Vet Tech Week - 5 Great Ideas to Honor Veterinary Technicians

Vet Tech Week is in October every year, and this year it is October 11th to the 17th. Now is the time to start planning how you are going to make this week special for your staff. To make it easier for you, here are some suggestions on how to create a great week and show them how much their hard work is appreciated.

1. Catered Lunches

I'm sure everyone is sick of eating the same frozen lunches everyday. Why not let them pick which restaurant they want catered in for lunch.

2. In House Massages

Why not go the extra mile and bring in a masseuse so the whole staff can get a 15 or 30 minute massage.

3. New Set of Scrubs

Your staff might appear to have every color of scrub out there, but a new pair is always appreciated. Or, instead of new scrubs, how about offering an in clinic laundry service, so they don't have to take their dirty scrubs home?

4. Homemade Sweets

Homemade cakes and cookies always seem better than the store bought kind. Go even further by writing your vet tech's names on the cake with frosting. Also, you can show how well you know them by baking their favorite flavors.

5. Newspaper Article

No other clinic will do this so just submit a quick article on how your clinic is honoring your vet techs and tell about their education and degrees. This is also great advertising for the clinic too!

These are just a few ways you can celebrate this week. With just a little more planning ahead, you can make this National Vet Tech Week more memorable.

For 27 great ways to celebrate Veterinary Technician Week, please visit my website at: http://www.veterinarytechnicianweek.com

More Than Just Animal Instinct - Veterinary Practice Marketing Skills For Vets

As any business-minded person knows, people love their pets. They are willing to splurge on their little companions to keep them happy and healthy. You don't have to love animals to start up a vet clinic and capitalize on the lucrative business of pet care, but a good set of business skills for a profitable vet clinic visited by a steady stream of loyal pet owners certainly wouldn't go amiss if you are a vet who is thinking of starting up your own clinic. To run a profitable business you really must develop Veterinary Practice Marketing skills.

Some of the basic Business Skills in your Vet Practice include: Take care of your best employee i.e. yourself. As healthcare providers to animals, veterinarians are subject to burnout like providers of human healthcare. A good clinic owner knows and is able to recognize the signs of an impending burnout and can counteract this before it happens. Sometimes, work fatigue can be dealt with by taking a short break from work, or redirecting yourself towards aspects of veterinary healthcare other than the one on which you are currently focused. This gives you some respite while allowing you to still practice veterinary healthcare. A vet who can do consistently good work is a vet that pet owners like to visit, translating into more traffic to your vet clinic.

Good organizational skills should not be underestimated. Ensure the clinic's appointment book isn't jam packed with engagements. While it is tempting to cram in as many appointments as possible, and it is possible, doing so will actually hinder your ability to carry out a satisfactory examination on an animal and sap you of energy in the process. Appointments should be scheduled based on the reason for the visit. Things like routine checkups and wellness progress monitoring need less time than new patients, old animals or medical priorities.

The ability to communicate well with pet owners is a business skill that every vet should cultivate. Take the trouble to ensure that a pet owner receives information on matters relevant to the care of their pet. Being a veterinarian isn't just about selling animal health products or services; you also provide information is vital to the pet owners' peace of mind.

You can learn business skills for a profitable vet clinic as you go, but the learning curve can be steep. Thus, it is advisable to do as much research as you can on how to run a business before taking the plunge. Get some good small business marketing coaching from the experts and make sure you are in a good position to apply Veterinary Practice Marketing techniques to grow yourself a very profitable business. And as always in life, your determination and commitment to your goals play an important role to ensure the success of your own business!

If your Vet Clinic is not as profitable as you need it to be, then learn the basics of Veterinary Practice Marketing before your business suffers any more. You can get the free DVD showing you how you can Double, Triple and Quadruple the profitability of your Veterinary Business, prepared by a successful Vet and small business marketing coach who knows exactly what you need.

5 Services Veterinary Clinics Should Provide

Compared to private clinics and public hospitals, there aren't many veterinary clinics available for pets even though almost every other household in America has pets as part of their family. In light of this, it is very important to make sure that the veterinary clinic you take your pet to should be fully equipped to handle most if not all types of common pet related issues. Here we will focus on some of services clinics should provide to pets as well as pet owners in order to establish themselves as a good and efficient clinic.

1. Physical Exams at Veterinary Clinics

One of the most common ways of finding infections and disease symptoms is through physical examination by veterinarians. However in addition to visual inspection, certain tests must also be conducted in tandem. Veterinary clinics should be able to provide a complete set of tests necessary for in-depth physical examination for cats, dogs and various other types of pets.

2. Nutritional Counseling For Pet Owners

Pet owners are ultimately responsible for their pet's health and well being. In order for them to be good pet owners, they need to be fully aware of their pet's nutritional aspects. What is good for humans can be fatal for pets. A very common example of this kind of food is chocolate. Veterinary clinics should make a part of their calendar to provide adequate and informative nutritional counseling for various pets to pets owners.

3. Pet X-Rays

X-rays are critical in determining any severe fractures or bone damages. They can also detect early stages of swelling and bone marrow caused as a result of a broken bone. A broken bone if not diagnosed and left untreated can have severe consequences on a pet's life. clinics should be fully equipped to handle any pet emergencies and various types of pet injuries.

4. Proficient Medical Staff

Medical technology is useless without competent technicians who know how to work them and are familiar
with how to interpret their results and readings. Aside from good knowledge, they should also be well trained to handle pets and be able to demonstrate great patience. A pet owner has to feel completely safe and secure about handing over their pet to them. It is therefore imperative that clinics only employ qualified veterinarians, expert medical technicians and professional receptionists.

5. Pet Vaccinations

This goes without saying. Every veterinary clinic should have plenty of required and optional vaccines for both cats and dogs. Pets need different vaccines at different stages of their life throughout the year. Clinics should be fully functional to administer them at ease for all pets.

These are just a few things that vet clinics can focus on you implementing in their infrastructure. Make sure that the local veterinarian in your area provides the above mentioned services. A good vet clinic is one that accommodates all types of pets and is ready to deal with any and every pet emergency swiftly and promptly.

Veterinary Clinic

How To Choose a Vet

Your pet's veterinarian is second best friend, next to you, and an important partner in protecting their well being. This article will help you to

o Choose the perfect vet for you and your pet.

o Evaluate your current level of veterinarian care.

Evaluating veterinary services is an important part of every pet owner's role. Whether you are a brand new pet-parent or a seasoned owner, take the time to carefully evaluate your vet, both before making a selection and on an ongoing basis.

Remember, every pet is unique, every owner is unique, and every pet-owner relationship is special. It is important that you evaluate your vet on a pet-by-pet basis; a vet who was perfect for your previous pet, may not meet the needs for the current one. Similarly, owners of multiple pets may find that separate vets are in order to keep the entire brood healthy and happy.

Luckily, there are plenty of veterinary services to choose from; the right one for you is just waiting to be found. At the end of this article you will find a checklist for making your decision.

Qualities of Your Ideal Vet

The ideal vet for you and your pet is someone who will become your partner in caring for your little friend. Your vet should be friendly, compassionate, and caring. They should be confident in their treatment of your pet, willing to answer all of your questions, and exhibit a genuine love of animals.

Be sure to ask your vet about their education, their specializations, and whether they have any pets of their own.

Emergency Services

Emergency services are not offered by every vet and not necessarily a top priority for every pet owner, but when an emergency does occur it can be nice to see a familiar face. If your vet does not provide emergency services, ask about what you should do in the event of an emergency and how you can best prepare yourself and your pet.

1) Collect a List of Possibilities

o Ask friends for referrals. Be sure to ask what they like about their vet and what they wish they could change.

o Ask at your local pet store. Pet store owners and employees are an un-tapped resource, but they talk to pet owners all day and often have several of their own.

o Look through the phone book.

2) Make an Initial Call

o Did they answer the phone quickly?

o Were you placed on hold and, if so, were you attended to in a reasonable amount of time?

o Was the receptionist friendly and informative?

o What are their general rates for a check-up?

o How many vets are on staff? Will you be assigned to a specific one?

o Do they offer evening and weekend hours?

o Do they provide emergency services?

After this first call you should be able to narrow your list significantly.

