One of the most important responsibilities of veterinary technicians is educating pet owners on various issues relating to their pets.
Of course, they must never attempt to diagnose health issues or recommend treatment procedures.
However, there are several issues that they can speak with clients about, and they are described below.
First Things First
First of all, when pet owners visit the veterinarian, they can quickly become confused if they are bombarded with complicated language.
As such, as a veterinary technician, it is essential for you to explain things to them in terms that they will understand.
When talking to clients, keep in mind that the majority of them simply will not comprehend complicated medical terminology.
The best time to educate pet owners is during routine checkups. At this time, the veterinary technician can talk with the client about such issues as vaccinations, heartworm tests and preventative, proper nutrition, oral hygiene, and parasite control.
In most cases, pet owners will be more than willing to learn how to keep their beloved pets healthy and happy.
Vaccinations
Just as human babies need a series of vaccinations to prevent various illnesses, puppies and kittens need several vaccines as well.
Unfortunately, most pet owners are unsure as to what shots their pets may need and when they should be administered.This is where the veterinary technician can help.
During an initial visit, veterinary technicians can talk to their clients about the vaccinations their pets need, what each vaccination is for and when they should be administered. It is also important to explain the importance of rabies vaccines and yearly boosters for adult pets.
Heartworm Tests and Preventative
Heartworm is a serious disease that affects the heart and is often fatal. It is spread to your pets by infected mosquitoes.
Since the disease is spread by mosquitoes, the best time for veterinary technicians to begin educating pet owners about the disease is in late winter or early spring.
For pets that are not already taking heartworm preventatives, late winter or early spring is the best time for them to be tested for the disease and placed on a preventative. It is up to the veterinary technician to stress the importance of preventatives by using visual displays or pictures of actual heartworms.
Proper Nutrition
It is unfortunate that many people do not know what their pets can and cannot eat. Some people feed their pets too much, some do not feed them enough, and others feed them inappropriate food. Veterinary technicians can help pet owners by recommending good foods for pets that are young, seniors, active or obese.
Additionally, it is also important for vet techs to explain to pet owners about the fact that many human foods can be harmful and even fatal to pets.
Finally, if the veterinarian has determined that an animal has food allergies, the vet tech can help the client locate an allergy-safe food for the pet.
Proper Oral Hygiene
One of the most neglected aspects of pet ownership is proper oral hygiene. However, in many cases, it is not because owners do not care about the health of their pets. It is typically due to the fact that they are not aware of the importance of dental care for their pets.
Veterinary technicians can help educate pet owners about the importance of proper oral hygiene for their pets by explaining to them what could happen if they ignore their pets’ teeth. Other things they can talk to them about include how to brush their pets’ teeth, choosing dental products for pets and the importance of regular dental checkups.
Parasite Control
There are basically two classifications of parasites in animals, and they are internal and external. Among the most common internal parasites are hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms and roundworms. The most common external parasites include fleas, ticks, lice, ear mites and mange.
While there are many parasite control products that pet owners can purchase at local stores, veterinary technicians can help them choose the best products for their needs. Additionally, vet techs can also educate them on how to use the products properly to kill the targeted parasites.
Some parasites require prescription medications to eradicate the pests. In these cases, it is up to the veterinarian to prescribe the proper medication.
However, it is often the vet tech’s job to explain the medications’ instructions to the pet owners and educate them on anything else they may need to know.
Educating pet owners can be one of the most rewarding aspects of choosing a veterinary technician career.
By teaching pet owners how to take care of their cherished pets properly, you can help those pets live long and healthy lives. Of course, this will make the pet owners happy and will encourage them to return to your place of business.