How to Handle Denial of Patient Care Solutions
TLDR: I'm having a difficult time accepting my patient care ideas & solutions being rejected by my boss (also clinic owner).
Hx: I'm (43F) a LVT with 14yr of experience in small animal GPs in MN. I have a passion for anesthesia, pain management, and behavior (no VTS though); attended many conferences and webinars on each topic. Currently, I work at a practice with 2 FT DVM, 2 PT LVT, and several excellent & competent assistants (CSRs x2, lead CSR, and a financial officer).
For longer procedures and/or frail pets, I am hyper aware of hypothermia under ANES. We utilize HotDog warmer pads pre-, intra-, and post-op; +/- IVF warmer (placed as close to the pet, furthest toward end of IVF line as possible); +/- bubble wrap booties/"socks." There are still instances when those measures are not enough to keep a pet above 98F, so I brought in a towel warmer (fits 2 towels in the compartment) and hair dryer (to help if pet is wet/damp). The practice owner/DVM is perpetually stressed for 1 reason or another (leaky roof, staff attendance, etc.), so I try to not bother her with more issues and try to solve problems on my own as they arise. At my previous clinics, my/these actions have not been reprimanded. Anyway... Both towel warmer and blow dryer were purchased 2nd-hand by me. Today I was asked to not use and remove both of those items from the clinic.
I am heartbroken and bitter about this command.
I also am getting accused/questioned why we should have a new fluid line for each pet who gets IVF (dental, Sx, etc.), when we usually just change the needle on the end of the line for each pet.
Not only does AAHA recommend a whole new IVF (bag &) line, my reasoning that I have stated many times: there have been several instances where I can physically see with my eyeballs that blood is back flowing into the IVF line... Which makes me wonder what happens when/if this happens and I (or the other LVT or either DVM) don't notice it?! The owner's rebuttal is that blood should never backup into the IVF line or just change it when you see it Agreed. It shouldn't but it does because of a kink in the line or slow rate or who knows. It seems they may be disconnected from what does or can happen in Sx/dental/ANES lands, as they don't perform these procedures as much as the other DVM and I do.
Please help me understand, accept, and/or gather info to address these hurdles.
TIA
Posted Aug 10, 2026, 4:19 PM UTC