Sounds like you and I are a lot alike when it comes to our kids. I'm sure your vet would understand though, she sounds very nice and understanding.

hmm our vet techs just weigh Scooter and ask me all the questions, answer the phone etc. I always thought their training was kind of like receptionist training for animal lovers hehe. They really just fill out his file and take my money!

Then again I'm switching vets, so maybe the techs at the new one do more? But I've never heard of them taking blood, so I don't know...

In most states, vet techs get an associates degree. It is one year for general studies (math, english) and one for veterinary medicine (anesthesia, lab work, restraint techniques...).:)

Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Assistant are two different job titles. Each state has different laws but a Veterinary Technician is licensed, has to do continuing education every year, and has to pay to keep his/her license current. Veterinary Assistants do not. In some states, it is even illegal to call a Vet Assistant a Vet Tech.

:aimeeyork This got me thinking....whenever someone asks me what vet i use they immediately say .."oh, they are highway robbery they are so expensive". But you know, I would much rather pay a little more and get better care for my pets! My vet does everything (including calming and talking to them to make them comfy). the only thing the tech does is weigh them and ask questions. So if that is why my vet costs more then it is well worth the extra cost! :animal-pa

Vet techs are not required to go to school for that job (at least not in most places)...many receive "on the job training". There are some WONDERFUL, very well-trained techs out there, but that isn't true for all...it really depends on the individual clinic's requirments when hiring techs. So far as giving vaccines...it doesn't bother me that a tech does it because any petowner can buy their own vaccines and administer...it's a pretty easy procedure. But drawing blood...I don't know why but I just never even though about techs drawing blood. I guess I personally haven't seen it done and just never though about it! I suppose it does happen frequently though... I don't think I would personally trust a tech to draw blood...I just won't know how experienced that tech is. However, I know the vet has been through at least 4 years of vet school and I KNOW drawing blood gets practiced a LOT in vet school. Last time Lacy had her blood drawn, I had them draw it in front of me instead of take her to the back...I told them watching did not bother me (and honestly I'd rather watch..and it was super quick). I think I'll make a habit of making sure they only draw blood in front of me from now on...I want to make sure the vet is the one who does it. A blood draw really isn't risky, but it could be if you have someone drawing blood that doesn't have a clue..and how do you know how well trained that tech is??

:thumbup::thumbup: Toto's vet does all of that and clips her nails!! :rolleyes: Unless she is sick, he doesn't begin anything until he parades her all over the hospital and shows her off!! He adores her and is always amazed how good she is ... she will even dance for him and she only does that for a few people!! I don't mean standing on her back feet and jumping around, she actually dances using all four feet!! It's hysterically funny! ;) She has a wonderful, caring vet.

The vet tech's that are in The office only weigh, and take temp's. My vet does all the rest. Vaccines and even gives her the deworming pill. :aimeeyork

Awe, now that vet sounds like a keeper, AND has Toto's approval to boot:D

LOL.
I guess where Ellie goes is considered expensive (although I don't agree with that assessment;)) and the techs still do a lot.

Exactly.
It is NOT really a risky procedure unless someone that isn't trainer properly tries it. I'm sure the vet techs do get tons of training in school but the vet assistants only get it on the job and who knows if Ellie is only maybe their 10th patient to "try" it on.

The vet techs in MI have to go to school but the assistants do not.

Vaccines don't bother me either because anyone can read the instructions and do it. Blood is always drawn in the back. It doesn't really bother me because Ellie is so wiggly that I think they would have better control back there and it is safer for her that way. What I do care about is someone drawing it in the back, out of my sight, who isn't as experienced as the other people there.