Conference misery::feline

    Hi Roberta,
    
    Give Fram. An. Hosp a call on Saturday and ask to speak with
    Anne-marie - she can more than likely direct you.
    
   - or give Dr. Migday a call at Slades Vet. in Fram. 
    
     I think Mt. Ida has a program.
    
    Pat
         

    You might also look into Tufts Veterinary School.  I know of several
    people who went there for certification as veterinary assistants.

    Thanks!  I called Tufts in North Grafton and they said they don't offer
    it; however, Becker College in Worcester does as well as Mt. Ida in
    Newton.
    
    I'm going to look into this (cost, etc.) and see if they have an
    evening program available.
    
    -Roberta
    

    
    	Becker does not have evening programs, I checked about 6 months
    	ago....
    
    	Sherry
    

    If I remember from high school career stuff, professional
    associations like for vets, etc. usually have pamphlets available
    with info.
    

    Roberta,
    
    I have several friends who are licensed Animal Health Technicians (that
    is what vet assistants are called in the state of California.  We call
    them AHT's for short).  Anyway, the course of study lasts for two years,
    at which time you have to take a state issued test in order to become
    licensed.  The test is very intense.  My friends found out that once
    they had payed all that money to go to school for two years, there
    starting salaries were about $5.50 an hour!  One of the friends worked
    for this for a year and a half, and then had to give it up and find an
    office job that paid better in order to support herself and her cats. 
    One of the other friends eventually found a clinic where she is the
    ONLY licensed tech, so she makes a little more money, about $8.00 an
    hour. 
    
    Out in California, it isn't necessary that the AHT's be licensed or
    trained.  They can become AHT's by learning on the job.  BUT, only a
    licensed AHT can do certain things in the office, so each vet hospital
    needs to either have at least one licensed tech, or the vet has to do
    most of the work him/herself (ie, vaccinations, injections, surgical
    assistant).
    
    What have you been able to find out about the job out there?  I have
    seriously looked into this too, but found that I can't afford it. 
    Instead, I have considered finishing my undergrad degree and then
    applying to vet school as a re-entry student.  Takes two years longer,
    but the pay is better once you are licensed. :')
    
    Jo

    Thanks for all that info, Jo!  Now to print it and show it to my
    husband who doesn't believe that all that schooling would result in so
    little pay.  Right now, we need both our salaries in order to make
    ends meet and couldn't afford for one of us to take a pay cut.  BTW,
    Charlene is an AHT (learned it all on the job) and doesn't make more
    than $6.50/$7.00/hour in the state of Maryland.  If I do this, it would
    be for the sheer love of animals, not for the money.  Unfortunately, it
    won't be feasible unless we either win the lottery or Dana's salary
    increases significantly to carry us through.
    
    Anyway, I found out that Sherry is right -- Becker doesn't offer
    evening classes and this school is very close to home.  Oh, well. 
    Perhaps a part time evening job working at a vet clinic is a better
    start for now if they are willing to take on someone with no
    experience (maybe as a receptionist).
    
    -Roberta
      

        I had been interested in doing this as well,  but for the cost of
    the education,  to earn so little didn't cut it if you need the money.
    If you do it for the love of animals I guess it wouldn't matter.
    There were 2 ads in my paper last year for local vet clinics.  One was
    for $4.25 an hour, the other $4.75 an hour!   Wow!  You sure couldn't
    live on that........
    
         Denise

    Does anyone know of any schools in the Northern Virginia area? I know
    that most of you are in New England/Calif areas, but I've been looking
    for one "for the shear love of cats"! Anyhow, I talked with my vet
    about it, and she said that they can't find vet tech! They have to
    train people there. However, she said that if she DID find a certified
    technician, that they'd start at about $8/$9 hour. Granted, that's not
    close to what DEC pays me, but it would be worth a part-time job!
    
    I've investigated the 'mail order' animal care specialist, but the
    largest downfall to that is that it has no hands-on experience. I have
    info if anyone is interested -- it's aimed at people who are breeders,
    or want to be an animal care specialist.
    
    Cheryl

    Did you send away to one of those places that advertizes in the back of
    animal magazines, Cheryl?  I would be interested in what you have.
    
    Also, if you are a certified Vet Tech, then you have to do dogs too.
    :')  Not always a plus.  The two vet techs in our vet clinic are not
    particularly fond of the dogs, and they take turns doing them so that
    they get an even number of nips between them. :'(
    
    In California, you can go to a private school that teaches the AHT
    program or you can enroll in one of the community colleges that have
    the program.  Right now, there are two community colleges in our area
    that offer it, one if Los Altos Hills, and the other in Hollister
    (California).
    
    Jo

    Roberta-
    
    My friend works for a vet, I'm not sure of her position or pay, but 
    she says the job is tough (as well as the hours).  The field is also 
    feeling effects from the economy (people not keepin up with
    vaccinations, more FOA's and people putting animals down for $$
    reasons).
    
