Feral Cat Coalition Clinic Procedures
Recorder
Clinic records are extremely important, as they provide valuable information and are required by law. Statistics acquired from accurate record keeping are also necessary to support our cause.
During Admitting Process/Surgery Prep
On surgical log, enter the ID numbers, color/description, sex (if known), and caretaker's initials for each cat.
Watch for toe tags, indicating there's a medical problem to be addressed by the Veterinarian, and note these on the log. At time of surgery, the Vet will examine and treat the medical problem and recommend treatment or indicate no treatment required; these instructions must be written in the log (and on back of toe tag by Vet Assistant) to communicate Vet recommendations to Caretaker for after care.
Write rabies series number in the log (get from Supply Coordinator or Supervisor).
Meet with Transporters and Vet Assists to explain your recording needs. Transporters should alert Vets to toe tags before cats are draped and need to check with you before removing cats from surgical area. Remind Vet Assists that they must also be alert for toe tags and must prepare tags for any medical condition noted by Vet; treatment (or no treatment required) and instructions per Vet must be written on back of tag and communicated to you.
Number surgical stations in a logical manner and write in the name of the Veterinarian who will be working at that station.
During Surgery
To collect all necessary info, you must move from Vet to Vet as each cat goes through surgery.
For each cat, write Vet's station number in the space provided on the log.
Check log for medical needs (toe tags) as cats are assigned to a Vet to make sure need is addressed and record outcome of each examination.
Special notations for females*:
- N = Normal (not in heat-optional notation)
- P = Pregnant (note # of weeks; if 7-8 weeks, fluids often recommended)
- PQ = Post queening (had kittens recently; not in heat; has friable uterus)
- H = In heat
- L = Lactating (PQ & L can occur simultaneously)
*Just check box for males
Notify Supervisor or Supply Coordinator of cats requiring medication so meds can be prepared and attached to trap/carrier.
You will be notified (usually by Prep) if any cats have already been spayed or neutered (prior to clinic). Work with Supervisor and contact Caretaker to determine if cat might be someone's pet — if that's the case, instruct Ears & Vaccines not to tip ear or give shots.
Make sure you have not missed any cats!!! The males are especially hard to track as they are done so quickly; Vet Assist should use Neuter Log sheet if lots of cats. If you find numbers not recorded, check Recovery area.
After Surgery
Meet with recovery team leader to discuss medical info (on surgical logs) for use in discharge of cats. Review it with him/her so all medical instructions or other necessary information is completely understood.
Complete tallies of all categories on surgical log. When all information is complete, forward log to FCC Statistician.
Recording Supplies
- Clipboard
- Indelible black marker (fine)
- Regular ink pen
- Surgical log sheets
- Toe tags
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[Page updated November 2009]