dogs and cats

The New Holistic Way for Dogs and Cats by Paul McCutcheon

Is stress causing your dog or cat to be sick? Dr. McCutcheon believes that emotional and environmental disorder can present serious but unspecific symptoms that can be problematic for both the pet and its owner. There is a direct correlation between the mental and physical well-being in humans. So, too for pets. The New Holistic Way for Dogs and Cats is a comprehensive and helpful guide for keeping your pet healthier by reducing its stress level.

Have you noticed that when you are sick your pet tries to comfort you? The authors explain that the empathy our pet feels for us when we are down is the very same thing that can make it sick. Our stress triggers an emotional reaction in our pets, the underlying cause for many of their physical ailments.

Although working with a trusted veterinarian is essential to your pet's care, the buck does not stop there. "Because you are the person closest to your dog or cat, you are in the best position to influence her well-being." These forward-thinking authors include detailed information for doing just that.

Many people readily embrace holistic medicine for themselves. The New Holistic Way for Dogs and Cats praises acupuncture, herbal remedies, chiropractic and bio energy as effective tools for keeping what the authors call "the living terrain" (the body) healthy. However, they emphasize that marrying healing medically sound modalities with managing stress is the key to a new, more effective state of wellness for your pet. Mainstream medicine uses terms like "fighting disease." The new holistic approach talks of "encouraging healing."

The book is chock full of case studies and practical suggestions. Exercise your pet but take into account its breed and age. Go green with your household products to prevent exposure to harsh chemicals. Don't expose your dog or cat to second-hand smoke. Feed your animal fresh, unprocessed foods. Most of all make sure your pet lives in an environment of joy.

Paul McCutcheon, DVM, is the founder of Toronto's East York Animal Clinic, serving 5,000 patients, and a former director of the American Holistic Veterinary Medical Association. He hosted the popular Canadian television series "Perfect Pet People" and has written extensively about his approach to healing. Co-author, Susan Weinstein, combines her writing skill with a deep understanding of the contexts in which humans and their pets live together.

Topics covered include:

• An Integrated approach to Pet Care
• Stress: the Key to Animal Wellness
• Tuning into Your Pet's Needs
• Preventing Stress in Daily Life
• Learn the Early Signs - Then Trust Your Instincts
• Working with Your Vet
• Choosing Therapies to Restore Wellness
• Understanding Your Pet's Last Transition

Impressive endnotes indicate the extensive research and veterinary experience poured into this book. The Appendix contains a stress-buster diet for dogs and cats, bibliography and a listing of veterinary holistic health care associations in the United States.

The book is a comprehensive look at health care for pets, full of helpful advice for finding the right vet for you. Your dog or cat will be happy you read it.

Article originally published by Holly Weiss on http://www.blogcritics.org.

Holly Weiss is the author of a historical fiction novel, Crestmont, writer and reviewer of newly-released books. http://www.hollyweiss.com.

Free reprint of article if entire bio is intact.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Holly_Weiss

Bactrian camels

Jerking frantically, our jeep climbed up a dirt-road that snaked across an alpine slope covered with sparse vegetation. We were on a quest to understand the conservation issues related to the Bactrian camel in the Nubra valley of Ladakh. Soon the Khardung La, the highest motorable pass in the world, came into view. Prayer flags, hallmark of a high pass in this part of the world, fluttered incessantly on a spur.

Once at the top, we staggered around taking pictures of signboards with 'World's Highest Motorable Road (18, 380 ft)' emblazoned on them. The height soon affected us, and we quickly squeezed into the jeep and continued. After a relatively smooth drive on a macadamized road we reached at Khardung village. The bright green agricultural fields around the village were in stark contrast to the dark brown slopes surrounding them.

Hundreds of nature lovers visit Nubra valley every year. It is popularly known as the Valley of Flowers, and is located at about 100 km north of Leh, the capital city of Ladakh and the erstwhile Indian gateway to central Asia. The landscape is adorned with wild flowers, sand dunes, jagged mountains and sea-buckthorn thickets that teem with birds and mammals.

Sumur village was our first stop, and we stayed at the Stakrey Guest House with a beautiful garden in full bloom. Apart from delightful flowers, the owner had grown vegetables such as potatoes, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, tomatoes, etc. Next day we ventured into a side-valley to look for wildlife, but after plodding for a while the trail faded into a vertical cliff, and we needed to retrace our path.

The afternoon was spent in the Tirit village, learning about the history of camel in Nubra. "Camels in the valley are the descendents of a group of about 15 individuals bequeathed by the central Asian traders" said Wangdus Norbu. The Kalon families of Tirit and Sumur, who ran a caravanserai during the heyday of trade on the Silk Route, were the first to raise camels as draught animals. But as the road infrastructure in the valley improved, thanks to the Indian Army, they were abandoned.

"The trade on the Silk Route was made possible only by these hardy animals" added Mr. Norbu. Bactrian camels can live several days without water, a feature well recognized by the central Asian traders. "An adult camel can carry three times more load than that carried by a horse" remarked another villager. The most important commodities the Yarkandi traders brought included silk, bullion, pearl and Persian rugs, which they bartered in Leh for spices and clothes from the plains of India. The trade ended in the late 1960s following the Sino-Indian war.

