To solve the vet care shortages, we need to do better by credentialed veterinary technician professionals.
Over the past years, we’ve all heard stories of owners and rescues struggling to get care for their sick pet pigs in the midst of a nationwide shortage. There have been copious technicians (depending on the state, are known as certified veterinary technicians, registered veterinary technicians or licensed veterinary technicians) and decades of high turnover in the profession that have contributed to the current crisis in veterinary medicine.
The attrition rate for veterinary technicians is five years. In fact, CVT have the highest turnover rate of all medical professionals.
The typical credentialed technician has graduated from a two or four year accredited program, passed a national exam and maintains continuing education requirements throughout their career.
Here are some ways CVT’s can help expand clinic capacity:
- CVT appointments: visits for uncomplicated rechecks, suture removal, vaccines, behavior or nutrition consults, bandage changes and other follow-up care can be managed by trained CVT’s
- Diagnostics and procedures: CVT’s are trained to perform lab work and diagnostic checks, making vet care more accessible to pig owners who live in remote rural areas.
- CVT’s can help develop and implement “standing orders” (the written instructions on how to manage cases) and supervise / train staff. CVT’s can develop training plans and provide one-on-one mentorship for new technicians and assistance.
- Managing controlled substances: CVT can order controlled drugs under the Drug Enforcement Administration license of a veterinarian and manage inventory, drug logs and the security of controlled substances.
The vet field grapples with critical shortages of veterinarians. One way to increase the capacity for large animal miniature pig care, is to focus on jobs only veterinarians can do – making diagnosis, performing surgeries, prescribing medications, and fully using the skills of CVT’s. This would free up the time for veterinarians to see more cases, increase practice efficiency and decrease costs, resulting in more miniature pigs who receive care.
CVT’s can provide support, help advise clients on when to seek immediate care and update veterinarians on how treatment plans are progressing.
The bottom line- we can work toward a goal to relieve the veterinary shortage problem by utilizing CVT’s to help pet pigs in rural areas.
For information on colleges to become vet tech please visit:
https://www.vettechcolleges.com/blog/large-animal-vet-tech-schools
https://www.vettechcolleges.com/veterinary-technicians/large-animal-equine-vet-tech
List of States with mobile certified veterinary technicians that sees potbellied pigs and miniature pigs. Many are located in rural areas
Alabama
Name: Mobile Veterinary Services
City: Eutaw, AL Large animal
Phone: (205) 390-3423
Arizona
Name: AZ Mobile Veterinary Practice
City: throughout AZ.
Phone: (480) 707-2214
Arkansas
Name: Tri-County Veterinary Hospital
City: Clarksville & Arkansas River Valley area Service Calls
Phone: (479) 754-9090
California
Name: Tri-County Veterinary Hospital Mobile services
City: Gilroy
Phone: (408) 848-8886
Colorado
Name: Homeward Bound Veterinary Animal Hospital Mobile Services
City: Arvada
Phone: (303) 981- 4663
Connecticut
Name: Tri-State Veterinary Services, LLC https://tristatevetservices.com
City: Litchfield
Phone: (860) 459-0986
Technician visits require prior approval from Dr. Lisa (860)459-0986
50% off services –vet techs are available to provide the following service: vaccinations, hoof trims, blood draws for repeat bloodwork
Florida
Name: Tri-County Veterinary Service
City: Elkton
Phone: (904) 692-4200
Iowa
Name: Tri-County Veterinary Service
City: Lenox
Phone: (641) 333-4433
Kansas
Name: Tri-County Veterinary Service
City: Herington
Phone: (785) 258-2755
Maine
Name: Tri-State Veterinary Services, LLC
City:
Phone: (860) 459-0986
https://tristatevetservices.com
Technician visits require prior approval from Dr. Lisa (860) 459-0986
50% off services- vet techs are available to provide the following service: vaccinations, hoof trims, blood draws for repeat bloodwork
New York
Name: Tri-State Veterinary Services, LLC https://tristatevetservices.com
City: Port Jervis
Phone: (860) 459-0986
Technician visits require prior approval from Dr. Lisa (860) 459-0986
50% off services- vet techs are available to provide the following service: vaccinations, hoof trims, blood draws for repeat bloodwork
North Georgia
Name: Claws & Paws Mobile Veterinary Service
City: Dalton
Phone: (423) 779-7467
Illinois
Name: Tri-County Veterinary Services
Cities: Earlville, Sandwich, & Somonade areas
Phone: (815) 246-9545
Indiana
Name: Tri – County Veterinary Service
City: Lenox
Phone: (641) 333-4433
Minnesota
Name: Tri-County Veterinary Service
City: Taunton
Phone: (507) 872-6113
North Carolina
Name: Tri-County Veterinary Service
City: Apex
Phone: (336)376-6838
Ohio
Name: Tri-County Animal Clinic
City: West Salem (419) 853-4835
City: Sidney (937) 492-6536
Oklahoma
Name: Tri-County Veterinary Service
City: Cleo Springs
Phone: (580) 438-2233
Pennsylvania
Tri-County Veterinary Service
City: Loysville
Phone: (717) 789-3121
Tennessee
Name: Claws & Paws Mobile Veterinary Service
City: Chattanooga
Phone: 423)779-7467
Texas
Name: Tri-County Veterinary Service
City: Anna
Phone: (972) 924-3622
Utah
Tri- County Veterinary Service
Bicknell
Phone: (435) 425-3487
West Virginia
Name: Tri-County Veterinary Service
City: Peterstown
Phone: Large animal (304) 646-4542