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June 16, 2011
A Client Asks:
On your website, some of your Technician Staff members are listed as "LVT" (or studying to become a Licensed Veterinary Technician), and some do not show this credential. What is the difference between these two types of staff member, and how might that affect the care my pet receives?
Our Response:
There are some variances in the roles of licensed versus non-licensed technicians/assistants, but both are valuable members of our health care team. However, while both types of technicians may have the same stellar quality work experiences, the LVT has a certificate (i.e.--Associate of Applied Science degree) from a post-high school program of study, including biology, pharmacology, surgical assistance, anesthesia, radiology, and more. Law and standards of practice dictate some of the tasks that a non-licensed technician or assistant can and cannot do.
You may never actually notice the distinction between a technician/assistant and an LVT in your office call experiences. However, "behind the scenes" in a veterinary office, these team members' responsibilities can vary greatly. For example, any tech or assistant is able to aid the veterinarian during your pet's exam: holding your pet during certain procedures, swabbing ears to check for infection, collecting a urine sample, etc. Yet the veterinarian may ask a licensed tech to administer a vaccine while she might ask an assistant to hold the pet so that she can give the vaccine herself. Also, she may need to prescribe a medication for your pet that is considered a controlled substance, meaning that its distribution is monitored by the Drug Enforcement Agency, such as certain seizure or pain medications. Once the doctor requests that her staff fill this prescription, a licensed tech would have access to the substance, not an assistant, and this LVT must record and sign off on the medication dispensation.
We pride ourselves in the knowledge, continuing education experience, and skills that all of our technicians and assistants bring to our practice. We strive to work as a solid medical team, and we hope that this shows in the quality of care that each of us provides to your pets!
July 18, 2011
A Client Asks:
I would like to set up some summer boarding for my dog. What will his daily routine be like? What should we expect while he is there?
Our Response:
First off, you can expect that your pet will be well-loved and cared for while you are away! We strive to give boarding pets a “vacation experience” as their families are enjoying their own trips!
The basic daily routine includes feeding on your schedule, just as you do at home. We have Hills® Maintenance Diet, but you are welcome to bring your pet’s own food if you choose. Dogs will go outside to potty and play at least three times per day, with activities and lengths of time varying depending on the weather. (By the way, cats may have time to stretch and explore our “Cat/Quiet Room” or just snuggle with a staff member when their kennels may require cleaning or freshening up). They’ll have access to fresh water and soft bedding the entire time that they are in their kennels.
But those are just the basics! Under the supervision of our veterinary staff, we can provide medications and specialized care when necessary. This also means that our veterinary staff is close at hand should any medical issues or emergencies arise. If your dog needs routine veterinary services or grooming during his stay, we can schedule those as well. Grooming (or bathing/brushing with our kennel staff) generally occurs toward the end of a boarding stay so that we can send your pet home as fresh and clean as possible! You might even sign up your dog for one-on-one training sessions with our Kennel Manager! Please feel free to ask our staff about scheduling (or an estimate for) any of these services when you make your pet’s boarding reservation.
In addition, over the summer, weather permitting, we have a swimming pool for cooling off and exercising. If your dog has been part of a daycare playgroup before, he’ll still get to join in with that group while he is boarding. We also have a supply of toys to keep our boarders occupied and entertained. Our three different enclosed “yards” mean that we’ve got plenty of space for all of these activities. We even have some agility equipment in our side fenced-in “paddock” for energetic dogs who could use a bit of challenging fun.
You can read more about our Boarding Facility and our Veterinary Care Protocols here on our website. We also encourage you to give us a call if you have any further questions; we’d be happy to set up a time for you to tour our facility and speak to our staff as well. We can be reached at (703) 723-1017. We can’t wait to help you plan your pet’s summer vacation!
August 11, 2011
A Client Asks:
Earlier this summer, I saw on your website and Facebook page links to news stories about a pet who died as a result of being left in a hot car. I know that it’s both cruel and illegal to leave a pet in a car on a hot summer day. But what do I do if I happen to see a pet locked in a car?
Our Response:
You are right to be concerned about pet summer safety. All too often, pet owners make the decision to “just run in” to the store, leaving a pet locked in a vehicle. No matter how quick you think your errand will be, it’s never a good idea to make a pet try to cope with extreme heat that way. We all know how miserably hot a car can get sitting under the summer sun; in fact, even in mild weather, sunshine can heat a car’s interior up to several degrees beyond outside air temperature. (By the way, it’s not a good idea to leave a pet in a car during the winter, when freezing temperatures create the other end of the extreme).
Specifically, you can view the Loudoun County law regarding “Confinement of Animals in Vehicles” via the Loudoun County Animal Services website (www.loudoun.gov/animals; click on the “Animal Laws” link). Essentially, the law states that in 70-degree or above weather, it is a misdemeanor to leave a pet in a vehicle in the absence of proper air conditioning. An Animal Control Officer can use necessary means to remove a pet who “appears to be suffering from heat stress” and place it under veterinary care—at the pet owner’s expense. Additionally, if the person directly responsible for leaving the animal in the vehicle cannot be immediately found, the owner of the vehicle may then be held responsible.
What this means is that, if you are ever concerned about a pet you see in a locked vehicle, it’s best to err on the side of caution and contact the local Animal Control or Animal Services department. In Loudoun County, Eastern Loudoun Animal Services may be reached at (703) 777-0406, and Western Loudoun Animal Services may be reached at (540) 882-3211.
Being over-heated is just plain uncomfortable, and heat-related illness can be dangerous and fatal. If you cannot leave your pet in an air-conditioned home while you must run errands, consider options such as boarding or daycare so that you know your pet will stay both comfy and safe during these “dog days” of summer.
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