Central venous catheters (CVCs) are critical tools in veterinary care, providing reliable vascular access for fluid therapy, medication delivery, parenteral nutrition, and repeated blood sampling in critically ill patients. While their use can be essential to patient survival, introducing a catheter into central circulation carries greater risks than peripheral catheterization. Potential complications include catheter-related bloodstream infections, thrombotic events, and mechanical issues such as malposition or vessel injury. To minimize these risks, strict aseptic technique and meticulous catheter management are required throughout placement, maintenance, and removal.

This review outlines the key indications, contraindications, necessary supplies, and a step-by-step approach to safe and effective CVC use in veterinary medicine.

Some items may be included with the central line kit:

Appropriately sized catheter-gauge and length

Sterile 0.9% NaCl flushes x number of lumens

+/- Sedation with appropriate monitoring devices

: Place the animal in the preferred recumbency.

Measure the distance from the intended insertion site to the desired placement.

This is the insertion site to the thoracic inlet.

The tip of the catheter should lie within the thoracic inlet, just cranial to the right atrium.

: Perform a wide clip of fur using a clean #40 clipper blade, centered on the intended venipuncture site.

Ensure the area is large enough so no part of the catheter, including suture, will be within the patient’s fur.

: Clean the area with gauze soaked in chlorhexidine scrub

Be thorough but gentle when scrubbing the area, as abraded skin will support colonization of pathogenic bacteria.

Do not clean the same place twice with the same gauze.

Clean residual scrub from skin with alcohol to prevent dermatitis.

Do this procedure again, alternating between scrub and alcohol 2 times.

 touch the insertion site after preparation.

Figure 1: Example of a sterile draped for placement (Photo courtesy of Jenn Bench, RVT, VTS (ECC), T-CCFP)

: Using sterile technique, flush with 0.9% sodium chloride solution (NaCl) and cap all ports prior to insertion.

: Drape the patient to prevent inadvertent contamination of the catheter 

Palpate the vessel while the restrainer occludes the vessel.

Infiltration of a local anesthetic at the intended insertion site is recommended for nonsedated animals.

: Insert introducing needle or short over-the-needle-catheter bevel up, going toward the direction of the heart.

: When blood is observed flashing back into the needle, if using a short over-the-needle catheter, advance the catheter and then remove the stylet before feeding the guide wire.

The distal end of the wire has a flexible J-tip to prevent puncturing the vessel.

Feed the guide wire approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of its length into the vessel.

Place sterile gauze over the insertion site with a slight amount of pressure while removing the insertion needle or short over-the-needle-catheter to prevent blood loss

: Thread the vessel dilator over the wire.

: Grasp the dilator near the distal tip and advance it into the vessel using a forward, twisting motion.

The skin entry site may need to be enlarged using a scalpel blade (RVT or DVM 

Minimize cutdowns; larger cutdowns increase the risk of bacterial colonization.

: Remove the vessel dilator while still holding the wire.

: Place sterile gauze over the insertion site with a slight amount of pressure while removing the vessel dilator to prevent blood loss.

: Remove the cap from the distal (brown) port of the catheter and ensure it is not clamped.

: Thread the multilumen catheter over the wire until the proximal end of the wire protrudes from the port.

: While holding the distal end of the guide wire, advance the catheter into the vessel until the desired distance is achieved (as determined by the previous measurement).

Figure 2: Example of shaved and sutured CVC (Photo courtesy of Sheridan Tidball, RVT, VTS (SAIM))

: While holding the catheter in place, remove the guide wire.

: Attach a syringe of sterile 0.9% NaCl to the port and aspirate blood to ensure proper placement and remove any air bubbles.

Flush open port, clamp and then place the infusion cap on the end.

: Suture the catheter to the skin using the plastic clamps with 

All single or multilumen CVCs should be sutured in.

If the catheter is too long, place the provided spacers over the exposed catheter before suturing.

: Take a lateral placement radiograph to ensure proper placement of the tip of the catheter 

: Cover the site with a small nonadherent pad and small Tegaderm (avoid ointments).

Figure 5: Example of bandaged multilumen catheter (Photo courtesy of Mandy Helton, RVTg, VTS (ECC))

The bandage should be firm, but never tight.

Wrap with cast padding, stretch gauze, and vet wrap.

Wrap with cast padding, followed by vet wrap.

