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 Sex Check and FeLV Test station are:
1. to remove the anesthetized cat from the trap and place a paw tag securely on the left front paw and to mark this tag with the cat's trap color and number (ex: red 3)
2. to apply 1/4 inch strip ophthalmic ointment to each eye for lubrication
3. to identify the sex of the cat
4. to mark the cat's sex, color and estimated age on the paw tag
5. to perform an FeLV test
6. to transport cats to the Physical Exam/ear tip station once the above are done

Syringes should be prepared for collecting blood for the FeLV tests before the spay day begins. 23ga, 1 in needles should be placed on 3 ml syringes. Approximately 0.5 ml of heparin should be drawn into each syringe and then completely injected back into the heparin vial. This leaves a drop of heparin in each syringe that is sufficient to keep blood drawn into the syringe from clotting. Carefully recap the needles. Approximately 15 syringes should be prepared at each station at the start of the day and more can be made if necessary. Set these syringes aside for use during the day.

Cats from the Anethesia station will be transported to the Sex Check/FeLV Test station by the Anethesia Transport volunteer. The cats should be carefully observed to assure they are fully anesthestized before being removed from their trap. DO NOT REMOVE ANY CATS THAT ARE NOT FULLY ANESTHESTIZED FROM THEIR TRAPS. CONTACT THE SUPERVISIOR IF ANY CAT IS NOT ANESTHESTIZED. Recovery volunteers will pick up the empty traps and carry them to the recovery area.

Paw tags should be placed securely, but NOT TIGHT around the cats left fore leg just below the elbow using 2" masking tape. Record the trap color and number and the cat's sex, color and estimated age of the paw tag. Be extremely careful when determining a cat's sex. Neutered males may be mistaken for females!!!! If the cat is a male, be sure both testicles are in the scrotum. Remember, just because a cat does not have testicles, it is not necessarily a female! It could be a neutered male. If you suspect a cryptorchid cat or are having difficulty determining the sex of a cat, call the Supervisor. For estimating age, it is acceptable to write an actual number in months or years or a description such as: young mature adult or juvenile or kitten aprox 5 months.

Apply 1/4 inch lubricant to each eye. This protects the eyes and prevents them from drying out while the cat is under anesthesia. Do not touch the eye itself with the applicator tip. Remember, cats can carry chlamydia and herpes virus without having any apparent signs and you can spread it from cat to cat if the ointment is contaminated. 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.

A blood sample should be obtained from each cat and a FeLV test started. Clip the fur to help you visualize the vein. Use a jugular or cephalic vein. Preserve the medial saphenous veins! These veins will be used to administer the anesthetic reversal agent at the end of the clinic. Do not use them for drawing blood!! If you do not obtain a blood sample after 2 attempts, HAVE SOMEONE ELSE TRY!! Clean the clippers with the brush and clipper spray in between every few cats. Each FeLV test should be labeled using a sharpie marker with the cat's cage color and number. Review the test kit's instructions before the day begins. Any cat that is FeLV positive should be reported to the Supervisor as soon as possible so a decision can be made about the cat's status. It is the policy of Operation Cat Nap to euthanize all FeLV positive feral cats to prevent their ultimate suffering and to prevent transmission of the disease to other cats. DO NOT WAIT FOR THE TEST RESULTS BEFORE TRANSFERRING THE CAT ON TO THE NEXT STATION!!! REMEMBER, ANESTHETIC TIME IS LIMITED AND WE MUST WORK QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY!

Do Not spend more than a minute trying to collect the blood sample!!! If you can not get it, call your team leader. DO NOT hold up the line or waste precious anesthetic time searching and searching for a vein!! Venopuncture may be difficult in these cats due to the effects of the anesthetic which lowers blood pressure. DO CLIP the fur to allow you to visualize the veins which will be very small due to the effects of the anesthetic!!!

One volunteer at this station should be in charge of reading the FeLV test results and transporting cats to the Physical Exam/Ear Tip station. Read the instructions in the FeLV test kit to understand how to perform the test, how to know the test has worked properly, and how to tell if the results are positive or negative. Be sure to label the test by writing the trap color and number directly on the plastic test device. Notify the Supervisor of any positive tests. You do not need to record the results anywhere. All tests will be assumed to be negative unless you advise the Supervisor otherwise. Again, DO NOT WAIT FOR THE TEST RESULTS BEFORE TRANSFERRING THE CAT ON TO THE NEXT STATION!!! REMEMBER, ANESTHETIC TIME IS LIMITED AND WE MUST WORK QUICKLY AND EFFICIENTLY!

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