    If you are seriously interested in this field, she'd be happy to talk
    w/ you.  You might want to volunteer/help out/or whatever to see if it
    really a career choice for you.  
    
    I would have loved to do this, but it wouldn't support me or my
    animals, and the heartache is very real.
    
    Michele
    

    Yes, it was one of those ads from the back of cat magazines! I'll get
    the info I have and let you see it. Right now the price is $750 with
    payments of $35/month and no interest. You have up to 2 years to
    complete.
    
    I'll send you details!
    Cheryl
    

    Roberta,
    
    I checked a few mos ago as well - Becker did offer the night program
    but it was out at the Leicester Campus.   I also checked into
    volunteering at Tufts (nice and close to home too) and they said they
    are always looking for volunteers (can't hurt for the experience).
    
    Just a thought.............
    
    Pam

    Pam, I looked into Tufts too.  They took my name and number and said
    they would call but have yet to do so.  This was over a year ago! 
    Maybe it is time to check back.
    
    Thanks for the info!  The woman at Becker did not mention the night
    program at the Leicester campus.  Wonder if they still offer it. 
    Again, time to check back!!
    

    Hi,
    
    I called Tufts this year and was mortified.  First, they have no
    night classes that can get you a degree as a vet.  Second, if you
    do decide to go full-time, you must first have a four year degree,
    take an additional 10 courses (mostly things like physics and
    chemistry) and then, and only then, can you enter the four year
    program.  Oh, and the best part ????  It costs you approximately
    $25K a year!
    
    Yikes!
    
    And as any vet will tell you, "If we were in it for the money,
    we'd have become doctors, not vets.  Vets make NO money.  We
    do it for the love of animals...."
    
    Nancy
    
    P.S.  Part of the program I couldn't handle...though I guess it
    has got to be done....the student "will operate on animals, after
    which the animal will be humanely euthanized."   Ouch!

    Veterinary school is a graduate program.  It isn't for the faint at
    heart, that is for sure.
    
    Vet tech school is a bit different, and the requirements are less.  You
    do not have to have a degree to attend an AHT program.
    
    Jo

>    Veterinary school is a graduate program.  It isn't for the faint at
>    heart, that is for sure.
    
AND....harder to get into than medical school...in fact, to make you real
nervous, it is quite possible your doctor wanted vet school and had to take
med school instead 'cause he/she couldn't qualify at a vet school...They
only take approx. 25 - 30% of the applicants as I understand it.

It makes me feel good to know my furry terrorists have such good care...now,
if only Dr. Lee took human patients...

    We are very good friends with a vet that specializes in large animals
    (mostly horses).  This man has some *very* serious cash so I have to
    disagree with the remark made a few replies back that vets don't make
    any money.  This guy also has some very serious scars from the
    not-so-gentle animals he has treated - I certainly would not want his
    job (although I wouldn't mind his paycheck :^)

    Aren't there vets out there that make a lot of money by owning the
    "practice" and then they hire other vets to assist them with the
    business?  My dentist works for another dentist that has an established
    clientele.  During my last visit, he was telling me that he doesn't make
    anywhere near the kind of money he'd make if he was out on his own. 
    Perhaps vets do something similar?
    
    I am impressed with my vet and the wealth of knowledge that she
    possesses.  She is also a very caring and kind person.  She once told
    me a story of doing mouth-to-mouth on her roommates mouse.  Bleh!  This
    woman deserves to make a lot of money!!!!

    They make a nice paycheck, but the hours are brutal!
    
    How many of us have called our vet in a panic at 11:00pm
    on a Saturday night? (My hand is raised!! (: )
    
    Last time I rushed a cat in, it was 10:00pm, and he was
    doing emergency surgey on a G Dand puppy who's intestine
    had died - I think it's bloat?  It was a Tues night, tho' (:
    
    Lynne

    My vet owns her own clinic, and her husband (another vet) owns his own
    clinic, but they are not wealthy by any means.  Doc Rue cannot afford
    to hire another vet to assist her in her practice.  She has a
    semi-retired vet fill in for her on Mondays so she can have a day off. 
    
    We were talking about vet school the other day, Davis in particular. 
    She said that she and her husband went to University of WA vet school. 
    They were having trouble getting into UC Davis.  The problem was that
    so many people were applying, but Davis could only take about 15% at
    the time.  Her husband's father was an alumni at UofW so that helped
    get them in there.  She says that Davis can now accept about 45% of
    it's applicants and that they have a "re-entry" program (this is what
    I am hoping for).
    
    I think that large animal vets have the potential to make more money
    because they have to go to the patient, and the client gets billed more
    for a house call.  Plus, no office means less overhead.
    
    Jo

    Jo,
    
    What is a "re-entry" program?
    
    Ignorant minds want to know :&)
    

    "Mature" (ahem) students returning to college after having been away 
    for a long time.
    
