Many different types of equipment are used in veterinary science. Veterinary hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and research laboratories have different needs and require different equipment.
-
Personal Protective Equipment
-
Personal protective equiment protects from infection and from unwilling patients. All veterinarians and technicians who work with animals and biological samples use personal protective equipment. This includes gloves and gowns and, in some cases, protective eye wear, respirators and animal restraint devices.
Veterinary Hospitals
-
Veterinarians use the same equipment as doctors for humans. Veterinary hospitals use the same types of equipment as doctors' offices. This includes surgical and sampling tools, injection rigs, stethoscopes, exam tables and lights.
Diagnostic Equipment
-
Diagnostic equipment may be used on a patient or on samples. Diagnostic equipment may be used in a veterinary hospital or samples may be sent to an off-site diagnostic laboratory. This equipment is used to analyze samples of blood, urine, tissue and feces. It may be as simple as a microscope, or very complex, and includes radiographic equipment.
Research Laboratories
-
Research facilities also use equipment for restraint and experimentation. Animal research laboratories use much of the same hospital and diagnostic equipment as veterinary offices. In addition, they use specialized equipment such as lab animal isolettes and restraints.
Equipment Suppliers
-
Medical, agricultural, and educational supply companies may all be sources of equipment. Equipment is purchased from medical, laboratory, veterinary, farm and classroom suppliers. Occasionally, large items such as incubators may be purchased secondhand in good condition but, for the most part, purchasing new will decrease chances of failure from outdated or worn-out equipment.
-