3) Visit on Your Own

o Schedule a visit or drop by to see the office and meet the staff.

o Do you find the waiting area comfortable?

o Is the staff friendly and helpful?

o Does the overall image evoke your trust?

o Is the location accessible for you and your pet?

After this visit you should be able to narrow your list down to two or three clinics.

4) Visit with your pet

o How comfortable is your pet in the office?

o Are there many other animals in the waiting room?

o Do they have separate waiting rooms for cats, dogs, and small pets?

o Does the staff respond well to your pet, and does your pet respond well in return.

o Does the vet seem comfortable and confident handling your pet?

There are few animals that enjoy visiting the vet, so don't be too concerned if your pet doesn't appear to like any of the clinics on your list.

For the best advice on pet supplies and information, look to Pet Insurance Comparison at http://www.pet--insure.co.uk/index.htm to find out more information.

Use Good Veterinary Practice Marketing to Be Your Own Boss and Open Your Own Vet Clinic

Even while you were studying at veterinary school, you were formulating your master plan. Upon graduation, you would make your bones, no pun intended, while learning the ins and outs of the veterinary health industry. Next, you would strike out on your own with the nest egg you carefully built up and start your own veterinary practice.

You are feeling pretty proud of the business plan you drafted all by yourself. But, ask yourself this: when 9 out of 10 businesses fail within a few years, is that money and a good business plan actually enough to keep the vet clinic of your dreams open?

Good Veterinary Practice Marketing is key to being a profitable business as a veterinarian. Deciding you want to open your own clinic is one thing, but actually having a market for your service is another! The area or neighborhood in which you want to establish your vet clinic plays a big part in the success of your practice. Do many pet owners live there? Are there other vet clinics in the vicinity? What do you have to offer that makes your own clinic stand out from the others? It would be an exercise in futility to open an animal clinic where there is no demand for it.

It may an affront to your noble sentiments, but you need to think of your veterinary practice in terms of career, business and profits. A career brings in money while a hobby spends it. A clinic is a business, not welfare. If you want a profitable business career, it means that your efforts need to be profit-oriented. Profits ensure that your clinic will survive and thrive. Having a business plan is a good start and then get whatever training will help you to become a Master at good Veterinary Practice Marketing. Doing what you love can be used to your advantage if you get paid a commensurate amount for your skills and services.

You must always know the basic rules. There is much paperwork involved in starting up a vet clinic, which also depends on the location. It generally includes obtaining business permits or licenses from the state or city as well as the registration of the name of your business. You should also be aware of the county or town's legal requirements. To avoid any confusion, consult a local official.

Of course, there is more to starting up your own veterinary clinic that what you have read. Getting paid to do what you are good at is every person's dream job, but always be prepared for any speed bumps along the way.

BIO:

If your Vet Clinic is not as profitable as you need it to be, then learn the basics of Veterinary Practice Marketing before your business suffers any more. You can get the free DVD showing you how you can Double, Triple and Quadruple the profitability of your Veterinary Business, prepared by a successful Vet and small business marketing coach who knows exactly what you need.

Vet Prices - 14 Tips to Help You Reduce the Cost of a Vet Visit

Vets aren't cheap...in fact in a lot of cases they are more expensive than doctors. However, the are a necessary part of owning a pet. Listed below are 14 tips to help you reduce your vet care costs while still ensuring your vet is adequately looked after.

Tip 1: Look for affordable vet care: Don't limit yourself to private veterinary clinics; there are other options such as humane societies that offer vet treatments at a discount. DIY isn't advised. A three legged dog really isn't that much fun!

Tip 2: Vets with payment plans: If you don't have the cash up front there are some vets that offer payment plans. If the rates are still good and there is an interest free period then it is worth considering. Be careful however, as you may pay a premium for using a payment plan.

Tip 3: Don't buy pet food from your vet: It is generally overpriced. If you do prefer the top quality pet food, shop around for a wholesaler. Craps from the butcher are a good cheap alternative.

Tip 4: Get all of the proper vaccinations and treatments for your pet: While this costs you money up front, it is definitely less than curing a condition if your pet gets sick.

Tip 5: Go to a pet welfare agency etc for your pet vaccinations: Check out if there is a welfare agency in your local area that offers cheaper vaccinations. Their prices will be considerably cheaper than a normal veterinary clinic.

Tip 6: Treat your pet's ailments straight away: Fixing an initial problem straight away is generally cheaper than trying to fix the problem once the ailment has progressed.

Tip 7: The very cheapest vet isn't always the best: Just like with Doctor's, there are good and bad vets. Going to the cheapest one could cost you more money, or worse your pet, if they make a mistake. Costs are definitely a factor when choosing a vet, but also consider the quality of the vet as well. A full waiting-room is generally a good sign.

Tip 8: Consider vet schools: Taking your pet to schools where people are learning to become vets is a great way to save some money on vet fees. And don't worry all students are under the command of a fully qualified vet.

Tip 9: Don't rush into decisions: Don't feel pressured to agree to high priced treatments. Ask that you have a few days to think about it (this gives you time to research the issue and to see if other options are available). If they say no, then walk away and politely say you will be using the services of someone else. If they want a decision straight away it generally means they will be making a lot of money from the treatment.

Tip 10: Keep up to date with flea, tick and heartworm prevention: These proactive measures save you money in the long term.

Tip 11: Ask for generic prescriptions: As with prescriptions for humans, there are generic prescriptions for your pets. Ask for these and save yourself some money.

Tip 12: Urgent medication: If your pet needs medication urgently, use the vets one for the first three or four days and then order the rest online.

Tip 13: Not all vaccines are necessary: The number of vaccines depends on where your pet lives and the interaction they have with other animals. For example, things like "kennel cough" may not be required if your dog doesn't spend much time with other dogs.

Tip 14: Ask your vet how you can reduce costs: Always ask your vet what alternatives there are and if there is any way you can save money. If you don't ask you don't get!

Rusty is an affiliate marketer with eight years experience. His areas of expertise include SEO, articles, ezines, blogs and PPC. Rusty is particularly interested in the areas of goal setting, time management and financial and money management. Rusty is married with three young children, is an Australian national and currently lives as an expat in the Middle East. If you want to check out all his money saving tips visit http://www.1000moneysavingtips.com or http://www.1011moneysavingtipsebook.com.

Bait and Switch by Vets

From past experience we have had GREAT veterinary that always took care of our dogs. We have two golden retrievers who we take great pride in. Our vet's husband passed away so it was the wife and a couple other vets who would rotate in and out to help them with the process of selling the clinic.

We get a letter in the mail said that one of our dogs was due for a shot. I said ok that sounds good and we phoned the vet to see when we could get our dog in for the shot. They set a date with us and that day woke up and went into the vet's office to get the shot. I sent the wife to deal with it because I was currently working that day.

I got a phone call around 3pm at work and it was my wife. I asked what the matter was and she WAS PISSED! She told me that the vet has taken advantage of her and this one shot turned into a $400+ bill. I asked why the bill came out so high. This is where their bait and switch scheme comes in affect. If you do not know the definition of Bait and Switch here is it. An illegal sales tactic in which a consumer is lured by a low price only to be told that the "special offer" is no longer available and steered to a higher priced product.

What happened was that they sent the letter to have a shot done; when my wife went in she told my wife that the dogs needed, TWO BLOOD TESTS, TWO WORM TESTS, and some other odds and ends. My wife asked do they really need this and the vet responds with "YES, I strongly suggest you to!" My wife was a little hesitant by the Vets PUSHYNESS pretty much telling my wife if you do not get these other shots and tests you don't care about your dog.

So my wife said ok if you say so, usually before they sold the clinic they will discuss how much or around how much everything will cost. This lady didn't say a word about money so my wife thought it wouldn't go over 100 dollars. After all is said and done it came out to $400.00+ so what they did was Baited my wife in and switched everything on her. They had multiples of the same tests but different ways of doing it. Double charging for the same test.

Here is the run down if you think it is a bait and switch from a vet. If you get a letter in the mail that says you need to get a shot for your animal. Call for the animal to get taken in for the shot. Secondly, go to your clinic on the day of your appointment and MAKE SURE YOU TELL THEM WHAT YOU ARE THERE FOR AND ONLY FOR THAT REASON. If they keep telling you that you need this and that, either Walk out or be VERY stern and say "I AM ONLY HERE FOR THE SHOT NOTHING ELSE" if they keep trying to push other shots, meds on you, simply just walk out. Do not fall into a Bait and Switch from a Vet.

