What steps should be taken after medicating an animal?

After medicating an animal, one of the essential steps is to return the animal to its cage and document the treatment provided. This is important for a couple of reasons.

Returning the animal to its cage ensures that it is in a safe and controlled environment where it can rest and recover following medication. This is especially crucial if the medication might cause sedation or other side effects that could make the animal vulnerable to injury or stress.

Documenting the treatment is key for maintaining accurate medical records, which are vital for ongoing care. It ensures that other veterinary staff have access to the animal's medication history and can monitor its response to treatment. This information is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of the medication and making informed decisions about future care.

Together, these steps promote the health and safety of the animal while ensuring continuity of care. Other options may involve important protocols such as sanitation and alerting staff, but the combination of returning the animal and documenting treatment is fundamental to veterinary practice following medication administration.