Registered vs Unregistered Technicians

[luckies4me]

Perhaps the 90% statement isn't true, but on most days it sure seems that way. We had a huge discussion at work about how vets "turn wrong". Most start out for the love of the animals, with good intentions, but once into it for a few years begin to think of things other than helping the animals. It's just my experience having done this for ten years.

For instance, where I work now we used to be co-owned by a doctor and the corporate office, however, because this veterinarian got a bad rap (people quit because of her), she sold the practice and now another doctor and our office manager are going to take it over. She has since moved onto another Banfield in another city here in Oregon, and having not been there only a year people were already wanting her gone. We all dread when she stops by.

I understand working to make a living, but when you suck all the money out of someone that's just wrong. People expect a caring, compassionate person to care for their pets, not someone who only is working for the money.

One of our new vets, who has been with us about a year or so, suggested we take rads on all animals before they receive their dental cleanings. She is constantly talking about money. Lets just say her "suggestion" didn't happen. We all thought she was ridiculous. People do not have the money to pay for uneccessary treatment.

That is why we have such a bad problem with sterlizing animals. We charge almost $300 bucks for a dog spay. That isn't including if the pet is in heat, over 6 months, over 50 pounds, or over 8 months. That's a huge chunk of change!

Cataholic, as far as how much you spent, you are very lucky. Here, where I work the bill would probably be twice as much as you spent! Hopefully, one day I will work in a better clinic, with people who know how to make a living without charging with needless bloodwork, presciption meds etc.

Not everyone who works at a clinic likes animals. There have been many times I've seen people treat animals with little or no respect. It makes me quite sick to my stomach. The way some people handle animals is just beyond me. Scared dogs being yelled at. They are already frieghtened. You really think yelling at them is going to make them behave better? Squirmy puppies...they are PUPPIES for heaven's sake. They are excited to see people. Just because they don't sit still for a blood draw doesn't mean they are bad animals. And then there is the whole, oh it's this breed so lets automatically assume it's going to be a biter. Things like that.

I do work with some amazing veterinarians though. Dr. Luna in particular is my favorite. Sadly, she doesn't plan on staying in Oregon for long, and I think a fair share of us will be looking for new jobs once she leaves.

[Uabassoon]

In all honesty it doesn't matter that much to me. I care more about my vet than I do the techs. I most certainly wouldn't want a tech doing anything that would be considered illegal such as performing surgery, but for most things I trust someone that has had the proper training. I do realize that a tech that has gone to school usually will have a better understanding of animal care, but I'm not sure that I think that makes them more capable of performing their duties. A registered tech can take the temperature or draw blood just as well as one that is unregistered, these are skills that are learned by practice and experience. When it comes to the important things I trust that my vet will be handling these procedures.

However I did leave my last vet because I didn't like his techs, I found them unfriendly and rude and did not enjoy dealing with them. They didn't seem like they cared about me or my animals so I found a new vet. I'm not sure if his techs are registered or unregistered, but they are friendly explain things to me so that I can understand what is going on. They also were great when Corkscrew was sick this past summer and I was in and out of the vet almost every week. They were very calm and patient with my little monster and I felt that they did a great job at performing their duties as a tech.

[Cataholic]

One of our new vets, who has been with us about a year or so, suggested we take rads on all animals before they receive their dental cleanings. She is constantly talking about money. Lets just say her "suggestion" didn't happen. We all thought she was ridiculous. People do not have the money to pay for uneccessary treatment.

As far as I know, my dentist is a "registered" dentist..he he he, and he makes us sign a waiver if we elect NOT to have xrays done before our teeth cleaning. I go to the dentist twice a year! And, while he only does xrays on a yearly basis, it certainly makes sense to xray a pet's mouth before cleaning, when you consider the cleanings are done much further apart than ours.

How can an xray on a 4 year old dog's mouth, before the dog undergoes anesthesia for a dental cleaning be ridiculous? Sounds kind of good to me.

[Catlady711]

And then you get the lovely people who know something is really wrong, but avoid treating the pet at all costs. Like today, we had a young woman come in with an 8 week old lab mix puppy. The dog was extremely bloated, and even vomited, much to my friends digust, roundworms into the trashcan. She got the dog for free outside of a Winco. She was telling me how tomorrow she is going to donate plasma to earn 45 bucks, as she has no money. If you have no money why would you adopt a puppy? It's just beyond me. Now, that poor dog is probably going to sit there for months with worms, or get some deadly disease like distemper or parvo all because she took the dog in knowing she couldn't care for it. In fact, earlier she tried taking the puppy to the pound, but she said the pound wouldn't take it because they were full. The truth is, she couldn't take the dog to the pound because they charge a $45 dollar fee to surrender an animal, as the shelters here are very full this time of year. It's very sad.

