COUNTY OF ORANGE HEALTH CARE AGENCY

REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES ANIMAL CARE SERVICES

Number: 700.09

SUBJECT: PROTOCOL FOR TREATMENT OF DOGS/CATS ON SURGERY LOG Page: 1 Date: 12/15/03

Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 11/28/06 I. PURPOSE

To ensure that veterinary staff initiates treatment when a dog or cat scheduled to be spayed or neutered is determined to be too ill for surgery.

II. POLICY

The attending Veterinarian and Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) will complete a pre-surgical exam on every dog or cat on the surgery log. If the animal does not pass the exam, immediate treatment will be initiated.

III. SCOPE Applicable to all personnel involved in the adoption of a new pet.

IV. FORMS

OCACS Surgery Log OCACS Treatment Sheet

V. REFERENCES Not Applicable

VI. DEFINITIONS Not Applicable

VII. PROCEDURE Every animal on the surgery log is to be examined within 12 hours of surgery by the attending Veterinarian and surgical RVT. This physical exam will determine if the dog or cat is medically sound for surgery. A. Procedure if a cat is ill during the pre-surgical exam*:

1. The attending Veterinarian will determine the diagnosis and the RVT will be

given the directive for treatment (Ca. Practice Act 2035.c).

COUNTY OF ORANGE HEALTH CARE AGENCY

REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES ANIMAL CARE SERVICES

Number: 700.09

SUBJECT: PROTOCOL FOR TREATMENT OF DOGS/CATS ON SURGERY LOG Page: 2 Date: 12/15/03

Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 11/28/06

2. A treatment sheet will be completed and the cat’s medical information will be stored in the treatment record in Chameleon.

3. The cat will be placed in a cage in a designated area of the shelter during its treatment and evaluated daily for resolution of the treatment.

4. The veterinary staff will notify the Kennel Supervisor when treatment is completed and the animal is cleared for surgery. The Animal Care Supervisor will then schedule the animal for spay/neuter surgery.

B. Procedure if a dog is ill during the pre-surgical exam*:

1. The attending veterinarian will determine the diagnosis and the clinical RVT

will be given the directive for treatment (Ca. Practice Act 2035.c). 2. The clinical RVT will write blue ID tag number on the clinic treatment board

with the cage number, date, time and initials. 3. A treatment sheet will be completed and the dog’s medical information will be

stored in the treatment record in Chameleon. 4. The dog will be placed in a cage in a designated area of the shelter during its

treatment and evaluated daily by the veterinary staff for resolution of condition. NOTE: Any staff member (Kennel Staff or Veterinary Staff) that observes an ill animal will transport the animal to the clinic for treatment. The staff member who transports the animal to the clinic will write blue ID tag number on the clinic treatment board with the cage number, date, time and initials.