Surgery Health Care Aide

Transcription

1 Surgery Health Care Aide Buddy Center Volunteer Training Manual 1

2 Surgery Health-Care Aide Thank you for volunteering in the Surgery department as a health-care aide. This packet includes information to help familiarize you with the health-care area and Dumb Friends League policies and procedures. As a health-care aide in the Surgery department, you will assist the surgical technicians and veterinarians in all aspects of pre- and post-operative care. Please be sure to ask plenty of questions. These are the managers and supervisors that can assist you in your training: Lea Ann McCaslin Eric Eisenhower Zoie Keast Attendance and Vacations If you are unable to make it in for your shift, please contact the Volunteer Services department 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 change your position or the time and/or day you come in, please contact Jasmin Rice at Getting Started Please wear your volunteer nametag and t-shirt for all shifts. Individual hand sanitizers are in a bin on the table at the lockers. Please use the sanitizers frequently during your shift and return them to the bin when your shift ends. Refills are available in the Animal Care supervisor/manager s office. Clock in at the time clock for every shift. Who Needs Surgery? The majority of surgeries performed at the Dumb Friends League are spay and neuter surgeries. The Dumb Friends League spays and neuters all dogs, cats, and rabbits. We also perform certain other surgeries, including orthopedic, ocular, and dental surgeries. Finding the Animal Scheduled for Surgery Animals that need surgery are kenneled either in the surgery area or elsewhere in the shelter. To find these animals, run a report in Chameleon. To access this report: 1. Sign into Chameleon. a. Location = BC b. Username = bcvol c. Password = bcvol 2. Click on the drop-down menu for Reports. 3. Click Run a Report. 4. Find Health Surgery Animals. Choose the type of animal and make sure the location is Buddy Center. Under See Memos enter N (for No). Click Okay. This report includes the breed and color of the animal, the tag number, A#, kennel, weight, age, and notes from the Surgery Select memo. 2

3 When retrieiving any animal for surgery, it is very important that you double check the description and tag to ensure you have the correct animal. CATS Pre-Surgery Remove the food, water dish, and litter box from the kennel so all that remains is the towel. The cat remains in its kennel when anesthesia is administered. Anesthesia is given in the muscle in the cat s rump. It usually requires two people: one to restrain the cat and the other to administer the injection. o The cat remains in the kennel until the anesthesia takes effect. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the cat can be moved to the surgery prep table. o The surgery area on the cat will be shaved and cleaned. o Ointment is added to the cat s eyes. o A cone is placed over the cat s nose and mouth; the cone supplies oxygen and more anesthesia. o If the cat has been adopted, and the adopting patron requested an FELV/FIV test, blood is drawn. o The cat can now be moved from the surgery prep table to the surgery suite. Post-Surgery Once the veterinarian completes the surgery, the cat can be carefully moved to the warming beds. 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 bezel (hole in the needle) facing upwards. o Adult cats are given about 100ml of fluid; kittens are given about 50ml. o Monitor the animal s breathing and pulse. o After a few minutes, roll the cat over. Press gently under the cat s eye; if you get a response, this may mean the cat is close to waking. o 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. 3

4 o 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.) Please ask questions and do not attempt these procedures until you ve been properly trained. DOGS Pre-Surgery Remove the food and water dish from the kennel so all that remains is the towel. The dog is anesthetized while in the kennel. Anesthesia is administered subcutaneously; it makes the dog drowsy and may cause the dog to vomit. o The dog remains in the kennel until the anesthesia fully takes effect. Once the anesthesia has taken effect, the dog can be moved to the surgery prep table. o The dog is given a second injection in the vein. o The dog is then intubated with the ET (endotrachial tube). A Veterinary Technician places the tube in the dog s airway and ties it to the upper jaw with gauze. Using an empty syringe, a balloon at the end of the ET tube is inflated; the balloon helps keep the tube in place and prevents aspiration. o The end of the ET tube is connected to the anesthesia and oxygen. o The surgery area is shaved and cleaned. o Ointment is added to the dog s eyes. o The dog can now be moved from the surgery prep table to the surgery suite. Post-Surgery Once the surgery is complete, puppies and small dogs are removed from the surgery suite and placed on the surgery recovery table. Larger dogs are placed on a blanket on the floor. Dogs begin their recovery with the ET tube still in place. Monitor their pulse and respiration. 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 that was holding it in place 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 If the cuff valve is still inflated, attach an empty syringe, with the plunger down, to the end of the cuff valve. Pull up on the plunger to remove any remaining air from the balloon. Cuff Valve Balloon Cuff 4

5 If the dog has been neutered, place an ice pack wrapped in a towel on its scrotum. Leave the ice pack in place for about two minutes; the ice helps prevent swelling and bleeding. The dog s temperature should be at least 100 degrees before it is returned to its kennel. o Often, large dogs have shorter recovery times than smaller dogs. 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. Please ask questions and do not attempt these procedures until you ve been properly trained. Other Responsibilities Retrieve animals from other areas of the shelter and assign them to a surgery kennel. 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 Top off the food to the line on the bowl. Rinse and fill the water bowl with fresh water to the same line. Stock towels and bedding from laundry. Wrap and sterilize surgical packs. Once surgery is done, clean the surgery prep and recovery tables. Take out the trash. Sweep and mop floors in the area. Enter information into the Chameleon database. 5