Services Provided
Cats
- Multiple physical examinations
- FIV/FeLV testing
- Fecal parasite examination
- Urinalysis
- Age appropriate vaccinations
- Pre-operative bloodwork (PCV/TS, Azostick, glucose)
- Spay/neuter and appropriate pain management pre, during, and post-operatively
- Parasite control (intestinal parasite deworming, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention)
Dogs
- Multiple physical examinations
- Heartworm testing
- Fecal parasite examination
- Urinalysis
- Age appropriate vaccinations
- Pre-operative bloodwork (PCV/TS, Azostick, glucose)
- Spay/neuter and appropriate pain management pre, during, and post-operatively
- Parasite control (intestinal parasite deworming, flea, tick, and heartworm prevention)
Minor problems such as ear infections, skin infections, small lumps and bumps that may or may not require surgery, wounds, and lacerations will be treated empirically.
Each pet will be discharged with a copy of their medical record which will include a rabies tag and certificate. If you would like pets microchipped while they are under anesthesia for their surgery, please send a microchip with the pet.
Ideal Patients
Please send healthy patients. Patients should be held in your facility for at least 5 days prior to transport to ISU and do not have any evidence of lethargy, not eating or drinking, as well as upper respiratory signs such as coughing, sneezing, or nasal discharge or gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting or diarrhea.
Below are general criteria that need to be met. If a number of pets at your shelter/rescue, do not meet the criteria, please contact Dr. Joyce Carnevale (joycec@iastate.edu) to discuss the situation.
Cats
- At least 3 lbs
- Friendly, shy, or timid cats are welcome. The program is not set up to handle feral or overtly fear aggressive cats.
Dogs
- At least 4 lbs
- Please send friendly dogs that do not show aggression towards handlers
Exclusion Criteria for Surgery
All pets will receive physical examinations. If problems are found during the physical examination and pre-operative screening, we will contact you to discuss the findings and tailor options to that specific pet. General exclusion criteria, however, are listed below
Cats
- FeLV positive – We would recommend euthanasia due to quality of life complications and reduced adoptability
- FIV positive – We would recommend euthanasia unless otherwise healthy and the shelter/rescue has options for adoption
- Body condition score less than 3 unless age appropriate – We would recommend waiting until pet gained weight
- Azostick (kidney value) remains elevated after given subcutaneous fluids
- Demodex mites – Since surgery can compromise the immune system, we would recommend waiting until the problem is treated
Dogs
- Heartworm positive with obvious clinical signs of heartworm disease
- Demodex mites
Protocol for bite incident
In the event of an ISU employee or student being bitten by an unvaccinated dog, the bite incident will be reported to Animal Care and Control and their recommendations will be followed. Please indicate on the Patient Information Form if the pet has previously been vaccinated for rabies.
Post Surgical Complications
Patients will be boarded for a minimum of 36 hours post operatively. During that time, they will be examined an average of 4 times. If complications arise, you will be notified and an appropriate plan determined. If complications arise once the pet is home, please notify Dr. Carnevale
Scheduling Surgery
Surgeries are performed on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays. Patients will be admitted 2 days before surgery and discharged 2 days afterwards; however, pets having surgery on Friday, will be discharged on Monday morning and Monday surgical patients will be admitted on Friday morning.
Appointment spaces are limited. There are 8-10 appointment spaces available for each surgery day. We would like to admit 1-2 additional pets each day in case one pet is excluded for medical reasons. All pets who are healthy will have surgery.
During the fall and spring semesters, the Outreach Program partners with the Surgical Education Program. As a result, the appointments slots during a particular week can be focused on dogs vs cats.
To schedule an appointment, please contact Rebekha Lauridsen (rebekha@iastate.edu).
Admissions and Discharge Procedures
- Admission and discharge times are between 8:30-10:30 am. Please notify the shelter (515-231-2127) if you are going to arrive after 10:30 am.
- Please fill out a Patient Information Form for each patient. If you would like a microchip placed in the pet, please put the microchip, microchip paperwork, and Patient Information Form in a plastic bag to ensure all materials stay together.