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Vet Websites

You should look into vet website to see if one can benefit your veterinarian practice. In the business world today every business really needs a website to thrive. Today there are more and more veterinarian websites online than ever. Veterinarians are waking up to realizing the potential that websites can afford them.

Innovative websites are providing important services for the clients of caring veterinarians. You can attract more clients to vet clinics when vet places are established online. Vet places can provide a fantastic avenue for advertising your services as well. These types of websites can let the people in your community know of your presence. When new people search for vet websites a list of vets will come up for them in their local community.

There is all kinds of information that can be shared on vet places. All of the critical information that new client would want to know about a vet clinic can be shared on websites. People who have all kinds of different pets can go to the vet places that are online now to learn all kinds of information about them. Certain vet websites will have detailed information about the day to day care for certain breeds of animals. People who love animals are happy to find vet places online that give detailed information on how to take better care of their animals. When websites are intelligently designed they will attract more clients for the veterinarian. Vet places that are interactive are the most popular ones on the Internet.

Vet websites are also a fantastic marketing tool. Veterinarians send out information about their current specials on vet website. New clients will be less hesitant to come into veterinary clinic when they see your vet websites online. A new patient can get a good feeling about what type of veterinarian clinic it is when they read what is on these websites online. Other kinds of pet care products can be offered for sale on vet places. A easy way to boost income revenue is to offer other pet care products on vet places. Making the website interactive so the customer can contact the veterinarian is also beneficial. It is a good business practice for the vet to be able to have easy communication between them and clients. A new client that can have instant communication with a veterinarian through a website is more likely to follow through and bring it in for pet care. The vet clinic clients can also they their payments with credit cards via veterinarian websites.

Arslan writes about vet websites.For more information on vet websites see http://vethubs.com/?p=Find_A_Vet

Vet Clinic - One Important Place for the Pets

A Vet clinic is the place where pets either go for general checkups or for the treatment of some grave ailment or after having met with some accident. There are some tips that you can keep in your mind before selecting and choosing a vet-clinic beforehand so that you can take your cat or dog or any other animal for occasional or regular checkups and in order to save the hustle if your pet has met with an accident or it needs urgent and special medical care.

Searching for the repute of a specific vet clinic

You are supposed to look for those vet clinics that tend to have a repute of their own. There will be many such in your locality and you might come across a problem as how to choose one. The first and the foremost step that you are to take, is to check the repute of that pet clinic. This you can know by getting in touch by certain pet breeders, other pet owners, pet service providers etc because these people come in contact with the clinics on the regular basis. You can ask their references and then, go and checkout on your own to have an idea about the suitability of that vet-clinic for your pet.

Visiting shortlisted vet clinics to make an idea

After you have short listed the clinics depending on their repute, the next step that you are to take is to pay a visit to those selected ones. It is very essential as it will help you out in knowing what kind of facilities, a specific clinic offers and how it gets to be different from the services being offered by so many other ones. You can also have an idea related to the facilities, environment and professionalism of that very place.

Knowing the veterinarian

The next step is to make sure that the veterinary doctor operating in that vet clinic is highly skilled, experienced and educated. It is very important to know because that counts as significant for the well being of the pets. It goes without saying that a veterinary is supposed to be very gentle and loving in order to share a bond with the animal, he or she is supposed to treat. After paying two to three visits to that vet clinic, you will also be able to know whether your pet goes well with that vet doctor or not. It will help you to either strengthen your decision or to make you to re decide it.

So, these are some tips that can be kept in mind while going to select a clinic for the pets as this place counts as very significant for them.

LEO'S PET CARE is a full-service veterinary medical facilities like vet clinic and animal hospital Indianapolis. LEO'S PET CARE seeks to provide the best possible medical care for their patients.

Veterinary Costs - Tips to Lower the Vet Bill For Your Dog Or Cat

Did you know the average American dog owner spent $785 last year on veterinary costs? Cat owners got off a little cheaper spending $516 according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.

Veterinary costs have skyrocketed in the recent past thanks in part to improvements technology that require expensive equipment that was not part of a vets resources as little as five years ago.

With all kinds of pressure on the family budget during these difficult economic times, money spent on your pet's health may become a real burden. You love your pet but the vet bill falls into one of those "do we really need it" categories. That means shots and exams may be missed.

It doesn't have to be that way.

If you really think about it, is there anything that you can't get for less if you really look?

Did you know you can probably reduce the cost of veterinary inoculations by nearly 50%?

Shots are probably the most common vet expense that you have. Typically an adult dog will need on average, $145 worth of inoculations each year. That doesn't mean that's what you have to pay for it if you shop around.

Remember the good old days when many vets had "shot clinics"? These were usually scheduled once per week on an evening or weekend day. Shots were half price. So what happened?

Many vets have stopped this practice but that doesn't mean all of them have. Call around to the vets in your neighborhood and see if they have discount shots. If the answer is no, find out what they do charge for inoculations.

Did you know if you don't mind driving a bit you could get all veterinary services at a lower cost? Vets typically set their prices according to the average household income of their service area which is typically no more than 5 miles from their office. For example a vet in Beverly Hills will charge much more than a vet in East Los Angeles.

If there is a neighborhood near you with a lower household income, call the vets in that area and see what they charge.

Another great resource for finding lower veterinarian costs is your local animal rescue organization. Often times they are already working with vets or a clinic that offer discount care.

Aside from shopping for services, there are a number of other things you can do to treat your pet at home if you know how. Take the time to research home remedies for your pet and save some more money without sacrificing your pet's health. You'll be glad you did and your pet will love you even more.

Did you know that not all pet ailments need to be treated by a vet? Do you know which ones can safely be treated at home? I have to admit I didn't and ended up spending a bundle on veterinary costs when I didn't have to. For the answer to these questions, plus a FREE Home Pet Care Mini Course visit http://homeremediesfordogs.info

Finding the Best Local Vet

When finding the best local vet for your pet, choose someone who makes you feel comfortable, who spends time to talk to you about your pet's needs, and who answers your questions completely. In the end, you are entrusting your pet to this professional and paying for the service that is why they should better be good.

Evaluate the cleanliness of the office, as well as the exam rooms, and the concern of the staff. If the staff is impatient with you, or does not want to respond to your questions, move on and keep searching.

Some owners prefer to go to vets who specialize in a particular animal, like for cats only or dogs only. Such veterinarian has plenty of experience with canine or feline health issues and knows the latest studies, procedures, and other cat- or dog-specific medical information. These veterinarians also keep the appropriately sized medical equipment and supplies on hand for cats or dogs, which makes the visit much less traumatic for your pet. In addition, there would not be any dogs barking in the office if you own a cat, or cats meowing if you have a dog. When you find a feline only or canine only veterinary clinic in your neighborhood, it is worth checking out to distinguish whether or not it meets with your approval.

Subsequent to finding the vet whom you like for your pet, keep his/her name, address, phone number, clinic schedule, and the directions to the clinic. If you or another family member needs to take your pet in for a checkup, all the information will be easy to get.

Find a local vet using our complete local vet directory. Visit LocalVet.Com today.

Outraged at the Size of Your Last Vet Bill?

Did you spend more on your last vet bill than you did on rent? Are you always worried that you are being over charged for unnecessary procedures at the vet clinic? If you are you are definitely not alone.

Each year veterinary costs rise at twice the rate that your salary does. So if you think vet bills are becoming more costly you are right. Fortunately there are things you can do to get the power back. After all it is your money and you should have the power to choose how you spend it.

Before any procedures are done at the vet clinic make sure you always receive an estimate of the charges. More vets these days are providing estimates, but if you are not offered one, please ask for it, it is your right.

Starting with the estimate you can haggle with the vet about what is truly necessary. Ask them to explain each procedure on the estimate and what benefits it will have for your pet.

If money is an issue tell them to only do what is absolutely necessary. We love our pets, but most of the time they can get by with the basics.

There are lots of other simple techniques that can be used to prevent sticker shock at the vet clinic. If you are struggling to pay your vet bills it does not have to be that way. With just a little more knowledge you can get the care your pet needs at a price that will not leave you floored.

Outraged at the size of your last vet bill? Don't let it happen again. Visit: My Vet Bills.

Help with vet bills and learning how to prevent large vet bills is available.

