Feral Cat Coalition Clinic Procedures

Recovery

Prepare recovery area by lining surface with newspapers. It is preferable to create Recovery area outside when possible, thereby assisting in eliminating urine odors in the facility. Choose warmest area available as anesthesia makes cats feel cool.

Prepare traps/carriers by removing newspapers and debris. It may be necessary to hose out or wire brush traps/carriers if debris is stubborn or voluminous. Put extra sheets of newpaper under traps and inside of carriers and arrange traps/carriers numerically.

Pick up cats from Ears & Vaccines (or receive from Transporter) and locate appropriate trap/carrier.

Check toe tag to make sure that medical problem has been addressed by Veterinarian. There should either be instructions for treatment or a notation of no treatment necessary. If not addressed, have Recorder clarify with Vet and return cat to Vet if necessary. If you notice a medical problem not yet tagged, check with Recorder to see which Vet treated the cat, then return cat to that Vet.

Check hydration: pinch skin together and release: skin should return to normal position. If skin is stiff and non-compliant (stays pinched) the cat is dehydrated and should be treated with subcutaneous fluids. Administer and monitor infusion of subcutaneous fluids (usually 100cc per cat); be sure to notify Recorder of required treatment.

Check mouth for color (should be pink, not blue) and check respiration. If not breathing, pull out tongue and apply acupressure at point at base of nose; if this doesn't work quickly, take back to a Vet immediately! Afterward, notify Recorder of problem/treatment.

Observe surgical site. Notify a Vet immediately if problem is suspected. Afterward, notify Recorder of problem/treatment.

Observe tipped ear. If bleeding occurs, apply pressure with gauze. If unable to achieve hemostasis, apply hemostat for 5 minutes (borrow from Ears & Vaccines area). Remove hemostat before placing cat in trap/carrier; return hemostat to Ears & Vaccines area.

Flea comb cats with severe flea infestation.

After cat has completed surgery and all required treatment, remove ID strip and toe tag and affix them to top of trap/carrier. Attach medication envelope if applicable; notify Supervisor or Supply Coordinator if meds are indicated and not yet disbursed.

Place cat in trap/carrier with tipped ear up; use sliding boards if necessary. Try to arrange cat in a comfortable position (not squished in trap!). Keep trap partially covered for warmth and to keep cats calm as they wake up. If the cat was using a trap/carrier borrowed from the FCC or a volunteer, this will be noted on the trap/carrier and on the sign-in sheet; be sure to transfer the cat to the Caretaker's trap/carrier before it becomes conscious.

Continue to monitor cats frequently! Make "the rounds" and check breathing, surgical site, ear tip, and level of consciousness.

Recovery team leader must meet with Recorder to discuss medical info on surgical logs; notate medical problems and instructions per Vet on sign-in sheets.

Recovery team leader discharges cats using sign-in sheets, taking precaution to ensure that cats are released to appropriate Caretaker and that all cats brought in are picked up! Review any medical problems and required aftercare with Caretaker.

After clinic, thoroughly clean Recovery area and prepare supplies for packing. Retain FCC trap/carrier covers.

Recovery Supplies

Remember to use FCC supplies only!

18 gage needles
Flea comb
IV Administration kit
Newspapers
Paper towels
Plastic trash bags
Sliding boards
Subcutaneous fluids (IV)
Towels (terry cloth)
Wire brush

From Admitting:

Canopy
Caretaker sign-in sheets
Tarps
Trap covers

Back to Clinic Procedures Home Page

[Page updated November 2009]