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
Declaw to go home
Rest 2-3 weeks Kennel, small room (if active) Pain meds(discuss) Special cat liter 14 days post op Keep indoors long term
Dental instruction
Fast 10-12
Pre anesthetic mandatory
Dental estimate not 100%
Need phone number for that day
No extractions to go home instructions
Can eat regular
No special instruction
Dental diet, tooth brush reccomended
Extractions to go home
Pain/antibiotics sent home Soft food until recheck in 10-14 days Sutures in mouth dissolve E collar if pet paws at mouth No dental stuff until one month after
Lump removal instructions
Fast 10-12 (confirm)
Ask pre or iv
Mark where lumps are in file plus how many they want removed
May be done at same time as other procedure
Lump to go home
Prevent licking Monitor for swelling Discuss pain meds Antibiotics if lump was infected Drain removed 3-5 days Call if any concerns
Puppies tails/declaws
2-5 days of age
Not all vets do
DO NOT FAST
May use local anesthetic
Puppy tails/declaws to go home
Suture removal usually not needed
Watch puppies for pain, swelling
Orthopedic surgeries instructions.
Fast 10-12 hours (confirm)
No meds morning of surgery
Pre ?
Usually need X-ray post op
Orthopedic to go home
Strict exercise restriction several weeks to months
Rehabilitation therapy
Bandage removal (3 days)
Pain meds, maybe antibiotics
Exploratory surgery instruction
Looks for problems Price not guaranteed No guarantee anything will be found NEED PHONE NUMBER fast 10-12 Pre and IV mandatory
Exploratory surgery to go home
Depends Staple/suture removal after 10-14 Rest 10-14 Gastrointestinal diet Owner call if any concerns
Cystotomy instructions
To remove bladder stones, sometimes cancer/mass
Fast 10-12
Blood work and iv mandatory
Send urine sample for culture/sensitivity
Cystotomy to go home
Suture removal 10-14 days Pain meds, maybe antibiotics MAKE SURE PET IS URINATING some blood normal after surgery, call vet if it doesn't improve Special urinary diet
Urinary blockage instructions
Most often in male cats
Unable to urinate means emergency
Fasting usually not required because already not eating
Pre/IV/urinalysis mandatory
Blockage relieved with catheter and suture for no longer than 24 hours
Urinary blockage to go home
Monitor urination closely
If animal has one blockage it will usually happen again
Pain meds, urinary muscle relaxants
Urinary diet, encourage water
Call backs
On most surgical/hospital patients
New medications
Next business day
When are calls useful
To ask if pet is healing/recovering well
Make sure meds are being given and no side affects
Are the people following the home care instructions
To schedule or remind of recheck
Who should be called prior to appointment
Day before All surgeries Any procedure with special instruction If client requests If multiple appointments If missed appointment previously
Who should be called after appointment
All surgeries
All medical cases
New pet owners
Who should call
Mostly vet techs
Vet assistants call prior to appointment
Act of euthanasia
Gentle
Easy death
Quick and painless
Reasons to euthanize
Illness or terminal disease Can't afford costs Behavioural problems Unable to provide appropriate care Avoid judgement
Who consents to euthanize
The vet
When is hospice usually provided
Religious reasons
Vet role in euthanization
Tries not to influence owners decision unless pet noticeably ill
Answers all questions and options available
Voa roll
Comfortable discussing process
Options for ashes
Cremation
Paw print
Urns
How to tell client how to measure QOL
How many good days vs bad days
Activities pet still enjoys
Is pet in pain or uncomfortable
Offer exam with vet
What if client asks if they should euthanize
Owners decision
Don’t influence
Let them know that they are the best judge
Don’t get drawn into a debate
Methods of euthanasia
Inhalant
Injection
Gun shot
Captive bolt
Intravenous injection
Most common
Intraperitoneal injection
Injection in abdomen
Intrarenal injection
Injection in kidney
Intra cardiac
In heart
Booking euthanasia
Check file to see existing medical conditions and if it's an elderly pet Suggest exam with vet Ask if owners want to be present Book at slower time of day Ask wishes for body
Euthanasia appt
1) be prepared
2) confirm owner and bring to room
3) confirm owner wants to euthanize
4) go over paperwork and sign consent
5) pre pay
6) does owner want pet stuff
7) follow wishes for time
8) ask how long owner wants to stay
9) do not rush owner
10) sympathy card
11) change status on computer
How to prepare for e
Room ready with blanket, tissue, chair
Euthanasia patient arrives
Confirm and immediately bring to room after prepay
Speak on same level
Owner needs to be present to grant permission
Yes
Hoe many people in clinic are needed to confirm euthanization
2
Paperwork for euthanjz
Go over wishes for body
Private cremation
Owner gets ashes back
General cremation
Owners do not want
If owner takes ashes
Line special box with pee pads or garbage bag
If owner does not know what to do with body
Offer to hold body for a couple of days
After euthanizairon
Client leaves room and you put body in bag and label it
Euthanization warnings
Vet usually let owners know what to expect
Very rapid
Pet may vocalize/twitch/lose control of bladder
Eyes will not close
Stages of grief
Denial
Anger
Guilt
Depression
Denial
Don’t want to believe pet is dead
Give client time to reflect before putting down
Anger
Distraction from underlying issue Don't accept blame Allow owners to vent anger Politely ask to be talked to professionally Be polite
Guilt
Client blames themselves
Remind them that they did what they thought was best
Some problems are difficult to recognize early
Pet is no longer suffering
Depression
Hard to go through daily routine
Withdraw and isolate
Show them resources for help
Let them know the feelings are normal
Acceptance
Fond memories of pet
We realize we can go on
Support for owners do
Sympathy card Listen/normalize grief Share memories No wrong way to grieve Remember and honour the pet
Don’t
Encourage avoidance
Avoid saying stay strong or try to stay busy
Don’t encourage new pet
Don’t encourage them to get rid of stuff
Children and euthanization
Be as honest as possible
Encourage parents to tell kids pet has died
Encourage child to express feelings
Encourage parents to involve child
Dealing with euthanization
Talk to other staff members Out of work activities Ask why certain procedure is being performed Be open about feelings Reminders of reason to euthanize
