Administer post-operative care to animals in a Home Office designated establishment

This standard covers administering post-operative care to animals following regulated surgical procedures in a Home Office designated establishment.

When working with research animals recognise humanity’s obligation to them and your responsibility for ensuring their proper care and treatment at all times.

This includes ensuring that animals are placed in an appropriate recovery environment, monitoring their condition and taking steps to minimise pain and discomfort. Technicians are not able to administer drugs or treatment unless it is in the PPL or advised by the Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS).

You will be monitoring and assessing animals for indications of any problems in order to act appropriately and quickly.

This standard is for animal technologists in Home Office designated establishments.

It is essential that you work strictly within the limits of the relevant project licence.

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1. confirm that your work is carried out in accordance with the approved codes of practice and the organisation’s procedures and within the limits of your authority, expertise, training, competence and experience
2. carry out all work in accordance with the relevant environmental and health and safety legislation, risk assessment requirements, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
3. assess the risks to health and safety before starting and throughout the activity
4. comply with legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies relating to the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment
5. use safe practices and the correct clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the activity
6. maintain the required levels of hygiene and biosecurity in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
7. implement infection control measures and aseptic techniques in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
8. maintain communication with colleagues and all those involved in, or affected by, your work
9. plan post-operative observations
10. use safe and humane animal handling and restraint methods such that the animal is not distressed or caused harm
11. place the animal in an environment and recovery position suitable for its species and the surgical procedure undertaken
12. monitor and assess the animal’s immediate recovery from anaesthesia and surgery
13. take the appropriate remedial action where problems arise with the animal’s recovery
14. report any concerns to those responsible in accordance with the organisation’s procedures
15. recognise pain and distress in the animal
16. minimise pain and distress in the animal with medication and fluids suitable for its condition as instructed by the responsible person
17. correctly apply methods to prevent the animal interfering with surgical wounds
18. apply post-operative care appropriate to the animal and type of surgery for as long as necessary for full recovery
19. keep accurate and up-to-date records as required by the relevant legislation and the organisation
20. conduct all activities within the provisions of the project licence

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1. your responsibilities under the current environmental and health and safety legislation, codes of practice and the organisation’s policies
2. your responsibilities for the care and welfare of animals in a Home Office designated establishment under the relevant animal welfare legislation and Home Office codes of practice
3. the reasons for using animals in scientific research and humanity’s responsibilities to them
4. the importance and correct use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when carrying out activities in a Home Office designated establishment
5. the reasons for using animals in scientific research and humanity’s responsibilities to them
6. the importance of maintaining the appropriate levels of hygiene and biosecurity and the procedures for this
7. the appropriate infection-control measures and aseptic techniques for different types of anaesthetic procedures
8. what equipment can be removed from animals after surgery, and which has to remain
9. how to disconnect animals from surgical equipment
10. the principles of post-operative care and monitoring
11. how to plan post-operative observations
12. the types of post-operative care required for different species and types of surgery
13. safe and humane methods of animal handling and restraint
14. the recovery positions of different types of animal and surgical procedures
15. the environmental conditions suitable for animals in recovery from surgery
16. how to monitor and assess animals during recovery from surgery
17. specific indications of problems for different types of animal and surgical procedure
18. the problems that can arise, how to avoid or manage them and the procedure for reporting concerns
19. how to minimise pain and distress in animals during recovery from surgery and how to safely administer pain relief where instructed by the responsible person e.g. Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS), responsible licensee)
20. the problems associated with pain recognition and pain management in animals
21. the methods that can be used for preventing animals interfering with surgical wounds
22. how long the expected recovery period is and how to recognise when recovery is achieved
23. possible causes of delayed or impaired wound healing or other post-surgical complications and how these can be avoided or treated
24. the humane end points as detailed in the relevant Project Licence protocol
25. the information that needs to be recorded and the organisation’s procedures for this
26. the provisions of the project licence

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Indications of problems in animals could include (depending on the species):
• distress
• lethargy
• vomiting
• pain
• fits
• haemorrhaging
• clinical deterioration
• tissue damage
• inability to perform normal bodily functions
• respiratory difficulties
• wound opening
• change in body temperature

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3

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2030

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Current

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Original

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Lantra

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LANAT17

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Animal Technologist, Licensed Animal Technologist, Team Leader, Senior Animal Technologist

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6129

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animal; research; perioperative; post-operative; surgical procedures

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