OPERATION CATNIP: Idealism in Action

Bladder Express

Staffing:

4

Technicians

ALL STAFF MUST CHECK IN AT THE VOLUNTEER TABLE.

GLOVES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES.

ALWAYS VISUALLY VERIFY GENDER!

Check for a vulva or penis.

You will be shown the difference before starting at your station.

Do NOT rely on palpation (touch) to determine gender.

* Neutered males and cryptorchids will not have visible testicles. *

The Bladder Express Station prepares cats for spay and neuter by checking vitals, administering antibiotics, verifying gender, and expressing bladders. Anesthetized cats will be brought to the Bladder Express Station by the Anesthesia Transporter.

Technician Instructions

The Bladder Express Technicians monitor the cats for respiration, pulse and color; administer antibiotics; express the bladders of non-pregnant females and verify the gender of each cat.

1) DRAW up the penicillin antibiotic upon arriving in the morning. Adults receive a 1 ml dose; kittens receive 0.5 ml.

2) MONITOR the cats carefully. 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 NOTIFY THE CLINIC SUPERVISOR ASAP for assessment.

Change your gloves and clean the table after handling any URI or otherwise infectious cats.

3) ADMINISTER the antibiotic subcutaneously on the lower right shoulder (not scruff of neck).

4) VERIFY the sex of each cat VISUALLY. Do NOT rely on palpation (touch) to determine gender. CHECK FOR A VULVA OR PENIS. You will be shown the difference before starting at your station. Remember, neutered and cryptorchid males will not have or display testicles. Neutered males and spayed females should be brought to the attention of the Clinic Supervisor.

5) EXPRESS the bladders of non-pregnant females only. If you have no experience doing this, advise the Volunteer Coordinator. Work in pairs, one Technician expressing the bladder, the other holding the catch cup. Do not spend a lot of time doing this — if you can’t express it, move on. If the station has more than 5 cats waiting, ask the Clinic or Volunteer Supervisor for assistance.

6) FORWARD prepped cats to the Ear Crop Station.

7) CLEAN-UP sweep/vacuum your area; wash tables; bag all trash and take to the dumpster; mop the area until no cat odor remains.

8) REPACK the kit, inventory supplies (see Supply List in the kit) at the end of the clinic. Return the kit and any extra items to the Supply Coordinator.

OPERATION CATNIP: Idealism in Action

Ear Tip

ALL STAFF MUST CHECK IN AT THE VOLUNTEER TABLE.

GLOVES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES.

Staffing:

1

Technician

ALWAYS VISUALLY VERIFY GENDER!

Check for a vulva or penis.

You will be shown the difference before starting at your station.

Do NOT rely on palpation (touch) to determine gender.

* Neutered males and cryptorchids will not have visible testicles. *

The Ear Tip Station prepares cats for spay/neuter and release by checking vitals, lubricating eyes, verifying gender and tipping ears. The purpose of tipping the left ear is to identify the animal as having been sterilized. If the ear already is tipped, bring the cat to the Neuter Station for vaccinations.

Technician Instructions

The Ear Tipping Technician monitors the cats for respiration, pulse and color; lubricates eyes; verifies the gender of each cat, and tips the left ear of each cat. Anesthetized cats are forwarded from the Bladder Express Station.

1) MONITOR the cats carefully. 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 NOTIFY THE CLINIC SUPERVISOR ASAP for assessment.

Change your gloves and clean the table after handling any URI or otherwise infectious cats.

2) APPLY 1/4" lubricant to both eyes. Do not touch the eye itself with the applicator tip.

3) VERIFY the sex of each cat VISUALLY. Do NOT rely on palpation (touch) to determine gender. CHECK FOR A VULVA OR PENIS. You will be shown the difference before starting at your station. Remember, neutered and cryptorchid males will not have or display testicles. With the Clinic Supervisor’s approval, tip the ears of neutered males and spayed females and send them to the Neuter Station for booster shots.

4) TIP the left ear. Place a sterile straight hemostat across the left ear tip, exposing 3/8” of the tip. Use sterile scissors to cut off the tip, leaving the hemostat on the ear. Use new scissors and hemostats for each cat. Deposit dirty instruments in warm soapy water.

5) TRANSPORT females and cryptorchid males to the Spay Board Station, identifying males to the Spay Board Staff. Advise the Neuter Transporter to take non-cryptorchid males to the Neuter Station.

9) CLEAN-UP sweep/vacuum your area; wash tables; bag all trash and take to the dumpster; mop the area until no cat odor remains.

6) REPACK the kit, inventory supplies (see Supply List in the kit) at the end of the clinic. Return the kit and any extra items to the Supply Coordinator.