There are many considerations that have to go into setting up a veterinary clinic. Unlike a medical clinic for humans, a veterinary clinic must be able to accommodate a variety species and their individual needs. Of all of the veterinarian equipment that is necessary to start a functioning office, none has more of an impact on the animals’ experience than the selection of veterinary exam tables. Almost every single patient that a veterinary technician handles will be placed on the veterinary exam tables at some point in their visit. The quality of the veterinary exam tables stipulates the animals comfort during the visit, their safety, the safety of the veterinarians performing the visit, and the general efficiency of the practice. Whether you are procuring new or used veterinary equipment to set up a new veterinary office, it’s critical to take to make the following four considerations for purchasing the right exam table for your needs.
- The Comfort Factor
Visiting the veterinarian can be stressful for an animal. It’s a new and unfamiliar environment, and it involves being poked and prodded by people the animal is not comfortable with. The comfort of the veterinary exam tables can help ease the stress of the animal and promote the visit going smoothly. The most cost-effective veterinary exam tables are made of stainless steel, and sometimes this is the best option for the clinic. However, from a comfort perspective, a stainless steel table creates a somewhat frigid environment can add to it animal’s tension. There are that many exam table options that are designed to provide a more comfortable environment for it the animal. Some exam tables have a foam or gel pad or have a wood base to create a cozier environment for the animals. - The Weight Factor
Many urban veterinary clinics primarily deal with cats and dogs. A large dog can way over 100 pounds, and for the animal safety, the veterinary exam table should be able to accommodate at least that much weight. Rural veterinarians are more likely to deal with larger animals, like horses, cows, and goats. The weight limit on the veterinary exam tables in an office that accommodates a wider range of animals will obviously need to be sized accordingly. - The Economic Factor
Since the veterinary technicians will be working with the veterinary exam tables throughout most of their day, having a setup that is ergonomically safe for the veterinary technicians is ideal. The veterinary workers should be able to access any angle of the table and the patient without stretching or straining, which can be damaging for their backs and posture.A few great features in ergonomic veterinary exam table include hydraulic options and additional storage. A hydraulic veterinary exam table allows the surface to be raised or lowered so that the technician doesn’t have to stretch or hunch over to adequately examine the patient. This is an ideal set up, since every animal is a different size, and every veterinary technician is a different size. It also prevents the technician from having to lift the animal higher than what is safe to get them onto the table. Another great feature in a veterinary exam table is additional storage, which allows the technician to reach the supplies they need without leaving the bedside of the patient.
- The Size Factor
Selecting a veterinary exam table that is the appropriate size is a tricky balance. On one hand, the table needs to be large enough to properly accommodate large animals. On the other hand, if the table is too large, it does not create an ergonomic environment for the technician, who then has to bend over and reach to properly work with the patient. Additionally, if the table is not equipped with hydraulic features, the height of the table needs to be carefully considered. A table that is too low will require the technician frequently bend over, which is bad for their spine. If that table is too high, lifting the animals onto it could also be dangerous for them.
Have you ever purchased a veterinary exam table? What features were most important to you? Is there anything you wish you’d done differently? Please contribute your advice in the comment section below.
