Career Profiles: Small Animal Veterinary Technician

[MWalcher1]

Didnt say anything about giving anesthesia,although I did see her giving propofol.

[tuffythetiger]

Take care of your animals as much as you could, money should not be an issue, spend all you can they are worth it.

[MsBeads101]

Good Video! I'm only 14 yrs old and I've always told my family when I was younger that I wanted to be a Veterinarian. But when our school did Job Shadowing where we go do an actuall work day with someone who has the career we want to pursue in. I had to go through surgeries, which was ok at times a little sick on cutting one open for me. So with that being said, I want to be a Veterianrian and NOT do surgery. Is that possible or should I just change my ways a bit and go for a Veterinarian Tech?

[SkySky116]

as a veternarian technician do u have to cut animals?

[FreeCraze26]

This is a helpful for the Veterinary Technician, but I found some of the information lacking… Just FYI - I got much better veterinary technician information at - theveterinarytechnician . com

[AmerVetMedAssn]

@FreeCraze26 It's meant to be an introduction, and thanks for sharing the site you found helpful. Also check out the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA).

[BBRONCO101]

i am enrolling in the vet tech program in h.s. any advice??

[savewildanimals09]

Do you think this job is dangerous?

[pofy100]

I Have a question, to be a Vet Tech you need an accredited degree thats 2 yrs of college but what is bachelors degree? thats 4 yrs of college what happen if you get the bachelor degree or both?

[2TrailerParkGirls]

@SunsetShadows1990 I make $7.50 an hour. Ya, you definitely need to have a love for animals instead of money. It sucks ass. Totally not worth the pay when you realize what you have to do. I wanted to be a vet before I started working as a vet tech. It made me change my mind fast.

[AmerVetMedAssn]

@2TrailerParkGirls The average pay is much higher for veterinary technicians who have completed accredited veterinary technology programs and are certified/licensed.

[2TrailerParkGirls]

@AmerVetMedAssn True. But most vets would much rather pay someone $7.50 an hour who isn't certified because they are greedy. They don't want to pay someone $10-$12 bucks an hour if they dont have to. That's less money out of their pockets. I know plenty of vets that do this.

[AmerVetMedAssn]

@2TrailerParkGirls "Most vets" do not feel that way, and will pay qualified technicians fairly. You may know some that don't, but please don't generalize that to the entire profession.

[8607600336]

@AmerVetMedAssn I plan on becoming a Vet Tech. I'm taking the program through Penn Foster College which is accredited by the AVMA. Would I be fine after this program? It's an associates degree program.

[AmerVetMedAssn]

@8607600336 Accredited schools have met or exceeded the standards set by the accrediting board, the CVTEA. Once you complete the program, if you want to be a certified/registered tech, you will have to pass the credentialing exam and get a license in your state. Check out the NAVTA site for more info, too.

[1993misskitty]

Omg, like I am having a hard time choosing whether I wanna be a small pet veterinarian or a zoo veterinarian

[Leighxkiwi]

@1993misskitty like, omg

[DisneyLover305]

crap!! ......im horrible at math and science!!!! But this is what i wanna do so badly!

[Paulinaxplx]

ur only as good as you want to be. If this is your calling, go after it.

[candi187]

hey hi, my name is desiree hall and I want to become a veterinary techincan because it would be a joy working and helping animals to restore their lively hood and make the owner and pet happy. I also have a strong love for dogs especially and I owe a cat he is soiled rotten. I was encouraged by one of my professors at sanford institute because I am currently finishing there for pharmacy techincan and he was suggesting that we further our education

[jenifyer]

I work at an animal hospital. If you never have worked at an animal hospital and you'd like to become a vet tech, I strongly advise you to get some experience in that work field before starting school for it. It is stressful, and a lot of hard work. You must be extremely patient. I really do enjoy being a tech.

[crittoprrr]

I love this description because it's not a clinical-sounding description. You feel as if you got to shadow a technician for a day, and you get a really good idea of exactly what they do.

[12soccergirl]

Cool I wanna be a vet or vet nurse because I love animals.

[ryanboy91344]

im planning to major in veterinary technology in college next semester and specialize in dogs

[twistedmonster]

awsome =), this really helped, this was very well put.

[RespectEquines]

Great discription!

[RespectEquines]

description....duh...long night saving animals!

[aleth01]

I am planning to get my certification as a veterinary technician this summer! I also want to work with small animals and I couldn't have made a better career choice for myself. Thanks for posting this!

[Treemeadow]

Me too! My goal is to specialise with rodents, specifically rats.

But I'm also keen on Zoo-keeping, nutrition and enrichment.

[Doodlecake34]

being a vet tech sounds like fun, but i still cant decide between a vet or vet tech. :/

[Treemeadow]

Well, being a vet requires a degree, first, a pre-vet in science, then vet-school, then grad-school to become a qualified vet. Around 5-7 years in total. You have to have good grades to get in, because it requires more skill than General Medicine (anatomy not so difficult, but your patients can't communicate with you)

Vet Technicians need a certificate, which takes a year or two, but their job is usually a lot more demanding in terms of out-put for pay (you work a lot more for a lot less)

[Sparks044]

Well, if you are more interested in the "animal care" part of the job, I would go with vet tech. The Vets do spend time with the animals, but more often when they are asleep for surgery. Vet techs get more interaction with the animals. They make sure that the animal isn't in pain after surgery and generally spend more time with the animals. Vets do get paid a lot more money, but a vet techs job is very rewarding. I am in my 2nd year in Vet tech school and am enjoying it very much.

[HWGStillers]

sparks - clearly your vet tech training has not given you the appreciation of what a veterinarian does. Sad.

[alex452711]

thats really cool! so do you get to deal with lots of animals everyday? I want to be a vet tech too when im out of high school. I am a junior right now. do you get tom practice surgery and different things like that?

[raythespy]

hey, I work as a vet tech too. I have to say, you guys did a brilliant job covering the aspects of being a vet tech. Great job!

[beemqueen]

i hope you dont mind me asking...i am finishing my last year of highschool and i am going to the university of guelf to be a vet tech could you tell me what the pay is like

[junti900]

nope, pay depends on companies, and your experience. one tech could be getting paid $9 and another $16

[WhiteClaw1234]

I want to be a veternarian technician

[ericaj119]

me too!