but rather abnormal hairs arising from the eyelids or periocular region.
Physical rehabilitation is an exciting and challenging field in which veterinary technicians can develop new skills and grow in their career development. Over the past decade, awareness of animal physical rehabilitation has increased, and rehabilitation has become a rapidly growing service within veterinary specialty hospitals, referral centers, and primary care practices.
Besides fleas, lice, and ticks, a number of ectoparasites can affect cats. Veterinary technicians should be aware of the many ectoparasites that can cause skin disease in cats, be proficient in performing the necessary diagnostic tests, and understand the various available treatment options in order to educate cat owners.
Pain management is also a critical component of a comprehensive dental service. This article gives an overview of the physiology of pain, offers a discussion of a variety of analgesic agents, and provides information to help create an effective pain management protocol for dental patients.