Secure lumens with tape so they don’t get caught on anything.

: Wipe injection ports with alcohol before using.

: A 250-mL bag should be labeled when first punctured "For this patient's use only"; it expires in 72 hours (please refer to hospital policies regarding sampling).

: Flush CVC with sterile 0.9% NaCl every 6 hours.

Unwrap bandage and visualize insertion site every 24 hours (change bandage).

Check for signs of phlebitis/infection/dislodgment, redness, swelling, heat or discharge and notify the doctor of any abnormalities.

If a portion of the catheter becomes visible and has pulled out from the insertion site:

Aseptically clean the area with 2% chlorhexidine solution.

Place spacers on top of the exposed catheter.

 reinsert the catheter back into the vessel.

: When a patient is disconnected from intravenous (IV) fluids, a new male adapter should be used to cover the CVC hub and cap the fluid line with the other end of the male adapter.

: There is no need to remove the CVC unless signs of phlebitis/infection/dislodgement occur.

: Evaluate the need for a catheter and remove it as soon as it is no longer necessary to decrease the chances of bloodstream infection.

: Using 2% chlorhexidine solution, followed by sterile 0.9% NaCl, clean a circular area 2 inches in diameter around the insertion site, beginning at the insertion site and moving outward. This reduces microbial skin contaminants from migrating into the site.

: Withdraw CVC slowly in 1 continuous motion.

 if resistance is met: The catheter may be knotted or lodged in the vessel. Secure the CVC, cover the site, and report to the physician.

: Place pressure on the site with clean gauze dressing until hemostasis is achieved; 1 to 5 minutes is suggested.

: Apply clean gauze dressing, cover with a transparent film dressing, wrap with cast padding, then use vet wrap to prevent air emboli.

: Leave the bandage in place for about an hour.

Increased intracranial pressure: potential for decreased venous drainage during placement

Articles

This step-by-step guide outlines safe placement, maintenance, and removal of central venous catheters, as well as supplies, indications, and contraindications to reduce complications in patients.

Central venous catheter placement and maintenance

The FTC announced earlier last month that it voted 3-1 to vacate the 2024 final rule banning most post-employment noncompete agreements. With this vote, the FTC formally ended the initiative from the Biden Administration to eliminate these types of contracts across the US.

Noncompete agreements generally restrict employees who leave a job from working in that field or for a competitor of the company for a specific time frame as well as in a certain geographic area, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).

 In April 2024, the FTC announced its final rule to ban noncompete nationwide and estimated that new business formation would increase by 2.7%, higher wages for workers, and lower health care costs.

Now, most of the commissioners support prosecuting anti-compete agreements and issued a request for information to better understand the prevalence, scope, and effects of noncompete agreements.

When the FTC issued its noncompete rule, it would have prohibited almost all noncompetes prospectively and retroactively, which impacted an estimated 30 million workers in the United States. The rule then created legal challenges from employer groups. In August 2024, US District Court for the Northern District of Texas stated that the rule was "arbitrary" and "capricious" and then vacated the rule. The FTC appealed, but due to the recent vote by the commission, the FTC filed motions to withdraw the appeals that it filed.

FTC also dismissed its pending appeals in the Ryan LLC v. FTC before the Fifth Circuit and Properties of the Villages v. FTC before the Eleventh Circuit, accepting the district court decisions find FTC lacked statutory authority to issue this ruling. The court then ordered the Ryan case enjoined the FTC rule, which ended the nationwide ban. Although the categorical prohibition is no longer in effect, the commission will continue to pursue individual enforcement actions, such as collaborating with states' attorneys general, against noncompete agreements that are considered anticompetitive under current law.

The actions of the FTC leaves regulation of noncompete agreements primarily to the states, which some have passed or are considering new restrictions. For the veterinary community, Former FTC Chair Lina Khan has stated that veterinarians were some of the most active professionals that submitted comments during the rulemaking process back in 2023.

“I was struck by the extent to which we heard from veterinarians—hundreds of people sharing stories about how noncompetes had buried them in expensive litigation, cost them job opportunities with better wages and conditions, and even forced people to uproot their families or commute hours away,” Khan told attendees during the 2024 AVMA Veterinary Business and Economic Forum.

