Vet Assistant Instructions
The Vet Assistant’s primary responsibilities are to help the veterinarians work as efficiently as possible; and monitor the cats for respiration, pulse and color. Vet Assistants are generally assigned to work with three veterinarians. Each veterinarian will work differently, so ask them how to assist them best. The goal is to keep the veterinarians doing surgery at all times, not waiting for supplies or cats. A veterinarian should never have to obtain or transport a cat. Remain with your veterinarians so you can obtain any requested items.
1) SUPPLY the spay table with instrument packs, the appropriate size surgeon’s gloves, blades, superglue and suture. The veterinarians will need a new sterile pair of gloves, pack, blade and suture for each surgery.
2) WEAR gloves at all times. Both you and the veterinarians must wear a mask and cap during surgery. Only the gloves need to be changes between cats.
3) OPEN the gloves and spay pack using sterile technique. Try not to damage the outer wrapper of the pack too badly so it can be recycled. Place them in a neat pile near the wall. Open the blade and suture packs so that the sterile contents fall into the sterile open pack. Be careful not to touch or otherwise contaminate the surgical site or the surgical supplies, instruments and drapes. If you think you may have touched something, tell the veterinarian. Place the pack at the end of the table opposite to the cat's head.
4) OBTAIN a cat from the Spay Transporter. Position the spay board in the center of the table so that there is room on both ends; at the head for the Medical Record, and the tail end for the pack.
5) ADJUST the light so the incision area is illuminated before the surgeon cuts the drape.
6) CHECK the paw tag or Medical Alert Collar before the cat is draped. Alert the veterinarian to any problems.
7) 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 alert the veterinarian. Note: xylazine causes pale gums.
8) OBTAIN the isoflurane gas machine if the cat is not fully anesthetized. Always turn on the oxygen before the gas. Ask the veterinarian for the proper settings.
9) ATTACH a “FLUID” tag to the cat’s paw if the veterinarian orders fluids. 150 ml will be given to all cats with fluid tags unless ordered otherwise. Note this request on the Medical Record Form.
10) MARK the Medical Record Form with the cat’s CAT #, age, sex, status (i.e., cryptorchid, pregnant, in heat, lactating, needs fluids, URI, etc.), and anesthesia (iso). Include the veterinarian’s name. (See Medical Record Form)
11) ADVISE the Spay Transporter of any special medical information regarding the cat. The Transporter will take the cat to the Vaccination Station then will bring a new cat.
12) PLACE the dirty instruments into the container of warm soapy water. The Instruments Volunteer will periodically collect these.
13) DEPOSIT tissue and blood in the red bags, not in the ordinary trash.
14) DISCARD the paper drape, used gauze, gloves and other disposables. Save outer autoclave wrap for reuse. Dirty towels are set aside for laundering.
15) CLEAN up the station and dispose of trash once the last cat is spayed.
16) REPACK the station kit, inventorying supplies (see Supply List in the kit). Return the kit and any extra items to the Supply Coordinator.
17) TAKE dirty instruments, towels and autoclave wrap to the Instrument Station if these things have not been collected.