HANDLING OF CAT

Effective Handling and Care of a Cat



Effective Handling and Care of a Cat

Introduction

Animal handling and restraint has evolved over the years and techniques continue to change as we learn more about animal behaviour and the stresses it can put upon them if carried out incorrectly (D'Souza, 2009). Putting an animal under too much stress, whether it be an immediate or delayed reaction, can have detrimental or fatal consequences if the handler does not recognise certain behavioural signs an animal is exhibiting (Boissy, 1998). This essay will discuss an observational handling procedure of a cat, which was an inpatient in a small animal veterinarian practise. An attempt will be made to explain and justify the rationale behind the decisions made during the handling procedure with reference to current professional knowledge, available evidence and personal experience.

Discussion

A ten year old female domestic short haired (DSH) cat was an inpatient undergoing investigation for weight loss and vomiting. The sign on the cage had “CARE” attached to it, the cat had past medical history of aggressive behaviour in vet practises. The cat was being held in a second story cage which contained a blanket. She was in a crouched position at the back of the cage wearing a lampshade collar to prevent removal of an intravenous catheter on the left forelimb. She looked ungroomed and her head was lowered, eyes opened with enlarged pupils, ears swivelled sideways and tail wrapped close to her body whilst sitting very still. It was an extremely busy practise which was part of a large veterinarian group and all surgery from the smaller practises took place at this hospital. There were a lot of people in and out of the area where the animals were kept. Although talking in the clinic was not loud there was ...