FTC bans noncompete agreements in the veterinary profession

Current FTC Chairman Andrew N. Ferguson cited in a recent FTC action against Gateway Pet Memorial Services, which according to the commission, allegedly used noncompete to stop worker mobility in the pet aftercare industry. The commission found that under a proposed FTC consent order, the company must immediately stop enforcing all of its existing noncompete agreements, among other terms.

Although majority seem to be in favor of vacating the rule, Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, the only dissenting vote, criticized the decision to vacate. She stated that out of roughly 26,000 public comments on the rule, over 25,000 supported a categorical ban. She argued noncompetes "not only present barriers to worker mobility, but suppress wages, prevent new business formation, and slow innovation."

“Today, sadly, the FTC’s Republican majority decided to throw in the towel. In place of a rule to protect nearly all American workers from abusive noncompetes, the majority offers a one off settlement and a request for information (as though the record of tens of thousands of comments does not exist),” Slaughter stated in her statement.

“Perhaps the agency is hoping that, by dismissing the Commission’s appeals and refusing to continue defending the rule in court, no one will notice that the FTC is choosing the side of controlling bosses over American workers. But every worker trapped by a noncompete who would be liberated by this rule—and that is millions of workers in America— knows the truth,” she continued.

The agency is now seeking public comments to gain a better understand of the agreements, plus gather information that can inform future enforcement actions. The deadline to submit a public comment is November 3, 2025, and if anyone wishes to make their submission confidential, they can email noncompete@ftc.gov and mark it as such. Once submitted, comments will be posted to regulations.gov.

The provided list of sample questions for commenters includes:

Does the employer enforce the noncompete agreements? If so, how?

Are you aware of former employees covered by the noncompete agreements taking a new job with lower pay or worse conditions to avoid violating the terms of those agreements?

Are you aware of former employees covered by the noncompete agreements leaving the industry or changing their job type when taking a new job in order to avoid violating the terms of those agreements?

Are you aware of business owners limiting the geographic territory in which they operate to avoid violating the noncompete agreements with former employers?

Are you aware of rival employers making job offers that were declined due to the potential employee learning that they are restricted by a noncompete?

Have any noncompete agreements covering workers in the healthcare sector affected wages, labor mobility, or the availability, quality, or cost of healthcare services in particular? If so, how?

“We are asking the public to help shine a light on unfair and anticompetitive agreements,” said Kelse Moen, Deputy Director of the Bureau of Competition and co-chair of the agency’s Joint Labor Task Force,

“Unreasonable noncompete agreements have proliferated for too long in the dark. With the assistance of the employees and workers most burdened by them, the Trump-Vance FTC intends to uproot the worst offenders and restore fairness to the American labor market. We look forward to closely reviewing every response.”

FTC vacates noncompete rule, shifts to case-by-case enforcement. News release. American Veterinary Medical Association. September 30, 2025. Accessed October 1, 2025. 

https://www.avma.org/news/ftc-vacates-noncompete-rule-shifts-case-case-enforcement

McCafferty C. FTC bans noncompete agreements in the veterinary profession. April 26, 2025. Accessed October 1, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/ftc-bans-noncompete-agreements-used-by-some-veterinary-employers

Federal Trade Commission. Gateway Pet Memorial Services. Federal Trade Commission website. Updated September 4, 2025. Accessed October 1, 2025. 

https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/gateway-pet-memorial-services

Slaughter RK. Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter Regarding the Dismissal of Appeals in Noncompete Rule Litigations. Federal Trade Commission. September 5, 2025. Accessed October 1, 2025.

https://www.ftc.gov/system/files/ftc_gov/pdf/slaughter-noncompetes-litigation-withdrawal-statement.pdf

Federal Trade Commission Issues Request for Information on Employee Noncompete Agreements. News release. Federal Trade Commission. September 4, 2025. Accessed October 1, 2025. 

https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/09/federal-trade-commission-issues-request-information-employee-noncompete-agreements

The commission is now seeking public comment on scope, prevalence, and effects of noncompete agreements.

Federal Trade Commission vacates noncompete rule 

Recently, the University of California (UC), Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine highlighted the case of Ginger, a male kitten who was discovered to have a narrowing in his esophagus, called a stricture, that prevented food from reaching his stomach.

To save Ginger, a team at the UC Davis William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital’s (VMTH’s) Feline Pediatric Service had to perform multiple rounds of surgery to open Ginger’s esophagus.

