Surgery Recovery Aide Veterinary Services Volunteer Training Manual

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Beryl Harmon
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Surgery Recovery Aide Veterinary Services Volunteer Training Manual Thank you for volunteering in the Veterinary Services department as a Surgery Recovery Aide.

1 Surgery Recovery Aide Veterinary Services Volunteer Training Manual Thank you for volunteering in the Veterinary Services department as a Surgery Recovery Aide. This packet includes information to help familiarize you with the surgery area as well as some Dumb Friends League policies and procedures. As a Surgery Recovery Aide, you will assist the surgical technicians and veterinarians in all aspects of preand post-operative care. Please be sure to ask plenty of questions. Attendance and Vacations If you are unable to work your shift, please contact Volunteer Services at or volunteer@ddfl.org. This way we know that you will be out and we may be able to find another volunteer to fill your shift. If you would like to permanently change your position or the day or time of your shift, please contact the Volunteer Services Manager at volunteer@ddfl.org. Getting Started Please wear your volunteer nametag, t-shirt and closed-toe skid resistant shoes for all shifts. Individual hand sanitizers are in a bin on the table at the lockers. Please return the sanitizer when your shift ends. Clock in at the time clock for every shift. Who Needs Surgery? The majority of the surgeries performed are spay and neuter procedures. The Dumb Friends League spays and neuters all dogs, cats, and rabbits. We also perform many other surgeries, including orthopedic, ocular, and dental surgeries. Prepare the surgery recovery area and the surgery suite Set up recovery beds for both cats and dogs. Turn on the water blankets and hot air blankets. Stock towels in surgery. Prepare bags for SQ fluids. 1

2 CATS Post-Surgery Once the veterinarian completes the surgery, the cat will be carefully moved to the warming beds by technicians or DVM s. o Place the hot air blanket over the cat. At this point, the cat can be given subcutaneous fluids to restore hydration. o Scruff the cat and place the needle just under the skin, with the bevel (hole in the needle) facing upwards. o Monitor the cat s breathing and pulse. See TPR chart and fill out appropriately. After a few minutes, roll the cat over. Press gently under the cat s eye. If you get a blink response, this may mean the cat is close to waking. The cat must be able to raise its head and must have a temperature of at least 100 degrees before it can be returned to its kennel. While the cat is still under anesthesia, you can clip the nails and clean the ears. (This stimulation may also trigger the cat to wake up.) Feral cats must be monitored very carefully. Once the feral cat is able to swallow two times, you may remove the ET tube. o To remove the ET tube, make sure the balloon has been deflated (this should have been done in the surgery suite). You will know this has been done if the balloon on the cuff valve is deflated. o After removing the ET tube, place the feral cat in its bluebox. Continue to monitor the cat until it can raise its head. Then the cat can go back in the kennel while it is in the bluebox. Please ask questions and do not attempt these procedures until you ve been properly trained. DOGS Post-Surgery Once the surgery is complete, dogs are removed from the surgery suite and placed on the surgery recovery bed by technicians. Dogs begin their recovery with the ET tube still in place. Monitor their pulse and respiration. See the TPR chart and fill out appropriately. While the dog is still under anesthesia, the ears can be cleaned and nails trimmed. (This stimulation may also trigger the dog to wake up.) Monitor the dog very carefully. Once it is able to swallow two times, you may remove the ET tube. o To remove the ET tube, make sure the balloon has been deflated (this should have been done in the surgery suite). You will know this has been done if the balloon on the cuff valve is deflated. The dog s temperature should be at least 100 degrees before it is returned to its kennel. Once the dog is back in its kennel, it may begin to shiver or become hyperactive. Do not open the kennel gate of a hyperactive dog; it may jump out of the kennel and injure itself. If you are concerned for the well-being of the dog, find a staff member to help. 2

3 After placing the dog back in its kennel after surgery, please check on other animals in the room. Make sure they are breathing normally and can pick up their heads. Please ask questions and do not attempt these procedures until you ve been properly trained. Other Responsibilities Clean surgery kennels: o Open the kennel gate without blocking the opening. o Watch the cat or dog to be sure it is comfortable with your presence. o For cats, remove the litter box and dump the litter. If the cat has a cardboard litter box, throw it away and replace it. If the cat has a plastic litter pan, clean the pan appropriately and put it back in the kennel. o Use a paper towel to sweep loose debris into the soiled litter pan or into a dustpan. o Remove and replace the towel only if it is soiled. If it looks clean, shake it out and refold to put the cleanest side out. This allows the scent of the animal to remain on the towel, which helps reduce stress. o If the kennel is soiled, spray disinfectant or degreaser on a paper towel and wipe. If the animal is not in the kennel, you may spray the disinfectant directly into the kennel. o Ensure they have food and water if appropriate. Stock towels and bedding from laundry. Once surgery is done, clean the surgery prep and recovery tables. Take out the trash. Sweep and mop floors in the area. 3

4 Understanding Cat Body Language 4

5 Volunteer TPR Chart 5

Veterinary Assistant Buddy Center Volunteer Training Manual

Veterinary Assistant Buddy Center Volunteer Training Manual Thank you for volunteering as a Veterinary Assistant. This packet includes information to help familiarize you with the Veterinary Services department