Veterinary Assistants

Key Responsibilities

• Hold or restrain animals during veterinary procedures.
• Examine animals to detect behavioral changes or clinical symptoms that could indicate illness or injury.
• Provide emergency first aid to sick or injured animals.
• Perform enemas, catheterizations, ear flushes, intravenous feedings, or gavages.
• Clean and maintain kennels, animal holding areas, examination or operating rooms, or animal loading or unloading facilities to control the spread of disease.
• Administer anesthetics during surgery and monitor the effects on animals.
• Perform office reception duties, such as scheduling appointments or helping customers.
• Groom, trim, or clip animals' coats.
• Assist veterinarians in examining animals to determine the nature of illnesses or injuries.
• Write reports, maintain research information, or perform clerical duties.
• Record information relating to animal genealogy, feeding schedules, appearance, behavior, or breeding.
• Fill medication prescriptions.
• Educate or advise clients on animal health care, nutrition, or behavior problems.
• Perform hygiene-related duties, such as clipping animals' claws or cleaning and polishing teeth.
• Prepare feed for animals according to specific instructions, such as diet lists or schedules.
• Clean, maintain, and sterilize instruments or equipment.
• Perform accounting duties, such as bookkeeping, billing customers for services, or maintaining inventories.
• Dust, spray, or bathe animals to control insect pests.
• Sell pet food or supplies to customers.
• Prepare surgical equipment and pass instruments or materials to veterinarians during surgical procedures.
• Monitor animals recovering from surgery and notify veterinarians of any unusual changes or symptoms.
• Provide assistance with euthanasia of animals or disposal of corpses.
• Administer medication, immunizations, or blood plasma to animals as prescribed by veterinarians.
• Prepare examination or treatment rooms by stocking them with appropriate supplies.
• Exercise animals or provide them with companionship.
• Collect laboratory specimens, such as blood, urine, or feces, for testing.
• Perform routine laboratory tests or diagnostic tests, such as taking or developing x-rays.
• Place orders to restock inventory of hospital or laboratory supplies.