A New Way of Detecting Diseases

Something new and exciting has come to PCVC! No, it’s not another pink stethoscope or a cage for Buckwheat. We now have a state-of-the-art CT scanner at our facility.

What is a CT scanner?

CT stands for Computed Tomography, which is also known as a CAT scan. It uses a computer to generate images that are much more sophisticated than an X-ray machine. CT scanners can project 3-D images, whereas X-ray machines only produce two dimensional images. We use CT scanners to get a closer look at issues that may not appear on an X-ray. Tumors, for example, show up much more distinctly on a CT scanner than on radiographs.   It simply allows visualization of parts of the body which previously could not be seen.

X-ray of a tortoise

CT of a tortoise. Notice the image's complexity

compared to the X-ray above. 

Full body images of an animal take only a few minutes on a CT scanner, thanks to a mobile table. All a technician needs to do is securely place the animal on the table and then run it through the scanner. To get a radiograph of a full body, it may require the technician changing positions of the animal several times.

Radiographs are still a necessary tool. Our doctors will often order X-rays if there is a possibility of a bone fracture or an obstruction in the intestines. But, if there is a need to evaluate parts of the body invisible on X-rays, the CT scan allows us to see pathology with significantly more detail.

The CT scanner helps us determine stages of cancer; or detect brain, joint, bone, lung, vascular, spinal diseases, and much more.

Basically CT scanners are used if an animal is sick and the radiographs don’t show us what is going on. In the past, when our doctors are suspecting a disease such as cancer in an animal, we would have to make special arrangements to use a human scanner.  It took a lot of time and effort to do . Now, we can do that right in the heart of our clinic and at a fraction of the time and cost.

We are very excited about our new piece of technology. It will change how we detect complicated diseases. Feel free to ask any of our staff questions you may have about the CT scanner.  

More Photos of X-rays and CTs

X-rays of snake

CT skull of dog

CT of snake

Technicians are the Lifeblood of a Vet Clinic

Being a technician is not only about playing with puppies and kittens. What an average person may not realize is that every one of our technicians performs duties that take at least 15 people in the human world to complete.

To your pet they are a...

1.      Nurse

2.      Nurse aid

3.      Lab technician

4.      Dental hygienist

5.      Surgical technician

6.      Anesthesia technician

7.      Pain management technician

8.      Pharmacy technician

9.      Rehabilitation therapist

10.  Orderly

11.  Administrative assistant

12.  Counselor

13.  Radiology technician

14.  Phlebotomist

15.  Housekeeper

*And they learn how to do all these positions in only two years of schooling and constant on-the-job training.

Veterinary technicians are a rare breed. It is not the money that keeps them coming back to work every day, as they make just over minimum wage, but their passion and love for animals. As Audrey, one of our technicians, puts it:

“My job is not about pride and getting the blood or the catheter in, it is about being gentle and understanding to a scared animal that doesn't know what is going on and doesn't feel well.”

Parrish Creek Veterinary Clinic is fortunate to have some of the greatest technicians in the world (we are not biased). We specialize in exotics as well as dogs and cats, so our technicians have undergone rigorous training and education. Every day they work hard drawing blood from reptiles, performing dentals on cats and dogs (and ferrets), educating our clients, assisting in surgeries, comforting grieving owners, restraining birds, snapping x-rays of rabbits, analyzing lab work, filling prescriptions—the list goes on and on.

Allow us to introduce our wonderful technicians:

Crystal is our lead technician and has been with PCVC since 1997. She loves exotics, and is in the process of becoming a specialized exotics technician. Her interest in veterinary medicine began when she was teenager, and although she wanted to be a veterinarian at first, she realized she was more interested in being a technician. She has been in the field for 22 years. For her, the best part of her job is interacting with animals and helping them get back to health.

Audrey is a certified veterinary technician from Chicago and has been has a technician for 17 years, and certified for 12 of those years. Her love for exotics, especially ferrets, has made her job interesting and enjoyable. Ferrets are her absolute favorite animal. She even contemplated working in ferret research to help find cures for their diseases. Every day Audrey hopes that she can make a difference in the lives of our patients and clients, as well as learn something new.

Jen has been a technician for almost four years. Her sweet demeanor and patience with our clients and patients has made her a valuable part of our clinic. She loves working with so many different types of animals and learning something new every day. When she was younger, she always wanted to be a marine biologist and work with dolphins, but didn’t pursue it because of her fear of water. She knew, however, she wanted to work with various species of animals and pursued a career as a veterinary technician.

Dean is another one of our technicians who has a passion for snakes. If you bring in a snake, just know that Dean will be there to help. He graduated from the veterinary technician program at Utah Career College (now Broadview University).

Christine is the newest addition to the PCVC team and is being trained in exotics. We are excited to have her at our hospital.

A vet tech’s job is draining physically, mentally and emotionally. Our techs work long hours and are always paying attention to detail. If there were no vet techs, the veterinary world would be a dreadful place. We are extremely grateful for the technician staff at PCVC. They keep our clinic alive and running. Thank you!