Trapper Talk - Part 3
At the end of the second part in the series the cats had been trapped, covered and placed in the holding area. They have to be fasting from 10 p.m. the night before the surgery, just like people, so they are booked into the vet ideally the day after they are trapped. The morning of their surgery the traps are cleaned, fresh newspaper put down and they are covered and transported to the vet. The first thing to be done is to weigh the cats right in the trap and their actual weight is calculated to determine the dosage of anesthetic. In order to safely administer the anesthetic it is done while the cat is in the trap, using the same type of equipment we use while cleaning and feeding. At this time, the cat is thoroughly checked over for injuries, ear mites, fleas, upper respiratory infection and matting of the fur which occurs in long haired cats.
If necessary, medications are given and weather permitting, matted fur may be shaved off but of course we wouldn't do this in the winter. The required spay or neuter is done, vaccines administered and the left ear is tipped to identify it as a member of a managed colony then the cat is allowed to rest and recover under careful supervision. Late in the afternoon the cats are picked up and returned to the holding area where the trap is checked to make sure the papers are clean and they are given a very small quantity of food and water. Again they are kept covered as this reduces any stress. Male cats are cared for in the traps for a minimum of 24 hours after the surgery and female cats for a minimum of 48 hours after the surgery. If everything seems normal, they are then released back to their home colony where they will continue to be fed and sheltered.
If necessary, medications are given and weather permitting, matted fur may be shaved off but of course we wouldn't do this in the winter. The required spay or neuter is done, vaccines administered and the left ear is tipped to identify it as a member of a managed colony then the cat is allowed to rest and recover under careful supervision. Late in the afternoon the cats are picked up and returned to the holding area where the trap is checked to make sure the papers are clean and they are given a very small quantity of food and water. Again they are kept covered as this reduces any stress. Male cats are cared for in the traps for a minimum of 24 hours after the surgery and female cats for a minimum of 48 hours after the surgery. If everything seems normal, they are then released back to their home colony where they will continue to be fed and sheltered.