citation_inspection: 22

A 5 month old kitten named Pebbles, ID# 83-4-395, had been diagnosed with a broken leg on 9/6/2014. A diagnosis of a proximal tibial fracture near the growth plate was made and pain medications were given under the direction of a Veterinary Instructor at the time of diagnosis. The kitten had been separated from her enclosure mates and was on "cage rest" in a hospital that had no elevated resting platform as required under the housing standards (3.6 (b)(4)). No documentation had been made at the time of this inspection on 9/10/2014 regarding a plan for management or treatment of this kitten which should have included directions from a veterinarian regarding housing enclosure restrictions, pain management duration, and plan for re-evaluation to determine course of healing and use in teaching activities. The pain medication had been changed on 9/5/2014 but it could not be determined if this was directed by a veterinarian as the treatment sheet was signed only by the Program Co-Directors. The Program Co-Director had requested documentation from the Attending Veterinarian and other Veterinary Instructors involved in the evaluation of this kitten but nothing was available at the time of this inspection. The electronic medical records have been updated as of 9/11/2014 to reflect veterinary input but this was not documented at the time of the inspection. In order to ensure that animal's requiring veterinary care are receiving appropriate and timely treatment, especially in the case of painful conditions like a bone fracture, records documenting the diagnosis and treatment plan, which includes any specific needs to reduce pain and prevent further injury, shall be created, updated, and maintained so APHIS and any other personnel involved in the care for these animal's can know what is being done and what the expectations are for recovery and/or follow-up care. A mechanism of direct and frequent communication is required so that timely and accurate information on problems of animal health, behavior, and well-being is conveyed to the attending veterinarian. To be corrected by 9/16/2014.