Dog Vet Visit Tips

Vet visits do not have to be a traumatic and stressful one for your beloved pet. No matter how healthy and clean your dog is, the day will come when it will have to see a vet. Your dog must be vaccinated against rabies and other K-9 diseases by law. Only a licensed vetenarian is legally authorized to administer these and the certificates. No doubt there will be other times when your dog becomes ill and a visit to your local vet will be required.

Think about how much you like going to a doctor. The fact is, most people do not like this visit. By the same token, it only makes sense that dogs do not like going to the vet. When you add the fact this poor animal has to put their trust in a total stranger whom they cannot communicate with, it can be even more stressful. A vet visit can be very traumatic for your dog, but it doesn't have to be. There are several things that you can do to relieve your precious pet of this trauma.

First off, dog owners can start off right by bringing their dog into the vet office just to for friendly vet visits. The vet's receptionists should then have an opportunity to visit with your dog and this should be followed by the owner rewarding them for good behavior. Dog owners should also perform mock exams at home with their dog by checking ears, toes, tails, teeth, and touching their dog with a metal object, similar to the ones used at the vet clinic. Another tip is to enroll your puppy in dog kindergarten or basic training class. This is an excellent way for owners to get help with various technique as well as give their dogs the much needed practice of being around other people and pets before their visit to the vet. It's important that dogs learn that "Good things Happen" when people do certain things to me by giving them rewards which are associated with the various aspects of an exam.

The next thing you should do before scheduling vet visits is getting recommendations from others. Your friends and neighbors surely will have pets and will recommend a good vet. Often times the veterinarian itself can make the difference in a pleasant visit for your pet or one that results in a complete disaster.

Once you have located a vet you like make it a point to stay with that particular one. Dogs can easily develop relationships with people and this is something you want to have happen with the vet. If they are comfortable the vet, then their visit will be less stressful each time they go. If you have an emergency if may not be possible to go to your regular vet, but try as much as possible as it will be less confusing for your dog. Sometimes vet visits are a result of an emergency and this isn't possible, but try to stick to one vet. In these cases, ask if you can stay with your pet as it will be less confusing. Having you there with them can make all the difference in the world. Most vets will gladly allow this unless the treatment involves surgery.

Dogs must also learn to relax while being lifted onto the vets examination table. You can help this process by practicing at home, lifting your pet up on the counter. Once at the vet's office, stay positive and try to keep it fun for the dog by using treats and toys. You might want to practice the exam while your waiting for the vet to call your dog in. Using tricks can also help to reduce stress for everyone involved, including the vet staff. If you have to restrain your dog, remember that the least amount of restraint reduces the amount of stress for the dog. A dog that is confident, comfortable and relaxed will result in a more thorough exam for the pet. As the owner you need to understand that it is your responsibility to make sure your dog behaves while being examined.

Vet visits for dogs can be very stressful for both the owner and the pet. However, by using some common sense as well as the tips mentioned above, these visits for your dog can become less scary. In addition, the visit will become less traumatic for you, your dog, and your vet.

For more information about dogs visit our comprehensive website at "All About Dogs" or better yet... check out our ebooks "Dog Owner's Guide" and "Pamper Your Dog"

Veterinarians' Favorite Picks For Vet PACS

Busy veterinary offices and hospitals rely on multi-functional Vet PACS to help them get the most out of their Vet Digital X-ray systems. With an excellent PACS, the veterinary office has a quick and easy way to not only view and store digital medical images in dicom format, but they also can distribute those digital images over the Internet, saving money and time as well as enhancing their office workflow and productivity.

When it comes to Vet PACS, there are several top manufacturers that offer superior PACS systems. Candelis and Viztek are two trusted names in medical digital technology, and both offer outstanding PACS systems. Candelis offers a PACS that gives fast access to digital dicom images and is simple to use. Rule-based routing makes it possible to automatically send patient digital images to consulting physicians on the local or wide area network, or on a VPN or SSL.

Viztek makes available a web-based PACS system that functions as a diagnostic viewer and provides doctors with integrated reporting with dictation and transcription, on-call digital image delivery to workstations located on- or off-site, and allows a platform for the web, PACS and RIS to work together seamlessly. Storage of digital medical images is also made easy with both systems. Dicom images may be saved to CD or DVD, or sent to a database on- or off-site, to offer you the flexibility you need for performing the necessary work at your veterinary clinic or hospital.

Your PACS hardware and software will work in conjunction with your Vet X-ray system. Digital image capture systems include Vet CR and Vet DR units. Both CR and DR images can be used in mobile digital imaging situations that commonly occur with veterinary practices. Several systems are available that are lightweight and easily transportable so that you can get the images you need of your patients without the hassle of bringing the animals in to your home clinic. With wireless Internet and a laptop computer, you can have a workstation in your mobile unit that will allow you to view the digital images and send then online to your home office for further evaluation and storage.

Although PACS systems were once costly, with today's new computer technologies the prices for PACS have come down, so much so that now smaller veterinary offices can afford the power and efficiency that comes through using the most modern medical digital tools available.

Wayne Hemrick is a consultant in the medical technology industry. Wayne writes about trends in Vet CR & Vet X-ray.

Is Your Vet Cat-Friendly?

You just had a lovely breakfast served by your devoted  human.  You've settled in for your morning nap in the fist sunny spot of the day, and are dreaming of chasing mice and being revered as a Goddess by all humans.  Life is good.  Suddenly, your favorite human wakes you up out of your deep sleep, and gives you a hug.  Okay, not something you really need to have right now, but you love your human, so you tolerate it.  But wait - what is happening?  All of a sudden, your formerly loving human turns on you!  You're shoved into a small container, you're bounced around, and next thing you know, you're in a loud, rumbling very small room that actually moves!

You know immediately where this is headed.  Yup - it's your bi-annual visit to the vet's office.

For most cats, going to the vet's is stressful, and for some cats, it's so upsetting that they turn into snarling, hissing, scratching, biting little or not so little terrors.  Going to a veterinary clinic where the doctors and staff understand cats can go a long way towards making the experience less stressful.  What should you look for to determine whether a veterinary clinic is feline-friendly?

Ideally, look for a feline-only practice.  You will find more and more of these practices in large, metropolitan areas, and even in some smaller, rural areas.  If this is not an option where you are, look for the following:


Does the practice have separate cat and dog waiting areas?  Most cats, especially cats who don't live with dogs, hate the noise and smell of dogs and do much better if they dont' have to deal with a dog's face in front of their carrier while waiting for the dreaded exam.
Does the practice have cat themed decorations as well as dog themed ones?  This can be an indicator of which species a practice prefers to deal with.
Does the clinic have separate exam rooms for cats?  Since most cats don't like to smell dogs, this can help keep cats calmer.
Do the doctor and the veterinary staff speak calmly and move slowly when introducing themselves to you and your cat?
Do the doctor and staff take their time with your cat?  Your cat has just been through the stress of a car ride and possibly a short wait in a crowded waiting room.  Having a doctor or staff member come at him with a thermometer, stethoscope and needles without first giving the cat a little time to get used to the environment will not make the exam go smoothly.  Veterinary staff who know and like cats know this and will act accordingly.
Do the doctor and staff acknowledge your cat's anxiety, or do they make disparaging remarks?
While cats need to be handled different than dogs, restraining a fractious cats with unnecessary roughness is never okay. 

These are just some of the things to look for when you're choosing a vet for your cat.  Be your cat's advocate, and don't be afraid to ask questions and speak up if you don't like how your cat is being handled.

Ingrid King is the author of "Buckley's Story - Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher." She is a former veterinary hospital manager turned writer, and publisher of the E-zine "News for You and Your Pet," covering topics ranging from conscious living to holistic and alternative health. She shares her experiences with consciously creating a joyful, happy and healthy life for pets and people on her popular blog, The Conscious Cat. For more information about Ingrid, visit http://www.consciouscat.net

Finding the Best Vet for Your Beloved Pets

One of our most precious treasures is our health. It is a very essential part of life and we do many things in order to maintain it and keep ourselves healthy. From our diets to our exercise routines we do a lot of things in order to stay in shape and keep ourselves in top health condition. When it comes to our pets, the same thing is applicable. The fact of the matter is that our pets need great care and close attention when it comes to meeting their many needs. As owners who have adopted them into our homes, it is very important for us to provide them with their basic needs and other living requirements. And when it comes to health, having a vet is one of the most important considerations.

