ALL STAFF MUST CHECK IN AT THE VOLUNTEER TABLE.

GLOVES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES.

The responsibilities of the Medications Station are to administer medication to reverse the anesthesia; apply medication for parasite control; administer pain medications; administer fluids when ordered by the veterinarian and monitor cats for respiration, remove ear hemostat; pulse and color. Cats will be brought to the Medications Station from the Vaccinations Station. Cats must be returned to their traps after the reversal is administered, not on the floor or a table to wake up.

Technician Instructions

The responsibilities of the Medications Technicians are to administer medication to reverse the anesthesia; apply medication for parasite control; administer fluids when ordered by the veterinarian; remove all instruments and monitor cats for respiration, pulse, color and bleeding. Medications Technicians work best in pairs with one technician positioning the cat and the other administering the injection.

All injections are given Subcutaneously

1)     DRAW up the medications as soon as you arrive. Separate cat and kitten doses in two separate pans.

For yohimbine (reversal):

Ø  0.30 ml for adult cats

Ø  0.15 ml for kittens.

For Buprenorphine (0.01 mg/kg, pain medication):

Ø  0.1 ml (0.03 mg) for adult cats

Ø  0.05 ml (0.015 mg) for kittens

2)     MONITOR the cats carefully for normal respiration (>6/minute), heartbeat (>100/minute), and gum color (pink).  If the cat is not breathing well or its gums are blue, pull firmly on the tongue, press a fingernail on the nose leather and call for assistance from a veterinarian.

3)     CONFIRM that any special care ordered on the paw tag has been done.

4)     REMOVE all hemostats, collars etc. (except paw tag) from the cat.

5)     APPLY styptic powder or super glue if the ear continues to bleed after the hemostat is removed.

6)     PLACE the hemostats in the soapy water.  The Instruments Volunteer will collect them periodically.

7)     ADMINISTER 0.3 ml Yohimbine subcutaneously to reverse anesthesia.  Kittens should receive half this dose (.15). Give the injection in the right rear leg.

8)     Administer Buprenorphine pain medications subcutaneously.

9)  ADMINISTER 1 vial of Revolution topically (base of skull on skin) for parasite control.  Kittens receive half a vial.

11)  ADMINISTER fluids if ordered by a veterinarian. Give 150 ml of lactated Ringer’s solution subcutaneously, unless another amount is specified.  Liter bags of fluids, drip sets, and 18 gauge needles are available.  Change the needle after EACH cat to avoid transmitting any blood-borne diseases.  Change the drip set if blood may have backed up into the line.  Use a new drip set for each bag of fluids for the same reason.

12)  CLEAN any blood, urine or feces from the cat’s fur with peroxide.

13)  CLEAN the ears if necessary.

14)  RESERVE one table near the end of surgery for any URI cats. Do not place healthy cats on this table once a URI cat has been treated. Change your gloves after handling URI cats.

15)  CLEAN up the station and dispose of trash once the last cat has been treated.

16)  REPACK the station kit and RETURN the kit and any extra items to the Supply Coordinator in the Storage Closet.