Posts in Category: What’s Happening at Hampton Veterinary Hospital

No other species is quite like the cat, and the ones we share our homes with boast a long list of feline-specific behaviors. Much of the time, we can accept their preferences and proclivities with amusement, but we draw a hard line when the behavior is unhygienic and smelly. Take, for example, spraying. Many cats go through a period of spraying in less-than-ideal locations (like your closet), and it’s not always clear why they start and why they choose the most inconvenient spots for relieving themselves. There are reasons why some cats spray, and effective strategies to redirect this behavior. 

In the world of veterinary medicine, our wonderful veterinary technicians play such a crucial role in how we care for our patients and clients. They are multi-tasking, knowledgeable, proficient, talented and compassionate rock stars in our field! It is an understatement to say that our field would certainly not be the same (or even sustainable) without them!

The Many Roles of a Technician

Here at Hampton Veterinary Hospital, our technicians take on many roles throughout the day, including (but certainly not limited to!) the following:

Doctor’s Assistant

The technician takes the patient’s history, obtains their vital signs and restrains them for the exam.

Phlebotomist

Not only do technicians draw blood samples for analysis, they also are able to give intravenous injections and place intravenous catheters.

Laboratory Technician

Our techs perform microscope evaluation of ear debris, skin, blood urine and feces.

Radiology Technician

You guessed it!  It’s our multi-talented technicians who take x-rays of the patient and submit them for review.

Equipment Technician

Our techs are trained to use and maintain a multitude of medical equipment.  They are also responsible for the sterilization of surgical and non-surgical equipment, as well as sanitizing the exam rooms in between each appointment.

Dental Hygienist 

Technicians are the ones who perform dental cleanings, chart each tooth and take dental x-rays for each dental procedure.

Surgical Assistant

The technician performs surgical preparation of the patient and surgical suite.  They also assist the doctor during surgery when needed.

Anesthetist

It’s the technicians who administer and monitor anesthesia for all patients undergoing surgical procedures.

Treatment Nurse

Technicians are the ones who provide nursing care for the patients in the hospital including administering medications, injections and fluid therapy.

Expert at Restraint

Our techs are trained to safely restrain animals for examination and procedures, all while attempting to reduce any stress or anxiety the patient may have.

Groomer

Technicians perform nail trims and work to maintain overall hygiene of our patients.

Animal Husbandry Expert

Our technicians are trained to recognize and anticipate our patients’ needs and provide LOTS of TLC!

Wound Care Expert

Our technicians can clean wounds, remove sutures and place bandages.

Grief Counselor 

Technicians provide empathy and support to our clients during difficult situations.

Communicator

Technicians follow up with pet owners about their pet’s progress, questions, concerns; as well as communicate with laboratories and equipment companies to trouble-shoot, etc.

Teacher

One of the most important responsibilities of a technician is educating pet owners on topics such as diseases, preventative care, the importance of routine care, treatments, medications, etc.

Technicians play such a vital role in the lives of the pets and pet owners we interact with each day, as well as the lives of their colleagues.  They are the rocks of our day – they keep veterinarians grounded and focused, help keep them moving through the day as smoothly and efficiently as possible, and also provide comfort when a difficult case may bring the team/doctor down emotionally. They do ALL of this for the love of this profession. In a field with such high demand and expectation, schooling and continuing education, and constant risk of injury,  these wonderful humans are in it for their passion and aspiration to better the lives of the animals in their care. They risk bites, scratches, getting covered in bodily fluids– and these things do happen! – and they persevere through this, in the most efficient, graceful, and compassionate way.

Join us in thanking our wonderful technicians for all of the selfless, compassionate, experienced care that they provide our pets every day! We appreciate our techs, and the veterinary field would not be the same without them!

If your pet were diagnosed with a major illness tomorrow, could you afford the bill?

We all want to do the very best we can to take care of our pets. They’re members of our family, after all! Luckily, we now have access to advanced veterinary medical care that can diagnose and treat complex illnesses as well as critically injured pets.

But what about the cost of that care? It doesn’t come cheap. According to Canine Journal, the average cost of pet care annually is now topping $1800 per year, per pet.

This is where pet insurance comes in. Just as human health insurance bridges the gap between your medical care and cost, pet insurance can offset the financial burden of unexpected illness or injury to our pets. But, does it make sense for you? It’s an individual decision, but it’s important to look at the costs and benefits of pet insurance to determine if it’s right for you. Continue…