Veterinary assistants feed and bathe animals, administer medication as prescribed by a veterinarian, and help veterinarians and the veterinary technicians treat animals. For example, the assistant may hold the animal while the technician gives it an injection. Animal attendants clean cages, exercise animals, and monitor the animals for symptoms of illnesses. This is the most basic job and is frequently performed by part-time workers. The laboratory animal technician provides the daily care of the animals giving prescribed medications, taking specimens, performing laboratory tests, and assisting with minor surgery.
Technicians also keep daily records of the animals' diets, behavior, and health.
Assistant laboratory animal technicians clean cages and feed animals. Zookeepers prepare the diets, clean the enclosures, and monitor the behavior of exotic animals. Keepers sometimes assist in research studies on their wards. Depending upon the species, the keepers may also train the animals. An example is the elephant keeper who teaches the pachyderm to hold up its foot so that the veterinarian may examine the sole.