The weighing of animals is a crucial part of veterinary services. Veterinarians depend on an accurate weight to quickly determine an animal’s overall health. Acquiring an accurate weight also helps to determine the proper dosage of medication to be dispensed to a sick animal.
Weighing an animal can be a logistical challenge due to size or lack of movement from the animal. If a platform scale is too high off the ground, it is difficult if not impossible to lift a heavy animal or convince them to step up on it. A scale that is low to the ground, known as a “low profile” scale, is much easier for a doctor or handler to use. Additionally, it is important that the scale be rugged, but light weight, making it easier to move the scale to the animal if necessary.
A large digital display on an electronic scale makes it easier to quickly record an animal’s weight. Most animals do not stand perfectly still on a scale and will often move around quite a bit, which makes it a little more difficult to get an accurate weight. A digital recording system that features “Weight Average and Hold” allows for the handler or doctor to easily record the weight. “Weight Average and Hold” is a feature that calculates the varying weights of the animal from the time it is placed on the scale and the scale button is pressed. This feature calculates the average reasonable weights and displays the final calculated average weight. The weight will remain on the large digital display for the doctor to easily view during the remainder of the exam.
Scales need to be calibrated for accurate weight representation. A veterinary scale that features auto-calibration will allow for peace of mind that the correct weight is being recorded. The size of the scale platform is also important for determining accurate weight. One size does not fit all for veterinary scales. Smaller animals such as birds and rodents require a smaller scale than a large dog. A scale’s sensitivity even further determines an accurate weight. Determining the correct size and model for the vet or zoological practice will allow for weight resolution from 0.002 lb to 0.1 lbs, depending on the model.
After being weighed, animals usually leave behind some bio detritus like hair, feces or urine. It is important that the veterinary scale platform be made of a material like aluminum or stainless steel that can be easily cleaned. The electronic scale should also be sealed against water to avoid damaging the digital indicator and other parts during cleaning. Since cleaning after the animals will make the scale platform wet, a non-slippery surface is necessary to keep the animal from slipping off. Veterinary scales are created out of aluminum with a diamond-tread and a rubber mat to allow maximum comfort for the animals.
Many doctors want to record the weight results electronically. A digital scale with useful technology such as a USB port or data logging allows for the scale results to be tracked and the information to be loaded into a spreadsheet or computer for later use.
Weighing Systems for Zoo Technical Sector
Weighing an animal can be a logistical challenge due to size or lack of movement from the animal. If a platform scale is too high off the ground, it is difficult if not impossible to lift a heavy animal or convince them to step up on it. A scale that is low to the ground, known as a “low profile” scale, is much easier for a doctor or handler to use. Additionally, it is important that the scale be rugged, but light weight, making it easier to move the scale to the animal if necessary.
A large digital display on an electronic scale makes it easier to quickly record an animal’s weight. Most animals do not stand perfectly still on a scale and will often move around quite a bit, which makes it a little more difficult to get an accurate weight. A digital recording system that features “Weight Average and Hold” allows for the handler or doctor to easily record the weight. “Weight Average and Hold” is a feature that calculates the varying weights of the animal from the time it is placed on the scale and the scale button is pressed. This feature calculates the average reasonable weights and displays the final calculated average weight. The weight will remain on the large digital display for the doctor to easily view during the remainder of the exam.
Scales need to be calibrated for accurate weight representation. A veterinary scale that features auto-calibration will allow for peace of mind that the correct weight is being recorded. The size of the scale platform is also important for determining accurate weight. One size does not fit all for veterinary scales. Smaller animals such as birds and rodents require a smaller scale than a large dog. A scale’s sensitivity even further determines an accurate weight. Determining the correct size and model for the vet or zoological practice will allow for weight resolution from 0.002 lb to 0.1 lbs, depending on the model.
After being weighed, animals usually leave behind some bio detritus like hair, feces or urine. It is important that the veterinary scale platform be made of a material like aluminum or stainless steel that can be easily cleaned. The electronic scale should also be sealed against water to avoid damaging the digital indicator and other parts during cleaning. Since cleaning after the animals will make the scale platform wet, a non-slippery surface is necessary to keep the animal from slipping off. Veterinary scales are created out of aluminum with a diamond-tread and a rubber mat to allow maximum comfort for the animals.
Many doctors want to record the weight results electronically. A digital scale with useful technology such as a USB port or data logging allows for the scale results to be tracked and the information to be loaded into a spreadsheet or computer for later use.