Veterinary equipment is an integral part of any veterinary clinic, but it can often be overwhelming to ensure that you buy the correct equipment for your practice. This guide will help you understand what equipment you need for your veterinary clinic.
Heating lamps
Heating lamps are a standard item for any veterinary clinic. A good unit with a sturdy stand is essential as veterinary clinics can be drafty workplaces. These units should be easy to clean as they will get dirty from your pet’s fur and from being wiped down with disinfectant each day.
Wooden examination tables
An examination table is an essential item of veterinary equipment. You will be examining pets on this each day and lifting them onto it when you need to do any procedures such as taking blood pressure and giving injections. The examination table must have a smooth surface that is easy to disinfect and wipe down. A thick rubber matting or vinyl covering will wear well and is quickly disinfected. It should be sturdy not to move or flex while working on it.
Stainless steel surgical tables
Surgical tables should have a stainless steel top, a strong frame that can support your pet’s weight as you might need to hold them during surgery, and must be easy to clean and disinfect. The base of the surgical table should not scratch your floor. When planning to get veterinary equipment for sale, a mobile surgical table is a good investment. It can double up for other uses, such as different types of surgery or taking blood samples from cats.
Cages
A variety of cages are necessary in a veterinary clinic, including dogs, cats, and aviaries. It is usually best to buy these new ones, but you may be able to pick up second-hand cages at a reasonable price. If you purchase stainless steel cages, ensure that they have removable trays for easy cleaning and disinfecting.
Cages should have smooth surfaces that are easily cleaned and disinfected, so look for floors made from stainless steel, plastic, or tightly woven wire mesh. Cages must be sized correctly for your pet, and it is a good idea to buy spare cages if you need to separate pets in an emergency.
Vet bed
Veterinary mattresses come in several shapes and sizes, most shaped like a flea-dip strip. These are useful for making your dog comfortable after surgery and before an examination or procedure. You can cut these beds to suit the size of your pet, then roll it up at one end for convenience when taking blood pressure.
Cat beds
Cats like to sleep near humans, which means they want to sleep on your bed or near your head. This can be a nuisance and disturbing for you as they will expect you to pet them and play with them while trying to get some work done. A cat bed provides an excellent alternative place for cats to sleep, making it much easier for their owners to sleep at night!
Cat beds don’t need to be very large. A simple rectangle shape with a raised centre is sufficient for most cats.
Tray tables
Tray tables are valuable accessories in veterinary clinics as they can serve many purposes, such as helping you to take your dog’s temperature, to mix up medicines, and many other tasks. Tray tables come in different shapes and sizes, and some models come with a detachable tray for convenience.
Tray tables can be from different materials such as stainless steel, which is easy to clean and sterilise, or plastic which might not be quite so sturdy but will still do the job. You’ll need to check that your tray table has a nonslip base to keep it steady as you work.
Scale
Having a suitable scale in your veterinary surgery is vital as it will help you accurately weigh out and measure your pet’s food and medicine, matching the size of your pet. It is essential that you and all other staff members use the scales easily each day to make sure we do not give your pet too much or too little medicine.
Scale is available in different shapes and sizes, but if you have large dogs, they may be more comfortable on a scale with a wide tray to help them balance while being weighed. It would help if you made sure that the scales are accurate enough for all your needs – some veterinary clinics will only need a scale that measures up to 5kgs, while others might need scales that measure up to 20kgs.
Trolley units are also good for your practice, mainly surgical procedures. These trolleys can hold many different types of equipment and can be wheeled up to the patient, making it easier for the vet to carry out examinations (and perform surgery).
Restraint devices
Horses are one of the more difficult animals to restrain, and most vets only need a collar and lead when performing procedures on them. Unfortunately, not all practices have access to horses, but it would be worth investing in a head halter and a soft cotton rope if yours does.
Some veterinarians also like to use leads on pregnant cows (to help them lie down), and the cheapest option would be to buy a short lead and attach it to your belt; this can then be used as a makeshift lead until you get one of your own at a later date.
Headlight
This equipment category includes halogen or quartz lamps and cordless lights. Halogen lamps are one of the best options in this category because they are bright, practically indestructible, and the bulbs last a long time.
Cordless lights are also helpful around the clinic as you can take them into different examination rooms without disconnecting any cables. The downside of these lamps is that they can get quite heavy on your arms after prolonged use, so it may be worth buying one with an adjustable arm.
No veterinary clinic is complete without the essential equipment needed for day-to-day procedures and taking care of your pet’s health and well-being. Depending on which type of veterinary surgery you do, some of the mentioned equipment may not be relevant to your practice – but we hope that we’ve given you some ideas anyhow!
