Did you Know: Thoughts to Ponder about Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinarians make half the salary that a family physician makes; Registered Technicians make half the salary an RN makes
http://www.suburbananimalclinic.com/the-cost-of-veterinary-services
- Registered Veterinary Technicians must graduate from an accredited Veterinary Technician program (usually a 2-year program) and pass a board exam to obtain their license. This license must be renewed every 2 year.
- Veterinary Assistants often have no formal schooling and are trained solely on the job. There are tasks in veterinary medicine that registered technicians only, not assistants can perform legally.
- Veterinarians are required to have a minimum of 30 hours of continuing education every 2 years to renew their license. Technicians must have 10 hours every 2 years to renew their license.
- Vets and Techs are in Veterinary Medicine for the love of the animals. Most have a passion for doing what they can to help sick and injured animals and their owners. You hurt, we hurt. You cry, we cry. You rejoice, we rejoice.
- A missed appointment from a client means two things: a pet that needed to be seen couldn't be seen because someone had reserved that spot, and money lost to the veterinary practice (especially if it was a surgical procedure, for which several hours are blocked out per patient). Veterinarians don't like to think in terms of money, however, it's a given that money is necessary to run a practice-paying utilities, paying staff, equipment maintenance and more. Please be considerate and call ahead to cancel your appointment if you find you cannot make it. Your vet, and another pet needing to be seen, will thank you.
- A physical exam on your pet is like taking your car for an 18 point service inspection. The veterinarian will examine eyes, ears, teeth/oral health, nose, skin/hair coat, movement, overall attitude, heart/lungs, abdominal organs via palpation (feeling the stomach area to feel for liver, kidneys, spleen, intestines, bladder). The vet and technician will ask you questions as to how your pet’s actions and habits at home as well. Take this time to ask them any questions you have-we’re here to help you help your pet.
http://www.suburbananimalclinic.com/the-ins-outs-of-the-exam
- Heartworm is carried in mosquitoes. We get mosquitoes in the house. We are having milder winters. All dogs and cats are at risk of deadly heartworm disease and should be on prevention year round for life.
http://www.suburbananimalclinic.com/b
- Fleas can and will come inside through screens and on people and pets from anywhere outside…even in winter!
http://www.suburbananimalclinic.com/fleas-fleasand-more-fleas
- Pets can get parasites from anyplace, even you bringing in contaminated soil from the ground, that can be passed to people without you knowing it. This is why we recommend a stool sample analysis yearly on all pets.
http://www.suburbananimalclinic.com/parasites-part-1-endoparsites
- A Cat weighing 15 pounds that should weigh 12 pounds is 25% overweight. That’s like a human that weighs 185 pounds that should weigh 150 pounds. Similarly, a dog that weighs 80 pounds that should weigh 65 pounds. A few pounds may not seem like much, but it is when you don’t weight much to begin with.
http://www.suburbananimalclinic.com/pet-obesity-awareness
- Fees paid for blood work include not only the blood work performed at the lab, but the technician and supplies to obtain the blood sample, transport to the lab (if sent to an outside lab) OR supplies and maintenance on machines if blood work performed in the clinic, as well as the vet’s interpretation of the results and contacting the owner.
- Many diseases found in older pets can be managed to ensure a better quality of life for longer IF diagnosed early. Don’t wait til your pet is sick to bring it in-many pets hide illnesses as long as they can, so that by the time you see it and bring them in, it is too late to begin a successful management of any condition. Yearly blood work on senior pets can help us identify trends or concerns before they become a huge problem (and cost you more to diagnose and treat).
http://www.suburbananimalclinic.com/senior-pets-and-blood-work
- Suburban Animal Clinic makes vaccine and care recommendations based on information and recommendations provided by the American Veterinary Medical Association, American Animal Hospital Association, and the American Association of Feline Practitioners.
http://www.suburbananimalclinic.com/pet-week-vaccinating-your-pets