Of course you want only the best for your furry little buddies. It is only proper for you to find the best veterinarian available for them as well. But how will you be able to determine exactly who is the best vet for you and your pet? There are many things to consider when it comes to that vet of yours who will be doing everything possible to take care of your pet. Here are the main factors that you have to look out for:

The first thing you need to look out for is the reputation of the vet. You want a vet who is dedicated and has a reputable character. You will be able to find this vet through the referrals and recommendations of people you know. You will want to start with recommendations from friends and family whom you can trust. It is very important for you to be able to trust your vet since they will be taking care of the health of your beloved pet!

Another thing you need to think about is the location of the vet's clinic. It is most advisable to find a clinic which is near your place. This is because you need one in which you can reach quickly and easily. Find a vet with a properly equipped clinic near your house or work place. The office must be readily accessible for appointments and emergencies. This is very important since you will never know when you will need to run for your vet's help.

Consider these factors carefully. You will then be on your way to finding the best veterinarian for your beloved pet!

Beaverton Pet Clinic is the place to bring your dogs or cats when you are in need of a vet. They also offer pet boarding, show standard grooming services, convenient on-line pharmacy, and pet adoption program. Check out http://www.murrayhillvethospital.com/ for more info.

Vets Now Required For Veterinary Locum Jobs and Permanent Vet Vacancies in the UK

Did you know that the UK has the fastest growing veterinary industry sector in Europe?

Not surprisingly the UK has is a constant demand for Veterinary Surgeons and Veterinary Nurses alike.

Who can get a veterinary practicing licence in the UK?

The governing body (Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons) conducts Licensing and registrations in London. They are currently registering all Veterinarians from the EU member states and veterinarians who have qualified from Universities in the United States as well as graduates of Commonwealth countries (Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa)

So why should you consider a career as a veterinary surgeon in the UK?

It is a rewarding career!

If you want to practice veterinary medicine to its highest standards, consider coming to the UK. There are general vet clinics, specialist emergency centres as well as specialist day-care clinics all over the country! It would be the perfect career choice for you to gain professional experience by working alongside a board registered specialist

Veterinary Professionals are looked after by practices in the UK!

Veterinary Employees in the UK are among the best paid veterinary professionals in the world. The payment package frequently includes CPD (Continuous Practical Devolvement) courses with an accommodation and car allowance.

Yes, it is easy step to become a senior partner or practice principle!

You too can reap the rewards of your professional expertise and hard work by becoming a senior partner in a well established veterinary clinic. Alternately, you can buy an existing business, go into a profit share partnership of a franchise or set up your own veterinary clinic from scratch.

For more information, or to find the best vet job vacancies for veterinary surgeons visit Alpha Impact

Learn How to Become a Vet Assistant - Start a Career Caring For Animals

Are you passionate about animal rights and welfare? Then you are probably wondering how to become a vet assistant. You can be a veterinary assistant by gaining on-the-job experience in an animal health clinic or animal welfare center. You can also earn a certificate by taking formal vet assistant training course. With a certificate, you can start your career on a higher salary level.

There are lots of opportunities waiting for you if you become a veterinary assistant. This career does not require a college degree. It is also not a requirement to take advanced college-level veterinary training to start working as a vet assistant. All you need to do is to finish a short vet assistant training course so you can jump start your career in this field.

Job Responsibilities of Vet Assistant

You need to have a thorough understanding of this career. You must learn the job responsibilities and career profile of a veterinary assistant.

As an assistant, you are expected to aid the veterinarian in the daily operation of the animal clinic or center. You will be responsible in getting the records of the clients. Basically, you will act as a receptionist or secretary especially if you are working in a small clinic. You will take the weight and temperature of patients and keep their charts updated. You are also responsible for giving the correct records to the vet.

If you have advanced veterinary assistant training, you must be prepared to aid the vet during actual treatment of patients. In some cases, especially if you have college-level veterinary training, you may be required to assist the vet during clinical operations.

As an assistant to the vet, you are expected to do clerical tasks. You will file records, keep charts, and perform other duties that will be assigned to you. You have a lot of work to do. If you want to make significant strides in this kind of work, a formal vet assistant training certificate will greatly help you.

How to Become a Vet Assistant: Recommended Steps

You can easily land a job as a vet assistant if you finished high school. Even if a diploma is not required, some clinics will only hire those with direct experience in formal animal care. You may want to consider getting some experience as a volunteer in an animal welfare center. The experience that you can gain from the animal welfare center can help you land a job as a vet assistant.

But if you want a faster route to success, it is recommended to take formal veterinary training and courses. You can take online lessons and get a certificate as a vet technician or vet assistant. This certificate will certainly boost your career in this field.

It is not really difficult to become an assistant to the vet. But you need to remember that this job is not for the weak of heart. You need to display real passion for animal welfare so you can do your job properly.

It is very important to choose the best vet tech training You can learn more by visiting vet-tech-training.com

Opening a Vet Clinic Needs a Business Plan and a Veterinary Practice Marketing Plan

You went to vet school because you love animals. You learnt the ropes working in a vet clinic after your graduation. What's next but to open up your own vet clinic, right? You've found a good location, a potential crew and even designed your new business card. But wait, there's that sticky issue of money; the bank wants to see your business plan. What are they talking about?

If you want to start up a vet clinic of your own, you will need more than an avid love for animal welfare and excellent bedside manner for your grand plan to get off the ground. Though it may seem ridiculously troublesome to draft at first, you should never underestimate the value of a good business plan and a strong Veterinary Practice Marketing to own a profitable vet clinic. You can protest all you want, but a vet clinic is a business, not a charity, and any investor would want to know why they should give you their money.

The primary purpose of any business plan is to help you and your partners or investors determine if your idea is commercially viable, that is, whether it will be sustainable and profitable. In writing a business plan to own a profitable vet clinic, you will also find that it brings your ideas and any data together in a more structured format. Avoid the temptation to scribble on a napkin from a diner. Writing a proper plan allows you to clarify why you want to open a vet clinic, both to yourself and your investors.

With this structured information, it is possible to predict possible disadvantageous scenarios or pitfalls that may threaten your venture and draw up appropriate countermeasures. A business plan also allows you to map out a Veterinary Practice Marketing strategy (via market analysis) and set business and financial targets, which you can monitor from time to time, to ensure your clinic is profitable.

When it comes to writing a plan, you can both do it yourself from scratch with the aid of templates and guides available online. You can also get help from your local Small Business Association or hire a business plan writer, or get help from a small business marketing coach. Whichever method you choose, you need to have a business plan that establishes your purpose, goals and targets for opening a vet clinic if you want it to be profitable in the years to come.

Setting up your own establishment is never easy, but there's no need to make it more difficult for yourself by not having a good business plan.

If your Vet Clinic is not as profitable as you need it to be, then learn the basics of Veterinary Practice Marketing before your business suffers any more. You can get the free DVD showing you how you can Double, Triple and Quadruple the profitability of your Veterinary Business, prepared by a successful Vet and small business marketing coach who knows exactly what you need.

Veterinary Training - An Important Step to Become a Vet Doc

Veterinary training is a very important step if you want to become a specialized veterinarian. There can be two very obvious reasons to join a field as career; passion for that subject and the demand for that career. Veterinary training and medicine is definitely more suitable for those who have an extra dose of interest in knowing about animal medications and their cures and secondly, it is gaining importance as a very welcomed career opportunity all around the world.

Veterinary training can help you in becoming a veterinary technician and scientist. The number of such people is increasing on very high rates who, not only take pride in owning a pet but do provide them with the basic necessities as well. For the pet owners, general health well being, treatment of certain mild and acute illnesses and diseases and the treatment of emergency injuries of their animals count very significant. This is one reason, the demand of specialized veterinaries is increasing a lot. And with this demand, an urge to join this profession is getting higher as well. Veterinary training is an important feature of this profession.

Veterinary training is being offered by different veterinary schools and institutions. The degree program is offered if you want to become a specialized animal physician. Along with the theoretic education, veterinary training is also offered by these institutions. It can either be in form of certain courses or in form of specific degree courses. Along with learning the animal behavior, psychology and their habits, the diagnosis of different diseases and the treatment of different types of injuries that can include surgical procedures as well are being taught to the students of veterinary medicine. Those who want to become veterinary technicians, for them vet. training is very essential.

