Lesson 93 - Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) Guidelines x 2 and Spay/Neuter Population Management

What is the primary purpose of the ASV Guidelines for Standards of Care in Animal Shelters?

to establish a uniform set of evidence-based standards to enhance animal welfare in shelter environments

What is a primary goal of the ASV Veterinary Medical Care Guidelines for Spay-Neuter Programs?

to provide a standardized framework ensuring high-quality, high-volume spayneuter (HQHVSN) services that meet or exceed veterinary medical standards of care

What are the ASV guidelines based on?

Five Domains (Nutrition, Environment, Health, Behavioral Opportunities, Mental State)

Are the ASV guidelines a standard operating procedure (SOP)?

no

What is the purpose of ASV guidelines in the shelter community?

1. Creates a Common Language

2. Solidifies Role of Shelters in the Community

3. Elevates Welfare of Animals in Shelter Care

4. Incorporated into Regulatory Language for Municipalities

What is the purpose of ASV guidelines in individual organizations?

1. Minimum standards of care

2. Assessment of current processes

3. Method to identify areas of improvement

4. Plan and create a timeline to address deficiencies (Prioritize)

5. Provide on-going self-evaluation and improvement

6. Addresses Physical, Behavioral, and Housing Needs

What are the 13 sections covered by ASV guidelines?

1. Management and Record Keeping

2. Population Management

3. Animal Handling

4. Facilities

5. Sanitation

6. Medical Health

7. Shelter Surgery (Spay/Neuter, Dentals, Other SXC)

8. Forensics

9. Behavior and Mental Well-Being

10. Euthanasia

11. Animal Transport and Relocation Programs

12. Disaster Response

13. Public Health

How can ASV guidelines be applied to a shelter?

1. Perform a Shelter Analysis/Shelter Walk Through

2. Label Deficiencies based on Terminology

3. Communicate with Shelter Management Team

4. Develop Plan and Timeline to Make Improvements (Strategy)

What is the terminology for ASV guideline deficiencies?

1. Unacceptable: Practices MUST be corrected without delay

2. Must: Minimum level of acceptance or humane care is not being achieved

3. Should: Implies strong recommendation

4. Ideal/Best: Ultimate goal and best practice

What are the ASV guidelines for spay and neuter programs?

provides guidelines for consistent, humane, and best practice techniques, with emphasis on HQHV techniques

What is the goal of spay and neuter?

reduce shelter animal intake, decrease euthanasia, increase pet retention

What are the major topics of ASV guidelines?

1. Patient Care and Clinical Procedures

2. Pre-Operative Care

3. Anesthetic Procedures

4. Surgical Care

5. Post-Operative Care

6. Operations Management

What is considered with patient care and clinical procedures?

1. Transportation

2. Record Keeping

3. Vaccinations

4. Patient Handling and Housing

5. Infectious Disease Control

6. Preparation for Emergencies

7. Follow-Up and Emergency Care

What is considered with pre-op care?

1. Patient Selection

2. Client Communication

3. Withholding Food

4. Physical Examination

What is considered with anesthetic procedures?

1. Peri-Operative Thermoregulation

2. Anesthesia Equipment

3. Oxygen Supplementation and Ventilation

4. Airway Management

5. Fluid Therapy

6. Monitoring

7. Anesthetic Protocol

8. Accurate Dosing of Anesthetic Agent

9. Administration of Analgesics and Anxiolytics

10. Total IM Anesthesia

11. Anticholinergic Agents

12. Induction and Maintenance of Anesthesia with Inhalant Anesthetics

13. Mitigating Waste Anesthetic Gas Exposure

14. High Risk Patients

What is considered with surgical care?

1. Operating Area Environment

2. Surgical Pack Preparation

3. Patient Preparation

4. Surgeon Preparation

5. Surgical Procedures

6. Suture Materials

7. Identification of Neutered Animals

8. Use of Antimicrobials

9. Use of Skin Glue

What is considered with post-op care?

1. Recovery

2. Post-Op Complications

3. ER Plan

4. Analgesia

5. Anesthetic Reversal

6. Return to Patient Housing

7. Discharge of Patients

8. Post-Op Care Instructions

What is considered with operations management?

