Vet vs. Vet Tech

By Veronica Davis

Instructions

Education

Step 1:
Education is the biggest defining feature between a vet and a vet tech. The average veterinarian has eight years of higher education while a vet tech only has two to three years of higher education. A vet is a medical doctor for animals, so just like a human doctor has to go to pre-med and then medical school to become a licensed doctor, so too does a veterinarian. A vet needs to understand all of the systems of all animals as well as how to medicate and perform surgery on animals of all shapes and sizes.

A vet tech learns much of the same information, but it is in more general terms. The teaching of a vet tech is usually from the focus of assisting a vet during procedures. There is no doubt about it, a vet tech comes out of school well educated but she doesn't share the depth of understanding of animal medicine that a vet does.

Prescribing Capabilities

Step 1:
Prescribing capabilities is a defining matter between a vet and a vet tech. A vet tech is not a doctor; therefore she cannot prescribe medications for the animals that she treats. A veterinarian is a medical doctor, so he has full prescribing rights. For this reason, a vet tech will usually not work alone as she needs someone who can assist her in making proper diagnoses and prescribing the proper medication.

Roles in the Office

Step 1:
The role of the vet tech is usually to meet with pet owners, take the animal's temperature, draw blood if necessary, and prep the animal for the veterinarian to examine and diagnose or treat the animal. The vet tech will usually assist in surgeries and will attend to any after care. A vet tech, in most settings, can be compared to a nurse in a human setting.

The vet is like the doctor in a human setting. He or she is the one making the diagnosis, deciding on the course of treatment, prescribing medication, doing physical exams, and doing surgery. The vet will be assisted along the way by a vet tech when necessary.

Benefits of Seeing a Vet

Step 1:
The benefit of seeing a vet is that you have someone in front of you with all of the knowledge one could expect. If your pet needs medication you will be able to get a prescription and if your pet needs surgery the vet will get them on the surgery schedule quickly. Seeing a vet is more comforting to a lot of people because they know they can get all of their questions answered and needs met.

Benefits of Seeing a Vet Tech

Step 1:
In some instances seeing a vet tech is more beneficial. Some offices will allow you to see just a vet tech if the animal just needs vaccinations. The vet tech usually only takes care of these simple tasks, but when you just need vaccinations it is often much more convenient just to schedule a visit with a vet tech instead of waiting for an appointment with the vet.

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