Veterinary medicine is a very challenging practice and as such, requires the use of some very basic and highly advanced tools.  Of the many tools used in this field, one of the most useful is the vet microscope, a range of tools used for the examination, observation and analysis of specimens and samples taken from the source animal.  This tool is excellent for checking organisms and samples, providing the necessary magnification in order for the veterinarian to perform the necessary analysis.

It is said that it is much more difficult to administer care to animals because they are mute and naturally cannot communicate their needs and what ails them.  However, veterinary medicine remains as one of the most rewarding careers still being practiced today, thanks to some of the high quality tools that have evolved over the years.  Some of the most important vet tools in use today include:

Examination tools
Arguably the best vet tools that any professional can use are his senses – sight, touch, hearing and smell.  However, human physical resources are very limited, which often necessitates the use of examination tools.  These are the vet tools that are often used during the preliminary check ups often performed as a means to examine a dog physically, usually for vital signs and for detecting symptoms.  These vet tools include:

Stethoscope
The stethoscope is used to magnify the sound of the lungs, stomach and heart of the animal.  The round metal and plastic instrument at the tip of the stethoscope is used to detect the sounds, send them through a tube which then transmits the sound to two more tubes that are connected to two plugs that are placed hollowly inside the ear.

Thermometer
The thermometer used for the examination of animals is the rectal thermometer.  This tool is used to take the animal’s temperature to determine if it is running a fever (such as in the case of an infection) or if it has a normal body temperature.

Veterinarian’s microscopes
The most commonly used vet microscope is the compound microscope that has a 40X to 100X magnification power.  This is usually sufficient to view sample specimens such as hair, skin and other larger body parts.  Higher magnification microscopes may also be used, primarily to view samples such as blood, urine and tissues.  In some cases, a dissecting microscope may also be used if samples have to be cut or manipulated.  Dissecting microscopes have a higher working area between the stage and the objective lens so a sample is easier to cut or slice.

X-ray machine
X-rays are often taken of the animal to view problems such as obstructions, broken or misaligned bones and foreign materials that may have been swallowed.  Doctors often use this tool to check the animal prior to surgery or treatment.

Tools used for the administration of drugs and other medications
Medications are used to treat an animal for a variety of illnesses or diseases.  Some of the vet tools used for these include:

Syringe
Syringes are used for administering liquid medications through the skin or the muscle by injection.  These tools are often used for more efficient and faster dispensing of medications or vaccines.

IV
Sometimes, drug administration is performed through IV (intravenous), wherein a fine needle is inserted into the animal’s vein where the medication can directly enter the bloodstream.

Surgery tools
Sometimes it’s necessary to perform surgery on the animal in order to remove foreign bodies, cysts, damaged tissues and the like.  Surgery is also often required for neutering and spaying.  Some of the vet tools used for these tasks include:

Scalpels
The scalpel is used to make an incision in the skin, tissue or organ.  This is a very sharp instrument and is capable of making very thin but accurate cuts.

Scissors
Scissors are used as one of the very basic vet tools in surgery.  It can cut materials such as cloth, fiber and plastic and are often used to trim animal hair, gauzes, stitches, etc.

Tweezers and forceps
Tweezers are used to capture and hold pieces of foreign material in the animal.  It is also used to collect samples, usually from difficult to reach areas.  Forceps, on the other hand, resemble a pair of tongs, except that they are better designed.  Like tweezers, they are also used to hold and remove foreign material or tissues.

Retractors
A retractor is used to temporary hold a slice open, especially during surgery.  This is a metal instrument that is placed on either side of the cut to keep it accessible to the doctor, making it easier to remove a foreign object, cyst or tumor or to observe the internal parts of the animal.  This is also a vet tool that is commonly used during transplants.