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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