700.08 duties of the clinic veterinarian

1. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 700.08
SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE CLINIC VETERINARIAN Page: 1
Date: 3/6/96
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 12/12/07
I. PURPOSE
To outline and define the duties and responsibilities of the Clinic Veterinarian at Orange
County Animal Care Services (OCACS).
II. POLICY
It shall be the duty of the Clinic Veterinarian to take all necessary steps (diagnostics and
treatment) to maintain or improve the health of all animals housed at OCACS.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to all OCACS and Contract Veterinarians.
IV. FORMS
Rabies Control Investigation Report (Animal Bit/Scratch Report) (F272-12.2001)
Chameleon Confiscate Report
Chameleon Animals Without Treatment Report
Clinic “To Do List”
Reading and Understanding Material Safety Data Sheets
V. REFERENCES
Not applicable.
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not applicable.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Morning Briefing With Clinic Staff
1. Review overnight impounds.
2. Discuss issues related to ongoing treatment or condition of animals.
3. Identify and portion out the day’s assignments.
4. Make any relevant announcements.

2. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 700.08
SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE CLINIC VETERINARIAN Page: 2
Date: 3/6/96
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 12/12/07
B. Confiscate Evaluation and Quarantine Review, Observation, and Release
1. During morning rounds, evaluate all animals under quarantine using the
Bite/Scratch reports on the Quarantine Clipboard.
a. For animals observed as normal, place the date and your initials on line
41 of the Rabies Control Investigation Report.
b. Bring any clinical abnormalities consistent with neurological disease,
including rabies, to the attention of the Director of OCACS, Orange
County Epidemiology or the State Veterinarian immediately. Also
observe and record the development of other medical issues or changes
in body functions (i.e. eating, drinking, eliminating) in the
Chameleon Treatment Window.
c. To release an animal from quarantine, sign name following the
date on line 43 of the Rabies Control Investigation Report. Check the
box labeled “upon inspection,” and enter the current date and your
signature. Make a notation in the Chameleon Memo stating the date
released from quarantine and initial.
2. As needed, review “domestic vs. wild” bite cases and determine need for
quarantine and available quarantine options. Discuss options with animal owner
and impose appropriate quarantine.
C. Daily Treatments and Examinations
1. Conduct intake examinations and record findings in the Chameleon Treatment
Window. Identify any medical issues and recommend appropriate treatment in
line with OCACS pro-life, pro-adoption philosophy. Ensure that each animal is
scanned for an implanted microchip.
2. Provide direction and oversight for Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs)
during vaccination and treatment of animals as well as other duties as defined in
P&P 700.14.
a. Maintain and utilize proper chain of command in resolving personnel
and policy problems or concerns.
b. Instruct RVTs in current medical theory and practice.
c. Periodically review inventory control systems and records as maintained
by Clinic Lieutenant.
d. Create and update medical treatment protocols used by RVTs.

3. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 700.08
SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE CLINIC VETERINARIAN Page: 3
Date: 3/6/96
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 12/12/07
3. Update treatment records and review dates within Chameleon as well as the “To
Do List.”
4. As state law permits, euthanize any animal deemed to be irremediably suffering.
5. Observe all animals under treatment. Pay special attention to those due for
treatment review based on Chameleon review dates. Continue, discontinue, or
revise treatment based on observation and/or examination.
6. Examine all special needs animals and address their medical needs as
appropriate within the OCACS pro-life, pro-adoption philosophy. Advise
Kennel Supervision or the Rescue Coordinator of any newly impounded Special
Attention animals and the service or treatment to be provided to them.
7. Conduct daily examinations on those animals with reservation(s) that are due to
become available. Record findings in the Chameleon Treatment Window.
8. Consult with prospective adopters or owners as necessary.
9. Accept telephone calls from the general public concerning animals they have
adopted or questions they may have concerning animal diseases, etc. All calls
shall be handled with decorum and every attempt will be made to supply the
caller with as much information as needed.
D. Morning Processing
1. Ensure that all personnel using sedatives and/or euthanasia solution obtain and
read the specific Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) as required. A booklet
entitled “Reading and Understanding Material Safety Data Sheets” can be found
in the MSDS binder.
2. Begin processing at approximately 9:00 a.m. and complete by 10:00 a.m.
3. Receive the Euth Pre Report of animals to be euthanized from the Kennel
Supervisor.
4. Review all Chameleon windows for each animal presented to verify that
retention time has been met, and that there has been no owner contact or
interested parties wishing to adopt.
5. Have the Station III Kennel Attendant move the animal to the euthanasia room
and restrain the animal so that the RVT can administer the euthanasia solution
through intravenous injection.
6. Following euthanasia of any animal, update the outcome section of the
Chameleon Kennel Window with the type, subtype, dose, attending RVT and
your initials, date and time.
7. Provide any needed information for completing necessary drug logs and a
reconciliation of euthanasia solution to the Clinic Lieutenant

4. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 700.08
SUBJECT: DUTIES OF THE CLINIC VETERINARIAN Page: 4
Date: 3/6/96
Approved: Jennifer Phillips, Director Revised: 12/12/07
8. Refer to P&P 700.05 Methods and Techniques for Euthanizing Dogs and Cats.
E. Cruelty Investigations
Per P&P 300.19 Inhumane Investigations, the impounding Animal Control
Officer (ACO) shall notify a Clinic Veterinarian of a possible Cruelty
Investigation (PC 597) upon intake. The ACO shall complete a detailed and
comprehensive Supplemental Investigation Report (SIR) at the end of the
ACO’s shift unless otherwise authorized by the Watch Commander (WC). Along with
the SIR, the ACO shall submit a copy of the Chameleon Activity Report, Activity
Memo, Kennel Window and the Kennel Memo. The WC shall be responsible for
ensuring the report and attachments are submitted.
1. If a Clinic Veterinarian is not on duty, the animals shall be transported to an
outside emergency veterinary hospital. The ACO shall advise the
emergency clinic of the 597 circumstance of impound. The WC must approve
any blood work, x-ray, etc. After hours, 597 reports are to be placed in the box
outside the clinic and recorded on the white board above the box.
2. The examining clinic Veterinarian shall record initial findings in the
“Description Box” under the Treatment Window and submit an e-mail with the
findings to the Operations Officer, Director, and the Assistant Director within 24
hours.
3. In cases where no lab work is required, the examining Clinic Veterinarian shall
submit a comprehensive report within 72 hours of the Veterinarian’s next
regularly scheduled workday. Where lab work is required and results are
pending, the Veterinarian must submit the comprehensive report within 10 days
of the original date of examination.