cats i behavior and restraint of cats
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Principles of Feline Behavior and Restraint
Terminology
Tom – maleQueen – femaleKitten – immature cat
(<12 months) of either sex
Queening – act of female cat giving birth
Evolution of Felis catus
Domestication began in Ancient Egypt
Used for controlling vermin, snakes, scorpions around feedstuffs
Revered as gods and goddesses
Ancient Egyptians imposed the death penalty for killing a cat
Morphology of Felis catus
Highly acute senses: Binocular vision Retractable claws Superior hearing ability
Maintained predatory nature throughout domestication
Solitary animals by nature, but have adapted throughout domestication
Obligate carnivores!
Normal Behavior of Cats
Highly territorial (cages, rooms, furniture, etc.)
Will exhibit aggression to defend territory (speed, teeth, claws)
Resist most types of restraint
Watch Body Language!!!
EARSEARS Alert/straight up =
affectionate cat
Flat out sideways = Curiousity
Downward = Warning, defensive, watch out!
Down and back = alarm, cat is furious, watch out!
Adapted from SPCA of Texas
Watch Body Language!!!
EYESEYES Wide open, looking at you =
Attentive
Bug-eyed = Frightened, be careful
Clouded = illness or very relaxed.
Staring straight at you = Aggression. A stare is a challenge
Adapted from SPCA of Texas
Watch Body Language!!!
TAILTAIL
Tail standing straight up = contentment
Dropped low = unhappy cat Twitching back and forth =
Anger; "back off!" Bushy = Anger and
impending attack
Adapted from SPCA of Texas
Watch Body Language!!!
Hissing, leaning away from you Swatting Growling Spitting
Angry Cat!Angry Cat!
Tips for Approaching Cats
Use your voice!
Tone is important – soothing tones calm cats
Indications for Restraint and Handling
Venipuncture, catheterization, immunization Administering medicines Physical examination Grooming …
Precautions!
MINIMAL restraint! Can adjust to more restraint as necessary
Close all portals into the room (doors, windows, drawers, cabinets
Work in an area cleared of debris.
READ CAT’S BODY LANGUAGE!
Use distraction techniques
Restraining the Head
Two options:
1. Scruffing: grabbing loose skin behind head and neck. Be sure to remove collar first
2. Cupping the head: thumb on top of
cat’s head, fingers rest under chin (mandible)
Restraining the Legs
Place finger between cat’s legs when gripping him.
Seat cat’s elbows in your hands, and make sure your grasp is above the hocks
Hock Elbow
Removing cat from cage
Allow cat to move out of its territory on its own
Open cage door carefully and quickly scruff the cat and remove it
Can use “Net Bag”with fractious cats
Removing cat from carrier
Allow cat to move out of its territory on its own
Assess body language and if ok, reach into carrier, scruff cat and remove
If cat is aggressive, remove top of carrier, scruff cat and remove, or place towel over cat’s head and body and remove animal
Special Handling Equipment
Trapped cats will hiss,growl before striking outwith claws
Gauntlet gloves Towels Leash (used with scruffing) Box Net Bag
Standing Restraint
With cat standing on table, scruff cat with your dominant hand and support abdomen with other. Keep animal pressed against your body
Ideal for:
Conducting physical exams
Obtaining TPR
Sternal Restraint
1. With cat standing on table, scruff cat with your dominant hand and use other hand to gently push cat’s rear into a sitting position
2. Lean over cat’s back and slide cat’s forelimbs down until they’re resting on the table
3. Don’t squish the kitty!
Ideal for:
Giving eye medsGiving oral medsGiving SQ
injections
Lateral Recumbency Restraint
1. Place cat in sternal recumbency. Scruff cat and steady him between your arms with other hand. Slide right hand under cat’s rear legs, grasping above the hocks and keep fingers between cat’s legs
2. Gently roll animal on its side and stretch cat out the entire length of your forearm
3. “Stretching the cat”
Ideal for:
Examining sideGiving IM & SQ
injectionsWhen more restraint is needed
Restraint for Venipuncture
Cephalic Venipuncture
1. Cat in sternal recumbency
2. Scruff with one hand, side cat to edge of table
3. Angle cat’s head away from person doing venipuncture
4. Cradle elbow of forelimb with other hand
5. “Roll” the vein to the top of the limb for access
* Can use tourniquet
Restraint for Venipuncture
Jugular Venipuncture – Method 1
Sternal recumbency
Slide cat to end of table
“Cup” the head (fingers under jaw and thumb on top on head
With other hand grasp front legs above elbow
Extend head up and legs down to expose jugular vein
Restraint for Venipuncture
Jugular Venipuncture – Method 2
Wrap cat in towel
Place in dorsal recumbency
Grasp head from back (thumb under jaw, fingers on top of head)
Hold forelimbs down under towel
Restraint for Venipuncture
Femoral Venipuncture
Lateral recumbencyWith one hand, scruff cat and brace the same
arm against the cat’s spineWith other hand, grasp hind limbs above hocksWhen ready, release the leg closest to the table
while maintaining hold of top legPress that same hand against femoral vein to
occlude it
Restraint for Nail Trimming
Sternal recumbency
If you’re left-handed:
Hold the scruff and left front paw with thumb and index finger of your right hand and trim nails with left hand
If you’re right-handed:
Hold scruff and left front paw with thumb and left index finger and trim nails with right hand
Nail Trimming Equipment
Guillotine type clippers
Cat nail trimmers
Where to Trim Nails
Restraint Equipment - Towels
Place cat in sternal recumbency on top of the towel, parallel with end of towel. Hold the scruff!
Wrap shortest end tightly around cat’s body, leaving the head exposed (make sure towel is not tightly wrapped around neck
Wrap the rest of the towel around cat’s body tightly
Ideal for:
Examining eyesGiving oral medsFemoral, jugular
venipunctureIM injections
Restraint Equipment – Cat Bags
1. Place cat sternally on top of open bag on table and scruff it
2. Use your body to keep cat from standing up
3. With other hand, bring up one side of neck strap and quickly bring up other band and fasten the bag. Watch your fingers!
4. Curl the cat’s hindlimbs up and into the bag
5. Make sure cat’s head is tucked under your elbow and zip it up
Restraint Equipment – Cat Bags
www.vetmed.wsu.edu/.../resized/cat_saph_veni.JPG
Restraint Equipment – Cat Muzzles
Size Matters!
Sternal recumbency
Grasp scruff and one tab of muzzle with same hand
Bring muzzle up and around other side of face and secure on top behind ears tightly (velcro)
Make sure cat’s nostrils are exposed!
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