Vet tech

[10 point]

I'm going to SUNY Canton in the fall. I going to transfer into the vet tech program and wanted to know if anyone was one or knows somone who is one. I was looking for somr insight into the job.

 

[perolane]

I am a tech & animal care manager for a safari park (exotics)...what would you like to know?

 

[equine623]

Yup I'm a vet tech. Do you have specific questions?

 

[10 point]

I love animals but I'm not sure if I can handle killing animals all the time. Does the good rewarding parts of the job out way the negative parts?

Also are there jobs out there.

 

[theoldchick]

I've worked 26 years as a LVT and the most difficult part of the job is not the euthanasia but dealing with people. In order to be a good tech you need good people skills. You must be able to teach people the importance of preventative care and learn to listen what your clients are saying. I'm constantly updating my skills through continuing education so this old-timer can keep up with the younger generation. I've never been laid off, and because I have a professional work ethic, I'm a valued member of the veterinary team. Pay is low in some parts of the country and I recommend new graduates to not be tied down to one location after graduation. Job burnout is a problem as many techs are not utilized properly or get low pay.

Euthanasia is difficult and I have worked at my current job so long that the pets I knew as kittens and puppies are now suffering the typical old age symptoms. Very sobering that we humans can end a life in such a manner. Very difficult to watch an owner suffer as a beloved member of the family is diagnosed with a terminal illness. Heartbreaking to watch a stray/lost pet suffer a catastrophic collision with a car and must be euthanized because the injuries are just too severe. I've learned to put the heartache aside while I'm at work and enjoy my hobbies once I am home. I've learned I have no control over the bad things in life but I can ease the suffering of the animals in my care. I make dang sure all my patients are treated with respect and kindness even then they bite my hand because they are afraid.

I am at the end of my career, though, and don't expect to be working for another five years. Age has taken its toll on my body but when I ease my arthritic butt down for the last time I will honestly be able to say, "I did a good job".

If you want an easy job, being a Vet Tech is not for you. If you want a challenging job that can take you any where in the world get, off your duff and do it!

 

[10 point]

Thanks for the info it's what i needed to hear It sounds like exactly what I want to do.

 

[WhiteMountainsRanch]

Quote:
I only did it for 5 years and worked at 3 hospitals and it's a nasty miserable job that you don't get paid squat for. I made more money selling furniture. Sorry!

 

[equine623]

It is physically demanding work, easy to end up with back or neck problems. Expect to get all kinds of body fluid on you, expect to be bitten and scratched. There is exposure to all sorts of zoonotic diseases which can be hazardous if you plan to try getting pregnant. Exposure to chemicals and anethesia and other drugs can be a problem during pregnancy. Consider that there are all kinds of owners in the world and some may not treat their animals the way you personally feel is acceptable. Some people bring in animals covered in maggots because they live outside and the people don't notice the wound for a week. Can you handle drawing blood on an anemic kitten covered in fleas? Will you bite your tongue and go about your job when people bring in a dog to be put down because they are "moving and can't take it along" or when the 23 yr old 4 pound cat who has been sick and on fluids for years comes in yet again because the people are too selfish to let it go?

There are nasty owners, nasty vets, nasty coworkers.

Is it only the bad things? NO, of course not. There are some wonderful aspects to it. But its not all puppies and fun, and in this economy when people struggle to feed their kids, often the pets by necessity end up on the back burner.

And a lot of it depends on what you want to do with your degree. Tech jobs in zoos are highly competitive and most often you would have to move to a different area of the country. Large animal vets are starting to take on techs, but this seems to depend largely on the vet and the area of the country. Lab animal jobs are the most 9-5 vet tech job available, but are also highly competitive and usually require a bachelors degree minimum. Small animal vet tech jobs are generally available. Be prepared to work weekends and nights, especially in the beginning. A job and a hospital is only as good as the vet in charge - some view techs as a valuable asset and others are control freaks and treat educated techs as glorified assistants, which is frustrating.

The money is usually better than minimum wage but you won't get rich and may or may not be paid a living wage.

I'm not trying to bring you down or put you off this road of study...just want to give you some things to think about so you are happy with your decision. Good luck

 

[silkiechicken]

I am not one but I work with a few in a laboratory animal setting, they are lab animal techs. Two have BS degrees, and they both are looking for second jobs because they do not get paid that well. The other I know only have a vet tech training without BS degrees and they tend to come and go every academic year so far. For the most part, the techs with degrees are the ones that communicate with us as the researchers problems with the mice, put on medical treatment if required, but for the most part, change the animal cages out (put animals into new cage, see if they are healthy, put dirty cage on cart to go to cleaning area). The ones without degrees are in the cage cleaning area where they literally take hot soapy water and clean hundreds of cages a week. They do get to work 7-3 for the most part though, with alternating weekends. The one thing they say they like the most is flexibility to switch around schedules among themselves to work the days they want to get their 5 days a week in.

 

[chickensioux]

I was a vet tech for years. I loved every minute, looked forward to each day. Every day was different. Not much pay tho'.