What is a Vet Tech and what do they do?

What exactly is a vet tech? What do you do and what are the requirements?

• I was interested into becoming a veterinarian, before I learned that it is pretty much impossible for me with my grades. I am 17, a junior in high school, and a GPA of around 2.5. Ive struggled pretty much since middle school with my grades and just barely passing, however Im doing a lot better this year. What kind of education and college is necessary for becoming a vet tech, and what exactly do you do? It would help tons if I got an answer from someone with the experience of actually being a vet tech. Thanks to all that answer!

• Answer:

  Most states require that you have a 2-3 year degree in veterinary technology from an AVMA accredited program, pass the Veterinary Technician National Exam and file all the appropriate paperwork to be licensed, registered or certified in your state in order to work as a veterinary technician. You can find a complete list of AVMA accredited veterinary technology program the their website: http://www.avma.org/education/cvea/vette%E2%80%A6 The daily workload can vary greatly depending on the type of practice you work in, the vet you work for and the area of the country you are in. Most often the workload will be variable in any practice--some days will be like a wild roller coaster ride while others are so boring and slow that you have a hard time staying awake. A very general list of things that a veterinary technician would do would include collecting patient histories, collect biological samples (blood, urine, feces, etc), running diagnostic tests, monitoring and medicating hospitalized animals, assisting in surgery, administering and monitoring anesthesia, performing dental cleanings, providing treatment for outpatients as prescribed by the attending veterinarian, filling prescriptions, answering client questions on preventative medicine, disease processes, medications, etc, maintaining inventory, caring for surgical and medical equipment such as anesthesia machines, taking radiographs, entering medical records, etc. Most veterinary technology degree programs require applicants that have some experience working in a veterinary facility as an assistant so it would be a good idea for you to work on getting this experience before you finish high school. You don't have to have any special education or training to apply for veterinary assistant/kennel assistant jobs. You can also ask your regular vet if you can shadow his technicians for a few days to see what the job entails. Another good idea is to contact your state veterinary technician association to find out the exact details for becoming credentialed as a veterinary technician in your state.