After a pleasant stay at Sumur, we continued our journey up the valley and found a small oasis for camping. We pitched tents amongst Hippophae bushes, laden heavily with luscious berries. An effort was made to spot camels before having a dinner of Spaghetti.

A golden light had bathed the surrounding peaks, when a roaring helicopter woke me up the next day. One more machine flew across before I got up. Perhaps they were carrying fresh supplies to the frontier post at the Siachen glacier, the biggest outside the polar region and the highest battleground in the world. After morning ablutions we headed toward Panamik village, a much coveted destination in the valley because of its hot springs. People from all over Ladakh come here to take a shower, as they believe that the sulphur water is a panacea for all diseases.

After a few days at Panamik, we went to Diskit, the headquarters of Nubra. On arrival we explored the small market with shops selling trinkets. We were told that camels are found in the scrub forest below the village, so Mark and I ventured into it. After a great deal of searching, we saw a pair of camels feeding on leaves of stunted willow trees. Soon they joined a group of thirty animals. It was a grand sighting indeed; our efforts finally paid off.

Although the domesticated Bactrian camels are abundant in central Asia, the wild form is one of the most endangered mammals on the planet with less than 1000 individuals surviving. They are distributed in the Gobi desert of Mongolia, and Xinjiang and Gansu provinces of China. Despite concerted conservation efforts, its population continues to dwindle due to competition with livestock and poaching.

The feral camels in Nubra has long remained isolated from the larger population in the aforementioned central Asian countries, and perhaps represent a genetically distinct population. Thus they need immediate attention from conservationists, as they are in conflict with the people. "They enter the fenced orchards and destroy trees" said Abdul Razaq, a villager of Hundar. "People throw axe in retaliation and the animals succumb to the injuries" he added while sipping a traditional Ladakhi tea.

Furthermore, some agitated villagers drown the foals by driving them into the high currents of the Shayok river. "People urged the district administration to appoint temporary guards to prevent the animals from entering private properties, but to no avail" said another villager. The situation is worsening with the soaring needs and aspirations of the people.

Fortunately, the opening of the valley to tourists a decade ago gave new economic opportunities. Camel Safari is a recent initiative and is increasingly becoming popular in the area. Young entrepreneurs are fascinated by this new prospect, and are increasingly taming the feral camels. However, since the animals have been left untended for a long time, it is often difficult to recognize them in the wild. This sometimes leads to scuffle amongst the alleged owners.

One day, we joined a group of tourists riding camels on the sand dunes near Hundar. As I sat astride and rocked on a camel trudging across the sand dunes, the guide told me about this newfound business. Although Camel Safari enhances the income of the locals, the animals seemed stressed and emaciated. The ones we rode were certainly weaker than those we had seen earlier in the thicket. But perhaps enhancing the economic value is the only way to conserve them in the long run.

"People also take a few camels to Leh every year to participate in the week-long Ladakh Festival in September, and earn some additional income" snapped the guide. With this increasing business prospect, the people of Nubra are becoming possessive about their camels. According Abdul Razaq, people were up in arms when four Bactrian camels were taken for breeding in Pushkar, Rajasthan, home to the Dromedary in India. They contend that if tourists see the Bactrian in Rajasthan, they (tourists) will not make an effort to come to a remote place like Nubra to see them. "Fortunately, the animals did not survive in Rajasthan due to the intense heat and were brought back" informed a villager.

We set out on the last leg of our journey to Hundar, where we camped at Nyerchung Resort located in a gorgeous orchard in the middle of the village. We pitched our tents below an apple tree that shed its fruits day and night. After a couple of memorable days at Hundar, we bid adieu to Nubra and drove back with the fond memories of Bactrian camels, hoping that they survive the negative impacts of modern development and continue to be the cynosure of the valley for centuries to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tsewang_Namgail

Pet rats

Anyone looking for a new pet wants a pet that is clean, socialized and well trained. Most people don't know that these are all qualities of pet rats!

There are many misconceptions about rats. People think that rats are unclean and carry disease. In fact, rats are quite clean and groom themselves several times a day. These aren't sewer rats we're talking about. These pet rats, or fancy rats as they're called, have been domesticated and bred in captivity for at least 150 years. Pet rats are quite tame after living with humans for so many generations and you'll find that they are nothing like their stereotypes.

Rats are very intelligent animals. Some consider rats to have intelligence close or equal to that of dogs. Rats are capable of learning to come when their names are called. They can even be litter trained just as easily as training a cat.

If you have any experience with other rodents such as hamsters, mice or gerbils you may be afraid of biting. Although biting is common with other rodents, it is almost unheard of with domesticated rats. Unlike their rodent cousins, rats are generally docile creatures. Most of the time rats just like to lay around, especially males. Rats can easily be trained to be good lap or shoulder pets.

In the wild, rats live together in colonies and have a complex social structure. These social instincts carry over to pet rats. Pet rats tend to develop strong bonds with humans and with their cage mates. So much so that it is common for rats to become very depressed when a cage mate passes away.