1. Clinic Flow and Defined Tasks

2. SOP Manual and Checklists

3. Data Collection and Analysis

4. Staff Training

5. Leadership

6. Personnel Health and Safety

7. Perioperative Ergonomics

8. Regulatory and Legal Considerations

You're examining a 4-month-old male dog scheduled for castration surgery in a shelter setting. According to the ASV Guidelines, which of the following best represents appropriate pre-operative care?

perform a physical exam, assess body condition, confirm sex, and verify is a good anesthesia candidate

The veterinary team is managing the recovery area at a high-quality, highvolume spay/neuter (HQHVSN) clinic. According to the ASV Guidelines, what best represents appropriate post-operative care for a 2-year-old female dog following an ovariohysterectomy?

provide continuous monitoring until the patient can safely swallow, maintain sternal recumbency, and thermoregulate, then continue frequent checks in a quiet, warm environment

A 10-week-old male kitten (1.1 kg, healthy) presents for neuter at a shelter. Based on the ASV Guidelines, which of the following represents an appropriate surgical and anesthetic approach?

proceed with neuter using pediatric dosing protocols, warming, and perioperative monitoring

What are some current challenges in spay/neuter shelters?

1. Importance of Affordable and Accessible Veterinary Care for Spay and Neuter Services

2. Prioritize Patients and Clients in Need of Spay/Neuter Services

3. Challenge Spay/Neuter Clinics to Expand their Services (Wellness)

4. New, Innovative, Efficient Ways to Practice Spay and Neuter

5. Wake-Up Call for Veterinary Shortages and Industry Fatigue/Burnout

What are the pros of spay/neuter?

1. Decreased shelter intake, decreased euthanasia

2. Health Benefits • Longer life span

3. Prevention of "unplanned"/"accidental" pregnancies

4. Decreased male and female nuisance behaviors

5. Improved Public Health

What are the cons of spay/neuter?

1. Orthopedic Issues/Joint Disorders in Certain Breeds

2. Behavior Reasons

3. Anesthetic Risks

4. Ethical Reasons

5. Urinary Incontinence

6. Obesity

7. Increase in some Immune Disorders

8. Increased Risk for Certain Neoplasias in Certain Breeds

What are the barriers to spay/neuter?

1. cost

2. "Haven't gotten around to it..."

3. "Have never thought about it..."

4. "Not necessary-pet confined to home.."

5. "Pet is too young..."

6. Intend to breed animal

7. Unaware of spay/neuter program

8. Cannot access spay/neuter program

9. Challenging Populations: Pit Bulls, Feral Cats, Puppies/Kittens

What are the shelter solutions to spay/neuter barriers?

1. Outreach Programs

2. Advertising/Social Media

3. Building Community Trust

4. Client Education

5. Affordable Services

6. Accessible Services

7. Ease of Scheduling

8. Follow-Up Options/Continuity of Care

What is an advancement in shelter spay/neuter trends?

increased emphasis on spay and neuter efforts before adoption, in peds patients, feral cats (TNR programs), high quality high volume, low-cost, mobile units, laws and regulations, access to care

What is a pediatric spay/neuter?

sterilization less than 5 months of age, as young as 6-8 weeks of age

What are the benefits of pediatric spay/neuter?

1. Spayed/Neutered prior to adoption

2. Prevents "accidental" pregnancies

3. Surgery faster, easier, less expensive

4. Shorter recovery and healing time

What are the considerations with pediatric spay/neuters?

specific surgical and anesthetic protocols

What is the spay/neuter recommendation for shelter dogs and cats?

spay/neuter prior to adoption

What is the spay/neuter recommendation for community cats?

TNR and spay/neuter at any age after 6 weeks

What is the spay/neuter recommendation for community dogs?

spay/neuter prior to 5 months of age

What is the spay/neuter recommendation for owned cats?

spay/neuter prior to 5 months of age

What is the spay/neuter recommendation for owned dogs?

spay/neuter based on client education, breed, lifestyle, and current scientific data

A 2-year-old stray female dog in good health arrives at your shelter during peak intake season. According to ASV Guidelines, how should spay surgery be prioritized as a population management tool?

prioritize immediate spay prior to housing to prevent pregnancy and reduce length of stay

A shelter veterinarian is performing high-volume spay/neuter surgeries at a municipal shelter. A 6-month-old female cat presents for ovariohysterectomy. According to the ASV Spay/Neuter Guidelines, which of the following intraoperative or peri-operative strategies best supports both patient welfare and effective shelter population management?

use multi-modal analgesia and maintain sterile technique to support rapid recovery and safe discharge

What are the types of spay/neuter clinic models?

1. Stationary Spay Neuter Clinic/Independent Clinic

2. In-Clinic Clinic (within the Shelter and External Assistance)

3. MASH Clinic

4. Mobile Clinic with On Board Recovery

5. Mobile Clinic with Off-Board Recovery

6. Subsidized/Vouchers in Private Hospitals

7. Veterinary Universities/Veterinary Technician Programs

8. Community Cat TNR Clinics (TNR/SNR/RTF)

What are the advantages of stationary spay neuter clinics?

