Veterinary news, communication strategies, and career advice for veterinary technicians

Here are the Firstline Challenge activities for this week.

•Have a fierce conversation. Need to talk to your boss? Consider this receptionist's real-life example.

•Take a short, fun quiz to determine your communication style. Could you change the way you talk in order to get along better with team members?

Join the Firstline Challenge to improve yourself and pets' health

Patient Care for Techs

Patient recovery: Every team member plays a part

FIRSTLINE

Managing postoperative pain should rank as a top concern for team members and pet owners. Follow these position-specific guidelines to educate clients and help keep their pets comfortable.

An unusual gingival lesion: the resolution

DVM NEWSMAGAZINE

Root-canal therapy was chosen to avoid surgery on the patient mentioned in the first two parts of this series. While root canal is very successful, not all cases respond. Additional therapy may be required.

A splashy way to rehabilitate pets

FIRSTLINE

Underwater treadmills help pets recover.

Proceedings Papers for Techs

What is an ophthalmic emergency? And what to do with it (Proceedings)

CVC PROCEEDINGS

A review of how to treat acute primary glaucoma, a luxated lens, globe proptosis, corneal laceration, and deep/progressive ulceration.

The physiology of pain (Proceedings)

CVC PROCEEDINGS

Pain is a complex sensory and emotional experience that can be associated with actual or potential tissue damage.

Which is it? Acute renal failure vs. chronic kidney disease (Proceedings)

CVC PROCEEDINGS

Renal failure results when approximately three fourths of the nephrons of both kidneys cease to function.

Arts and crafts in veterinary dentistry: The tape muzzle (Proceedings)

CVC PROCEEDINGS

As members of the veterinary team, there have been instances where you have had to fix things using materials out of the hospital.

Client Service for Techs

The psychology of client waiting

VETERINARY ECONOMICS

Most veterinary clients expect a brief wait. But keep them waiting too long and you risk losing their business.

Market data: Helping clients pay in difficult times (part 1)

dvm360

Analysis of veterinary market data shows that pet owners need payment options

Behavior medicine: Easing patient fear

DVM NEWSMAGAZINE

Fearful and anxious pets require a gentle approach in the clinic or hospital, to minimize and hopefully reduce the pet's fear and prevent escalation.

Video blog: Connect with clients through social networking

FIRSTLINE

Here's how to use Twitter and Facebook to your practice's—and clients'—advantage