There are many apartments that won't allow dogs or cats, and it may simply not be practical to have larger pets in some houses. In those situations a pet rat is the perfect solution. Cages for pet rats usually don't consume much room at all, usually just a two foot by two foot space, which makes pet rats great for small apartments.

Rats are friendly and intelligent animals and make great first pets for children. Being clean and easy to care for makes them great companions for the elderly. Go out and get your pet rat today!

Scott McHenry and his wife have had a large number of pets of many different species. They have several years experience with rats and together run [http://www.ratanswers.com] a rat informational web site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_McHenry

Rat as a pet

Rates are clean, affectionate and intelligent animals. The rat usually kept as a pet is the Norwegian Rat, Rattus norvegicus, not the Black Rat, Rasttus rattus. The average lifespan of a rat is 3 years.

Food

Rats are omnivores; they eat both animal and vegetable foods. Most Human type foods are suitable, but give mainly vegetable type foods and reserve meat for an occasional treat. Most people use a seed based mixture as a basis of the diet, but it should be supplemented with generous amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables as well as fresh green food.

Things to Avoid

Some things are poisonous or undesirable foods for rats. Avoid giving your pet rat:

Alcoholic beverages
Anything known to be poisonous to Humans
Avocados
Bulbs and the leaves of plants grown from bulbs
Chocolate
Green Bananas
Green Potatoes
Liquorice
Onions
Potato Leaves
Raw Dry Beans or Peanuts
Raw Red Cabbage and Brussel Sprouts
Raw Sweet Potato
Rhubarb and especially rhubarb leaves
Seaweed
Tomato Leaves

The same care needs to be taken over the storage of your rat's foods as you should take over your own food.

Companions

Rats are social animals, and it is kinder to keep more than one, especially if you cannot be with your rat most of the time. It you have rats of both sexes, you can reasonable expect babies fairly soon. The females tend to be more active while the males are often more cuddly.

Buying your Rat

Unless you are already an expert on keeping rats, the ideal person to buy from is a serious rat breeder. If you buy from a pet shop, make sure that the person who serves you is knowledgeable about rats.

Housing

I suggest a minimum length for the cage of 24 inches (60 cm) and a width of at least 12 inches (30 cm). In addition, it is better if you can let the rat out of the cage and play with it. Many rat owners train their pet to sit on their shoulder.

Biting

Mostly rats do not bite. If they do it may be from fright, or because they are not used to their owner. In some cases, a male rat becomes aggressive as it becomes sexually mature. If the rat is showing excessive aggression, you may have to consider castration. If you do get your rat castrated, make sure the vet is familiar with the castration of rats.

If you are bitten by a rat, get advice from your doctor. Your doctor may recommend a tetanus injection.

Cleaning

Rats keep themselves clean, but it is necessary to clean their cage frequently.

Although rats only live for about four years on average, our Rat, Tiffany, lived for over four years. To read about her life and afterlife, see: http://www.bettatrading.com.au/Tiffany-Rat.php.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Challis

Online Veterinary Practice

Veterinary software today comes in many flavors and sold on many platforms and technologies. Though Windows-based solutions are the most common there are a number of other other software solutions. There a number of downsides to non-hosted software that is not web-based. The world of computers is rapidly evolving and software systems that are closed and tied to a single platform are becoming increasingly obsolete when stacked against online veterinary software solution.The most common vet software program is a windows-based solution that either resides on a single machine or is networked and resides on both a PC and a server. The PC will host the software and the server will host the database.

The first biggest disadvantage becomes immediately apparent: the hardware requirement. Veterinary software vendors typically require the veterinarian to purchase and maintain expensive hardware. The networked server costs at least $2000 and almost as much to maintain on a yearly basis. The PCs that host the system might be cheaper, but by no means are they cheap to maintain, patch and upgrade to the latest software standards. Before purchasing any solution from a software vendor it is important that vet clinics research and understand what and how much hardware is required to operate the software.

A second, even more pressing concern that can't be expressed in dollars, is security. On-premise systems that reside on users machines or a practice's database server are typically woefully insecure. Software vendors will promise "automated backups" and "password protected" logins but typically these vendors are small or medium size businesses with little understand of the more sophisticated security vulnerabilities. Automated backups do not protect against the loss or theft of a machine nor from a hard drive crash. Password-protected logins do not protect from weak password policies or brute force password hackers. A veterinary software systems security will only be as powerful as the people coding the software and typically vet software vendors do not having the man power and expertise to make their systems very sophisticated.

