A veterinarian may specialize in treating animals.
When thinking about the different types of veterinary technician careers, employment in a private veterinary clinic may be the first thing that comes to mind. Most vet techs work in private practices, caring for small and large animals. Vet techs also work for zoos, wildlife sanctuaries, marine institutions, and other facilities that house wild animals. They work in laboratories, conducting biomedical research. Veterinary technician careers can also be pursued at humane societies, animal shelters, food and drug companies, schools, and more.
Some vet techs work with “exotic” species, such as rabbits.
Veterinary technicians working in private practices perform a variety of functions. They obtain patient histories, advise pet owners, and provide nursing care for animals. They prepare animals and equipment for surgeries and act as surgical nurses for veterinarians. Veterinary technicians run veterinary offices and train and supervise staff. They collect patient samples and perform laboratory procedures.
Veterinary technicians prepare animals and equipment for surgery and assist with surgery.
Private practice veterinary technician careers can include working with a variety of animals. In the small animal practice, most animals are dogs and cats, but some veterinary offices will also see what is considered exotic in the veterinary world, such as rabbits, rodents, reptiles, and birds. Some small animal veterinary offices specialize in a particular species of animal, such as cats, birds, or reptiles.
Vet techs may work with local animal shelters.
Veterinary technicians who work in large animal husbandry practices may visit ranches and farms to care for cows and sheep, or they may work for veterinarians who specialize in horses, known as equine veterinarians. In large animal practices, some vet techs spend most of their time in the field and others work behind the scenes developing x-rays and working in the office lab. Some vet techs work in clinics that specialize in equine dentistry or may work in clinics that specialize in dog and cat dental care. Another specialty area within private veterinary clinics is emergency services.
Veterinary technicians assist licensed veterinarians in the examination and treatment of animals.
Technicians who work in zoos and other places that house wildlife to care for elephants, rhinos, big cats, porpoises, and a wide variety of other wildlife. Depending on where they work, the roles people fill in these vet tech careers may include things like drawing blood from a snake’s heart, testing the water quality in a shark tank, or administering a tuberculosis test to a chimpanzee or other animal. primate. Understanding quarantine protocols and recognizing diseases in animals in quarantine are sometimes among the many responsibilities of this career.
A veterinary technician can assist equine veterinarians in the treatment of horses.
Veterinary biomedical research technicians work with laboratory animals. They may work at universities, pharmaceutical companies, or other research facilities. They perform many of the same care functions as vet techs in private veterinary practices and help implement research projects, ensuring the humane care and handling of research animals.
Veterinary technician careers in humane organizations and animal shelters involve caring for animals and may also involve the euthanasia of unwanted animals. Veterinary technicians teach in veterinary technology and veterinary assistant educational programs. They work in sales and development for pharmaceutical and pet product companies. Other types of veterinary technician careers are found in the military, the food safety industry, animal behavior practices, and elsewhere.