Veterinary Aspects of TNR

Laurie Siperstein-Cook, DVM

Sacramento SPCA

One-shot opportunity

• Might be only vet contact for life

• Get everything done possible at one time

• Difficult to re-trap

• Risk from repeated anesthesia

Important Procedures• Spay/neuter

• Pregnant spay• Cryptorchid neuter• Pediatric spay/neuter

• Other Procedures• Ear-tip• Vaccination (rabies, fvrcp?)• Other repairs?

Optional Procedures

• Flea and ear mite treatment

• Clipping wounds

• Shaving mats

• SQ fluids

• Antibiotic injection

• Deworming

Virus Testing

• Felv/FIV “Combo test”

• Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus

• Plan ahead for results

• We don’t recommend on routine basis

Virus Testing

• When to test:

–To help make a euthanasia decision

–Kittens for adoption

–When high risk of exposure to virus

Virus Testing•Example:

•1000 Cats•Test all at $15 per test•$15,000•30 cats test positive•Could have S/N 1000 more cats!•S/N reduces transmission of Felv and FIV

Health Problems Seen

• Emaciation/dehydration

• Abscesses

• Ear mites

• Teeth problems/stomatitis

• Eye problems

• Missing parts (tail, eye, leg)

Euthanasias and deaths

Clinic Name

# clinic days

Total Number of cats Total S/N Euth Deaths

C4CC 46 2630 2534 100 2

SSPCA 40 3126 2936 59 4

Total 86 5756 5470 159 6

Spay/neuter resources• Veterinary clinics

– Sacramento SPCA– Animal Outreach of the Mother Lode– Animal Spay/Neuter clinic– Private veterinarians

• See SAAC website for ‘complete’ list

Spay/neuter resources• Voucher/Assistance Programs

– Coalition for Community Cats– Sacramento Area Animal Coalition– Folsom Feline Rescue– Fieldhaven Feline Rescue– Placer SPCA– Others?

After TNR• Which clinics?

– Regular veterinary clinic– Develop relationship ahead of time– Ask if they will see ‘feral’ cats– Ask if they can work with you to keep

costs low– Consider euthanasia for chronic or

‘intensive care’ conditions– SSPCA for low cost euthanasia

Encourage YOUR vet to help our TNR community!