Veterinary Instruments and What They Do

By Anirudh R. Narendra Nath

What would you expect to find in a clinic? What instruments can you expect to see? Where can you find these instruments? What do they do? In this article, I will be providing the answers for these questions and more based on my own experience, having recently shadowed at a veterinary clinic.

Firstly: what sort of instruments can be found? There is a notable variety in the instruments and tools used in a clinic, as the doctors and staff are often required to groom animals, give them injections and more.

As far as grooming is concerned, expect to see scissors and clippers of all sizes being used. Large clippers can’t exactly be used to clip a little kitten’s claws, lest a toe be cut off in the process. Similarly, small clippers can’t be expected to make much more than an irritating dent in the claws of larger species of dogs. Clippers are used to make sure that an animal’s claws are not sharp, which would (obviously) be quite painful for anybody on the receiving end. The claws are clipped until they are flat, and it is important to note that the claws must not be clipped too far back, as the risk of bleeding and developing infections increases.

Scissors are used to keep the length of a dog’s fur in check. Again, the size varies depending on the patient. There is usually a separate grooming room, as having one dog occupy a spot for a while not only increases the waiting time for following patients, but also leaves quite a mess of fur. In many cases, however, if only a small region needs to have fur cut, it is carried out on the table. Shih Tzus were among the dog breeds that received the most fur cuts, from what I observed. It makes sense - they are a relatively more furry breed, with long strands of hair. The regions that were cut were usually either next to the anus, or around the eyes. Fur around the anus could obstruct glands and excretion, which would be painful for the dog and cause irritation. Similarly, fur around the eyes can cause irritation and potentially infection if left to grow.

Plenty of syringes and vials are also found in the clinic. One of the most frequently carried out procedures is vaccinations. Many animals coming into the clinic have come for their latest dose as per the schedule. In the case of some young animals, they are fed a deworming solution through a syringe as well, which helps remove worms. The vials holding the solutions are all stored in a fridge, and the syringes are kept on a table along with the clippers and scissors.

It is important to keep all of the scissors, clippers, syringes, etc. in one location where they can be easily seen. It’s not just convenient when choosing a size - it allows the staff to keep track of the items and make sure nothing is lost or misplaced. Any instrument left unattended on the floor could potentially prick a curious dog sniffing about.

Paper towels and tissues are also quite common, as they are used for cleaning and the disposal of clippings and fur. They are usually thrown into a dustbin after usage. Another interesting thing regarding the dustbins - all broken vials and tubes have a separate dustbin, away from the normal ones.

Just like humans, animals are not always very calm when they are on the table. Some start jumping to and fro before they even enter, some bark, mewl, howl and hiss at the sight of another animal, some twitch and shake as they are held and some even bite. It is not very convenient to work with animals who are acting this way - the owners are usually always nearby to help the staff placate the animal. Usually, the animal will have to be held down anyways. There is the occasional peaceful creature who will solemnly sit without making a noise and comply without resistance, but they are few and far between.

Muzzles are used depending on the animal’s aggression or restlessness. They come in various shapes and sizes, depending on the animal’s breed and size. Some muzzles use Velcro straps, whereas others are slipped on in a fashion similar to masks. The decision on whether to use a muzzle or not is gauged by how the animal behaves in the clinic. Some larger dog breeds are also harder to hold down, so muzzles are used to prevent them from biting anyone nearby. This also makes the staff’s job easier, as no one will have to keep a tight hold on the animal’s head, which could make it more restless.

Another head-related item is the cone used to prevent scratching and biting in cases of irritation. Scratching could potentially cause an infection and worsen the problem.

A heater is also present, as it allows for water to be warmed in case very young animals come into the clinic. It is harder for younger animals to control their body temperature - in these cases, to keep the animal warm, a glove is filled with warm water and covered with a towel. This keeps the babies warm whilst preventing the heat from burning them.

X-Ray scans can be taken, metal rods are present to be turned into crutches, IV drips are used, combs are used to sift through hair and straighten it, padded beds are available for animals that find sitting on the tables hard, stethoscopes are used to check heart rate and breathing rate, microscopes are used to look for mites and other parasites - the list is extensive.

A veterinary clinic is no ordinary clinic - all of its facilities are tailored towards making sure that any and all animals that visit can be treated in a manner that is comfortable and suitable for the owners, the animals and the staff. It might share some instruments with a normal clinic, but the way these instruments are used differs.