1 Feline Restraint Handling INTRODUCTION TO VETERINARY TERMINOLOGY

1 Feline Restraint & Handling INTRODUCTION TO VETERINARY TERMINOLOGY

2 Objectives • Know indications for feline restraint • Pronounce, spell & define key terms • Know how to minimize feline stress during physical exams and hospitalization • List equipment & methods used to capture & restrain cooperative and uncooperative cats • Be able to restrain cats for a variety of procedures safely

3 INDICATIONS FOR RESTRAINT • Control the animal so it can receive medical care • Prevent the animal from harming itself while it receives care • Protect personnel Kitty Burrito – yum!

Here, kitty… The Approach Observe before approaching for fear-related behavior: • Averting eyes/squinting • Preparing to jump - Leaning backwards & pulling the feet in • The “trusty tail”: • Tucking/lowering can mean fear • Swishing/flicking can mean agitation • Lowering head and/or ears • Dilated pupils • Piloerection – Hair stands up • Hissing, screaming, striking, biting 4

5 Approaching a Cat • Displacement behaviors – Grooming • Cats are usually in a carrier • Good signs - Head-butting the kennel door or reaching through to touch • Owners should familiarize the cat with the carrier before bringing • Allow the cat to smell fingers through the door, but use caution

Retrieving a Cat From a Carrier • • • Close all doors and windows Give the cat some time, “ask” nicely and practice patience. If necessary, gently slide the cat out of the carrier • Helpful – top doors, taking apart kennel as needed • Use extreme caution when reaching inside a carrier for a cat 6

7 Restraining a Cooperative Cat • Less is always more with a cat • Minimal restraint • Increase only if necessary • Respect personal space • “Don’t be creepy” • Allow to move/change position • Keep scruff in easy reach • Stroke the head, neck, and chin to calm • Don’t over-stimulate • Keep surroundings quiet

To Scruff or Not to Scruff? Only if necessary, BUT If you do it, do it right… 8

Transporting a Cat • • • 9 Cradle in a towel, if necessary Lightly scruff Stay close to walls Say (but don’t yell) “Cat” at corners Remain alert & aware Minimize time outside kennel

Working with Scared or Fractious Cats • • • “Fight or flight” Scared or fractious cats may require: • Chemical sedation • Removing with a towel Feline behavioral signs tend to be more subtle than dogs Cats move fast, and scratch/bite effectively If a cat escapes: • Capture quickly before further escape • Cover with a towel, if possible • Can climb cabinets & squeeze under kennels • May run into a carrier • Use a slip lead as a last resort 10

11 Feliway • A synthetic copy of the feline facial pheromone • Effective in calming cats • Available as a diffuser or spray

12 Using Caution: Cats • • Watch body language Remember the business end Move slowly Respect the cat • Don’t be creepy • Keep things quiet • Give the cat a break • Minimize time outside kennel

13 Uncooperative Restraint: Cat Bag Towel Restraint “Kitty Burrito”

Gauntlets: Large leather gloves 14 Chemical Restraint “Cat Gloves”

Venipuncture Restraint: Cephalic Sternal or “Kitty Press” 15

Venipuncture Restraint: Jugular • Sternal • “Pistol” with fingers 16

Venipuncture Restraint: Jugular Stretch 17

Lateral Recumbency (Cat Stretch) 18 Includes scruffing

Placing a Cat in Lateral Recumbency Step: 1 Gain control of the head and hind legs. Step 2: In one move, gently pick up the cat, turn so feet are away from you and lay back down on the table. 19

Modified lateral recumbency 20 • For well-behaved cats • No scruff

Venipuncture Restraint: Medial Saphenous 21 • Sometimes also called “femoral vein” • Medial means “towards the middle” • “Kitty karate chop”

“Kitty Karate Chop” 22 Occludes the medial saphenous vein for venipuncture/IV catheter placement