There are many veterinaries who are operating their specific clinics. One way to get yourself trained in this line is through hooking up with one such animal physician. In that clinic, you will be able to display your skills and knowledge that you have gained from a vet school. By gaining veterinary training n this manner, you will be able to practice more of your learned concepts and besides this; you will learn many new things as well. But there is one thing that should be kept in mind that your aptitude and passion counts a lot if you want to excel in this field. And, by gaining veterinary training, you will be able to demonstrate your passion towards your aptitude.

LEO'S PET CARE is a full-service veterinary medical facilities like vet clinic and animal hospital Indianapolis. LEO'S PET CARE seeks to provide the best possible medical care for their patients.

Choosing the Right Vet For Your Dog

One of the first things you need to do when you get a dog or puppy is to choose a vet. Your dog will need shots and boosters from time to time, as well as care from the vet on occasion. There are several factors that can help choosing a vet for your dog easier for you.

Look for recommendations

One of the best aspects about joining a breed club is that you get to know others who also have the same breed and who can recommend a vet that they like for their dog. Just as is the case with doctors for people, it is best to get a recommendation from someone who has been to the vet and is pleased with the way that they treated their dog. If at all possible, look for several recommendations when it comes to those who treat your dog.

Look for specialties

Most vets will usually take care of all pets, including cats and birds as well as dog. It is important that your vet know all about the breed of dog that you have and what type of problems are inherent to the breed. You can find out about how much your vet knows about the breed by asking him or her. They should have experience not only as a vet, but also in the care and treatment of hunting dogs.

Look for proximity

It is important that the vet be close to your home as you do not want to have to drive for miles to get your dog to the vet in case of emergency. Many emergency clinics are opening up across the country for 24 hour animal care. These clinics should be used in case of an emergency as the vets know the common emergencies with pets and how to treat them. Look for vets that are close to home and also locate any emergency clinics that you can use in case an emergency rises when you cannot get to your vet.

Look for flexibility

A vet should have a love for animals and be flexible in their scheduling. If you have an emergency that comes up, the vet should not put you off because they have to adhere to a strict schedule. People doctors count on one or two emergencies arising during the day and will often see patients who come in on an emergency basis. You should look for a vet that is flexible when it comes to dealing with emergency situations and will be able to squeeze you into the schedule.

Of course, experience in the field of veterinary medicine counts most of all. Vets who have been practicing for a long time have seen all types of cases and are usually the best choice when it comes to choosing a vet for your dog.

Do not feel that you are pressured to find the vet the first time. Check out the demeanor of the doctor, the staff and be sure to find a vet who you trust with your canine friend.

Geoffrey A. English is the Founder of GundogsOnline.com, the internet's premiere online magazine dedicated to hunting dogs. Their site has a wide variety of dog supplies that you might be looking for such as an Innotek collar or shooting glasses.

Tips on Choosing a Vet

Your vet is an important partner in caring for your pets. Regular visits to the vet for checkups allow both you and your vet to spot any problems before they become serious. Sometimes, small changes that you have not notice but are serious can be very obvious to the vet. By spotting these small changes early, these changes can be eradicated before the problems become too serious to solve.

Therefore, it's important to select a vet that you and your pet are absolutely comfortable with and always go to the same vet if possible. Below are some pointers that you can use in selecting your vet.

Recommendation from fellow pet owners

Ask a pet owning friend or neighbor for recommendations is a good way to start looking for a reliable vet. Another alternative is to ask for recommendation from your local pet shop.

Proximity of your vet

Distance from your place to your vet is important here. Most family pets tend to get distressed when they travel too far and the journey is too long. In case of an emergency, a longer distance is a serious drawback. If you do not drive, make sure your vet is accessible by public transport.

Operation hours

Select a vet that opens his clinic at least one evening per week or on Saturdays if you work during the day.

Specialist clinic

In looking for a veterinary hospital, choose one that has a particular pet only clinic like dog-only clinic or cat-only clinic. Reason for doing so is to ensure your pet will not be distress or upset by the presence of other species of pets in the reception areas.

Talk to the staff

Arrange a visit and meet up with the staff there to find out whether they are helpful and friendly. Another thing to take note is their competency level in dealing with pets. One way to find out is to ask them a few basic questions. As for the vet, make sure you and your pet are comfortable with him or her.

View the facilities

Arrange a meeting to view the facilities that the center have. Larger centers are more likely to provide more specialist services such as behavior therapy, cardiology, dentistry, dermatology, internal medicine, neurology than smaller ones.

When taking your pet to the vet, carry your pet in a carrier or escape proof box with visibility. You must be prepared and able to reply to questions pose by the vet in regards to your pet's general health and problems. If possible, bring along your pet past medical records or other relevant documentation. Collect any sample that the vet requests in a clean sealed container.

Do not ask anyone to bring your pet to the vet in your stead. As the pet owner, you are the only one that know the most about your pet's symptoms. Unless it's an emergency, please do not call your vet at night or over the weekend.

Your vet is an expert who should love animals and want to help. Building a three-way relationship is the key to providing the best care for your pet.

Get this free e-course on how to take care and look after your cat by clicking here

Vet Clinics Looking Hard at Physical Rehabilitation Specialty

Animal physical rehabilitation is one of the fastest growing areas within veterinary medicine. Many Veterinary Clinics throughout the country are taking a look at this fascinating way to more quickly relieve pet pain and promote wellness. Critically injured pets are not the only animals helped by physical rehabilitation. It actually helps many pets with a multitude of different conditions lead more comfortable lives.

Among the benefits that physical rehabilitation for veterinary clinic pets provides are:

- Post-operative recovery, especially orthopedic and neurological cases

- Lessening general neurological conditions

- Reducing osteoarthritis pain

- Providing general pain management

- Treating sports injuries

- Providing conditioning

- Assisting with weight management

- Calming of boarding pets with basic massage techniques

- Hastening recovery from a fracture or a ruptured cranial ligament

- Treating hip dysplasia

Various types of equipment and techniques are used, dependent on the condition or complaint being addressed. Some of these are:

- Land treadmill

- Underwater treadmill

- Heated therapy pool with resistance pads

- Acupuncture

- Exercise room with rubberized core floor

- Therapeutic modalities: low level laser, therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, shockwave therapy, and hyperbaric oxygen therapy

- Therapeutic exercise equipment: balance board, agility walker, and physioballs

In addition to the sometimes, elaborate equipment and methods above, a set of well-trained hands can work wonders. Special massage increases blood flow and helps resolve muscle tension. Rebuilding of muscle mass and core strength can be accomplished with targeted therapeutic exercises. Increased flexibility can be achieved with passive range of motion exercises. Proper application of cold and heat pads can provide relief from muscle spasms and tension, and pet discomfort following surgery.

The cost of animal physical rehabilitation varies with the condition being treated and the severity of that condition. This cost, however, is not exactly the amount of the invoice. Doses of pain or anti-inflammatory medication can usually be reduced, lessening the overall cost. Additionally, your veterinarian may be able to train you to conduct some of the rehabilitation at home.

The amount of time required to help the pet feel better varies, and that again is a function of the condition and severity of the condition being treated. Just like humans overdoing it following trauma, it is easy for pet owner to let a pet do too much too soon. A dog that needs eight weeks of post-operative rehabilitation usually feels better within three weeks, but caution is required. Full recuperation will not be achieved until much later and the surgery area could be damaged by too much activity before complete healing. Well-spent money on physical rehabilitation could easily be wasted by excessive strain and possibly making the surgery unsuccessful.

Animal physical rehabilitation is the next step in pet wellness. Following the models of human health care, this should not be a surprise. More and more Vet Clinics are investigating becoming more involved in this growing and evolving field. Watch local press releases and newspapers to find out when a neighborhood veterinarian becomes certified in canine rehabilitation.

Your Mount Pleasant Vet Clinic can provide you more information. Dr. Marian Shuler Holladay at Shuler Veterinary Clinic [http://shulervetclinic.com/staff/svc-staff] has recently been Certified in Canine Rehabilitation.

What to Consider When Choosing a Vet

The more bells & whistles a business has to offer; the more they need to charge to cover costs of doing business. Typically city vets are more expensive than country vets because they usually pay more for floor space and taxes. What kinds of services do they offer? Who is on staff? What hours are they open? What equipment (x-ray, in house lab) do they own? Each of these services raises their costs. Why pay for services you do not need?

