 Veterinary Technicians 101 In cooperation with: The Emma Barnsley Foundation The PEER Program at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences

 A Career Worth Barking About

  Veterinary technicians work under the supervision of a licensed veterinarian to treat or to help veterinarians diagnose the illnesses and injuries of animals. Who We Are

 What We Do  Obtain and record patient case histories  Collect specimens and perform laboratory procedures  Provide specialized nursing care  Prepare animals, instruments, and equipment for surgery  Assist in diagnostic, medical, and surgical procedures  Expose and develop x-rays  Supervise and train practice personnel  Stock and maintain medicines and supplies

  2 –year associate’s degree in veterinary technology  191 veterinary technology programs accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association  Veterinary Technician National Exam  Licensed Veterinary Technician  Texas State Regulatory Examination  Registered Veterinary Technician Education Requirements

  Employment expected to grow 52% by the end of the decade  In the top 10 of “growing occupations” in the country  Increased demand to support public health, food & animal safety, national disease control programs, and biomedical research Career Outlook

 The Career Field Small and large animal clinics Exotic and zoo animals Research and laboratory settings Educational setting Animal shelters or rescue organizations Disaster and emergency response Food Safety

  Anesthesia  Surgical  Internal medicine  Dental  Emergency and critical care  Behavior  Zoo  Equine  Clinical practice  Nutrition Specialization

  Hollye Callis  Bachelor’s in diagnostic imaging  emphasis in magnetic resonance imaging  Registered veterinary technician  Registered technician in magnetic resonance imaging  1 – 2 year accredited radiology program  National registry exam A Day In The Life of a Veterinary Radiology Technician II

  Place orders for nuclear medicine cases  Perform CT, MRI, and radiography exams  Set up machine protocol  Position patient  Post processing of images  Instruct senior veterinary students on obtaining quality radiographs A Day In The Life of a Veterinary Radiology Technician II

Nuclear Medicine  A radioactive isotope (radiopharmaceutical) is administered to the patient and delivered to specific parts of the body  Radiation emitted by the radiopharmaceutical is detected by a gamma camera  Patient gives off radiation not camera  Therapeutic applications

 Animals anesthetized or heavily sedated  “Mouse trap” for critical patients  CT: series of sequential images obtained with x-rays  MRI: series of images obtained by magnetic resonance  Non-ionizing radiation MRI and CT

 Patients are generally awake and restrained by someone  Single image obtained using x-rays Radiographs

 Horse CT

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  Lauren Minner  Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary Technology  Registered veterinary technician A Day In The Life of a General Surgery Technician

  Spay (ovariohysterectomy) & Neuters (orchiectomy)  Cesarean sections  Gastropexys  Declaws (onychectomy)  Mass removals  Amputations  Elective procedures  Assist 4 th year students Client Procedures

 Animal Shelter  Partner with animal shelters  Spay and neuter

  Assist students with pre- operative exams  Assist with pre-medicating patients  Prep for surgery  Induce patients  Place them under anesthesia Responsibilities

  Diagnostic sample collection  Monitoring anesthesia  Assist in post operative recovery Responsibilities

  Juan Torres  Bachelors of Science in Biomedical Science  Registered veterinary technician A Day In The Life of a Neurology Technician Floater

  Proprioception testing  Awareness of where paws are while standing  Reflexes  Front & hind limbs  Withdrawal: tests for deep pain  Palpate spine and neck to check for pain.  Passive range of motion Neurology

  Blood draw  Icing incisions  Ultrasounds of bladder  Expressing  Instructing clients on procedure  Cyctocentesis – urine samples  Administering medications  Assist/instruct 4 th year students Neurology

  Orthopedic  Soft Tissue  General Surgery  Rehabilitation Floater Technician

 Questions

 Be sure to visit the PEER Program website for videos and lessons!

Brought to you by: The Emma Barnsley Foundation The PEER Program at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences Thank you!