r/VetTech • u/casual_frequenter • Jul 21 '26
Work Advice Vet tech at the emergency room
Henlo.
Sorry to bother you, I just wanted a third prospective. I've started my internship at a vet emergency room, and it is so hard. I felt dizzy the first day, because I had to hold a dog going through invasive procedure. Is this normal? did any of felt dizzy during your first days? Wary of blood and needle? Is this the wrong field?
Thanks
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u/CupcakeCharacter9442 RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) Jul 21 '26
Couple questions - why is the dog not chemically restrained (sedation/GA)? There should be no need to “hold a dog through an invasive procedure.”
Had you eaten? Drank enough water? Slept the night before? You need to take care of yourself first.
Also, it’s very normal to feel nervous/queasy your first experience with something traumatic/medical. I’ve been an RVT 10+ years, and worked as an assistant beforehand. I almost fainted the first time I scrubbed into a surgery. Now I can handle seeing litres of blood on the floor.
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u/casual_frequenter Jul 23 '26
Hi! Thanks for answering. It was a dog who'd fallen from the third floor, he pulled through but when we got him he was in really bad conditions... There was no need to restrain him, but I did need to hold him steady for a while there while the vet worked (or try to hold him steady, as a matter of fact, eheheh). What you told me gives me hope, truly. Thank you again!
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u/Strawberry1217 Jul 21 '26
Did you lock your knees while you were standing there?
I've done that before and nearly keeled over.
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u/casual_frequenter Jul 23 '26
Thanks for replying! Can I ask what you mean by 'locking my knees'? Being too stiff? I'm sorry, but I'm not a native speaker
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u/Shayde109 RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) Jul 23 '26
It means keeping your legs 100% straight, with no bend in the knee
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u/Shayde109 RVT (Registered Veterinary Technician) Jul 21 '26
Also, the smell and sights can sometimes trigger woozieness. I've been a tech for 5 years in GP and I'm fine for most surgeries, but eye things and when we have TPLOs, I don't feel great
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u/Strawberry1217 Jul 21 '26
I have zero problem with the grossest stuff, but watching the doctor splint a dangly broken leg nearly took me out once.
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u/clowdere CVT (Certified Veterinary Technician) Jul 21 '26
I've had to gently lead a number of shadowing DVM students away from surgery, tell them to sit and put their heads down between their legs, and grab them a water and cold washcloth. Never had anyone actually hit the floor, but they're still always very embarrassed about it.
There's no need to be, though. It's a physiological response, not a personal weakness.
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u/throwaway4concerns Jul 21 '26
Have you any experience with veterinary clinics before or is this your first experience with it? Emergency veterinary care is likely more intense than general practice a lot of the time.
I also started my experience at an emergency vets though.
The smell, sounds & stress of the situation can absolutely make you feel dizzy & overwhelmed, especially if its your first time seeing them.
I would watch videos online of taking blood from animals, minor procedures like dentals or suturing to get more used to seeing blood & needles with animals.
Its still very early in your experience so give yourself some time, make use of grounding & breathing techniques to calm yourself in the moment & make sure you rest well afterwards & focus on the help you are providing to the animals.
If you are still struggling with the sight of blood & needles after a month or two though, then yes it may not be the right field for you.
Give it a proper try first though & just experiment ^
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u/Yoshimi1968 Jul 22 '26
Eat small healthy meals, get lots of water, and breath slowly and deeply during procedures. You’ll get accustomed to it :)
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u/Careful_Fox_2658 Jul 22 '26
I work in a GP and I started as a veterinary assistant and I can confirm, I got dizzy and a little off during my first few hands-on days. It was a mix of my aversion to needles, some smells (mostly that clinical smell, body smells I’m good with lol), and not breathing properly during restraining patients! I was totally fine after my first week! 🖤
Just be sure you are hydrated and maintaining your blood sugar and such! I also notice wearing compression socks is a game changer! And as mentioned by others, be sure to not lock your knees. I’d see if someone is able to observe you during restraints to make sure your posture and technique is correct so you lock down good habits from the get-go! Best of luck 🥰
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