Routine procedures are vaccinations, heartworm prescriptions, deworming medication and vet checks. Use the specialized vets for issues that can not be solved by the routine clinic. Clinics are usually less expensive than hospitals or urgent care. Clinics are not open as many hours, own less equipment, offer fewer services and have a smaller staff. Emergency care (24 hour emergency service), U of M Veterinary School or a vet who has special skill (eye surgery) are specialized services. Specialized veterinary businesses need to charge you more if you choose to use them for routine procedures to cover their costs.

Start by calling the vet businesses you are considering to utilize and find out the costs. Prices will vary and so will the requirements. Some vets may require a stool sample each time the patient visits and therefore each visit will cost you more. Location, hours of operation, expertise and equipment are all factors that decide the cost charged to you. Consider the convenience of the vet located down the block and the amount they charge for their services.

I like to use the following example to show the differences between vets; if I wanted to get a flu shot for myself, I would go to Cub Foods not to the emergency room. The reason is simple, it's less expensive. I do not need all the other services the emergency room offers. I just simply want a vaccination that can be given by a nurse.

I utilize four different types of vet businesses. I save money by using the services I require. The first vet I use does not perform surgery, is open regular business hours, Monday through Saturday. Their overhead is lower since they are a country vet and therefore are the best buy for vaccinations, heartworm, flea/tick repellents and routine vet checks. Plus they use common sense and do not rely on tests, labs or equipment to decide how to resolve an issue since they do not have the equipment or labs in house.

The second vet I use is for routine surgery; spaying and neutering. They operate during regular business hours and only offer the routine services and routine surgeries. The third vet is open 24 hours, has all the x-ray and other equipment at their business plus have the specialized vets available to call for advice or service.

My fourth choice is the U of M animal hospital, it's what the Mayo clinic is for humans, and it has staff and equipment to solve problems that the other vets do not have. Each added feature to the vet services or equipment increases their cost. They need to cover their costs and charge you for their services.

Vets are trained similar to Western medical doctors and are usually not schooled in nutrition or natural remedies. Vets are primarily trained to prescribe drugs and utilize surgery to resolve the animal's issue. U of M vet graduates have less than 8 hours of formal training in animal diet and most of the information comes from the animal food manufacturers.

Many vets recommend dog food from the companies who fund the U of M veterinary animal nutrition classes. If you learn to read the ingredients of the brands you choose to feed your dog you would probably choose not to feed what the vets have been taught is a good adequate diet for your pet. I don't want the typical American diet for my pet, Cancer and other health issues occur before their life expectancy should end. A healthy diet means less sickness, less pain and less cost to you.

Prevention & wellness is not typically in vets formal training; Nor is using natural methods to solve health issues. There is becoming a trend toward holistic healing, and more vets are taking the time to learn how to prevent and correct health issues before using drugs or surgery. These vets understand the diet correlation to health. The drugs typically given do not usually resolve the root problem.

If a bone is broken surgery is needed, then use supplements to help speed the healing process. The grate/crate method is just like changing diapers, I can use my sight and sense of smell to know when something is wrong with my dog. It allows me to take preventive action before it becomes necessary to use drugs and surgery. Use common sense.

Ardy Livermore is a Minnesota breeder of bichons, shih tzus and poodles (toy, tiny and teacup). She uses the healthier method of the grate/crate kenneling instead of the traditional kenneling. With the grate there is no need to use puppy pads or newspapers. View video on the advantages of using grate/crate method at http://www.ardyweb.com.

Ardy teaches the alpha method of dog training and shows you how to have a well behaved dog. Ardy shows you how to keep your pet healthy as naturally as possible. Ardy's website has videos to show you easy methods to care for you pooch. Ardy has written several articles to help you know what to look for when purchasing a dog and they are posted on her website.

Ardy is the author of Ardy's Professional Tips for Companion Dogs. The eBook shows you how to detect and avoid health issues. Her eBook is full of great information and designed to save time, effort and money. You can sign up for FREE TIPS to learn more about the secrets of training and health care for your canine. The eBook can be brought at her website.

To view more articles written by Ardy Livermore:

Veterinary Clinic Logo Design - Ideas for Veterinarian Logos

If you are going into business as a veterinarian and looking at opening your first clinic then a logo design should be high on your list of priorities.

A logo is important for a veterinary clinic as it gives it an identity that separates it from all the other vets operating in the same market area. A professional veterinary logo also helps to develop a brand for a clinic over the years as the goodwill that it builds up in the community increases.

Let's take a look at how typical veterinary clinic logos are made up and some of the common images that are used on them. This will hopefully give you some ideas and inspiration for communicating with your designer when the time comes.

Conveying the Right Image

A logo can be used to encourage people to respond favorably to your signage and advertising. However, to be successful in this respect it must be professional looking and it must send out the right message. It is important that you project an image that shows the value that your business places on the health and wellbeing of animals and their care and treatment.

Your logo may even help to clarify exactly what veterinary niche you are in if you are specializing. And if you target a certain type of client then your logo may be especially designed to reach out to this specific group of people.

Common Images on Veterinary Clinic Logos

While it is perfectly acceptable to have a basic text logo highlighting only the business name, many vets go for logo designs that also feature an image or symbol relating to animals. The main purpose here is to grab the viewers attention and help them to quickly identify the logo in question as one belonging to a veterinarian.

Veterinarians do have their own symbol which is known as the veterinarian's caduceus. This symbol is commonly used in veterinary school logos and is also adopted by a small percentage of vets as a part of their logo designs as well. While this does add a nice professional touch most of your customers will not recognize this symbol for what it is anyway so it is questionable whether it is worth including.

In some parts of the world a green cross symbol can be used to identify a veterinary clinic. Some vets even incorporate a red cross into their logo design as well although this does seem a little misleading.

More likely, veterinarians will go for logos featuring relevant animals in some way. These can be done in an animated style giving the appearance of a clinic mascot. They can also be done in a more abstract way by using shapes or silhouettes of animals. A paw print is another popular image.

Also common on veterinary business logos is the symbol of a heart, perhaps to represent the strong bonds that animals and people have. The heart can be a symbol of health as well as love.

Color Choice

Veterinarian logos can be colorful and fun depending on how you want to market the business. Vet logos typically use more conservative colors in comparison to pet stores and other pet related businesses. Darker colors like navy blue and black can give a more serious and reliable impression.

Font Style

There are many different kinds of font or lettering styles that can be used as part of a logo design. The style of font used can also help to enhance the overall message of the logo. Your designer should be able to show you a variety of concepts with a number of different fonts.

Getting a Professional Design

As a vet, your design skills are probably not up to a standard high enough to consider doing your own logo. With a logo being of such great importance you really have to outsource this critical task to the professionals. Using clip art or cheap templates that are sold over and over again to businesses won't cut it. By taking this approach you will end up with something unoriginal that may even get you into legal trouble at some point in the future.

Luckily there are a number a logo design firms operating online that can create some unique concepts for you that have been created and customized with your business needs in mind. With a custom logo you get a considerable amount of input into the design process at the beginning and along the way.

To ensure that your designer understands the kind of brand that you want to develop you should give them as much information about your clinic as possible. Let them know exactly what kind of services you offer and who your target market is. You can even refer them to some other vet logo designs that you like and they may be able to incorporate some elements of these designs into your logo.

To find out how you can choose the best logo company to develop some veterinary logos for you to choose from visit -

Logo-Reviews.com

How to Find the Perfect Veterinary Clinic For Your Cherished Pet

Finding the right veterinary clinic for your pet is often a difficult task, as medical practices of any kind are very specialized and require a great deal of knowledge to understand them. Because the information regarding pet medicine can often be difficult to grasp, it is important to know what to look for when choosing your veterinary clinic. Someone may tell you, "Oh, Dr. So-and-so's clinic is just down the road from you," regardless of whether they know anything about the quality of care at that clinic. People who do not own pets might look at a dog or a cat and merely think: animal.