The last and probably most pressing disadvantage of most of today's software offerings is the lack of portability. We live in the age of iPads and Blackberries, where data is expected to be always on the go like the rest of us. These software systems were never designed or programmed to work on many different platforms, let alone the software be accessed from somewhere outside the office. As long as the solution is secure, there is simply no concrete disadvantage to having a solution that works inside and outside the clinic than having one that works strictly in the clinic. Software today is meant to move and vets shouldn't have to settle for less. Online veterinary practice management software has none of these distinct disadvantages. If you choose the right provider, the software system will sit on one of the major "cloud infrastructures" that guarantees 99.99% uptime and enterprise-level security. The advantage of cloud hosted solutions are many:

1. No hardware requirement: you can use the existing machines in your office or even your home. And not be tied down to a single software platform like Windows.
2. Enterprise-grade security: A few online software vendors will offer their applications on existing, ultra-secure cloud infrastructures that are used by banks and other industries where security and privacy are paramount. Veterinary software shouldn't suffer from poor security simply because the vet market may be smaller than the bank industry.
3. Portability: When software is hosted on the web it means that any web-enabled device can access it, anytime and anywhere: at work, home, at a cafe, a bookstore or on vacation.

A powerful veterinary software solution I recommend is called VetBlue http://www.eveterinarysoftware.com and has all the advantages of online software we discussed in this article and suffers from none of the setbacks of on-premise, windows-based solutions since it is hosted and available 24/7 from any web enabled PC, Mac or smartphone.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Redding

Embryo Transfer

Embryo transfer is the advance technique in animal breeding whereby a sexually mature female referred as donor is injected with exogenous hormone to produce more ova which is fertilized inside her by natural or artificial service are removed evaluated and transferred into the reproductive tract of surrogate mother where it is develop naturally into mature calf.

The history of embryo transfer is not too much longer. First embryo is transferred experimentally in 1949. The first embryo calf is produced in 1951 in England. Commercially embryo transfer technology is not used until 1970. In 1970's calf is produced industrially through the application of embryo transfer. And European dual purposes breed of cattle became popular with in short period of time. Day by day ET technology developed through different technique include artificial insemination, surgical recovery of embryo, rapid development of superovulation technique etc. After 1977 the embryo transfer technique became popular all over the world.

Embryo transfer is based on the development of genetic makeup of the progeny by insertion of either frozen semen or semen from genetically valuable bull into the donor which is also genetically superior. Then after fertilization embryo is transferred into surrogate mother which gives only physical support to the embryo.

Embryo transfer technique is involved many steps. Those are given below

1. Selection of donor.

2. Selection of recipient.

3. Management of donor and recipient.

4. Superovulation and synchronization of estrous.

5. Estrous detection.

6. Preparation of materials.

7. Insemination of the donor.

8. Collection of embryo (either surgical or non surgical method).

9. Handling of embryo (identification, evaluation of embryo).

10. Storage of embryo.

11. Transfer of embryo.

Selection of donor

There are two broad criteria that have to follow. One criteria is donor have to proven genetic value. A Second criterion is donor must have high reproductive rate. Beside these donor have to fulfill the following criteria:

- Donor should be free from reproductive disease.

- Proven genetic value containing cow are used as donor.

- Donor should have high reproductive rate.

- It should not be over fated.

- Donor should be healthy, regular cycling and a history of high fertility.

- Donor should not losing weight

- Non pregnant cows are usually referred to as donor.

Selection of recipient

Recipient cow selection is an important task for embryo transfer technology. Recipient cow must be fulfilling some basic criteria. Not all cows are able to be a recipient cow. Palpation must be done before selecting the cow or heifer as a recipient. It is done by putting the hand into the cow's bottom and try to fell around to see whether everything is in working order or not. Some cows have calving problem, twisted cervix so it is best to avoid these cows as recipient through the palpation of cow.

The feature of recipient cows are almost like donor but they need some extra criteria this are given below

- Less productive milking cow.

- Fertile and high capacity to conceive in AI programmer.

- Young cows for non-surgical transfers and heifers for surgical transfer programmes etc are used as recipient in embryo transfer.

Management of donors and recipients

Donors are managed in both the farm condition and embryo transfer center. But surrogate mother needs extra care in a care center. But both the cows need some basic equipment common such as chutes and head catches, refrigerator for keeping drug and an appropriate site to work with embryo.

Skilled person are needed for estrous detection, palpation, and AI. Health management programme should be available like vaccination, quarantine for incoming animal and testing programme.

Adequate physical facilities like feed storage are needed. Food planned nutrition programmes, record keeping system are also essential for the proper management.

Superovulation and synchronization of estrous

Once the recipient cow and donor cow are selected the first step is to superovulate to produce multiple ova (eggs). To do this donor cows are treated with the gonadotropin (hormone) like follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) twice daily for 4 days in the range of 8 to 14 days of estrous. So more eggs are released from each follicle then a low dose of prostaglandin F2 alpha is treated after 2-3 days later. Different types of hormone are used for the superovulation like PMSG, FSH, HCG, GnRH, Estradiol-17 B, prostaglandin F2 alpha etc.

Estrous detection

Estrous detection is very important and skilled person is needed for the detection. It's detected visually at least twice each day early in the morning and late in the evening. The detection of estrous is done by the following way---------------

- Move around in each cow for 10-15 min and observed carefully in a close contact.

- Suspicious sign for estrous is restlessness, bawling, nudging, mounting, sniffing, tail raising, discharge of clear mucus from the valve, swelling, inflammation of the valve etc.