    Jo

    When we lived in Columbus Ohio, home of Ohio State Vet school,
    our vets (man and wife) both graduates of the above school were
    trying to get their practice established (needless to say cared
    for all kind and sizes of animals) and buy equipment. A truck 
    they bought looked like a pickup truck with compartments on each
    side and doors in the back with cages and the payment was $5,000
    a MONTH.  The total cost of the truck equiped was $75,000. They
    couldn't practice without it and make house calls on the big animals
    or the small that were too sick to transport.
    
    I miss them and think of them often. Their dedication was unreal.
    
    I say hurray for the vets and I don't care how much money they make
    and I think anyone who wants to be an assistant deserves gobs of
    money just for the heart break they see everyday. (I'm too soft)
    
    Barbara

    As in all things, your mileage may vary. :') But, perhaps in the UK things
    are different.  The rural area where I live is populated with horse
    breeders/trainers.  The horror stories they tell about vet costs make
    my $1600 balance at my vet seem like a walk in the park. :')
    
    The point of my note was not to say that house calls always mean a
    higher cost to the client, but rather to point out that a higher
    percentage of the cost would go to profit.  A house call vet does 
    not have the overhead of a vet that has to pay a lease on a building,
    equipment leases (x-ray machines, autoclave, etc), utilities
    (electricity, water, gas, garbage collection, etc.) and salaries to
    receptionists and other help.  In my mind, I see that in the case of a
    house call vet, a higher percentage of his fee goes to himself than it
    would if he had an office to support.  Granted, there are some house
    call vets and large animal vets that *do* support offices.
    
    Jo
    

    I was talking with my sister who has 2 horses, and how she thought HER
    vet was doing! Well, the vet does expend alot of money, having to
    travel TO the patients, carry medicines, whereas a small animal vet can
    see more cats/dogs/birds/ferrets/etc. per hour than a horse/cow/etc.
    vet can. Additionally, they don't charge all that much, either. A
    'house call' for my sister usually costs about $35/$40 for 2 horses. Of
    course, medicines are additional. Anyhow, I talked with MY vet and
    compared the two. Here is what I found out.
    
    Small Animal Vet                       Large Animal Vet
    
    Part of a larger practice              Sole proprietor
    Office visit: $20                      House call: $35
    Avg. medicine/vaccine cost: $20        Avg. med/vac cost: $23
    Equipment: provided at practice        Equipment: large vehicle,
                                             refrigerator in vehicle,
                                             medicines, etc.
    Hours: Anywhere from 8-8:30.
           Refers emergencies to           Hours: 24/on call
           specific practice in area
           that deals with them.
    
    
    Now, I didn't ask my vet, but the large animal vet, who has been in
    practice 5 years (mine has been in practice for 8) in the past year
    bought her truck (paid in full), a $300,000+ house, and her regular
    car is a Mercedes! My vet, lives in the country where the price of
    living is much less expensive. Since I'm not as personable with my vet
    as my sister is with hers, I don't know if my vet has the same. Anyhow,
    my sister estimates that Donna made about $80,000+ last year (Gross)! I
    wish I could do that in one year!
    
    Anyhow, I think it just depends on what part of the country you live in
    as to how much the vet makes. I live in a very large suburban area, my
    sister lives near Manasas, VA (remember the battle of Bull "Run?). And
    my niece, who lives in Ohio, paid $40 for an office visit, full
    physical, and 3 shots (rabies, distemper & Fel Leuk shot)!
    
    Still, I'd at LEAST like to be a technician, if only I could find a
    school nearby!
    
    clc 

    The vaccines are reasonable on horses, and many people give them
    thereselves, but ask your sister how much it costs to *medicate* a
    horse when it is sick! Yikes!!  I guess when you figure the cost of
    medicine per pound, it is only natural it would cost a lot for a horse. 
    But, as a cat breeder and owner, I never worry about the cost of
    medicines since they are usually reasonable.  If I was a horse breeder,
    I would have to plan the cost of medicines for sure.
    
    Jo

    Of course, even comparing "large animal vets" is like apples and
    oranges. There are those that limit their practice to horses, whose
    owners are usually able to afford to pay a pretty penny. Then there are
    the "farm vets", that go out to help with sick cattle, hogs, chickens,
    etc. Sometimes those folks consider themselves lucky if they get paid
    in poroduce. 
    
    Deb (who considered becomming a vet until the time I saw Doc Stevens
         assist a cow that was having a breech birth; He saved mother and
         calf and got a bushel of corn for his effort...)

    
    	Deb, there's a saying among horse owners - "horse owners are
    	either very very rich or very very poor". Owning a horse does
    	not mean you're rich, believe me, I'm not. But I still have
    	to pay my horse vet the same amount for her services that the 
    	`rich' horse owners do. The average call for spring shots and
    	coggins test can run around 80-100 bucks. My horse vet works from 
    	7 AM to probably 8 PM, and then she goes home to wait for the after
    	hours emergencies to start calling.  There are very few showcase 
    	horse farms, most of them are backyard and some of them are real
    	dumps,  and I don't know of any horse vet that can afford to pick
    	and choose which ones they want to have for clients.
    
    	Sherry