New Website

We just had a fresh new website designed for our boarding kennel! Check it out!

http://www.cooperkennels.ca

Life Working Outside the Vet Clinic

I think it is safe to say that most RVT's start off working in vet clinics, some spending most or all of their careers working in clinics. The reason behind this being the large, and ever-growing, amount of animal hospitals as well as the fact that it is the job position where you , in most cases, utilize most of your skills. The job can also be very rewarding working with cases from the beginning to the end. Unfortunately, in some cases, the pay is inadequate and the stress is high and the business focus is more on the money then the care of the pet.

After working in this area of veterinary medicine for 10+ years I decided it was time for a change. In May I decided to resign from my job in an animal hospital and I took 5 months off ( thankfully spring and summer here in Ontario!). It was great! It gave me time to chill out and seriously think about what I wanted to do with my career next.

I stumbled upon a job posting for a city run animal shelter (also responisble for animal control) and the rest is history! I am fortunate to work with great, fun staff, have more than decent pay and benefits and be learning something new everyday. Although I practice way fewer "tech" skills, the job is rewarding in other ways such as watching sucessfull adoptions and reunions.

There definelty is rewarding work for technicians outside the veterinary clinic. Sometimes we just have to step out of our comfort zones to see what else is out there! Something that is sometimes easier said then done but always rewarding in the end!

PETS Magazine Sept/Oct Issue

Just a reminder to check out the most recent Sept / Oct Issue of PETS Magazine.

My article titled Handling Your Pet in an Emergency is published in this issue.

Hope you enjoy!

If you would like to subscribe to PETS Magazine visit their website at :

http://www.petsmagazine.ca

Pets affected by Hurricane Katrina

With the recent Hurricane Katrina in the southern US there has not only been mass destruction for humans but animals as well.

The Humane Society of the United States has mobilzed a rescue unit to the area and will be posting updates as they can.

http://www.hsus.org/hsus_field/hsus_disaster_center

There is also a rescue oragization called Noah's Wish. They specifically work to resuce animals affected by disaster.

http://www.noahswish.org

Donations are always accepted and volunteers needed.

Looking to adopt a pet?

Adopting a pet is a great way to add to your family! With pet over-population continuing to occur there are always many pets needing a home. If you are thinking of getting a pet I would suggest checking out your local shelters to see if there is anyone there who would be the perfect match for your family.

I recently came across a webiste servicing the US and Canada. It lists shelters and rescues searchable by city or postal code. I was surprised to see that there were a handfull listed for Hamilton and Burlington Ontario! If you are looking to adopt a pet you may want to check this site out. There are many deserving pets that are waiting for a great home!

http://www.petfinder.com


If you don't have the time or space for a pet, volunteering your time at a local shelter or adopting a pet financially for a year can be just as helpful and rewarding.

I also came across a website for a local aviary that runs with the help of many dedicated volunteers. This aviary is located in Hamilton and houses many different varieties of birds. It is open to the public on Sundays from 1-4pm. You can also "adopt" a bird on a yearly basis and the money you donate goes the upkeep and feeding of that particular bird for the year. What a great idea!

http://www.friendsoftheaviary.ca

Kristina Cooper , RVT Resume

Well I thought I would try this out and see if I could post my resume in case any of your were wondering about my animal care background.

Kristina Cooper, RVT

krizzteena@hotmail.com

Objective: To obtain work in the animal care field utilizing my past education and experience.

Experience and Skills

2005-Present Animal Care & Licensing Attendant- City of Burlington

Perform RVT duties for both domestic and wild animals needing care in a shelter environment. Educate, enforce and inform residents about the local animal control by-laws. Maintain and organize dog licensing files working with 22 outlets across the City. Deal with the public assisting with matching and completing animal adoptions. Assist in training other staff on AMANDA software as well as utilizing Microsioft Outlook, Word, and Excel.

2005 - Present Freelance Writer

Specializing in articles covering veterinary and general care for a variety of species of domestic animals. Currently over 150 published articles both in print and online.

1998-2005 Registered Veterinary Technician- Ancaster Animal Hospital

Performed all duties required of a Registered Veterinary Technician in the areas of: nursing, radiography, anesthesia / surgery, dentistry, clinical chemistry, hematology, parasitology, urinalysis, cytology, husbandry and hospital management.

1983-2005 Kennel Manager- Cooper Kennels / Farms

Cleaning of cat and dog kennels, administered medications, bathing all sizes of dogs and cats, booked reservations, invoiced clients and managed kennel staff, set up and maintenance of poultry barn, monitoring and care of poultry.