- A calendar should be kept contain all records of donor and recipient. At the 18-24 days of estrous observe closely for estrous detection.

- Met estrus bleeding blood from valve are also the major detection sign of estrous

Insemination of the donor

Insemination of the donor is done either by natural mating with proven bull or by artificial insemination. Artificial insemination means insertion of semen from proven bull for fertilization artificially where by semen is also collected from bull artificially.

Collection of embryo

Embryo is collected from the donor by surgical or non-surgical method. But it is recommended that non-surgical method than surgical method. The recovery by non surgical method is really simple and done at approximately seven days after breeding. It needs only one hour. But a skilled persons and adequate equipments are required for this process.

Handling of embryo

Recovered embryos are needed to evaluate for stage of development and quality of the embryo under the microscope. After collection the embryo are usually in the morula stage and become blastocyst stage. The embryo then classified in a broad categories like excellent, very good, good, poor, very poor etc. Normally excellent, very good, good categories of embryo are selected for embryo transfer programme.

Storage of embryo

Selected embryos are preserved through cryopreservation at very low temperature. The embryo is frozen to extremely cold temperatures, using liquid nitrogen. At cold condition nitrogen exist in liquid form under these specialised conditions the embryos can remain dormant until such time when pregnancy is desired.

Transfer of embryo

Transfer of embryo is done by two methods surgical and non-surgical. But again non-surgical method is more effective. It is much easier to transfer embryo to the uterus than to the oviduct trough the non-surgical method.

Application of embryo transfer

• Very low risk of disease transmission.
• Increase reproductive rate of genetically valuable female.
• Obtain offspring from genetically valuable but infertile cow
• Easy to import and export.
• Used in MOET programme successfully.
• Cost of embryo transfer is not high.
• Passive immunity from native dam.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tamim_Kabir

Raw diet for dogs

The raw food diet for dogs combines fruits, vegetables, and meats. Variation in the diet is key, and the same food must not be fed more frequently than four consecutive days. Always make sure meals have green and yellow foods and do not have cabbage, which leads to gas. It is also important to leave out foods such as cucumbers, which are not properly digested.

This diet should be half raw meat, no less. If owners feel discomfort at feeding dogs completely raw meats, something slightly cooked can be fed at first. However, with time, meat must not be cooked at all for the best results.

Acceptable types of meat are lamb, beef, duck, venison, and turkey. It is okay to serve the same meat again for up to four days, but not more. After this time a new meat should be given. The reasons is that giving identical meals each day can contribute to hypersensitivities developing in dogs.

Appropriate side dishes include oats. Oats are exceptionally good because they are easily digested and well absorbed. To make them put them in a pot with boiling water and cover them. They should continue cooking and softening for about twenty minutes. Alternatives to oats include noodles, brown rice, or potatoes.

Another important component of this diet are vegetables and fruits. Carrots have many vitamins, calcium, and potassium. Adding parsley will help improve thyroid and adrenal gland health, heal the urinary tract, and improve oxygen metabolism. Celery gives a completely natural sodium source that leads to proper fluidity of lymph and the blood. It is also a diuretic that improves arthritis, water retention, and urinary complications.

Spices such as garlic and paprika may be combined with food. Bananas, mangoes, apples, zucchini, alfalfa, and watercress are also good additions. Anything raw contained within this same category that dogs like to eat are great choices.

It is important to add foods of a green or yellow color to meals. This is because these foods help eliminate toxins from the body. One of the best scavengers of free radicals is watermelon.

Every week some cheese, a boiled egg, and yogurt can be put in a dogs meal. The mixture is combined in a blender along with a half cup of water and several vegetables. This is then mixed with other foods. However, do not supply this more than once a week.

Never mix raw turnips, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, or beans in with food. These create intestinal gas, which is very unpleasant. It is also important to avoid tomato, cucumbers, peppers, spinach, and onions. None of these are easily digested in a canines system.

A raw food diet for dogs requires large amounts of meat. This is combined with multiple raw vegetables, including celery and carrots. Noodles or oats may be combined with foods but gas causing vegetables like turnips or cabbage should be avoided. Also should foods like peppers and onions which cannot be readily digested by dogs.

Article Source: http://www.articlesnatch.com

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Salary

Veterinary technician salary numbers often don't impact a person's decision to enter the field. A love for animals and a willingness to ensure their well-being is a common personality trait amongst those choosing to enter the vet tech discipline of veterinary medicine. The standards involved in the care and treatment of ailing animals require very specific training, and once one completes an accredited program, an expected salary ranges between $20,000 and $40,000 annually. The vast range between the low and high end of the salary spectrum depends on the level of education completed and the amount of experience the individual has in the industry. Vet techs with a bachelor's degree can expect a higher salary range, generally consisting of an additional $3000-5000 per year.

Much like the health care industry, veterinary medicine is expecting massive growth numbers for the next few years, and most graduates will find immediate job placement. While a veterinarian will perform surgeries and treat the animal patients, the veterinary technician acts as the assistant in all other areas. Working as a multi-tasking nurse, job opportunities abound outside of the obvious positions. Corporations dealing with livestock, research and even pharmaceuticals all have a need for a veterinary technician's expertise. It is in these fields that many find the higher end of the veterinary technician salary spectrum.

