1.Medical 101: How to save dogs on a shoe-string budget Ellen Jefferson, DVM Executive Director Kristen Kjellberg, DVM Veterinarian Jordana Estrada Clinic Manager Austin Pets Alive! www.austinpetsalive.org

2. Legal Requirements Check your state laws We recommend you buy and read Shelter Medicine for Veterinarians and Staff by Miller and Zawistowski to learn more about the legal intricacies of running a shelter. Rabies testing in all bite cases or death from neuro disease with course less than 10 days. Legally and morally correct thing to do. 3. The Basics- Intake DHLPP Bordetella Rabies Strongid Microchip Hw Test (6 months and older only) Ivermectin 4. Wellness Schedule Vaccines every 2 weeks (between 4 weeks and 4 months) Adults: 2 vaccines Deworm every 14-30 days Frontline every 30 days Ivomec- sarcoptes prevention 5. How is Medical Care Different in a No Kill City? The goal is to save all salvageable animals, no matter the problem Treat as if will live Systemizing treatments makes it easier Get them out! Saves space, money, time Treat to live killing is not an option but euthanizing is 6. Reasons animals are justifiably Euthanized at No Kill Shelters Ideally Dying from Trauma upon arrival or after initial treatment White gums, shocky, Body will not be functional again even with medical help Broken spine, severely maimed Dying from Illness upon arrival or after initial treatment Flat out white gums, cold Chronic condition that will result in pets death eventually, painfully even with help Bad quality of life Untreatable aggression as diagnosed by a behaviorist 7. 2 options for mass care in a shelter that is trying to become No Kill 1. Spread funds over all animals by incrementally giving the most basic care until all are saved APAs choice 2. Save some high dollar animals but not all who are salvageable due to limited funds Most No Kill Shelters choice 8. Triage Scarce Resource Management = Conservation of Life Saving Resources Being flexible with drug choice Following protocols for efficiency Elevating only the conditions that have the highest potential for life long problems to the most expensive resources 9. How do we save money? Treat what we see No expensive tests unless really critical to treatment What happens if the result is negative? James Herriot Medicine Nature is your biggest ally Use what you have Dont order expensive drugs unless there is truly no alternative There almost always is 10. How do we save money? Ask for donations and help Tangible supplies Chip ins Fosters/adopters Accept all donations Volunteer help Break up tubes/bottles to share without contamination Frontline Eye meds Find alternatives to expensive meds Eye meds, antibiotics Foster homes! 11. Dont skimp on: Pain medicine Proactive treatment on things that will probably get worse Eyes Baby illness punctures 12. Raising Money for Cici 13. Cicis foster helps raise funds 14. Injuries Hit By Car Most injuries that you see immediately after an accident, will improve with time Within 24-72 hours Pain management Hydration, treat the obvious Re-evaluate Must be willing to deal with it if worse than you thought 15. Case Study- Coda Found by a dumpster Semicomatose Couldnt stand or see R/O for swollen head in a Chihuahua Hydrocephalus- poor px Head trauma- good px Gave him 72 hours antiinflammatories Cost $15 16. Case Study-Rusty Anti-inflammatories Xrays Cost= $100 17. Bone Fractures Surgery or no surgery? Decision making process at APA Splint/sling- Immobilization Theory Time Amputation: Open wounds where bone has popped through Limb is not functioning AND it is mutilated Not used instead of fixation for long bone fractures Bone Surgery (pins or plates or FHO) Only if joint is effected and size matters If doesnt heal with splinting and/or time If more than one leg 18. Note on pelvic fractures 19. Benefits and Risks of Bone Fracture Policy Benefits Saves more lives because more money can be spread amongst more animals Costs less Decreases transportation needs to and from vet Risks May heal in weird way or incorrectly Longer to heal May not heal at all Regular vets can get angry if not clearly explained why in notes Adopters can get angry if not educated 20. Case Study- Elsie Ethrington Shelter vet said she must be euthanized immediately 6 fractures in pelvis 8 weeks later Cost: $200 21. Case Study- Miracle KSAT News Story Raised funds for surgery and found foster 22. Case Study- Honey and Mr Z Burns all over body Leg contracted Costs: $300 All four feet effected Burns on back will heal Feet will contract use wet bandages 3 months of bandages 23. Case Study- Chico Bitten by bigger dog Will heal but surgery is best Should not be euthed for this Cost $170 24. Chico in foster home recovering 25. Case Study- Eye popped out Nonpainful because damage was done long before she came to the shelter Needed to be removed People will contribute to this $150-300 26. If the pet is still fighting. Eating = will to live Even if something looks horrific, if pet is eating, that is a good prognostic sign May not eat immediately with trauma 27. Infections Skin Infections Mange Ringworm Viral Infections Parvo Parasite Infections Heartworms GI Worms Fleas/ticks 28. Sarcoptic Mange Treatment Sarcoptic Hard to find foster Control sarcoptes in shelter population Treat all dogs weekly 0.15mL/ 10lbs orally Ivomec 1% Prevention Not contagious as soon as not itchy anymore (2 weeks) 6 weeks treatment with ivermectin OR revolution every 2-3 weeks x 3 treatments Pinna test Cost