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Veterinary and Para-Veterinary Professions Act, 1982 (Act No. 19 of 1982)

Rules

Rules relating to the Practising of Veterinary Professions: Amendment

Part V : Minimum standards for veterinary facilities

28. General requirements for anaesthesia

 

 

(1) Equipment for anaesthesia and facilities adequate and appropriate for the needs of the relevant practice and veterinary facility shall be provided at all times.

 

(2) An appropriate range of endotracheal tubes shall be available.

 

(3) Oxygen shall be available at all times to meet any emergency or other situation.

 

(4) Proper storage for all explosives shall be provided.

 

(5) A means to provide artificial ventilation shall be available.

 

(6) Intravenous fluids, administration sets and drugs for cardiopulmonary resuscitation shall be readily available for use in cases of emergency.

 

(7) Lock-up facilities shall be available for schedule drugs in accordance with the relevant laws.

 

(8) Where applicable, equipment for the control of body temperature shall be provided.

 

(9) Appropriate monitoring equipment shall be available to ensure the safe anaesthesia of all animals.

 

(10) Anaesthetic equipment shall be adaptable for variation in body weight within the specie range in which it is intended for use.

 

(11) Active or passive anaesthetic gas scavenging equipment shall be in use.

 

(12) All animals shall undergo a pre anaesthetic examination.

 

(13) An anaesthetic logbook shall be kept.

 

(14) All persons administering anaesthesia must be properly trained in the efficient use of all anaesthetic facilities and equipment.

 

(15) All anaesthetic equipment shall be properly maintained and serviced at regular intervals.

 

(16) The monitoring, maintenance and recovery from anaesthesia shall be effected by registered personnel or trained non-registered personnel under supervision of a veterinary professional who must be on the premises. The same person shall not do surgery, monitoring and maintenance of general anaesthesia.

 

(17) All animals shall be monitored after surgery and not discharged unless adequately recovered from anaesthesia. All animals must be fully conscious and ambulatory before discharging them from a veterinary facility.

 

(18) Adequately recovered from anaesthesia shall mean—
(a) In canines and felines - until the swallowing reflex of the patient has returned. In addition, in brachycephalic breeds until sternal recumbency can be maintained without assistance.
(b) In equines - until the patient is standing and assistance should be provided during recovery to compensate for physical disabilities.
(c) In ruminants - until sternal recumbency can be maintained without assistance.

 

(19) Adequate facilities shall be provided for the safe induction and recovery from anaesthesia. In the case of equines, the area to be used during the administration of general anaesthesia and for the recovery from such shall be padded with a material that is impervious and can be easily cleansed and disinfected, and which covers the whole floor area as well as the wall to a height of at least two metres.

 

(20) The said animal hospital shall be provided with a transportation system to be used in the transportation of animals to and from the area used during induction of general anaesthesia and for the recovery from such, and also the operating room.