As with many other medical-related fields, vet techs will spend a majority of their time on their feet. Long hours, and at times stressful situations all factor into the normal workday. Job hazards include exposure to potentially toxic bacteria and of course the occasional animal bite. Many in the professional accept this as part of the job, and welcome it as a burden involved with helping animals in general.

The educational requirements vary, but generally include an associate's degree or vocational certification. All but a few states require that a qualification exam be passed before beginning work. Many veterinarians will require this even in states that do not, as it relieves certain levels of liability when working with a person's pet. Certifications, specializations, and the level of education will play a large role in determining your veterinary technician salary.

Should you find yourself intrigued by the ability to work with animals, and of course the reasonably competitive veterinary technician salary numbers, this may be the perfect field for you. Veterinary clinics offer a very rewarding workplace, but there are several other industries that require vet techs on staff to monitor certain operational aspects. The educational requirements are not overwhelming, and with growth and expansion expected in the coming years, the job opportunities will be plenty. Many seeking to be veterinary doctors find that getting certified quickly after high school and entering the field as a veterinary technician can give them a leg up when it comes to getting into veterinary school at the graduate level. No matter what your interest is in the peak levels you hope to reach in this sector, the field is growing, the jobs are bountiful, and the pay is competitive. What else could one need for a rewarding career?

Graham McIntosh is researching and writing career-oriented articles for a website about Technician Salary and Veterinary Technician Salary and any information closely related to Technician Careers around the world.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Graham_McIntosh

Veterinarian

Are you between the ages of 8 and 12 years old and you want to become a veterinarian? I know exactly what you are going through. I am a veterinarian and I made my decision to become a veterinarian at 11 years of age. The truth is, you are at the age when most veterinarians make their career decision. Recently, I surveyed over a hundred veterinarians nationwide and 65% of them said they made their decision to become a veterinarian before they reached the age of 13. So you are in the most important years for a future veterinarian. Do all you can to explore animals and veterinary medicine right now!

OK, so I've got you ready to go, but what should you do? Let me be your guide on how to become a veterinarian. As a Vet for Kids, I focus my time on helping future animal doctors like you pursue their dreams. In fact, I recently connected with practicing veterinarians all over the country and I want to share the advice these veterinarians had for kids like you.

When I asked them how to become a veterinarian, by far, the top recommendation of the veterinarians I surveyed was for you to explore and study science as much as possible. When I meet children who want to be veterinarians, the first thing I tell them is "Many children love animals. The children who love both science and animals are the ones who become veterinarians." It's so important to explore as much science as you can in school, but don't stop there.

Science doesn't only live in the classroom. Visit a museum, go to a science camp or get involved with a science club. If you want to have an even greater impact, you can help scientists collect data on animals. There are many national programs like the Great Backyard Bird count and local programs like amphibian monitoring sponsored by organizations throughout the country. You can go out in the area around your home and help scientists track the animal populations across our country.

The veterinarians I surveyed also recommended that you get as many "animal experiences" as possible. What this means is that, when they were younger, many practicing veterinarians found unique ways to be around pets and learn all they could about the science of animals. Some took the leading role in caring for their family pets, some fostered pets for the local animal shelter and others pet-sat for their neighbors.

When I asked one veterinarian oncologist her advice on how to become a veterinarian, she shared what she did when she was young. She told me she made animals a part of everything she did at school. If she had to write a book report, it was always on an animal book. If she was drawing a picture for an art project, it was always of an animal. If she had to bring something in to share with the class, it was something she got from a trip to the local zoo or aquarium. Animals and the science of animals were a major part of everything she did at school.

So, there you have it. Remember, the key is to make certain that you are doing something everyday to become a veterinarian of tomorrow. As Walt Disney once said "All of our dreams can come true-if we have the courage to pursue them."

For more information on how to become a veterinarian visit Ichabod Ink.

Dr. Carpenter is considered the Veterinarian for Kids. He has written books and articles for children on veterinary science and presented at schools and camps. A member of the American Veterinary Association and the National Science Teachers Association, Dr. Carpenter recently launched IchabodInk.com. http://www.ichabodink.com/, the go to website for children who want to be veterinarians and parents who want to help their child explore their dream.

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Veterinary Training

If you excel at the sciences and love animals then you should consider exploring veterinary training and becoming an expert in animal care. This is a field where not only can you help improve the quality of life for animals but you can be well rewarded financially for your services.

Veterinary scientists and veterinary technologists/technicians are in high demand. This should come as no surprise. Millions of people In the US and Canada love their pets and are willing to spend good money to see those pets in the best of health.

But it may come as a surprise to you that the skills learned in veterinary training are not just applied to animal care. As a matter of fact, research breakthroughs in diseases affecting animals have been applied to human medicine. After all, many diseases affect both animals and humans.

It takes a special personality to become a veterinarian. It is a given that you need to be compassionate and patient when dealing with animals. But you also need to have a strong constitution to handle the sight of bloody animals. You need to be able to make the tough decisions - deciding that it is best to euthanize an animal rather than trying to treat it.

