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

The Spay stations are the nucleus of the clinic. The pace of all other stations is regulated to make sure that all of the Spay Veterinarians are kept busy spaying cats. The Veterinary Assistants' primary responsibility is to make the Spay Veterinarians as efficient as possible. Tell him/her what size gloves you wear at the start of the clinic.

Put on a cap and mask and sterilely gown and glove at the beginning of the clinic. Maintain sterile technique changing only gloves between cats. Gowns contaminated with blood should be changed, otherwise you should be able to maintain sterile technique and change only gloves between cats.

The Spay Transporter will put the next female cat on your surgery table. The Vet Assistant will open your gloves, suture (3 0 PDS on a taper needle), blade and instrument pack for you. Sterile carmalts (called "extra clamps pack"), extra drapes and gauze are available if you need them. Use subcuticular sutures instead of skin sutures for closure as the cats will be released before the sutures can be removed. Most cats can be spayed with one pack of suture used throughout. Tissue glue (Nexaband) is available if needed.

Please work as quickly and efficiently as possible. The injectable anesthetic has a limited duration of activity. If cats are not adequately anesthetized, the Vet Assistant can provide isoflurane by mask.

If any changes need to be made in the preparation of the cats (such as where the fur is clipped), inform the Vet Assistant, who will pass the information on to the Team Leader in the Spay Prep station.

When you have completed the spay, dispose of your sharps yourself in the red sharps containers and change into a sterile pair of gloves. Tell your Veterinary Assistant about any findings such as pregnancy or abnormalities and whether you would like the cat to receive subcutaneous fluids (excessive blood loss, advanced pregnancy, dehydration, etc.) after surgery. 150 ml of lactated Ringer's solution is standard unless you instruct otherwise. The Medications Transporter will remove the finished cat and the Spay Transporter will replace it with a new one as soon as you are done.

Occasionally, you may be asked to evaluate a medical condition in a cat or to assist with an emergency. There is a standard crash kit available. Minor problems (such as an abscess or laceration) may be corrected, but cats requiring lengthy treatments or surgeries will be euthanized. If present, do not drain abscesses at the surgery table. This will be done at the next station, which is the Medication station.

PLEASE LEAVE THIS INSTRUCTION SHEET AT YOUR STATION AT THE END OF THE DAY. THANK YOU!