Pet owners, however, realize that their animals are not just arbitrary creatures, but lovable, living beings with personalities of their own. Pets are like family to their owners, and most pet owners agree that caring for the health of their special critters is just as important and responsible as caring for themselves. When searching for the vet who will best serve your pets' medical needs, there are a few easy to spot characteristics of a clinic that will let you know if a certain clinic is the right one for you. Most importantly, consider the services offered by the clinic, the apparent quality of the clinic facilities, and all of the staff members at the clinic, not just the veterinarians.

When you visit a new clinic it is important to inquire about the services offered and also the costs of those services, as some clinics can be more expensive than others. While most veterinary clinics offer the breadth of basic medical services, some may not be equipped to best help your pet in times of medical emergency. A good veterinarian will be forthcoming about the capabilities of his staff and facilities and should be able to refer you to specialized experts in various fields of animal medicine if your pet has certain needs that the clinic cannot accommodate. The health of your pet must always come before gaining more business, and any good and honest veterinarian will do the best to ensure your pet receives the care it needs, even if it means referring you elsewhere.

Be sure to examine the facilities of a new clinic; you should be able to tell at a glance if something seems inappropriate. Look for cleanliness in the reception area and examination rooms. If possible, ask for a brief tour of the clinic-a good vet will have nothing to hide. Even if the quality of various sorts of medical equipment and supplies one might encounter is difficult to determine without a background in animal medicine, one can generally tell how well a clinic operates based on whether everything seems well organized and clean or scattered and messy. Quality facilities are an absolute necessity in allowing for great medical care for your pet.

A veterinary clinic's staff consists of many more members than just the doctors. There are receptionists, veterinary assistants, veterinary technicians, and sometimes kennel staff members, as well. Since the vets are not the only people who you and your pets will be in contact with, it's important to also observe the other staff members' associations with you and your pets. Does the staff seem happy and friendly? Do they communicate well with you and do their best to give you and your pet the best service?

Ultimately, however, it is your interaction with the veterinarian that is most important. It's safe to say that most vets love animals and want nothing more than to do their best to make sure your pets are healthy and taken good care of, but just because vets are great with animals does not mean they are great with other people. Does the vet seem to be in a hurry when dealing with you? Is enough time taken to make sure the vet understands what your concerns are about your pet and that you completely understand any diagnosis or treatment that may be given to your pet? Is the vet personable and friendly with you and do you feel comfortable entrusting this person with your pet's care? If the answer is "no" to any of these questions, you may want to look elsewhere.

Caring for your dogs and cats, or more exotic pets, is no small matter. You must ensure that the needs of your pets and your needs as the owner will be met with quality and consistency. Hopefully, your veterinary experiences will be routine, but you never know when you will be faced with a pet emergency, and good pet owners must be aware of whose hands they're placing the lives of their pets into and know that they can trust them each and every time.

Jon M. knows what it is like to be looking for a local veterinary clinic and wanting to not only find a quality veterinarian, but one that had good bed side manner as well. While every city is different, after searching around I was able to find a great Veterinarian in Fort Smith Arkansas named Doctor Butler at Rye Hill Veterinary Clinic. As with all Veterinarians you are trying to choose from, ones with a truly outgoing personality and a great compassion for the animals that they treat should be one of the most important deciding factors in finding the perfect veterinarian for your pet.

For Your Puppy's Health Don't Just Choose Any Vet For Dogs

Part of being a responsible puppy owner is bringing your puppy to a veterinarian for regular check-ups. But don't just pick any vet for dogs out of the yellow pages or the internet. You must ensure that the pet doctor you choose is someone you can trust. After all, he will be in charge of your furry little puppy's medical needs.

Finding a dog vet

If you don't have a vet in mind, here are some ideas on how to find a vet:

1. Ask the breeder or ask relatives, friends, and neighbors who are longtime pet owners for recommendations. The best source of information would be someone who knows the veterinarian for a number of years.

2. Call your local Humane Society for a list of their preferred or affiliated veterinarians.

3. Check with your local Chamber of Commerce for a list of available veterinarians near you.

4. Search for veterinary clinics in your area through the internet. Check for reviews.

Guidelines in choosing a vet or clinic for your puppy

You and your vet should work as a team in making sure your puppy grows up healthy. Your vet should share your same level of concern and care for your puppy. Once you have a vet in mind, here are some guidelines in determining whether to engage his services for your puppy:

1. Find out if the veterinarian is affiliated with the local humane society and is a member of a professional organization.

2. Visit the veterinary clinic and request for a tour of the facilities. Ask yourself the following questions:

Is the vibe of the clinic happy, relaxed and dog friendly?

Is the place clean, dry, comfortable and odor free?

Is the staff friendly and ready to answer any of your questions? Do you see more than one staff? Ask how many vets are on-duty at one time.

Do they handle all types of dogs? Some vets may be uncomfortable with larger, more 'aggressive' breeds.

3. Observe how the vet and the staff interact with the pets and their owners. They should take a keen interest on both the animal and the owner. Do they ask the right questions and answer in terms that you can relate to?

4. Ask what services they offer apart from check-ups and vaccinations. Some pet doctors specialize in certain surgeries and other medical conditions.

5. Check if the clinic has laboratory, x-ray and dental facilities. Not all veterinary clinics offer this service.

6. Find out their clinic hours. Medical emergencies can happy anytime of the day or week. Knowing that the animal clinic is open 24/7 will surely give you peace of mind. If the facility is not open 24 hours, find out if the doctor is on-call for emergencies.

7. Ask what the rates are for check-ups, vaccinations and other procedures. Find out if they have payment plans as well. It is no use going to a medical clinic that you cannot afford.

8. Ask to speak to the vet. A good vet is someone who is willing to explain what treatments and procedures they provide. By having a one-on-one conversation with the doctor, you will already be able to gauge how concerned he or she is by the answers and by the questions he asks you. Is he easy to talk to? Does she make you feel comfortable? Do you feel that he or she is truly interested in you and your pet?

Choosing a vet for your new puppy is like choosing a doctor for you or a family member. You would always want the best medical professional whose fees are within your budget. The vet will handle all the health needs of your puppy. He is also the person to go to for any medical emergencies concerning your new pal. As such, your choice of vet for dogs can determine whether your puppy's health and medical needs will be properly addressed.

Look for a pet doctor who will treat you and your pup as individuals and not simply part of their pool of customers. He or she does not have to be Dr. Doolittle, but should treat your pet the way she would treat his own.

Bob Leland is a puppy training expert. For more great tips on choosing a vet for dogs, and easy methods of puppy training visit http://www.lovingtouchpuppytraining.com.

Vet PACS For the Fully Functional Veterinary Clinic

Both large and small-animal veterinary practices add additional value to the services they provide by offering mobile veterinary units in vans or trucks. Sometimes this is the only way to see your animal patients, but it can be challenging because you essentially need to bring all of the basics that would be provided at your office on the road with you. This also includes Veterinary x-ray equipment. Many vets choose to use Veterinary digital x-ray solutions to meet this challenge. These can be sized to fit in a vehicle, and will provide you the information your need to offer excellent patient care even away from your main office.

Veterinarians can choose from Veterinary CR or Veterinary DR systems. These are digital imaging systems, both of which can be used in a mobile environment. Both CR and DR imagers will take digital x-rays that will be converted to the dicom format used for medical digital images. Both types of image capture systems are available in mobile models that can be easily rolled about on hand carts with wheels, so that you can move the equipment into place around your patient. Mobile systems are also lightweight, making them more convenient to move and load into your vehicle. Systems will take on a compact form for ease of getting the equipment into your mobile unit as well. CR systems have the advantage of being the most cost-effective digital imaging solution currently available, and they have the added advantage of offering you the flexibility to retrofit existing film imaging systems so that they can also take digital images. DR imaging systems offer the highest resolution imagers on the medical market today.

For even more versatility while out on the road, you can also use a mobile Veterinary digital x-ray system in conjunction with a Vet CR software and hardware unit running on a laptop computer. The PACS system will then allow you to view the digital medical images you take out in the field, giving you speedy results and diagnoses. Digital images in dicom format may then also be sent via a wireless Internet connection back to your main office for further study and storage. PACS systems can be used on workstations to enhance the digital images through the contrast, brightness, zoom and crop features built in.

When working in a mobile environment, a veterinarian might never know exactly what types of services he or she will need to be able to offer on a moment's notice, but with a digital x-ray unit on board you will have a major system in place for gaining valuable patient information.

Jonathon Blocker writes about--Vet PACS