Picking Up Medications Flashcards
Picking up Medications
1) Confirm Pet/owner identity
2) Find out if owner has already called for a refill - medication should be ready if owner called ahead already. Look in designated prescription area
3) if owner has not called yet, find out if refills available on file
4) have client pay for bill of med before leaving
Picking up food/other items
1) ask if client has been seen in clinic with their pet (pull up account)
2) Ask owner what items they would like to buy-check what food they regularly buy on their file
- ask how pet is doing at home
3) Bill out client
Admitting/checking in patients
1) greet client
2) confirm client
3) confirm information is up to date
4) if new client, ask if they have been to clinic before (should arrive 10-15min early)
5) confirm what client is bringing the patient in for
6) inform client if vet is running late
7) weigh the patient
8) patient should be checked in
9) take to exam room/potentially take patient history
10) alert vet client is ready
11) print any forms that may be needed
Admitting for hospital procedures (blood work, radiograph)
5 steps
1) confirm pet/patient identity
2) confirm what pet is bringing patient in for
3) check if client has been informed of cost of procedure
4) confirm if patient has been fasted
5) check if pet was on medication and when it was last given
Admitting patient for hospitalization
1) client must sign estimate or consent form
2) take a deposit
3) find out patients wishes if pet were to arrest in hospital (CPR/DNR)
4) get phone number for that day
5) let client know visiting hours
Admitting boarders
1) confirm client / pet
2) confirm dates pets are in and pick up times
3) obtain emergency phone numbers
4) check if any additional procedures are requested while boarding
5) instructions regarding food
6) is pet on medications?
7) special requests?
8) did client bring special objects that need to be labeled?
9) sign the consent form
Admitting for grooming
1) confirm client
2) find out specific instructions
3) any additional procedures? NT, bath ect
4) has pet required sedation in the past?
5) sign consent form
6) get phone number that client can be reached at that day
7) arrange pick up time
Discharging patients
Post appointment and post hospitalization patients
1) confidentiality: how did everything go? Check prescriptions. No intense details at reception
2) wait time: sometimes meds ect need to be made up after appt so you may want to suggest client puts pet in car (if you trust them)
3) billing
4) book recheck and other appointments needed prior to owner leaving.
5) go over medication instructions once meds are made up
6) final questions
4 clinic certificates
1) vaccination certificate
2) international health certificate
3) spay/neuter certificate
4) rabies certificate
Scheduling surgery appointments
Different with every clinic Specific surgery times Make owner aware of drop off times The pet must look healthy Find out if vaccinations required ahead of time Be aware if vets will do declaws ect Know min age spay/neuter at your clinic
General pre-surgical instructions
Most require 10-12 hours of fasting
Young pets may only be fasted for a few hours
Rabbits/ferrets require shorter/no fasting times
Risk of pet vomiting and inhaling stomach acid if not fasted
Surgery confirmation/reminder calls
Important to remind client of appointment and go over fasting instructions
Clients should be called the day before surgery
Ask clients any questions
Surgical admissions/check in
1) greet the client
2) confirm client/patient identity
3) confirm client info up to date
4) confirm procedures to be done
5) ask client if any concerns about patient
6) confirm optional procedures client may want - preanesthetic blood work, IV fluid, identification, nail trim, hernia repair, hind declaw removal, extraction of deciduous teeth
7) sign consent form
8) sign estimate form
9) confirm patient has been fasted
10) find out when pet was last given medication
11) inform client of payment instructions
12) verify pick up time
13) check in client on computer
14) weigh patient
15) what patient can bring/leave home
16) take pet to back
General anesthetic post surgical instructions