1993-1997 Veterinary Assistant -The Cat Clinic

Assisted in surgery, sterilized surgical kits, developed radiographs with manual processing technique, cleaned cages, fed and bathed both hospitalized and boarding cats, gathered patient history and assisted with appointments.

Formal Education

1999-2002 Ridgetown College, University of Guelph

Graduated, with honors and within the top five of the class, with an
Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology.

Recipient of the Merial Proficiency in Canine and Feline Medicine award.

Courses included: Anesthesia / Surgery, Radiography, Dentistry, Clinical Chemistry, Biochemistry and Genetics, Hematology, Cytology, Microbiology, Urinalysis, Parasitology, Lab Animal Science, Anatomy and Physiology, Livestock Production and Management, Canine / Feline Management, Nutrition and Animal Nursing.

Continuing Education

2001-2013 Ongoing profession conferences/lectures attended including OAVT, NAVC, WVC and Animal Care Expo

 

 

Association Memberships

2002-2013 Member of the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (O.A.V.T.)

2004 Associate Member of the Association of Zoo Veterinary Technicians (A.Z.V.T.)

References available on request.

MUST Love Dogs

With the release of the new movie " Must Love Dogs", it got me to thinking about just how much of an impact pets have on our lives....even our relationships!

The National Hartz Survey on the human-animal bond

http://www.hartzadvancedcare.com/About%20Hartz/prSurvey.asp

found the following:

Women and special bond with pets

According to the survey, women pet owners show a particularly strong bond with their pets. Here’s what we found out.

• Women (16 percent) are nearly three times more likely than men (6 percent) to say they would dump their boyfriend/girlfriend that their pet didn’t like
• Nearly a third of women (31 percent) say they spend more time with their pet than their spouse/significant other vs. only 15 percent of men
• 29 percent of women ages 18-34 say they notice celebrities pets in the news now more so than before

Human-like habits of pets

Whether getting under the covers or the dining room table, our pets are becoming more like us or maybe we becoming more like our pets? Among those who own dogs and/or cats:

• 
  About one in three (32 percent) say their pet watches TV; dog/cat owners in the Northeast are more likely to say their pet watches the tube (41 percent) than those in the West (30 percent), south (29 percent) and Midwest (29 percent)
  
• Nearly a half (48 percent) say that their pet sleeps on the bed and hogs the covers and the pillow
  
• 51 percent of dog owners and 40 percent of cat owners say their pet sits by the dinner table and begs for human food

In another study the Ontario Veterinary Medical Assosciation (OVMA)

http://www.ovma.org/pets/human_animalbond.shtml

stated this...

PETS: AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FAMILY
More than 50% of Canadian households own pets of some kind. Dogs, cats, birds and other companion animals are living in more than five million homes. For their owners, these animals are more than pets-they are part of the family.

Each year, Canadian families spend about three billion dollars on their pets. This exceeds consumer spending on children's toys, footwear, eye care, and dental plans.

A recent survey of pet owners revealed that nearly 80% of respondents gave their pets holiday or birthday presents. More than 60% signed their pets' names on cards or letters. A slight majority (51%) gave their pets human names.

While virtually all pet owners talk to their pets, an astounding 94% spoke to their pets as though they were human. One-third of respondents spoke to their pets on the telephone or via the answering machine. More than 90% of pet owners believed their pets were aware of their moods and emotions.

WOMEN THINK PETS ARE THE CATS MEOW
Many women believe their pets are more sensitive than their spouse or children.
Recent surveys of pet owners revealed some interesting facts about how people relate to their pets:

• Nearly 50 percent of women relied more on their pets for affection than their spouse or children.
  
• More than 40 percent of women said their pets understand their emotions and moods better than other family members.
• When asked if they were more likely to lose their temper with a family member or a pet, 67 percent of women said a family member.
• Nearly 90 percent of senior citizens claimed that the presence of pets in their household had a positive impact on their health.
• Pets reduced stress for 70 percent of the survey respondents
  

The results are in-pets are wonderful, loving companions. Pets are good listeners and they never talk back. In fact, when it comes to affection and friendship, pets often outshine people.

With pets being a huge part of our lives and our familes it's no wonder they dictate a lot of our relationship decisions.

For more info on the human-animal bond visit the Human Animal Bond Assosciation of Canada at:

http://www.habac.ca/about.htm

Dogs in Cars NOT a good idea!

With Ontario hitting record summer temperatures and humidity levels this summer I am amazed at how many people are still leaving their dogs unattended in the car while they are shopping!

