Feral Cat Coalition Clinic Procedures

Veterinary Assistant / Neuters

CLEAN HANDS THOROUGHLY. If desired, use a pair of non-sterile exam gloves from the large surgical supply boxes; these will protect your hands if you have cuts or scratches. Familiarize yourself with the surgical supply boxes so you can restock quickly during the clinic.

SET UP SURGICAL AREA and make sure the following items are layed out in an efficient, practical work area (adjust as required per Vet preferences):

Round plastic bowl with water and toothbrush for washing instruments.
Rectangular plastic tray filled with Cetylcide or Glutaraldehyde solution ("cold sterile") for soaking washed instruments (30 ml. Cetylcide to one gallon water).
Scalpel blades #10 or #15, whichever Vet prefers.*
Gauze squares.*
Instrument peel-pack (one neuter set is used for multiple operations and contains: 1 pair small scissors, 3-6 small hemostats, 1 blade handle — optional).*
Plastic trash bag, white.
Gloves, if Vet desires (find out glove size & obtain from Supply Coordinator).
Paper towels & spray cleaner.
1-2 cloth towels.
Toe tags & pens (1 red, 1 black) to record medical information and treatments.

* These items packed together in small plastic "neuter box"

EMERGENCY "CRASH" KIT is usually located at the Neuter Station — know where it is!

TRANSPORTERS will deliver prepped male cats to the Neuter Station.

WATCH YOUR CATS! You are responsible for checking respiration and following "Respiration 101" procedures if you suspect a cat is not breathing. If there is no improvement, immediately alert the Vet Assist Team Leader; he/she will work with the Vet to revive the cat.

ALERT Veterinarian to any medical toe tags attached to rear leg. If Vet notes any medical problem (not yet tagged), you must prepare a toe tag (black ink) with cat's ID #, complete ID information, and medical info; tie tag to cat's hind leg above joint. In red, write treatment given and instructions per Veterinarian on back of toe tag. If there is no treatment, indicate "NT" so that Caretaker and Recorder know that the medical problem was addressed.

ASSIST Veterinarian by holding cat's legs (if necessary), and with opening blades, refurbishing supplies, etc. Keep neuter area clean, using spray cleaner as necessary. During the surgery, have Vet place tissue on a paper towel (after all neuter surgeries are complete, tissue should be discarded in black tissue bag located at Spay Station). After each neuter, the Veterinarian will hand you the dirty instruments; wash them thoroughly in water with the toothbrush. Immediately place the cleaned instruments into the Cetylcide solution so they will be ready for the next cat. The Vet will retrieve them directly from the cold sterile tray.

RECORD cats on neuter log when each procedure is finished, including any special instructions (i.e., from toe tag). Give the log sheets to the Recorder after all neuters have been done.

NOTIFY TRANSPORTER when each procedure is finished. Transporter will remove and replace cats.

AFTER THE CLINIC scrub instruments thoroughly and place them in the container of diluted instrument milk for a few minutes before placing them in the red instrument bucket (container & bucket located near Spay Stations); this is important, as debris on instruments can be "baked" on later during autoclaving! Be certain to remove all blades from blade handles and place in "sharps" container. Thoroughly clean surgery area and put unused items back into the small neuter supply box; put box and other unused supplies in large surgical supply box.

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[Page updated November 2009]