About Veterinary Technician Specialties

Veterinarian technicians work with animals in a vet's office, often providing medical and supportive care during exams and procedures. Vet techs may have a general knowledge or specialize in one of eight vet tech programs. These eight specializations require a higher level of study and certification than a general vet tech, and require a license to work in the field.

Emergency and Critical Care

This vet tech specialty focuses on working with vets in emergency care. Animals who have suffered traumatic injuries, have catastrophic illnesses and who need critical care are treated by these vet techs.

Anesthesia

Vet techs specializing in anesthesia learn to administer drugs before, after and during surgical procedures. These techs work in operating rooms in vet offices, zoos and animal hospitals.

Dental

Dental veterinarians work to ensure that teeth and gums are healthy in animals. Vet techs assist with dental hygiene, oral surgery and preventive care.

 Internal Medicine

Within the internal medicine field there are subspecialties of oncology, neurology, cardiology, large animal medicine and small animal medicine. These techs work to ensure that animals are healthy and assist with diagnosing and treating animal illnesses.

Behavior Technicians

Vet's in this area assist pets and their owners in the field of training, human handling and behavior modification. Vet techs attempt to assist owners with behavior problems by finding humane and effective solutions to the problems. They strive to ensure that the human-animal bond is strong, while ensuring that animal is well trained.

Equine

Working with horses is a special skill, as horses have unique musculoskeletal issues, behaviors and bonds with humans. Equine vet techs work in animal hospitals, farms and equine centers.

 Zoology

Zoo vet techs must learn to work in settings with exotic and large animals. These vet techs must also learn to work with animals in captivity, work with animals that may present safety problems and learn to work within view of spectators and visitors to the zoo.

Surgical

Surgical vet techs assist with operations and surgeries on a variety of animals. Learning to work with animals under anesthesia, handle surgical equipment and work in a sterile environment are some skills used by a surgical vet tech.