It’s time to give vet techs the tools needed

to help pet pigs

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 Conneticut 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 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 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 Minnesota Name: Tri-County Veterinary Service City: Taunton Phone: (507) 872-6113 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 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 Virgina Name: Tri-County Veterinary Service City: Peterstown Phone: Large animal (304) 646-4542