1. No set-up/break-down

2. Efficient

3. Constant presence/visible to public

4. Self-contained

5. Trained and consistent staff

What are the disadvantages of stationary spay neuter clinics?

1. Start-up costs higher

2. Start-up time longer

3. Compliance with building and maintenance requirements and zoning laws

4. Transportation required for clients

5. Maintenance costs of building and operations (overheads)

What are the advantages of an in-clinic clinic within the shelter?

1. Spay/neuter prior to adoption

2. No transport required for shelter animals

3. Cost effective for shelter

4. Opportunities for continuity of care post-adoption

5. ACCOs bringing animals for S/N

6. Spay/neuter services for public animals (+/- Income)

What are the disadvantages of an in-clinic clinic within the shelter?

1. Limited transportation/access for public

2. Disease control for public animals and housing

3. Vet law restrictions to help public animals (age, special cases)

What are the advantages of an in-clinic clinic (external assistance)?

1. High Volume of surgeries at one time

2. Training for Staff

3. Financial support

4. Resources/Equipment in place

What are the disadvantages of an in-clinic clinic (external assistance)?

1. Sustainability

2. Consistency of care/clinics

3. Reliance on host or Responsible for own supplies

What are the advantages of MASH clinics?

1. Go to areas in need

2. High volume of surgeries

3. Large geographic radius

4. Lower start-up costs

5. Quicker start-up time

6. Utilize core of volunteers (Free Labor)

7. Work with and assist multiple organizations

8. Other roles e.g. Disaster Relief Response

What are the disadvantages of MASH clinics?

1. Wear and tear on equipment

2. Wear and tear on staff

3. Need for multiple volunteers

4. Need for transport vehicle(s) for gear

5. Need for home base for storage

6. ER follow-up challenges

7. Sterility challenges

8. Clinic environment challenges (e.g. lights, running water)

What are the advantages of large scale MASH clinics?

1. High Volume of Surgeries

2. Collaboration of Large Animal Welfare Groups

3. Partnership with local organizations

4. Sustainable (Training and Equipment)

What are the disadvantages of large scale MASH clinics?

1. Funding

2. Consistency of SOPs

What are the advantages of mobile clinics with on-board or off-board recovery?

1. Travel to populations in need

2. Self-contained

3. Presence in community

4. Advertising

5. Could be multi-use vehicle

6. Defined roles

7. Efficient

8. Staffed with experienced medical staff (on-board)

9. Monitoring (on-board)

What are the disadvantages of mobile clinics with on-board or off-board recovery?

1. Expensive to buy/build and maintain

2. Driving challenges/driver required

3. Space limitations to work and house animals

4. Find location to park and store

5. Recovery space and staff

6. Cost of insurance, fuel, repairs

7. Difficult to manage remotely

8. Stress level for animals and people

9. Infection (e.g. Parvo Outbreak)

10. Emergencies and follow-up care challenges

11. Monitoring (off-board)

What are the advantages of subsidized/vouchers in private hospitals?

1. Financial assistance

2. Client schedule close to home

3. Client develops relationship with vet

4. Funds for participating vets and clinics

5. No start-up costs

6. Marketing/public relations (ie good PR for vets)

What are the disadvantages of subsidized/vouchers in private hospitals?

1. Follow-up to make sure animal is spayed/neutered

2. Cost (more expensive than shelter)

3. Participation of vets and clinics (not reimbursed fully)

4. Missed appointments and lost revenue

5. Legal requirements(S/N before adoption)

What are the advantages of veterinary university/veterinary technician programs?

1. Learning opportunities for vet students

2. Public Service

3. Reduced cost

4. Positive publicity

What are the disadvantages of veterinary university/veterinary technician programs?

1. Experience level of surgeons

2. Accessibility to public

3. Cost

4. Staff supervision required

What are the advantages of community cats/feral cats clinics?

1. Stabilizes feral cat colonies

2. Improves cats' lives/overall health

3. Answers needs of community

4. Humane solution

5. Decreases public nuisance behaviors

6. More effective than other methods to control population

6. Addresses public health

7. Pairs with other community resources

8. Shelters experience increased live release rate and decreased euthanasia rate

9. Frees up shelter resources

10. Increase shelter morale

What are the disadvantages of community cats/feral cats clinics?

1. QOL argument

2. Predation of native species

3. Public nuisance

4. Time and resources for TNR efforts

5. Funding

6. Post-operative care and monitoring

7. TNR does not work argument