Esophageal strictures in cats can develop from a variety of causes, including anesthesia, trauma such as the ingestion of a foreign body, ingestion of caustic substances, certain medications like doxycycline or clindamycin, esophagitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

 Tumor invasion can be another cause of strictures in the esophagus, though esophageal tumors are rare.

Ginger was found as an abandoned newborn kitten alongside 3 siblings and placed in a foster home with a volunteer named Kendra from FieldHaven Feline Center, an animal shelter located in Lincoln, California. At approximately 5 weeks old, he began regurgitating his food. The issue continued with more feedings, so he was examined by a veterinarian at FieldHaven. However, after Ginger’s condition continued to worsen, he was referred to the VMTH’s Feline Pediatric Service for specialty care.

There, radiographs revealed a stricture in Ginger’s esophagus. Subsequent CT scans showed that his esophagus was opening less than 1 mm, far below the 8-mm opening typical for a healthy 6-week-old kitten. CT findings also included pneumonia, likely due to aspiration from regurgitation.

X-ray of Ginger showing his esophageal stricture. 

Karen Vernau, DVM, MAS, DACVIM (Neurology), who was working on Ginger’s case, consulted with Sean Hulsebosch, DVM, DACVIM (SAIM), another faculty member at VMTH, after “recognizing that Ginger’s case could quickly become fatal.”

 Hulsebosch then created a treatment plan to open Ginger’s esophagus with a ballooning procedure that is done through an endoscopy.

The procedure proved to be successful, with Ginger experiencing no regurgitation and feeding well. However, approximately 6 days later, Ginger experienced a recurrence, which is not uncommon with this form of stricture, and regurgitated his food again. As a result, Hulsebosch repeated the procedure and initiated weekly ballooning treatments to gradually fully open Ginger’s esophagus, according to UC Davis.

Hulsebosch performing an endoscopy on Ginger to open the stricture. 

Ginger’s condition recurred following every procedure. However, the esophagus gradually widened with each ballooning, reaching 7 mm after the last procedure.

“After each procedure, Ginger’s esophagus stayed open 1 mm, then to 2 to 3 mm, 3 to 4 mm, 4 to 5 mm, and finally remaining [at] 7 mm following the last ballooning,” UC Davis said in its report.

Although the kitten will need to stay on soft food for the rest of his life, UC Davis said Ginger's outlook is positive.

“Since his final surgery [3] months ago, Ginger has had no recurring regurgitation issues,” Kendra said in the report.

 “And nothing is slowing him down. He is the most energetic and personable kitten imaginable.”

According to UC Davis, Ginger has been officially adopted by Kendra and her husband. “We will continue to monitor Ginger for any recurring issues, but he is doing very well now and enjoys the canned food,” Kendra said.

Procedure to correct esophageal stricture saves kitten on brink of starvation. UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. September 29, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/procedure-correct-esophageal-stricture-saves-kitten-brink-starvation

Esophageal strictures in small animals. Merck Veterinary Manual. May 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. https://www.merckvetmanual.com/digestive-system/diseases-of-the-esophagus-in-small-animals/esophageal-strictures-in-small-animals

Imaging revealed the kitten’s esophagus was under 1 mm in diameter compared with 8 mm expected at his age.

Kitten with severely narrowed esophagus undergoes multiple ballooning procedures 

Our host Adam Christman, DVM, MBA, welcomed Matthew W. Brunke, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CCAT, Fellow IAVRPT, to this episode of The Vet Blast Podcast presented by dvm360 to close our Pain Awareness Month. In this episode, the duo will share more on the multiple ways to manage patients in pain, including joint therapies and holistic evidence-based approaches, plus the true power clients have in their pets daily care. 

Pain management in veterinary medicine: What’s new?

Below is a partial transcript, edited lightly for clarity. 

: Okay, you know, to the listeners, guess what we did not talk about yet....I just want to take a step back. Look at all the things that we've talked about and yet, we did not even talk about nutraceuticals and NSAIDs yet, which I think is so great, though, Matt, that we actually have all these other options that are out there. Because before you go into it, I want to get your take on this. Is there a negative connotation sometimes when [clinicians] say, 'We're going to put them on say, like an NSAID or drug'...? They want to go for something else first...I'm using air quotes because you can't see me, about the word 'drug'.

