Easier Dipstick Readings

One of our doctors took the urine dipstick label off the bottle and had it laminated so it was flat. This makes it so much easier to read the dipstick when it's not on the bottle, and we don't lose our place as often.
Pat Hagan, LVT
River Road Animal Hospital
Puyallup, Washington

Boosting Dental Hygiene

When a pet comes to our hospital for an examination, we always examine teeth and, when necessary, recommend a dental cleaning. Knowing many clients don’t examine their pet’s teeth at home, we take a picture for them, so they can see what we see. When the pet is admitted for a dental cleaning, we send the client home with a complete dental kit packed with sample toothpaste, a toothbrush, educational material, dental diet samples, and, most important, before and after pictures!
Carrie Hirstius
Chateau Veterinary Hospital
Kenner, Louisiana

The Tail Works Well for Pulse Oximetry

When trying to get a pulse oximetry reading on an alert patient, I have found that the tail artery works best. Simply shave the underside of the tail base if needed, and hold the tail steady if the dog is awake and wagging it. Using ultrasound gel and a rectal pulse oximeter probe, place the probe light where the artery would be. This avoids the messy rectal pulse oximetry technique and usually obtains a reading more quickly and with less stress to the patient.
Valerie Garuccio, LVT
Staten Island, New York