target="_blank" rel="nofollow" href="#ulink_80096055-20e4-59ed-b6e5-394d59449985">Table 2.4 Recommended minimum database for cats and dogs in the shelter.
| At Intake | Prior to Adoption |
|---|---|
| History | Ongoing physical and behavioral observations/monitoring |
| Physical examination (including scanning for a microchip) | Feline leukemia virus (FeLV)/Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) testing (cats) |
| Behavioral observations (including a determination as to whether the animal is safe to handle) | Heartworm (HW) testing of dogs (in HW endemic areas) |
| Fecal exam (if diarrhea is present) | |
| Geriatric patientsa: Packed cell volume (PCV)/Total solids (TS), urine specific gravity and dipstick |
a Geriatric: Small dogs (under 20 pounds) 10 years; medium and large dogs (21 to 90 pounds) 7–8 years; giant dogs (over 90 pounds) 6 years; cats 9–10 years.
The author recommends the addition of the tests in Table 2.4 to the minimum database for geriatric animals that will be offered for adoption: These procedures broadly screen many body systems and are very cost‐effective. These should be viewed as extensions of the physical examination for the geriatric animal. Whenever time and resources allow, the veterinarian should also consider fine‐needle aspiration for in‐house cytologic evaluation of all cutaneous and subcutaneous masses. This simple and inexpensive practice of evaluating “lumps and bumps” may identify potential malignancies that would otherwise go unchecked and provide reassurance that any growths present should not be cause for undue concern by potential adopters.
2.3.1.1 History
Next to physical examination, history is the most important aspect of medical problem‐solving. The history alerts the clinician to the presence of potential physical and behavioral problems; it can be especially helpful for identifying problems that might not be detected on a physical examination. When available, a history can provide valuable information that may save time, money, and stress on the animal and staff. In many cases, historical information may be used to expedite the disposition of the pet. However, in the shelter setting, it may not always be possible to obtain an accurate history. Stray animals are often brought in by animal control officers or good Samaritans who have little, if any, information about the animal. Some shelters provide a location (e.g. drop‐off cages or runs) where animals can be relinquished after business hours. When this is provided, every effort should be made to obtain the history through questionnaires that the relinquisher can fill out when the animal is dropped off. That said, the use of unattended drop boxes is strongly discouraged because of the risks associated with leaving animals unattended at intake and for indefinite periods of time until staff return to work (ASV 2010). The presence of staff to directly accept the animal and obtain the owner's name and a history at the time of relinquishment is greatly preferred. Even so, surrendering owners may not provide thorough or accurate information because of fears that if they are honest about a pet's problems, the pet may be euthanized; to allay those fears, they should be encouraged that providing accurate information will help improve the care of the animal while in the shelter and will also help facilitate a better adoption match.
Intake procedures should be in place to capture basic patient information, including both physical and behavioral data such as vaccination history, known or suspected medical problems, regular diet and food preferences, elimination habits, handling preferences (e.g. likes to be petted, pulls on the leash, etc.), known fears, etc. It should also include the reasons for relinquishment as well as a bite history that provides details about any incident in which a bite has occurred. Please see Chapter 21 on Zoonosis for a comprehensive sample bite history form. The importance of obtaining accurate historical information cannot be overemphasized.
2.3.1.2 Physical and Behavioral Examination
Physical and behavioral examination and observation are the most important aspects of the minimum database. Every animal (that is deemed safe to handle) should receive a physical examination at or as close to the time of admission to the shelter as possible. Utilizing a physical examination form will ensure a complete and systematic review of all body systems. In addition to physical examination, behavioral examination or observation should also begin upon admission. Likewise, implementing a standardized system for recording behavior observations beginning at intake will ensure that the animals' emotional health receives equal consideration.
It is imperative that behavior is always described objectively and in context. This will provide the most accurate picture of the animal. For example, “the dog cowered when a staff member reached towards her with her hand” is an objective contextual observation and is much more informative than recording “the dog is afraid of people.” The latter is subjective information without context, which is generally at least partly based on personal opinion and emotions and can be easily misinterpreted. Someone who reads that a dog is afraid of people will not know whether she cowered, ran away, or bit someone, nor will they know in what context the behavior occurred. Shelters should always focus on collecting and recording objective information and context to ensure that each animal's record reflects their behavior as accurately as possible.
Formal behavior testing or evaluation is not recommended as a routine practice for every animal. These tests lack validation and do not reliably predict future behavior in the home (Patronek and Bradley 2016). It is imperative to recognize that behavioral responses are profoundly influenced by stress. Nonetheless, to the extent possible, it is crucial to observe initial behavior and to continue monitoring behavior in order to recognize and mitigate stress and other negative emotional states that animals may be experiencing in the shelter. It is also necessary to learn as much as possible about each individual animal to aid in optimizing shelter behavioral care, outcome assessment, and adoption matching and counseling. Criteria to identify dangerous animals, such as history and/or displays of severe or injurious aggression, combined with risk assessment, should be in place to protect staff and public safety. Assessment of behavior should include history as well as information gleaned from every human and animal interaction with the animal. Information gleaned from interacting with animals during routine intake and husbandry procedures as well as enrichment, play, and training activities can be used to provide for each individual animals' emotional needs, ensure their welfare in the shelter, and make the best possible decisions about safety, placement, and matching.
Of particular importance in the shelter physical examination is an accurate physical description of the animal and careful inspection for the presence of identification, both of which may aid in pet–owner reunification. Photographing animals is a very useful adjunct to written descriptions, and microchip scanning should be systematically and correctly performed on every animal at the time of intake and prior to the animal being made available for adoption or being euthanized.
An additional critical aspect of the intake exam for shelter animals is the identification of conditions that require special housing considerations. Common examples include:
animals suspected of being infected with contagious diseases that would require isolation,
pregnant animals that appear near term,
nursing mothers with litters,
very young animals,
injured or debilitated animals,
other animals with special physical or behavioral needs who would benefit from additional bedding and care.
Animals that are very fearful or withdrawn should ideally be housed in quiet areas, and care should be