Malaysia Veterinary Forum (Archive)

Lucky · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Malaysia, USA

Hello!

I'm a new here and have been looking for some information regarding Veterinary Technician in Malaysia and I found this website that maybe helpful!

I'm actually planning to get a degree (either Associate or Bachelor) as Veterinary Technician in USA. There, each state has different rule & exams to be licenced as Veterinary Technician. How is it like to become a Veterinary Technician in Malaysia? If I obtain so called "lisence" in the states, is it possible to find a job as Veterinary Technician in Malaysia? Is there any procedure for it? What's the demand like? Payment? What kind of jobs a Veterinary Technician work for in Malaysia??

I'm actually a non-Malaysian living in Malaysia for quite long time but I do not know whom to ask for such information regarding this field.

I hope to get to find the answers above...Thank you so much!

Dr. TanDY · Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 10:41 pm Post subject:

Just my personal opinion. In Malaysia all you need to be a vet technician is to have a diploma in animal health ("Diploma Kesihatan Haiwan") offered by Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, UPM.

Perhaps you don't need to go to US to pursue your study (quite expensive there), Malaysia will be just as good.

From what I know, in practice some small animal clinics do hire "vet technician" just based on their SPM, don't even need a diploma holder.

Dr Nat · Joined: 07 Dec 2005 Posts: 1834 Location: Klang Valley

Vet techs or vet nurses (as some other countries call it) or vet assistants / assistant vet officers (as we call it here in M'sia) do not require any licencing. If you work as an AVO in the govm sector, they do require some basic knowledge in animal husbandry. For example, having a diploma (as mentioned above) or taking some animal husbandry courses.

In my opinion, diploma or animal husbandry courses is designed more for the farming animals, not necessarily veterinary medicine (especially in small animals). Therefore, to be a good vet tech, there's still a lot more to learn after the diplomas. Some vet clinics would take almost anyone to train up to be a vet tech for the clinic. But mostly, the work is related to cleaning and feeding animals.

I do believe that the US has a great course for vet techs. Most vet techs from US are capable to handle a lot of things. Unfortunately, most of those things vet techs are trained for in the US falls under the category of "veterinary medicine" and is therefore, not allowed to be practised by a non-registered vet (hhmm, I could be wrong here). Furthermore, most "vet techs" in our clinics here are not being paid very well. So, your money spent on getting the degree from the US might not be justified by getting a job as a vet tech here.

I hope this doesn't deter your ambition to work with animals. You could be one of the few highly qualified "vet techs" here, and possibly set up a new career line! ;) Or, why don't u think of becoming a vet?

Dr csh · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 425

I agree with the others. I don't know if it would be worth your while to go to the US and obtain your LVT just to work in Malaysia. You could demand a higher pay than the avergae kennel man but even Veterinarians themselves only get paid between RM1,600 and RM 2,500 a month and this is after going through 5 years in University. Certainly you will not be making much more than that unless you can find your niche such as becoming a dental hygenist. I do not believe there is a good market for LVT in Malaysia. Contrary to to most people's beliefs, Vets are NOT generally rich. We are in the profession for the love of animals and if that is what you want to do with your life, go ahead but you may not get the monetary compensation that you deserve. Good luck.

Lucky · Joined: 28 Mar 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Malaysia, USA

Hello!

Thank you so so so much for the informative replies, Dr. TanDy, Dr. Nat, and Dr. csh!!

Dr. Nat;
Yes, I've thought of trying to further as studies to become a vet one day but I've not really decided (I do not know whether I can deal with surgery parts and study for very long time) what kind of animal-related professions I'd love to be. But definitely, I'd love to get involved with care for animals!

Thanks again for the information! I appreciate it alot!

Dr csh · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 425

I'm glad that you want to help care for animals and are willing to go that extra mile. Whatever you decide, I wish you the best of luck and if you have questions, feel free to ask anytime :)