OPERATION CATNIP: Idealism in Action

 

 

Neuter

 

 

Staffing:

2 - 5

Vets / Vet Students

 

1 - 2

Transporters

 

ALL STAFF MUST CHECK IN AT THE VOLUNTEER TABLE.

GLOVES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES.

 

The Neuter Station is responsible for sterilizing non-cryptorchid male cats; vaccinating cats and completing rabies certificates. Cats are brought from the Ear Crop Station by the Neuter Transporter.

 

Veterinarian / Vet Student Instructions

 

1)       DRAW up vaccines in 3 ml syringes when you first arrive. The Supply Coordinator will leave vaccines vials at the station. Draw up approximately 50 of each vaccine (i.e., FVRCP/FeLV and rabies) to start.  The needle must be on tight, and no air should be in the syringe. Do not discard the empty vaccine vials.  The Rabies Certificate Volunteer will collect the vials to attach the labels to the rabies certificates. 

 

2)       EXAMINE the cats carefully for normal respiration (>6/minute), heartbeat (>100/minute), and gum color (pink).  If the cat is not breathing well or its gums are blue, pull firmly on the tongue, press a fingernail on the nose leather and call for assistance from a veterinarian. If the cat is not fully anesthetized, call for Anesthesia to administer isoflurane gas. (Cats recover more quickly from the gas than from a second injection.) Change your gloves and clean the table after handling any URI or otherwise infectious cats.

 

3)       CHECK the ID tag for special orders indicating if there is a medical problem to be checked.

 

4)       POSITION the cat on the neuter rack or have an assistant hold the cat’s legs.

 

5)       CHECK the genitals—be sure the cat has two descended testicles.  If not, ask the Neuter Transporter to take the cat to the Spay Prep Station.  Both females and cryptorchid males are sent to Spay Prep.

 

6)       PLUCK the scrotal hair. 

 

7)       SATURATE the scrotum with alcohol. 

 

8)       CASTRATE the cat.  Closed castrations are recommended, as the procedure is less invasive. However, open castrations are sometimes preferred for large cats.

 

9)       ADMINISTER vaccines according to the new AAFP guidelines:

Ø       Rabies subcutaneously in the right leg as distally as possible

Ø       FVRCP/FeLV subcutaneously in the left leg as distally as possible.

 

10)   DISPOSE of sharps in the red containers.

 

11)   CHANGE gloves, blades and hemostats for each cat.

 

12)   COMPLETE the Medical Summary Slip. 


 

13)   COMPLETE the rabies certificate, filling the following fields:

 

Ø       SPECIES (Cat)

Ø       SEX (Male & Altered)

Ø       AGE

Ø       SIZE (Under 20 pounds)

Ø       PREDOMINANT BREED (DSH, DLH, etc.)

Ø       COLORS

Ø       DATE VACCINATED (Clinic date)

Ø       VACCINATION EXPIRES (1 yr. from clinic date, not 3 years—as this is probably the cats first vaccination and a booster shot is not likely)

Ø       NAME (Use the F# on the paw tag.)

 

Check off the following vaccines:

 

Ø       RABIES

Ø       FELINE LEUKEMIA

Ø       FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA

Ø       FELINE RHINOTRACHEITIS

Ø       FELINE CALICIVIRUS

 

The supervising veterinarian at the station must sign the rabies certificate.

 

14)   PLACE the “FLUIDS” tag on the cat if fluids are ordered. 150 ml of fluids are given unless a special request is made.

 

15)   PLACE the dirty instruments into the container of warm soapy water.  The Instruments Volunteer will periodically collect these.

 

16)   ADVISE the Neuter Transporter of any special medical information regarding the cat. The Transporter will take the cat and the rabies certificate to the next station.

 

17)   ASK the Supervisor to assign more help if there are more than three cats waiting.

 

18)   CLEAN up the station and dispose of trash once the last cat is neutered.

 

19)   REPACK the station kit, inventorying supplies (see Supply List in the kit). Return the kit and any extra items to the Supply Coordinator.

 

 

Neuter

 

 

Transporter Instructions

 

The responsibility of the Neuter Transporter is to transport male cats to and from the Neuter Station.

 

1)       COLLECT the male cats from the Ear Crop Station, transporting them to the Neuter Station.

 

2)       NOTIFY the Neuter staff if the cat is flagged as contagious (URI, ringworm). Change your gloves after handling any URI or otherwise infectious cats.

 

3)       MONITOR the cats for normal breathing. Notify a Supervisor if you have any concerns.

 

4)       TRANSPORT the neutered cat, the rabies certificate and the Medical Summary Slip to the Rabies Certificate Station.

 

5)       MONITOR the cat for normal breathing. Notify a Supervisor if you have any concerns.

 

6)       NOTIFY the Rabies Certificate staff if the cat is flagged as contagious (URI, ringworm). Change your gloves after handling any URI or otherwise infectious cats.