The following sample protocols represent evidence-based standards of care from various industry guidelines and published peer-reviewed articles. They are constructed for a fictitious municipal shelter (Gatorland Animal Services) with a full-time veterinarian and veterinary technicians. The purpose of these protocols is to provide a template or starting point for shelters in creating their own protocols. While these sample protocols represent current best practices, they are not a “once-size-fits-all” document, and some steps may need modification to fit available shelter staffing and resources. The sample protocols will be periodically reviewed and updated according to emergence of new evidence and guidelines.

Disease Prevention

Preventive Healthcare Protocols

• Intake Procedures
• Dog Vaccination
• Cat Vaccination
• Dog Parasite Control
• Cat Parasite Control
• Canine Heartworm Testing
• FeLV and FIV Testing

Disease Response

Mange Mite Diagnosis and Treatment Protocols

• Canine Demodex Mange
• Feline Demodex Mange
• Canine Sarcoptic Mange
• Feline Notoedres Mange
• Otodectic Mange

Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Protocols

• Canine Respiratory Infections in Shelters
• CIRD Diagnosis and Treatment SOP
• CIRD Diagnosis and Treatment Flowchart
• CIRD Diagnosis and Treatment Checklist

Feline Infectious Respiratory Disease Protocols

• Feline Respiratory Infections in Shelters
• Feline URI Treatment SOP
• Feline URI Treatment Flowchart
• Feline URI Treatment Checklist

Parvovirus Treatment Protocols

• Canine and Feline Parvovirus Infections in Shelters
• Canine Parvovirus Treatment Selection Flowchart
• Canine Parvovirus Treatment SOP
• Canine Parvovirus Treatment Flowchart
• Canine Parvovirus Treatment Checklist

Feline Ringworm Diagnosis and Treatment

• Feline Ringworm Infections in Shelters
• Feline Ringworm Diagnosis and Treatment SOP
• Feline Ringworm Diagnosis and Treatment Flowchart
• Feline Ringworm Diagnosis and Treatment Checklist
• Itrafungol Dose Table
• Lime Sulfur Dip SOP

• If your shelter needs help dealing with an increase in the severity or number of infections of any type, please begin by reviewing Dr. Cynda Crawford’s Management of Disease Outbreaks in Shelters.
• Then complete and submit the contact form while providing as much information as possible, including the type of disease and the number of animals involved.
• After completing the form, notify Dr. Crawford at 352-258-9263 or email her at crawfordc@ufl.edu