I need answers from certified vet techs, not assistants. I just wanted to know if you would recommend becoming a vet tech to anyone. I am considering going to school for this. I am currently a vet assistant and really love my job. I was also curious about the pay and if it is worth the job. Any info from certified vet techs would be great, also info about the schooling too. Thanx.
2006-11-27 12:19:09 · 4 answers · asked by dawggurl47 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
It just depends. I'm looking to change careers because I really don't like it.
None of the animals want to be there. Puppies and kittens being the only exception (usually), but you have to stick them with needles for vaccines.
The pets are either sick or freaked out. They try to hurt you, and you WILL be bitten by something. Big dogs drag you around all day. (a personal pet peeve)
You have to give the same talks all day long. For example, one day you might see 5 people who have never owned a puppy before, so you have to explain shot schedules and puppy care 5 different times, to 5 different people and make it seem fresh and new, because these folks don't know, or care that you've given that speech 5 times in the last 4 hours. Same with test results, procedures, and many more things.
Disgusting things spew out of sick animals. Vomit, diarrhea, pus, blood, and other fluids. You will be dealing with this all the time. Surgery assisting and animals hit by cars, mauled by bigger animals, tortured by people, and generally in bad shape are daily sights.
Euthanasia. It is almost a comfort for some animals, you can tell they're suffering and you get to relieve their pain.
Then there are the folks who kill their pets with kindness. Folks who feed their dogs until they pop. Or the ones who don't believe in euthanasia, so the terminally ill dog is in intensive care screaming and gasping it's life away while the person is sleeping peacefully at home. You have to watch. It's your job. It's illegal to euthanize without permission.
Then there are the ignorant owners who don't know and/or don't care enough to take proper care of their pets. It's always the idiots who argue with you about the care of the pet. Especially over cost. Vet care is very expensive. You have to explain charges and folks get downright hostile over it. I have been screamed at over the prices of vet care. Everyone wants the pet cured, but don't want to pay.
This is what you will be dealing with. I wish someone had told me this before I started. For the record, I enjoy owner education, and assisting in surgery it's probably the only reason I'm still doing this.
2006-11-27 15:02:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
First of all, if you are concerned about the pay, it may not be the right career for you. I had been in the field for 6 years before deciding to pursue the VT program. I have been registered for 3 years and make ~ $25,000/year (before taxes). The programs are extremely intense and the courses cover all areas including, A&P, clin path, microbiology, pharmacology, radiology, anesthesia, surgery, and many more areas. It takes a little over 2 years, and if you work in a vet clinic already, you know what you are going to be dealing with on a day to day basis.
That being said, yes there are definitely bad days, frustrating clients, and aggressive animals and it is not the most glamorous job, but at the end of the day it is the most gratifying. I chose to become an RVT because of my passion for science and medicine and my love for animals. I currently work at a feline exclusive clinic and I absolutely love it. I am very fortunate to look forward to coming to work everyday. Hope this helps!
2006-11-29 03:00:11 · answer #2 · answered by lesrvt 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To be truthful? a large style of the time human beings purely %. the advice that mirrors what they have already been doing. as an party, if someone posts a well-being question & says they have purely been feeding the canines rice to settle their abdomen they're better in all likelihood to %. the reply from somebody else agreeing with that selection. no matter if it says Vet Tech in the source... yet that is me being somewhat cynical. I do see the position you're going with this. It *is* risky to symbolize your self as a professional in this style of count number if you're not from now on. that is like me going into the well-being area & throwing out random suggestion less than the context of being a well-being practitioner. Is there a probability someone would examine "Vet Tech" after an answer & purely assume it would want to be the right suggestion? constructive. that would want to correctly be probably disastrous. except that... i truly, truly dont imagine any well-being professional (for animals or human beings for that count number) is going to spend their loose time giving suggestion on yahoo solutions.
2016-10-07 21:31:09 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know a woman who went back to school at age 40 and became a vet.. she is one of the happiest people I know
however IF you are curious about the pay and are letting that influence you either way.. then this is not the right motivation for the job...
if you find a job that is right for you - you would do it for nothing
2006-11-27 14:14:13 · answer #4 · answered by CF_ 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