In case you are not aware, this is extremeley dangerous! Temperatures rise very quickly. Think about it....how does it feel this time of year when you get into your car? Something like a sauna? Well imagine feeling that but with a fur coat on!

Dogs , unlike their human conterparts, can't sweat and have to rely on panting to release excess heat.

Leaving your dog (or any pet for that matter) in the car, even if the windows are open, can cause heat stroke and possibly death....even if its only for a few minutes.

Pets can also develope heat stroke if left outside to long in the heat and humidity or even living in un-air conditioned homes.

Those breeds that are most at risk are those with long dense coats ( e.g. shelties, samoyeds) and those with pushed in faces ( e.g. bull dogs, boston terriers).

Signs of heat stroke can include: excessive panting, red gums ( may trun blue), fast pulse, salivation, lack of co-ordination, muscle tremors, weakness, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, glazed over stare or anxious and coma.

Heat strole can lead to liver and kidney failure.

If you think you dog may be suffereing from heat stroke contact your vet immediately!

In the meantime spray your dog off with cool water - NOT COLD - and give them a drink of cool water.

If you notice a pet in a car in the heat unsupervised that appears in distress call your local humane society or animal control to notify them. This is considered unresponsible pet ownership!

Accredited VT Programs in Ontario

WOW! I was amazed to see, while searching through the OAVT website, that there are now 9 accreditied veterinary technology (VT) college programs in Ontario! http://www.oavt.org/colleges.htm . When I graduated just a short time ago in 2002...it seems...there were only 4 programs that had accredited status. It goes to show that the veterinary industry is definetly growing by leaps and bounds everyday. In Ontario if you want (after you have your diploma in Veterinary Technology) to continue on and write the VTNE (Veterinary Technician National Exam) to receive your Registered status you must be a graduate from an approved accredited college and be a member of the OAVT. Right now this accreditation is granted by the OAVT after certian criteria and standards are met for the program. WAY TO GO! to all the programs who have been sucessfull in aquiring this status. You are helping to "raise the bar" in veterinary technology!

Pets Magazine

Pets Magazine Cover July/Aug 05


Have you checked out Pets Magazine? If not I suggest you give it a read. This Canadian mag focuses on pets and pet health and is sold and distributed through veterinary clinics and hospitals. You can also purchase a subscription through their website http://www.petsmagazine.ca . I first read this magazine last year when it was given to me at the annual OAVT conference. I was impressed right away. The articles are interesting and informative. I decided I liked it so much that I wrote an article for it on Canine Cough and it happens to be published in the most recent edition. Get your copy and check it out!

Pet Insurance Makes Sense

Please, please, please....If you own a pet consider pet insurance for them. If you don't own a pet tell someone who does about pet insurance. It could be the difference between life and death for our furry companions!

Pet Insurance has been a lifesaver for many ill and injured pets. With the cost of veterinary services in todays world you can't afford not to have it . Plan coverage can be as basic as accident insurance ( if you pet is hit by a car for example and needs lifesaving treatment) or as elaborate as covering routine examinations, vaccinations, dental cleanings and blood work.

Working in small animal practice I have experienced owners having to euthanize their pets because the treatment was going to be too costly. No one should have to face that.

With the average major procedure costing between $1500-$2000 these days, insurance is well worth having, or at least considering.

The following links are to some reputable insurance companies available in Ontario.

http://www.petplan.com

http://www.vetinsurance.com

http://petcareinsurance.com

School Trained Veterinary Technicians vs On the Job Trained Veterinary Technicians

Well this topic has been the cause of many heated debates and I for one think that the only person that should assume the title of veterinary technician or work as a veterinary technician are those who have graduated from an accredited veterinary technology program.

What's the difference some may ask? Well there are many differences.

On the Job trained techs have had no formal post secondary school training in veterinary technology. That means that they lack the fundemental knowledge and skills that all technical procedures are based on. The skills they have aquired are those that have been taught to them at the workplace, usually by a veterinary technician or another On the Job trained tech. It can be assumed then that the level of skill aquired is based on the skill level of the one teaching the particular task. This I find discerning as the one teaching the task may have no formal training and may be passing along incorrect methods of performing these tasks. As many working in the field know, not all veterinarians are technically inclined either making them not always the best teachers. By lacking the background knowledge that makes up the framework for why we do what we do, how can you know if what you are doing is accurate? or what steps you can take to make sure you provide valid results every time? And this doesn't even get into a discussion on uneducated people doing anesthesia!

