Feature Articles

In animals, motion sickness may be a behavior issue rather than a physical one. This article describes the potential causes of motion sickness in dogs and available therapeutic options.

Many common household items contain elemental iron, which can be toxic if consumed in great enough quantities. Learn how to calculate ingested amounts and the steps of decontamination and treatment in affected animals.

With improved wellness care, more pets are reaching their senior years. To help ensure good quality of life for aging pets, veterinary technicians should be knowledgeable about signs of emerging chronic illnesses and special considerations for nursing geriatric patients.

Complete blood counts (CBCs) and serum chemistry testing results can be influenced by several factors. This article gives an overview of some of the most common factors pertaining to sample handling.

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.

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.

Adapted with permission from the 2015 Tampa AAHA Yearly Conference Proceedings ©American Animal Hospital Association (aaha.org).