Veterinary Technicians 101
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In cooperation with:
The Emma Barnsley
Foundation
The PEER Program at
Texas A&M College of
Veterinary Medicine &
Biomedical Sciences
http://peer.tamu.edu/
A Career Worth Barking About
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Who We Are

Veterinary technicians work under the supervision
of a licensed veterinarian to treat or to help
veterinarians diagnose the illnesses and injuries of
animals.
What We Do
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 Obtain and record patient case
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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
Education Requirements
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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
Career Outlook

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
The Career Field

Food
Safety
Small and large animal
clinics
Disaster
and
emergency
response
Animal
Research
shelters
and
or
laboratory
rescue
organizations
settings
Educational
setting
Exotic
and zoo
animals
Specialization
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 Anesthesia
 Surgical
 Internal medicine
 Dental
 Emergency and critical care
 Behavior
 Zoo
 Equine
 Clinical practice
 Nutrition
A Day In The Life of a Veterinary
Radiology Technician II
 Hollye Callis
 Bachelor’s in diagnostic
imaging
 emphasis in magnetic
resonance imaging
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 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
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
MRI and CT
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
Radiographs
Patients are generally
awake and restrained by
someone
Single image obtained
using x-rays
Horse CT
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Horse CT
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Horse CT
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Horse CT
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Horse CT
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A Day In The Life of a General
Surgery Technician
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Lauren Minner
Associate of Applied Science Degree in Veterinary
Technology
Registered veterinary technician
Client Procedures
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Spay (ovariohysterectomy) & Neuters (orchiectomy)
Cesarean sections
Gastropexys
Declaws (onychectomy)
Mass removals
Amputations
Elective procedures
Assist 4th year students
Animal Shelter
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Partner with animal shelters
Spay and neuter
Responsibilities
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Assist students with preoperative exams
Assist with pre-medicating
patients
Prep for surgery
Induce patients
 Place them under
anesthesia
Responsibilities
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Diagnostic sample
collection
Monitoring anesthesia
Assist in post operative
recovery
A Day In The Life of a
Neurology Technician Floater
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Juan Torres
Bachelors of Science in
Biomedical Science
Registered veterinary
technician
Neurology
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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
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 Blood draw
 Icing incisions
 Ultrasounds of bladder
 Expressing
 Instructing clients on
procedure
 Cyctocentesis – urine samples
 Administering medications
 Assist/instruct 4th year students
Floater Technician
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Orthopedic
Soft Tissue
General Surgery
Rehabilitation
Questions
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Be sure to visit the PEER Program
website for videos and lessons!

http://peer.tamu.edu/
Thank you!
Brought to you by:
The Emma Barnsley
Foundation
The PEER Program at
Texas A&M College
of Veterinary
Medicine &
Biomedical Sciences