PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK IN AT THE VOLUNTEER TABLE IN THE HALLWAY INSIDE. GLOVES MUST BE WORN AT ALL TIMES.

The responsibilities of the Neuter Apprentice are:
1. to assist the Neuter student in verifying the presence of 2 testicles in the scrotum and in verifying all of the information on the paw tag
2. to assist the Neuter student with his/her responsibilities
3. to record the name of the Neuter surgeon on the paw tag
4. to observe surgical sterilization and to learn the proper procedure for neutering a cat
5. to call for the Medications Transport volunteer when the surgery is complete to take the cat to the next station which is the Medications station.

NO OTHER PROCEDURES SHOULD BE DONE AT THIS STATION. IF TOM CATS HAVE ABSCESSES OR WOUNDS, THEY WILL BE TREATED AT THE MEDICIATIONS STATION WHICH IS THE NEXT AND FINAL STATION BEFORE RECOVERY. DO NOT REMOVE THE HEMOSTAT FROM THE CAT'S EAR. THIS WILL ALSO BE DONE AT THE MEDICIATIONS STATION.

When you first arrive at the clinic, unpack your kit and arrange your supplies. You will need to get sterile gloves for the Neuter Student from the Spay Station Supply Table. Ask the Neuter student what size gloves he/she wears. You will not need to wear sterile gloves unless you are the neuter surgeon. You may want to get yourself a pair of two of gloves to have on hand in case you get to perform a neuter towards the end of the clinic.

Cats will be brought to you from the Physical Exam/Ear Tip station by the volunteers there. Handle cats in a first in, first out manner. Remember to work quickly and efficiently with the Neuter student. Anesthetic time is limited!! When you are finished with the cat, call for the Medications Transport volunteer who will take the cat to the next station. You should immediately begin assisting with the next available cat.

EXAMINE 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.

Help the Neuter student CHECK that the paw tag is in place and is filled out with the cat's sex, color and estimated age. Record the Neuter surgeon's name in the specified blank on the paw tag. Help the Neuter student CHECK the genitals - be sure the cat has two descended testicles. If not, notify the Supervisor and take the cat to a spay prep station. Both females and cryptorchid males are sent to spay prep. REMEMBER, A CAT WITHOUT TESTICLES IS NOT NECESSARILY A FEMALE, IT COULD BE A NEUTERED MALE!

If the cat is not fully anesthetized, administer isoflurane by mask. One liter of oxygen and 4% isoflurane is usually a good starting point. Once the cat is fully anesthetized, the isoflurane should be reduced to 1.5 – 2 %, while the oxygen is maintained at 1 liter.

You will assist while the Neuter student does the following: Gently shaves the scrotal hair and sterilely preps the area, taking care not to leave soap on the fur or skin and not to get the surrounding fur excessively wet. (Wet anesthetized cats are predisposed to hypothermia and anesthetic complications!) Drapes the area and performs the surgical procedure wearing sterile gloves.

First, the Neuter Apprentice should sterilely open the gloves and drape for the Neuter student. The blade should be sterilely opened and dropped onto the open glove pack. This should be done PRIOR to prepping the cat! New gloves, blades and drapes should be used for each cat.

Note: Depending on the number of tom cats waiting, the Neuter Apprentice, at the discretion of the Neuter student may perform the neuter procedure after having assisted with a minimum of 3 surgeries. If the Neuter Apprentice is unable to perform the surgery quickly and efficiently, the Neuter student may need to take charge of the surgery in order to expedite the cat through the station to keep the clinic running smoothly and to ensure that anesthetic time does not run out. Neuter Apprentice students gaining sufficient experience, may be assigned to the Neuter student position in the future. All Neuter students must be approved by the Supervisor.

At the end of the clinic, clean up your station and dispose of trash. Return any unused sterile gloves to the Spay Supply Table. As you repack your kit, verify that all of the supplies that belong in your kit are there. (See Inventory Sheet included in your kit.)

PLEASE TURN IN THIS INSTRUCTION SHEET WITH YOUR STATION KIT AT THE END OF THE DAY. THANK YOU.