Most surgeries (spays, neuters, dental, declaw, orthopedics)
Warn owner patient will be groggy and uncoordinated (keep off furniture, away from stairs until fully recovered)
Reccomend they only feed small meal later that day , unlimited water
Spay/neuter/dental: same day
Orthopedic: over night
Sedation post surgical instructions
May be used for local anesthetic/x-rays
Lots reversible so no grogginess
Warn about grogginess ect otherwise
Suture instructions
May be absorbable (dissolve on own)
Or non absorbable (will need to be removed)
10-14 day after procedure if removal required
Staple instructions
Will require removal (10-14 days)
Drain instructions
Removed 3-5 days after procedure
Incision instructions
Very important to prevent licking
Use e-collar, shirt/material, bad tasting cream
Monitor for swelling, redness, discharge, heat, pain
If any problems, call vet
Keep clean/dry
No bathing/keep clean for 10-14 days and restrict exercise
Appetite after surgery
Should return to normal within 24 hours
Should be no vomiting
Sometimes when not eating when they should is due to pain
Licking/chewing after surgery
Pet should not be bothering surgical site
E collar and vet should be contacted if this is a problem
Rest after surgery
Even if pets act like nothing happened they need to rest
Overall behaviour after surgery
Pets should return normal between 1-2 days
Should be rechecked if v/d, low energy/appetite or coughing after this
Some have soft cough after surgery due to esophageal irritation from endotracheal tube
If cough worsens, talk to vet
Bandage care after surgery (splints, cast)
Prevent licking/chewing (e-collar ect)
Bandage kept clean and dry
Keep pet quiet
Cover bandage when outside
Bandages may need to be changed every 2-4 days
Owner needs to monitor bandages daily for any problems
Wet bandage, toes too cold, pet stops using bandage leg well , odours/discharge
Giving medications after surgery
Medication instructions/side effects discussed with patient before they leave the clinic
Oral tablet/capsule tips
Can hide in food or pill pockets
Make sure peanut butter doesn’t have xylitol if used
Open mouth behind canine teeth and tilt head upwards
Use finger to place/throw pill/capsule to back of mouth
Hold mouth closed, massage throat or blow on nose to encourage swallowing
Syringe with water can be used afterwards to encourage swallowing
Always give treats/food after pulling to ensure meds have gone down esophagus
Oral liquid med instructions
Can be mixed with food/treats or syringed into mouth
Put syringe behind canine and aim towards back of mouth , squirt liquid in
Creams/ointment instructions
Can be rubbed or spread onto skin
Use gloves or apply with gauze or soft cloth
Client should wash hands after
Prevent pet from licking medication( e collar, cover area, distract pet)
Ear medication instructions
Hold ear flap open and place drops into ear canal
Massage ear at the base when done , pet may shake
Eye medication instruction
Ointment or drops
Do not touch applicator tip to the eye
1 hand to open eyelids and one had to place drops/smear ointment over eye
Place medication from above
If two people: one hold dog, the other apply
Spay/neuter instructions
Fast 10-12hrs (confirm fast)
Reccomend to spay before first heat
Do they want pre-anesthetic or iv fluid?
Is there any chance they are pregnant or in heat?
If dog in heat for spay appointment
Wait 60 days for heat cycle to be over because there is too much blood in the uterus
Other questions for spay
Ask if they want micro chip or tattoo
Ask if they want retained baby teeth, hernia, declaws done
Go home instructions
Spay
Post op instructions
Incision care
Keep outdoor cat indoors
Dog neuter instructions
Fast 10-12 hours
Ask if they want pre anesthetic or iv fluid
Ask if they want tattoo or microchip
Check for retained baby teeth, hernia, declaws
Make sure both testes in scrotum
General post op/incision
Cat neuter instructions
Fast 10-12 hours(confirm) Pre anesthetic Retained baby teeth, hernia, declaw Tattoo microchip Both testes present
Cat neuter to go home
Rest for few days
Outdoor cat indoor 10-14
Monitor for pain, swelling
Declaw instructions
Most clinics will not do Fast 10-12 (confirm) Pre anesthetic, iv Microchip, tattoo? 2 nights in clinic
