Our focus this quarter is on improvements that FCCAS made in 2020 to the medical facilities at the shelter. CCAS medical staff recognized that year that the hydraulic table used during surgery was on its last legs. Moreover, they had been using warmed socks and other home remedies to maintain proper body temperature for dogs during and after their operations. To give the dogs better, more professional care, the shelter requested that FCCAS fund the purchase of a new hydraulic surgery table with a bonus: a heating unit installed underneath, so that the dogs’ body temperatures could be kept at a safe and stable level. And to further improve their health and comfort, the shelter proposed getting something called a ‘Bair Hugger’: a forced-air warming blanket that keeps the dogs cozy and warm as they recover from their procedure. FCCAS’s board was happy to grant these requests.
That same month, FCCAS also supported shelter medical staff’s professional development by funding their trip to the Midwest Veterinary Conference, where in addition to obtaining continuing-education credits to ensure their continued licensure, staff were able to receive up-to-date training in subjects such as anesthesia, irritable bowel disorder, dermatology and behavior.
In 2022, CCAS medical staff recognized another opportunity for improvement in their equipment, and asked FCCAS to purchase whelping boxes for expectant mothers. A whelping box allows the new mother freedom of movement while still keeping her newborn pups safe and warm. Because of the number of pregnant dogs that arrive at the shelter, these boxes have become an essential part of the care that they receive at CCAS.
We are proud to support the medical team at CCAS, because we see day in and day out the results of their tireless efforts on behalf of CCAS dogs!
