700.16 maintenance of health for animal impounded as special attention

1. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 700.16
SUBJECT: MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH FOR ANIMALS IMPOUNDED AS
SPECIAL ATTENTION
Page: 1
Date: 02/06/96
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 11/28/06
I. PURPOSE
To outline the steps necessary to maintain the health of an animal impounded as a Special
Attention
II. POLICY
Animals impounded by Orange County Animal Care Services (OCACS) as Special
Attention(s) shall be processed in accordance with the procedures outlined in this document.
Special attention is required in these cases due to potential legal actions, evidence and/or
documented assessments that are time sensitive, and other circumstances requiring unique
monitoring and tracking.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to Veterinary Services staff.
IV. FORMS
Not Applicable
V. REFERENCES
Not Applicable
VI. DEFINITIONS
Special Attention(s): Animals associated with cruelty cases (CA PC 597), owner arrests, natural
disasters (fire, flood, earth-quake, etc.), vicious investigations, etc.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Initial Physical Examination
1. Within 1 hour of arrival at OCACS, Special Attention animals shall be given a
thorough physical examination by:
a. Veterinarian on duty, or
b. Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) on duty per protocol.

2. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 700.16
SUBJECT: MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH FOR ANIMALS IMPOUNDED AS
SPECIAL ATTENTION
Page: 2
Date: 02/06/96
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 11/28/06
2. A signalment (including weight), complete description of all physical,
behavioral and medical abnormalities found and an appropriate plan of therapy
shall be recorded in the Animal Treatment Window of Chameleon.
3. In accordance with Policy and Procedure 300.19, Inhumane Investigations,
OCACS will take custodial care of any animal involved in a crime upon request
by the appropriate law enforcement agency. OCACS Veterinary staff shall
render any medical evaluation required which shall include, but is not limited to:
an appraisal of physical condition of the animal(s), lab work and necropsy when
necessary, and any veterinary medical examination required for health and/or
prosecution value.
4. The examining Veterinarian shall record their initial findings in the “Description
Box” under the “Treatment Window” and shall also submit an e-mail with the
findings to the Operations officer, Director and Clinic Manager within 24-hours.
In cases where no lab work is required, a comprehensive report shall be
submitted within 72-hours or the examining veterinarian’s next regularly
scheduled work day. Where lab work is required and results pending, a
comprehensive report shall be submitted 10-days from the original date of
examination.
B. Therapy Plan
The plan of therapy shall be comprehensive, attending to all significant abnormalities
noted and including diagnostic tests (radiographs, blood work-up, urinalysis), as well as
appropriate monitoring and dietary regimens. If a condition is found which needs
therapy beyond the capabilities of OCACS, the Clinic Veterinarian shall be notified
immediately, whether on or off duty.
1. Monitoring regimens shall include observations on the quality and frequency of
urinations, bowel movements and other bodily excretions as well as vital signs
as necessary. All Special Attention animals shall be weighed every 72 hours,
unless otherwise directed by the examining Veterinarian.
2. Dietary regimens shall include an appropriate diet for the animal’s state of
health and plan of therapy as well as monitoring of its consumption.
C. Disposition of Special Attention animals

3. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 700.16
SUBJECT: MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH FOR ANIMALS IMPOUNDED AS
SPECIAL ATTENTION
Page: 3
Date: 02/06/96
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 11/28/06
No Special Attention animal shall be euthanized, returned to owner or otherwise
disposed of without a medical review by an OCACS Clinic Veterinarian and approval
from the Operations Officer. In addition, all Chameleon memos shall be read and
adhered to.