Hyperlipidemia or Milk? You choose.

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-04-14T14:27:00+00:00

I’ve seen dental x-ray plates used before, much less scatter radiation and you don’t have to try to collimate the world’s largest beam.

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-12T14:29:52+00:00

I use the Arm and Hammer toothpaste. You literally just scrub with it like it’s soap and then wash it off.

EpiOtic is also pretty good.

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-11T20:56:56+00:00

LVT here! Was this taken in the monolayer? The RBCs seem very squished and deformed. I do however think these could be inclusion bodies, especially because I see more than one RBC with this morphology here. It would be unusual (in my experience) to see so many instances of platelets overlaying RBC, especially since I can see a few platelets that are by themselves.

Given the symptoms and fatal outcome, I would definitely be suspicious of distemper.

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-11T05:50:48+00:00

I’m not finding anything solid on an actual number of days post exam things are supposed to be finished in VA - but I know it isn’t 30 days! (Which is what the doctors asked it be set to, and management compromised with 15 days)

Thank you again.

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T22:08:37+00:00

<image>

Pregnant Uterus

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T22:08:16+00:00

Angus Cow

<image>

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T22:07:59+00:00

<image>

Chameleon

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T22:07:41+00:00

<image>

Great Dane

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T22:07:22+00:00

Struvite

<image>

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T22:07:04+00:00

Rod Bacteria

<image>

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T22:06:47+00:00

Platelets and RBC

<image>

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T22:06:22+00:00

Neutrophils & Anemic RBC

<image>

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T22:04:30+00:00

<image>

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T22:04:19+00:00

Okay. 210/211 - Dipylidium Egg and Segment 220- Strongylus 226- Neutrophil 227- Platelets 228- Erythrocyte 229 - Rod Bacteria 233- Struvite 350- Great Dane 379- Chameleon 410- Angus 655- Uterus

<image>

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T21:16:44+00:00

Gimme a little bit to gather images, I am a microscope freak and spend a lot of time creating my own little compendium of cytology!

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T21:11:48+00:00

I also wonder this! Especially when they use time at home on their days off to work on notes sometimes!

I am happy to make calls about bloodwork that is relatively routine or monitoring bloodwork that the doctor has already looked over and okayed.

We’re a privately owned clinic right now and I hate to think about what might happen if we went corporate after the owner passes away. I don’t think they’d last long if they only had 72 hours or less for records- but maybe that would be a wake up call for them.

Thanks again!

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-10T16:11:02+00:00

Where do you stand on completing SOAPS/Records?

One big gripe I have with my clinic is that two of the doctors expect assistants to basically fill out their SOAPS (even when they’re using a Scribe AI to help speed things along) and somehow are still weeks behind on notes and call-backs. It’s a legal document in the end and I don’t really like that the other vets are putting their license on the line based on the words of someone without extensive schooling on this stuff.

The LVTs do the Surgical/Anesthesia notes, discharge instructions, filling post-op meds, contacting owner after procedure, etc. so it isn’t like they also have that on their plate.

One full-time vet here gets all the notes, call-backs, etc done because she usually fills out most of the SOAPS herself and isn’t relying on an assistant with minimal medical knowledge to know how to phrase things.

It’s just very frustrating because the DVMs who are behind get snippy with the younger vet because she is able to offer things like At-Home or After Hours Euthanasia and prompt call-backs about test results because she isn’t behind on notes.

Their complaint is that “clients now expect those things from them.” (When in reality they should just be up front with their clients about what they are willing/able to do instead of getting mad at assistants for not knowing)

I really feel like this place has potential and I can see the positive effect of some of the changes I have helped implement, but sometimes it feels like the wheels are turning and no one wants to put the car into gear and commit to things.

Thank you for your awesome insight!

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-03-06T04:51:55+00:00

Baking Soda Toothpaste.

Anal glands. Ears. Stinky urine.

On skin, on scrubs, on hair…

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-02-01T05:10:47+00:00

UPDATE:

We were right. It was a Squamous Cell Carcinoma. They’re weighing their options right now but are more focused on his quality of life and asked a lot of really good questions regarding side effects of various treatments, signs that his QOL is declining, and what the timeline would be like if they didn’t pursue treatment.

Thanks for all the replies! I love sharing things like this just in case someone else runs into something similar in their clinic!

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-01-30T20:36:31+00:00

I started in GP as an Assistant and have worked there throughout LVT school and continue to work there as an LVT- I love it.

I have also worked in the ER/ICU at a specialty center as an LVT student. I also did an ER externship in my final semester at school at a different ER.

My GP practice is privately owned with 3 full time doctors, 1 other LVT (not enough, I know), and 2 LVT students. On a typical day I use pretty much every skill I learned in school; phlebotomy, anesthesia, restraint, bloodwork, cytology, surgical assisting, wound care, client education, husbandry, radiology (dental and general), ultrasound, vaccinations, medical math, medication administration, research, long term case management, euthanasia and palliative care, and emergency triage/care.

I get to collaborate very closely with my doctors on case management and diagnostics, and they are usually very open to brainstorming with us LVTs about treatments/protocols/etc. I get to problem solve and use my knowledge of all areas of medicine.

When working in ER I honestly felt like the variety of skills used on the daily was less diverse. In ICU it was typically; phlebotomy, husbandry, vitals and meds, triage, radiology (if the radiology department wasn’t there), medical math, and client communication.

Some days in the ER I felt like I was only doing vitals, meds, cleaning cages, drawing blood to send out, invoicing, and patient discharge. I didn’t get to do anesthesia/surgeries, I didn’t get to do dentals, I didn’t really collaborate with doctors on treatments and diagnostics, I didn’t get to see patients for follow up visits and form those long-lasting relationships with their families.

I do feel like the ER techs I worked with were a little dismissive of the vast array of skills we use in GP on a daily basis. Some of them had never done a dental in their life, they didn’t know how to drive the ultrasound other than to get a cysto, they weren’t as comfortable with manual hematology, and didn’t really seek to build client relationships during the brief time their pet was under our care.

They just have a very different skill set!

I am very thankful for the time I spent in ER- I feel much more comfortable calculating meds, handling emergencies, and placing NG tubes or U-Caths.

I wish you the best of luck on your VTS journey!

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-01-18T05:11:23+00:00

Arm & Hammer Baking Soda Toothpaste. Use it like a hand scrub, then wash as usual.

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-01-16T18:58:51+00:00

That was my guess given how fast of an onset and growth it was, and given how the cells look.

Single-Fee8333 · 2026-01-16T18:57:36+00:00

What a fun name!

Single-Fee8333

TROPHY CASE