Matthew W. Brunke, DVM, DACVSMR (Canine), CCAT, Fellow IAVRPT

: No, it's a great point, right? They don't always want it. But when I think about arthritis management, my first line [of] defense is an NSAID. Carprofen, right? And, yeah, there was a negative connotation in the 90s and early 2000s for those of you out there who remembered it when Rimadyl was the 'R word', and now I'm using air quotes. It was bad in the Labrador communities, right? It just killed dogs. That's not the case, right? We learned a lot about idiosyncratic reactions and how to screen patients appropriately, but you're right, if they only have 1 or 2 joints, or even 3 or 4 joints that hurt, why are we challenging them systemically? 

So yeah, if we can do other things, great, but NSAIDs are still our first line [of] defense. Still have our best evidence, and they're usually going to help. The animal will feel better within 3 to 4 days. So that's a big step to the pet parent, [who] is going, "Holy cow, my animal's in pain." We know as clinicians, that that animal's probably been in pain for a month or more. So how do we help unwind that NSAIDs are a big help. And then maybe we do transition to talk about nutraceuticals.

I want to say, before you go into that...I feel like the negative connotation of the word drug, I feel like we as veterinary professionals have a responsibility to educate [clients] on that too, when we talk about safety and efficacy profiles of all these ones that are out there. And you know, you pick your flavor, whatever one works well for you and your clinic, or what you see with their experience, but regardless of the fact that you know they're FDA-approved, the safety and efficacy profiles are really good, and we do monitoring profiles just to your point, so I think [it's] important that we mention that, right?

Podcasts

Discover effective pain management strategies for pets, including joint therapies and holistic approaches, in this insightful Vet Blast Podcast episode.

Modern multimodal pain management for patients

A new drug product for preventing and treating New World screwworm (NWS) larval infestations in cattle is conditionally approved by the FDA. Doramectin injection solution (Dectomax-CA1 Injectable; Zoetis) is also indicated for the prevention of NWS reinfestation for 21 days in cattle.

FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, MPH, said the conditional approval is the first in the US for NWS. “We understand the urgency with which America’s farmers and ranchers are asking for tools to fight [NWS],” Makary said in a news release.

 “Today’s conditional approval shows our dedication to rapidly advancing important animal medicines when they are needed most. We continue to work tirelessly to complete review of other NWS products to protect multiple animal species in the US.”

NWS was recently confirmed less than 70 miles south of the US-Mexico border. This confirmation marks the northernmost detection of the parasite during the ongoing outbreak in Mexico and prompted an increase in concern for the US cattle and livestock industry.

“The New World screwworm continues its March northward.…Unlike typical maggots that feed on necrotic tissue, this screwworm larva loves living flesh. It will, in fact, disfigure and kill livestock, pets, wildlife, and yes, even you,” Christopher Lee, DVM, MPH, DACVPM, said in a 

Doramectin injection solution is indicated for use in beef cattle, female dairy cattle aged less than 20 months, pregnant beef cattle, newborn calves, and bulls.

 The drug is eligible for conditional approval because it aims to prevent and treat a serious or life-threatening disease in cattle and addresses an unmet animal health need. Eligibility was also determined because the drug requires complex or particularly difficult studies to demonstrate effectiveness.

“Under this conditional approval, the FDA has determined the drug is safe and has a reasonable expectation of effectiveness. We are making this treatment available to cattle producers immediately while the sponsor collects the data needed for a full approval,” Timothy Schell, PhD, acting director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine, said in the release.

 “The FDA will continue to expedite review of animal drugs to help the U.S. fight this devastating threat to our nation's livestock and the livelihoods of the farmers and ranchers who care for them."

Dectomax-CA1 contains the same active ingredient at the same dose as Zoetis’ Dectomax, which previously received full FDA approval for treatment and control of certain nematode and arthropod parasites in cattle and swine. The Dectomax approval included adequate target animal safety studies, manufacturing information, and human food safety information. This prior information submitted to the FDA negated the agency’s requirement for new information covering those aspects in support of the conditional approval for Dectomax-CA1.

The 35-day withdrawal period for cattle, as well as warnings to prevent drug residues in meat from treated cattle, are the same for Dectomax-CA1 as it is for Dectomax. However, a withdrawal period has not been established for this product in preruminating calves, and the FDA has advised against using the drug in calves that will be processed for veal.

“New World screwworm has the potential to bring unprecedented economic and animal health harm to livestock producers,” Mike Lormore, DVM, MS, MBA, director of cattle and pork technical services at Zoetis, said in a news release.