I am sure I will take a lot of heat from the On the Job trained techs out there for my viewpoint but I feel strongly about this!

I started out working as a vet assistant/receptionist in a small animal practice that had no technician. Because I was keen to learn, the vets started to teach me some technical skills. I was happy and confident with my skills and thought it was cool that they gave me these growing responsibilities, I had no fear. At that point decided I would like to take a formal program and enrolled in an accredited course for veterinary technology. I did not realize how little I knew until I started going to school and I probably wouldn't have known either if I hadn't enrolled in the program. I am so glad that I did because I realized how much more there was to know as a technician and how easy it is to learn other peoples bad habits that have been taught to you when you are On the Job trained. So I am not some technician who only went to school and then started working in practice....I started out as being trained on the job, so I speak form experience when I say there is no comparison.


The other advantage of being school trained at an accredited college is that you can continue on to become a registered veterinary technician. This requires you to write and pass a national exam as well as keep up with continuing education and belong to the OAVT. This ensures that technicians are continuing to upgrade their skills and knowledge in the fast changing world of veterinary medicine.


In Ontario you can't legally call yourself a Veterianry Technician unless you have graduated from an accredited program. But there are still vets out there who think it is fine to call anyone they have doing technical jobs a technician. This is apalling. Unfortunately it is still legal for vets to delegate technical jobs to whomever they feel is fit, but the OAVT is working to try to change this. Hopefully self-regualtion of technicians in the near future will help. Would a vet be happy if people they were working with called themselves vets because they could perform similar tasks without the background knowledge??? I doubt it.

How would owners feel if they found out that uneducated/unqualifed people were perfoming procedures on their pets when there are properly trained capable people out there to hire? I would guess they would be just as upset as if they found out that the nurse that just took their blood was really not a nurse but the janitor that the doctor decided to call a nurse!


Hopefully, if you are a pet owner and have read this, you will ask your veterinarian next time if they have school trained and registered veterinary technicians!

Summer Fun For Pets

As many of us get ready to prepare for the upcoming summer season lets not forget about our pets!

Most dogs also like the weekend trips to the cottage and many pet owners enjoy doing summer activities with their pets like fishing and boating, hiking, swimming, and many other outdoor activities with their pets.

Here are a few reminders of whats available to help your pets have a safer summer season!

• Don't let your pet ride loose in the back of a pick up truck or your backseat. It can be distracting to the driver and your pet may be injured. There are many seatbelts available for dogs. Make sure your dog is buckled in! Cats transport well in carriers. http://www.petsafetybelts.com/
• Remember when boating with your pet to provide them with a life jacket too! Yes dogs and cats can both wear them! http://www.pooch.ca/
• Be careful with fishing tackel around pets. Hooks have been known to be eaten and caught in skin. It's never a bad idea to know the phone number to the local vet in the area.
• Pets can wear sunscreen too! Just make sure it is paba-free. Dogs with pink skin and light coloured coats are more prone to sunburn and potentially skin cancer. http://www.furlongspetsupply.com/dog_sunscreen.htm
• Protect your dogs eyes from the UV light of the sun by using specialized dog sunglasses! These are great eye protection, especially for dogs with eye conditions like pannus. It would also be great protection for those dogs who like to ride with their heads hanging out the car window. http://www.doggles.com/
• Pets can't sweat and have to pant to release excess body heat. Never leave your pet in the car! The temperature rises so quickly and can cause heat stroke in your pet which can be fatal! Here are some other helpful summer reminders: http://www.torontohumanesociety.com/caringforPet/petshot.html

Hope everyone in your family including your pets have a safe and happy cottage season!

Pets and Plants

Iris

Well seeing that SouthWestern Ontario has been having some great weather lately I have been doing a lot of gardening. While I have been spending time doing this I got to thinking about pets and plants.

I am sure that many are not aware that some of the plants that you have in your homes and in your gardens can be toxic and potentially fatal to your pet. Although there are many plants that are not harmfull there are just as many that are.

ASPCA list of TOXIC PLANTS:

http://www.aspca.org/site/FrameSet?style=User&url=../toxicplants/M01947.htm

ASPCA list of NON TOXIC PLANTS:

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc_nontoxicplants

If you pet has ingested any plant you should contact you vet immediately so that they can advise you and provide you with the proper treatment of you pet to help prevent a fatal outcome. If at all possible you should know the name of the plant, how much of the plant was eaten and the approximate time it was eaten at. if you are not sure of the name bring a piece of the plant along with you so the vet can try to identify it.

