Manitoba Veterinary Technologists Association - MVTA

02/06/2026

A recent article in Costco Connections has sparked a lot of conversation. It highlights a business in Calgary offering anesthetic-free dental cleanings for dogs. Understandably, many pet owners are asking questions.

So, why is this a hot topic?

Pets need regular dental care.
Cats and dogs require a Comprehensive Oral Health Assessment and Treatment (COHAT) to truly evaluate and treat dental disease.

Why anesthesia matters
COHATs are performed under anesthesia because pets can’t understand or cooperate with what’s required.

They can’t:

- Hold still for dental X-rays
- Allow probing under the gumline
- Tell us which tooth hurts or where they’re sensitive

Without anesthesia, we simply can’t get the full picture.

Dental X-rays are essential
Many dental problems hide below the gumline. Full-mouth dental radiographs reveal disease that an awake, anesthetic-free cleaning cannot detect.

A deeper, safer clean
Under anesthesia, dental cleaning is far more thorough and precise than what’s possible with an awake animal.

Where RVTs come in
Registered Veterinary Technologists (RVTs) are academically trained to:

- Perform COHATs
- Monitor anesthesia
- Support pet safety throughout the procedure

That education is strengthened every day through hands-on experience.

Bottom line
If you’re weighing dental care options for your pet, a conversation with an RVT can help you make an informed, confident decision.

Your pet’s smile is more than cosmetic — it’s about comfort, health, and quality of life.

02/03/2026

12/23/2025

11/12/2025

At Red River College Polytechnic today for the 1st year Veterinary Technologist student awards luncheon!

11/10/2025

10/24/2025

Last weekend we hosted our 3rd annual Advanced Training Conference. The weekend was filled with 7 sessions on Saturday and 6 session on Sunday featuring wetlabs on ultrasound, nutrition, dental, emergency, calving and CPR. We are so thankful for our sponsors, our speakers, many volunteers, RRCP VT staff and SIM staff, and our RVT attendees. We look forward to bringing back more sessions for 2026!! Thank you everyone!

10/24/2025

10/22/2025

🩵🩺Meet our RVTS ! 🩵
October is RVT month, we’re celebrating all Registered Veterinary Technologists (RVTs) : the compassionate, skilled professionals who are the heartbeat of veterinary care.🐾

Our RVTs do so much more than what meets the eye. From monitoring anesthesia, assisting in surgery, dental cleanings, diagnostic imaging, venipuncture, laser therapy, vaccinations, and various laboratory testing, to comforting nervous pets and supporting their owners with empathy and care. They are with our patients every step of the way. 🐾❤️

Every day, our RVTs go above and beyond, bringing not only technical excellence but deep compassion to their work. They advocate for our patients, support our veterinarians/support team, and create a bridge of trust between clients, patients, and our team.

To our incredible RVTs:
Thank you for your dedication, your expertise, your tireless work, and your enormous hearts. Veterinary medicine wouldn't be the same without you, and neither would we. 💙

Please join us in showing appreciation for these vital members of our team this RVT Month! 🌟

10/22/2025

10/21/2025

Hold your horses!

It’s not every day you hear “two horses in custody” come over the police radio – but anyone working in West Winnipeg this morning heard just that.

A pair of wayward horses – maybe still stoked after another Jets win and the Blue Jays’ American League Championship – decided to take a spirited stroll through Charleswood. They trotted along busy Wilkes Avenue and even stopped by the local high school, much to the delight of some students (and the mild chagrin of school staff trying to keep everyone safe).

West District officers were quickly on scene, working with neighbours to corral the horses and keep them out of harm’s way. The owners arrived just as fast, helping guide their horses home with a little police es**rt for good measure.

For those unfamiliar with the area, south Charleswood transitions from residential streets to farmland and large properties. Wilkes is a busy corridor, especially during the morning commute, and the nearby CN rail line adds an extra layer of danger for unassuming animals.

So how does an officer “hold his horses”? Very carefully. The calm, cooperative animals were safely restrained with nothing more than a steady hand and a reassuring hug until the owners arrived.

No horses were hurt, and aside from one muddy hoofprint left on an officer’s boot, everyone made it home safely.

It was an unusual call, but another great example of teamwork, with officers, neighbours, and the horses’ owners coming together to keep our community safe.

Stay suburban beautiful , but keep your horses corralled! 😉

10/20/2025

Thank you AAHA! 👏👏👏👏

In Manitoba, the title “Veterinary Technologist” is protected under Manitoba’s Veterinary Medical Act. Veterinary Technologists are a regulated profession with a defined scope of practice. They must hold active membership annually with both the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) and the Manitoba Veterinary Technologists Association (MVTA).

It is deeply concerning when tasks reserved for Veterinary Technologists (RVTs) are delegated to unregulated and unregistered individuals. This practice not only undermines the professional integrity of RVTs but also places them in difficult ethical positions. When unregistered and unregulated personnel perform RVT designated duties, Veterinary Technologists are left questioning how to uphold their professional responsibilities without risking their jobs and financial stability.

This situation profoundly affects their mental and physiological wellbeing. The stress of witnessing these breaches, combined with the fear of speaking up and the financial realities many face, creates a heavy burden. Veterinary Technologists strive to work with integrity and protect animal health and welfare, yet when these boundaries are crossed, it puts their professional identity and mental health at risk.

For further information, the following resources outline the legal framework and guidelines governing Veterinary Technologists in Manitoba:

The Veterinary Medical Act (Manitoba): https://web2.gov.mb.ca/laws/statutes/ccsm/v030.php?lang=en

Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association Bylaws:https://www.mvma.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/General-By-Law-no.-1-Approved-January-24-2025.pdf

MVMA Delegation of Veterinary Tasks Policy:https://www.mvma.ca/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Delegation-of-Veterinary-Tasks-Policy-2023-12-06.pdf

Veterinary technicians are the backbone of every practice and their title deserves protection.

Title protection ensures that only those who have completed accredited education and earned credentials as veterinary technicians are recognized as such. It benefits the entire team, protects patients, and helps clients understand who’s caring for their pets.

Here are a few ways your practice can help protect the title every day:
🔹 Use veterinary technician only for credentialed professionals (CrVTs).
🔹 Clearly identify each team member’s name and title on uniforms and your website.
🔹 Support credentialed techs with CE opportunities, fair wages, and time for professional involvement.

During Veterinary Technician Appreciation Week, celebrate your credentialed team members and commit to protecting the profession they’ve worked so hard to earn.

Explore practical tools in AAHA’s Tech Utilization Toolkit: https://hubs.li/Q03MKKBg0

10/20/2025

🐾 October is RVT Month! 🐾
We want to give a HUGE shoutout to our incredible Registered Veterinary Technologists — Alyssa, Tori, Jennifer, and Stephanie! 💙

Their dedication, skills, and compassion make a difference in the lives of every pet (and pet parent!) who walks through our doors. From assisting in surgeries, monitoring anesthesia, performing diagnostics and educating clients - RVT's do it all!

They are the backbone of our hospital and we are so lucky to have them on our team💕

Drop a 💛 in the comments to help us say THANK YOU!