Yup, that's probably why she was donating blood for the $45, to give to the pound. We've had a rash of people lately who get a new puppy then gripe about the fact we have to charge for vacc. etc (we are reasonably priced!) then explain that one of the family is out of work, or they are on a fixed SS income. Uh, I noticed you said you got the puppy AFTER that happened. Doesn't make sense to me. There is no such thing as a 'free' pet.

As far as I know, my dentist is a "registered" dentist..he he he, and he makes us sign a waiver if we elect NOT to have xrays done before our teeth cleaning. I go to the dentist twice a year! And, while he only does xrays on a yearly basis, it certainly makes sense to xray a pet's mouth before cleaning, when you consider the cleanings are done much further apart than ours.

How can an xray on a 4 year old dog's mouth, before the dog undergoes anesthesia for a dental cleaning be ridiculous? Sounds kind of good to me.

ALOT of people don't even understand the need for ANY dental cleanings etc. You and I understand the importance of it, and the benefits to the health of the animal but many people do not. Unfortunately some have to learn when their young pet dies from a massive infection from the teeth/gums, or some never learn at all and think that 5 years old is a long life for a dog/cat. I think I'll scream the next time I hear a client say 'well we've had dogs for 30 years and never had no dental cleaning done on them and they lived a long time, old Blue lived the longest and died at a ripe old age of 7 (not talking about no great dane either).

I don't have a problem with xrays or lab work before surgery or dental work, but then again I understand why it's necessary, plus I get an employee discount. Even if I didn't have a discount if the vet thought something was necessary I'd go ahead and do it.

[luckies4me]

As far as I know, my dentist is a "registered" dentist..he he he, and he makes us sign a waiver if we elect NOT to have xrays done before our teeth cleaning. I go to the dentist twice a year! And, while he only does xrays on a yearly basis, it certainly makes sense to xray a pet's mouth before cleaning, when you consider the cleanings are done much further apart than ours.

How can an xray on a 4 year old dog's mouth, before the dog undergoes anesthesia for a dental cleaning be ridiculous? Sounds kind of good to me.

On certain dogs it would be a great idea, but on every pet? It's absurd. Human dentistry and canine/feline dentistry is totally different. How often do you see dogs and cats getting cavities filled, or root canals? Dentists do x-rays on us to check for cavities, bone infection etc. This would make sense on a pet who has never had their teeth cleaned, with lots of tartar build up etc. but on an otherwise healthy 2 year old lab, it's uneccesary. If it made sense I'm sure her idea would have flyed, but it didn't.

Or for instance, dogs prone to dental disease, such as doxies, chis, etc. Thanksfully we have the new P3 vaccine, which is awesome in way of dental care for dogs! Now if we could only get a vaccine like that for cats, we'd be all set.

[luckies4me]

Off topic, but as far as the puppy goes the lady called me yesterday morning and about twenty minutes later brought the pup back in and gave her to my friend Stephanie. We dewormed her right away and about an hour later she had a nice lovely bowel movement full of roundworms. She's been put on a puppy plan and received her first set of vaccines yesterday.

Also, she failed to mention the pup fell from her two story balcony about a week ago because she left her sliding glass door open a nudge. Nice. But, she is in good hands now and being completely spoiled, and will be the sister to an overly friendly rottie named Jackson.

Here are a couple of pictures of her. Oh ya, they were feeding her Old Roy. She has very dry skin, but hopefully after being on a more nutricious diet for awhile she will look better. These were taken with my cell phone so sorry if they are not all that great. And please forgive me for my ugly face.

[Catlady711]

I'm glad to hear the puppy was brought back in and now has people that will give him the proper care!!!

Your face isn't ugly at all!

BTW, I LOVE that smock pattern!! I have a hard time finding ones that fit me with animals on them instead of kids. The place I buy mine at are really cheap but they cater to human nurses in their patterns.

[luckies4me]

LOL, it's so funny, because people always say how much they love our smocks, but I think they are hideous. OK, well maybe not that bad, but they are made by Cintas and are Banfields scrubs, so we have to wear them. I really wish they would let us wear our own scrub tops, or at least come up with a better design.

Have you tried looking online for scrubs?

[Catlady711]

Have you tried looking online for scrubs?

No actually I haven't. Where I go I usually can get mine for about $12-15, but I always assumed that with shipping, anyplace online would cost more total.

Do you tear your pockets alot when dogs like to stick their feet in them while squirming around alot? lol I either have that happen or I catch on the door jamb from walking too close to it to keep an animal from getting out the door and tear the side seams of my tops.