You should also be interested in understanding animal behavior, habits and the physical systems that they have. You need to be physically fit to be able to lift and restrain animals as well.

Not to mention the academic requirements you need to have. For entry into the veterinary science degree program, you need to excel at the sciences and mathematics.

Another way to demonstrate you early commitment to veterinary training is to get volunteer with your local animal shelter or vet. In fact, it is critical to being accepted into veterinary college that you show that you are committed to animal welfare outside of school as well as inside.

Prior to entry into the doctor of veterinary medicine program (DVM), you need to ensure the program is appropriately accredited. There are not many colleges in the US that offer accredited veterinary degrees. Neither can veterinary science training to be done online. So be careful of schools claiming to offer online DVM programs.

If you feel that veterinary training is not for you, consider doing a certificate in any of the various aspects of animal care. For example, you could do a certificate in dog obedience training or pet grooming.

These in general won't pay as well as having veterinary training. However if you manage to provide obedience training or pet grooming services to an affluent clientele - you can make serious money.

Next, find the top schools that offer veterinary training and find out if this career is suitable for you. Visit: http://www.distancelearningdegrees.org

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Veterinary Technician

Veterinary science is a highly specialized field of study and as a veterinarian technician you would occupy an important niche in this career path. You can even use the vet tech job as a springboard to become a veterinarian technologist in the future.

As a veterinary technician you will be responsible for helping in the care and treatment of animals. The types of animals that you will be seeing in the course of a day will depend on the veterinarian you work.

Today, there are vets who care for exotic animal species such as reptiles and amphibians while others may choose to treat typical family pets such as dogs and cats. There are even veterinarians who specialize in large animals such as cows and horses and vets who work with the animals living in zoos. Vet techs are the ones who handle many of the important tasks related to the care and treatment of all types of animals.

Today people demand the best in veterinary care and as a veterinary technologist or vet technician you will assist in providing quality animal care services at all times.

As a vet tech you will be assisting the veterinarian. This means that you will be performing a wide assortment of duties. You will need to be able to multi-task, think quickly on your feet and be ready to respond to emergencies at all hours.

Most people who work as veterinary technicians are assigned jobs such as obtaining blood and stool samples, performing skin scrapings, and providing dental care for dogs and cats. Some techs will also help with X-rays, give shots and meds to animals or they may even be directed to help teach the owner how to properly care for their pets.

It is up to most veterinary technologists and technicians to actively promote better care and treatment of animals. This is why the job is well suited for those individuals who truly love and appreciate animals.

As a vet tech you may also provide normal office duties such as routine cleaning and organization. It is expected that most vet techs will also help provide important pre and post-operative care for animals. In some instances you will also need to prepare equipment by sterilizing them.

In the course of your work you should be expected to deal with animals that are healthy as well as many that are sick, ill or injured. Euthanizing animals is another part of the job that can be unsettling to many individuals.

For one of the positions as an entry-level vet technician, it will be necessary for you to have a 2-year associate degree. A beginning veterinarian technologist will have earned a BS degree from a 4 year college.

To help prepare yourself for a job as a vet technologist or a veterinary technician you should familiarize yourself with animal care by volunteering at a local animal rescue. You might even ask if there are any jobs available at a nearby veterinary office. After all every little bit of animal care experience will help you get your foot in the door when you are ready to apply for work as a vet tech.

Note: You are free to reprint or republish this article. The only condition is that the links should be clickable.

Copywrite Kenneth Echie. Kenneth is a Writer, Expert Author, and Publisher. He currently writes for Medical Assistant Careers. Get free scholarship report and find Veterinary Technician Schools by visiting.

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vet science

As a veterinarian dedicated to sharing my profession with children, I have met with hundreds of kids between the ages of 8 and 12 years old who want be veterinarians. I have also talked with the parents of these children and helped them to understand what they can do to help their children explore their passion. During these times, I am often asked, "If you could give just one piece of advice to a future veterinarian or the parent of a future veterinarian, what would it be?" That's easy. If you or a child you know wants to become a veterinarian, attend a veterinary camp or zoo camp.

I am not the only veterinarian who is making this recommendation. Recently, my company surveyed practicing veterinarians across the country and asked them what advice they had for 8 to 12-year-old future veterinarians. Their top two answers were to "study science" and "get as many animal experiences as possible". Where can you do both in a fun and safe environment? Veterinary camps and zoo camps.

I have spent the past year attending, writing about and filming these camps in order to share them with the members of my website community. During that time, I have interviewed both the campers and their parents. What makes these camps perfect for future veterinarians is that they bring the science of animals to life in a fun and exciting way.

Zoo camps take children behind the scenes. Campers explore the areas where animals are kept and fed. As they explore, camp attendees meet with the zookeepers and learn about the animals they care for. In addition, most zoo camps have classroom time where campers get to touch and interact with the zoo's collection of smaller classroom animals.

