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44 Tasks for the Veterinary Assistant

Health certificates are utilized by federal and state 5. Small animals – statement saying it has not bitten
employees to prevent the spread of disease across anyone in the last 10 days
national and state borders. They are also used to prevent 6. Disease status – testing to confirm status, date, and
the spread of disease from county to county or region to location of testing
region at shows and exhibitions like county or state fairs. 7. Veterinarian’s signature and date certificate was
This is accomplished by examining, vaccinating, and issued.
testing animals for disease before the animal is trans­ Falsifying a health certificate is illegal and can be pun­
ported. Veterinarians must be accredited by the USDA ished by fines, loss of license, and/or jail time. An animal
and the accreditation must be displayed along with the should be evaluated for a health certificate within 10
veterinarian’s license to practice, along with a business days of travel.
license. Health certificates can be obtained through the
state’s Department of Agriculture and there are two
types: one for companion animals and one for livestock. Facility Logs
Both have multiple copies; one is given to the owner, one The veterinary practice is required to keep log books for
is sent to the state’s Department of Agriculture and/or surgeries, controlled drugs, radiographs, laboratory
USDA, one for the patient’s files, and one kept in the tests, equipment maintenance, and inventory. Table 3.2
book for reference. indicates what each log is and what information each
There can be differing state or country requirements captures. The following chapters go into more detail for
for animal transportation. The staff can call the USDA’s each log.
toll‐free 24‐hour service on 800‐545‐8732 for state
requirements. You can also find this information at
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/home/, search animal
transportation or importation guidelines.
All certificates require:

1. Owner’s name, address, and phone number
2. Animal’s signalment including ear tags and/or Reflection
tattoos, and physical markings
3. Purchaser or consignee name, address, and phone Discuss how the rabies certificate and the
number – if being sold health certificate can help prevent the spread of
4. Vaccinations – name, lot or serial number, manufac­ diseases.
turer, vaccine type, date of vaccination

TABLE 3.2
Facility Logs
Log Purpose Content
Surgical log Secondary to the patient’s file, confirms an Owner’s and patient’s names, surgeon’s name, technician’s
animal’s surgery and backs up the use of initials, type of surgery, date
anesthetics. Can also be used if there is a break in
sterility issues
Controlled Keeps a running total of DEA Controlled Drugs One section per controlled drug, running total of amounts
drug log used for surgeries and other procedures used per day and amounts ordered and entered upon
arrival, may also include lot numbers and expiration date
information
Radiography Secondary to the patient’s file, used to document Owner’s and patient’s names, views taken, technician’s
log employee’s exposure to radiation initials, date
Laboratory log Secondary to the patient’s file, used to quickly Owner’s and patient’s names, test(s) run, results, date, and
document tests run and results technician’s initials
Inventory log Documents the entire inventory in the practice. Quantity, item, size/container, strength/concentration,
Can be used to develop minimum and maximum #/box, storage area, who it is ordered from, minimum/
order points maximum order points, cost
Equipment Record of maintenance done on each piece of Type of maintenance done, who did it and when
maintenance equipment