1. { Mary Taylor Erskin LVT Little Bit About Me! Little Bit About Me!

2. Where did I go to get my 2-Year Associates Degree in Veterinary Technology?  From Washington State  Moved to Denver Colorado  Attend Bel-Rea Technician Institution 2 year program.  Accepted a Job at Texas A&M

3. My Experience…. Phenomenal!  Some of my favorite courses were… Microbiology Parasitology Hematology

4. Lab Classes Radiology Vet Medicine 1-4 Anesthesia Anatomy and Physiology Medical Math Exotics Large animal Dentistry

5. All the studying, finals, late nights, dedication, passion, and drive I had to becoming the best technician I could be, paid off when….

6. Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital accepted me for a 10 week internship!

7. LVT at Texas A&M Small Animal Teaching Hospital Which Led To…

8.  Assist doctors with patients referred from their general veterinarian due to more complicated internal problems  Including:  Respiratory problems/Nasal Discharge  Hyper or Hypothyroidism  Diabetes  Hyporexia- decreased appetite  Diarrhea  Vomiting  Lethargy  CKD-Chronic Kidney Disease  Urethral Obstruction I work in the Small Animal Department!

9.  I also have training and experience in small and large animal anesthesia.  I can help Internal Medicine anesthetize cases when needed Some other Handy Skills!

10. A Day in the Life of a Technician…. Some days you feel like this!

11. Most days you feel like this though!

12. A day in my life as a technician consists of… First thing First: ICU to see new patients admitted through emergency and being transferred to internal medicine Obtain a history on the patient: Information from owners Records sent from their referring vet

13. Continued….. Restrain animals for examination by doctors and vet students Collect specimens and perform laboratory procedures (as defined by doctors) Blood, feces, urine Perform Cystocentesis Via ultrasound or palpation Paper work Some samples are sent to other locations for testing

14.  Restock and set up the room for the next appointment  Review patient histories  Prepares me to assist to the best of my ability  Send requests to other departments for additional diagnostics  Ultrasounds or radiographs  Assist as needed Next...

15. Through out the day….  Teach vet students:  Proper restraint techniques  Blood draws  vessels used based on patient medications  Prep patients for surgeries  liver lap biopsy, bone aspiration, joint taps, etc.

16. And Sometimes… Assist in endoscopy procedures set up the for the procedure, assist as needed to help it run smoothly, and clean and re-sterilized the room after the procedure

17. Endoscopy Examples: Cystoscopy with laser ablation - breaking up crystals formed in the bladder Remove foreign body material from the stomach. Rocks, socks, hair ties, rubber bands, fish hooks…

18. Things tend to get a little messy!

19. All in a day’s work…..  Each day is fun and full of new cases and work ups!  There is always something new and exciting to learn!  We work as a team to try and help patients overcome their illness!  But most of all, as a technician, I show animals love, compassion, and kindness to help make their experience less scary.

20. Questions?