 “Our top priority is to support keeping animals healthy and provide timely, efficacious solutions to our customers and partners. With this conditional approval, Dectomax-CA1 Injectable can now be used as part of safe, effective control measures against [NWS].”

Doramectin injectable solution is available in 250-mL and 500-mL bottles with a new label for Dectomax-CA1, anticipated to arrive in early 2026.

 The label will contain both Dectomax and Dectomax-CA1 indications, although each drug has a unique application number, according to the FDA.

Zoetis is encouraging the implementation of strategic prevention and control measures by livestock producers working closely with herd veterinarians.

FDA conditionally approves first drug for prevention and treatment of New World screwworm infestations in cattle. News release. FDA. September 30, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. 

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-conditionally-approves-first-drug-prevention-and-treatment-new-world-screwworm-infestations

Zoetis receives conditional approval for Dectomax-CA1 injectable for the prevention and treatment of New World screwworm myiasis in cattle. News release. Zoetis. September 30, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. 

https://investor.zoetis.com/news/news-details/2025/Zoetis-Receives-Conditional-Approval-for-Dectomax-CA1-Injectable-for-the-Prevention-and-Treatment-of-New-World-Screwworm-Myiasis-in-Cattle/default.aspx

Bautista-Alejandre A. New World screwworm detected less than 70 miles from the US-Mexico border. 

. September 22, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-world-screwworm-detected-less-than-70-miles-from-the-us-mexico-border

Lee C. New World screwworm invasion update; a looming threat to US borders. 

. July 15, 2025. Accessed September 30, 2025. 

https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-world-screwworm-invasion-update-a-looming-threat-to-us-borders

Zoetis' Dectomax-CA1 is the first drug to receive conditional approval in the US for addressing this type of parasitic infestation.

FDA conditionally approves drug to prevent and treat screwworm in cattle

Some may think that veterinary medicine only teaches us about the ins and outs of our patients. However, it has taught me much more about client interaction and the bond with pets. With every patient comes at least one client, and with every client comes financial obligations. In my time, I have learned to appreciate and thank my coworkers because we are all in this together.

A tale as old as time is that veterinary professionals go into veterinary medicine because we love animals. With that comes a human who is worried about their beloved pet. This is a bond that needs to be understood and respected, and I have learned over time that I cannot judge clients solely based on appearances.

I have learned that we are not our best when we are stressed or scared and in fact, we may be at our worst in those situations. Those are the times that we need to be more patient with clients because rational thinking goes out the door.

We are in this together, and I have learned to acknowledge the hard times and offer support to my coworkers. A thank you goes a long way after a hard day. Nothing speaks more to me than one colleague cheering on another and offering educational support if you see them struggling with something.

This field has taught me that it’s a combination of patients and clients. It’s just as much about the client as it is the patient because one cannot exist without the other. The same goes for my team. I would not be able to do my job without my assistants, technicians, kennel staff, custodians, and doctors.

Why it is pivotal to educate client service representatives

Let's discuss educating your client service representatives (CSR) and why it should be implemented in every hospital. CSRs are usually the first voices or faces client sees or hears and that interaction can make or break the rest of the visit. A CSR must understand body language, client interaction, empathy, and more.

Client interactions are crucial. If the CSR is cheerful, knowledgeable, and interactive, the client will feel more at ease or confident in the rest of the care team's skills. The CSR needs to know how to handle a difficult client and when to ask for help from a manager. They also need to be able to understand how a client could perceive their body language. Yes, crossing your arms a certain way does make a difference.

A CSR needs to be able to understand empathy and express it. They are usually the ones going over euthanasia paperwork, sometimes even consent forms for hospitalization. It is important they are able to put themselves in the client's shoes in these tough situations.

Besides client interactions, CSRs need to understand medical terminology, vaccinations, the importance of prevention, and the basics of some diseases. CSRs triage calls every day so they have to know what patients needs to be seen immediately, what is considered an emergency, and, at the very least, what questions to ask.

Educating CSR will help your hospital, patients, and clients, plus fulfill your CSR. You are already spending time training them; let's spend time educating them as well. A CSR or really any staff member who is able to grow in their hospital has a higher chance of staying.

A successful veterinary clinic can rely on the entire team and its ability to connect with clients. 