Veterinary camps give children the same opportunity to interact with animals. In addition, campers have the chance to explore veterinary medicine in a realistic environment. At many veterinary camps, attendees get to do physicals on various animals, observe surgeries, learn the basics of radiology and spend time in pathology and anatomy. This fun, hands-on approach makes veterinary science come alive for the campers.

What I like most about veterinary camps and zoo camps is they solve one of the biggest dilemmas of the future veterinarian - getting animal experience. Even though the vast majority of veterinarians recommend that all children between the ages of 8 and 12 interested in veterinary medicine get as much animal experience as possible, it is easier said than done.

Most humane societies and veterinarian hospitals will not let children volunteer until they are well into their teens. This is because there are significant liability issues associated with having younger children in an animal facility. Zoo camps and veterinary camps are the perfect solution. They offer a way for future veterinarians to get animal experience and learn the science of animals in a safe environment.

Unlike other professions, the ages of 8 to 12 are some of the most critical years for a veterinarian. Nationwide surveys of practicing veterinarians have shown that these are the years when the vast majority of practitioners made their decision to become an animal doctor. These are also the years when a parent can best help their child explore their passion and get a head start on fulfilling their dream. Make zoo camps and animal camps the first thing you explore. They are just what this doctor recommends.

For more information on veterinary and zoo camps visit Ichabod Ink.

Dr. Carpenter is considered the Veterinarian for Kids. He has written books and articles for children on veterinary science and presented at schools and camps. A member of the American Veterinary Association and the National Science Teachers Association, Dr. Carpenter recently launched IchabodInk.com http://www.ichabodink.com/, then go to website for children who want to be veterinarians and parents who want to help their child explore their dream.

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Veterinary

It is estimated by the National Pet Owner's Survey that 63 percent of households have a pet. This equals out to millions of pets across America that at some point may need assistance to get better from injuries or illnesses. Online career training in veterinary science and animal care can be pursued through different degrees.

The two professional pathways that can be followed are a veterinarian and a veterinary technologist or technician. The main focus is on giving specific care to a patient, which in this profession is an animal. Veterinarians can work with household pets as well as livestock. Duties include:

• diagnosing health problems
• vaccinating
• medicating
• treating wounds
• fixing fractures
• advising owners on animal care
• providing preventative care
• performing diagnostic tests

All of these job responsibilities will be learned through schooling and clinical practice before stepping into the workplace. Specific duties learned through coursework involve specific procedures that must be performed to treat an animal. These areas can include urinalysis, blood work, and dental work.

Education is obtainable from an associate's degree to a doctorate degree. Students typically earn an associate's degree, a bachelor's degree, or a doctor of veterinary medicine degree to establish themselves as professionals inside the industry. Students need to take into consideration what area they want to work in. Students that don't necessarily want to become a Veterinarian or want to gain work experience first then go back to college should consider becoming a veterinary technologist. Individuals with the goal of becoming a veterinarian need to take into account that the field requires them to have at least a master's or doctorate degree to practice.

The titles for veterinary technologists and technicians are used interchangeably but there is one difference. The difference is in training: technologists usually earn a bachelor's degree and technicians earn an associate's degree. Either degree level adequately prepares students to perform their job duties correctly. Individuals in this line of work take on routine laboratory and clinical procedures. Students study courses specifically in science and math. Hands on training is gained from:

• working with an animal
• restraining an animal
• conducting tests
• performing treatments

In a way that is safe for the animal.

In a four-year bachelor's program students gain in depth procedural knowledge. This includes anesthesia, dental care, radiology, and clinic management. The amount of time a student is able to dedicate to school determines what specific roles they will have in a clinic setting.

To become a doctor of veterinary medicine students have to complete a graduate program. To enter a graduate program students must first have received a bachelor's degree. Education provides in depth study of:

• animal anatomy
• physiology
• chemistry
• microbiology
• high-level math
• pharmacology

Two important learning factors that are central to a student's knowledge are surgical procedures and lab procedures. The final year of a students four-year degree program centers on clinical rotation by treating animals at a college's referral clinic. Earning a graduate degree is essential for having the highest level of responsibility in the profession.

Acquiring an advanced degree in this field is competitive. There are only 28 veterinary schools that are accredited to reward diplomas. This fact limits the amount of educational spaces available. Students need to prepare for the aggressive enrolling process today by equipping themselves with experience. Obtaining educational knowledge in math and science is another beneficial factor for students to have. Dedicated individuals will find a place for themselves inside the academic community.

Interested students should seek out colleges and universities that offer accredited degree programs that fit their career goals. Accrediting agencies like the Distance Education and Training Council (http://www.detc.org) can provide full accreditation to qualifying schools and colleges. Accreditation provides proof of a quality education. Learn how to treat animals by enrolling in a program today.

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERIC OUTLINE and may or may not depict precise methods, courses and/or focuses related to ANY ONE specific school(s) that may or may not be advertised at PETAP.org.

Copyright 2010 - All rights reserved by PETAP.org.

Renata McGee is a staff writer for PETAP.org. Visit http://www.petap.org to locate Online Veterinary Schools and Colleges providing the education you're looking for. PETAP.org, your Partners in Education and Tuition Assistance Programs.

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