If you can't reach your veterinarian please contact the ASPCA Poison Control Centre:

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=apcc

The best thing you can do is prevent this situation from happening is by planting only pet friendly plants in your gardens or by planting only those known toxic plants in areas where your pets don't have access.

The Lion Cut

Bob with his "Lion Cut"

One may ask... "What is a Lion Cut?". Well its the fancy name for a shave down , for our long haired feline friends, except the head, legs and tail are left long. Your beautiful longhaired cat suddenly is reminescent of its wild ancestor the lion, hence the name the "Lion Cut". To be quite honest I had no idea either until I owned a Himilayan with an extremely thick haircoat. Groomers I am sure love this concept which definetly beats brushing out mats and large amounts of undercoat in the spring. From my personal experience the lucky cat who receives this fashionable haircut also prefers this form of a spring cleanup as brushing out mats can be very painfull. OUCH!

Having lived with my Himi Bob (who has experienced the Lion Cut twice, most recently this past weekend) for the past 14 years I can say the hair and the brushing is never ending. I thought that when I first shaved him it would turn this already shy cat into a total recluse but both times he has amazed me. In both cases he has become more socialble ,affectionate and happy. Go figure! So it really doesnt bother me any to have him shaved down...besides the fact that it cuts down on the hair in the house!

So if you are thinking of getting a long haired cat in this crazy busy life that we all lead you may want to remember that the nice picture with the long beautifully well groomed coat that attracted you to the breed in the beginning will soon be replaced with that of a beautiful well groomed "Lion Cut", which may I add makes for a great conversation topic!

http://www.thecatgallery.com/himalayan_cat_models_page_8.html

Happy Victoria Day! Oh No...the dog hates fireworks!

Well it's that time of year again...the first long weekend in our spring/summer lineup!

This celebration in Canada is known as Victoria Day and I am sure many will be celebrating with food and drink and enjoying time with family and friends.

Another festivity that we also enjoy at this time of year is Fireworks. Unfortunately many of our canine friends do not share in the excitement. There are quite a few dogs out there who are nervous wrecks when it comes to fireworks. The sudden and loud sound, of fireworks, can turn a dog into a panting, pacing and drooling nightmare.

Luckily there are methods that can be used to help lessen the anxiety assosciated with the occurance of fireworks such as retraining with the use of CD's with fireworks sounds and using the newly available Dog Appeasing Phermones.

The following are a few links to check out on the topic. I hope you find them usefull.

Happy Victoria Day!


http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=1657&S=1&SourceID=47

http://www.spca.bc.ca/Animalbehaviour/fear.asp

http://www.soundsscary.com

A little bit about RVT's

Well being a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) and having worked, in the past, in a small animal hospital I know first hand how little the public knows about RVT's. That is why I wrote the following article...

Registered Veterinary Technicians…Nurses of the Animal Kingdom!

Have you ever wondered who looks after Felix and Fido when they have a visit to the vet?

Pet parents now, more than ever, have a special relationship with their animal companions. Nowadays more than 70-85 % view their pets as children. That is why it is so important for pet parents to know who is looking after their "kids" when they take a trip to their local veterinarians office.

Veterinarians are often seen as the main health care provider for pets. Behind every great veterinarian there is a full team of superb pet health care staff including:
Registered Veterinary Technicians(RVT), Veterinary Technicians (VT), Receptionists, Groomers and Veterinary Assistants.
Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVT’s) are an integral part of the health care team of many animal hospitals across Ontario. RVT’s are also found working in zoos, shelters, research facilities, veterinary teaching hospitals, medical laboratories, on farms, for the government, for animal drug and food companies and as educators in veterinary technology programs.

Veterinary Technicians are educated and trained at accredited colleges to perform such tasks as: anesthesia, dental cleanings, surgical assistance and monitoring, blood taking and IV catheter placement, nursing care, laboratory testing, xray taking and developing, nutrition and client education to name a few.

The title of RVT is obtained after a veterinary technician writes the National Veterinary Technician Exam successfully. RVT status is upheld by meeting continuing education requirements and membership in the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (www.oavt.org) on an annual basis.

In many ways Registered Veterinary Technicians are the nurses of the animal kingdom!

So the next time you take your beloved "fur kids" to the veterinarian ask who is a part of your pets medical team and accept nothing less than what you would expect for yourself.

Kristina Cooper, RVT
Ancaster, Ontario.

Welcome!

Welcome to Krissy's Critter Corner!

A blog for pet lovers, those who work in the veterinary or animal field and anyone else who is interested.


Hope you all enjoy!