| In this picture there are three people with Kermode during
the procedure. Michelle is on the left and is holding an
oxygen mask on him. When cats are given sedation they do
breathe on their own but the oxygen helps make it a little
easier. Michelle gives him lots of encouraging words and
scratches on his head.
Dita is a veterinary technician. She
is drawing the blood from Kermode’s neck. She holds
the butterfly needle in place with one hand and draws
the blood slowly with
the other hand (the procedure takes 15 minutes).
In the background you can
see Dr. Cooper taking Kermode’s
blood pressure. She is making sure that, as we draw
the blood, his blood pressure stays steady.
If his blood
pressure drops, Dita will slow down the collection
process.
Because
Kermode will not take the initiative to blink while
he is sedated, gel was placed in his eyes
to keep them moist.
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