Efficient feline clinical care to reduce stress and alterations in complementary exams
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31533/pubvet.v18n08e1640Keywords:
Veterinary care, cats, leukogram, stress, cat-friendly handlingAbstract
The feline species presents quite particular characteristics and has great sensitivity to olfactory, visual, tactile and auditory stimuli. Thus, when going to the veterinary environment, there are numerous factors that can cause stress. Therefore, cat-friendly management is essential in clinical routine to reduce alterations in complementary exams, as an animal in this state presents significant changes in its physiological parameters. By implementing positive strategies that respect the individualities of the patients, they feel calmer and more confident, which decreases the likelihood of developing stress-related pathologies. Additionally, it is a fact that cat-friendly hospital environments optimize recovery and preserve the emotional state of the animals. Therefore, this work reviews the main practices in clinical care that ensure greater well-being for cats, minimizing sources of stress and, consequently, alterations in complementary exams. With these measures, both animals and owners become more secure in making regular visits to the veterinarian, allowing for frequent monitoring of the animals' health, thus increasing the chances of early diagnoses.
References
Acierno, M. J., Brown, S., Coleman, A. E., Jepson, R. E., Papich, M., Stepien, R. L., & Syme, H. M. (2020). ACVIM consensus statement: guidelines for the identification, evaluation, and management of systemic hypertension in dogs and cats. Journal of Japanese Association of Veterinary Nephrology and Urology, 12(1), 30–49. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15331.
Amat, M., Camps, T., & Manteca, X. (2016). Stress in owned cats: behavioural changes and welfare implications. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 18(8), 577–586.
Bradshaw, J. (2018). Normal feline behaviour: … and why problem behaviours develop. In Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (Vol. 20, Issue 5, pp. 411–421). https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X18771203.
Bradshaw, J. W. S. (2006). The evolutionary basis for the feeding behavior of domestic dogs (Canis familiaris) and cats (Felis catus). The Journal of Nutrition, 136(7), 1927S-1931S.
Bradt, J., Dileo, C., Magill, L., & Teague, A. (2016). Music interventions for improving psychological and physical outcomes in cancer patients. In Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Vol. 2016, Issue 8). https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006911.pub3.
Buffington, C. A. T., & Bain, M. (2020). Stress and feline health. In Veterinary Clinics of North America - Small Animal Practice (Vol. 50, Issue 4, p. 284). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2020.03.001.
Ellis, S. L. H., Rodan, I., Carney, H. C., Heath, S., Rochlitz, I., Shearburn, L. D., Sundahl, E., & Westropp, J. L. (2013). AAFP and ISFM feline environmental needs guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 15(3), 219–230. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X13477537.
Endersby, S. (2018). Setting up a cat friendly clinic. The Veterinary Nurse, 9(6). https://doi.org/10.12968/vetn.2018.9.6.284.
Griffin, F. C., Mandese, W. W., Reynolds, P. S., Deriberprey, A. S., & Blew, A. C. (2021). Evaluation of clinical examination location on stress in cats: A randomized crossover trial. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 23(4), 364–369. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X20959046.
Hampton, A., Ford, A., Cox, R. E., Liu, C., & Koh, R. (2020). Effects of music on behavior and physiological stress response of domestic cats in a veterinary clinic. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 22(2), 122–128. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X19828131.
Heath, S. (2019). Common feline problem behaviours: unacceptable indoor elimination. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 21(3), 199–208. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1177.
Heath, S. (2020). Environment and feline health: at home and in the clinic. Veterinary Clinics: Small Animal Practice, 50(4), 663–693. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2020.03.005.
Hellyer, P., Rodan, I., Brunt, J., Downing, R., Hagedorn, J. E., & Robertson, S. A. (2007). AAHA/AAFP pain management guidelines for dogs and cats. Journal of Feline Medicine & Surgery, 9(6), 466–480. https://doi.org/10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7331.
Horwitz, D. F., & Rodan, I. (2018). Behavioral awareness in the feline consultation: Understanding physical and emotional health. In Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (Vol. 20, Issue 5, pp. 423–436). https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X18771204.
Lloyd, J. K. F. (2017). Minimising stress for patients in the veterinary hospital: Why it is important and what can be done about it. Veterinary Sciences, 4(2), 22. https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci4020022.
Nibblett, B. M., Ketzis, J. K., & Grigg, E. K. (2015). Comparison of stress exhibited by cats examined in a clinic versus a home setting. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 173, 68–75. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2014.10.005.
Payne, J. R., Brodbelt, D. C., & Fuentes, V. (2017). Blood pressure measurements in 780 apparently healthy cats. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 31(1), 15–21. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.14625.
Pereira, J. S., Fragoso, S., Beck, A., Lavigne, S., Varejão, A. S., & Pereira, G. G. (2016). Improving the feline veterinary consultation: The usefulness of feliway spray in reducing cats’ stress. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 18(12), 959–964. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X15599420.
Pratsch, L., Mohr, N., Palme, R., Rost, J., Troxler, J., & Arhant, C. (2018). Carrier training cats reduces stress on transport to a veterinary practice. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 206, 64–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2018.05.025.
Rodan, I. (2010). Understanding feline behavior and application for appropriate handling and management. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, 25(4), 178–188. https://doi.org/10.1053/j.tcam.2010.09.001.
Rodan, I. (2011). Attract cat clients with friendly handling. In Veterinary Medicine (Vol. 106, Issue 10, pp. 1093–1132). https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612x221128760.
Rodan, I., Sundahl, E., Carney, H., Gagnon, A.-C., Heath, S., Landsberg, G., Seksel, K., & Yin, S. (2011). AAFP and ISFM feline-friendly handling guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 13(5), 364–375.
Silva, R. R., Silva, A. S., Silva Júnior, A., Santana, M. V. F., Santos, L. A., Santos, V. B. P., Silva, G. N. H. S., Campos, A. C., Nunes, G. D. L., & Campos, R. N. S. (2020). Sensibilização de crianças sobre tutoria responsável em cães e gatos. PUBVET, 14(7), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.31533/pubvet.v14n7a620.1-7.
Silva, W. C., Dantas, G. S., Barbosa, A. V. C., & Silva, J. A. R. (2021). Percepção dos tutores sobre o comportamento de cães e gatos frente ao isolamento social devido à pandemia da COVID-19. Revista Acadêmica Ciência Animal, 19, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.7213/acad.2021.19002.
Steagall, P. V, Robertson, S., Simon, B., Warne, L. N., Shilo-Benjamini, Y., & Taylor, S. (2022). 2022 ISFM consensus guidelines on the management of acute pain in cats. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 24(7), 614–640. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X221106353.
Stella, J., Croney, C., & Buffington, T. (2014). Environmental factors that affect the behavior and welfare of domestic cats (Felis silvestris catus) housed in cages. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 160(1), 94–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2014.08.006.
Stoneburner, R. M., Naughton, B., Sherman, B., & Mathews, K. G. (2021). Evaluation of a stimulus attenuation strategy to reduce stress in hospitalized cats. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 41, 33–38. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2020.07.008.
Tan, S. M. L., Stellato, A. C., & Niel, L. (2020). Uncontrolled outdoor access for cats: An assessment of risks and benefits. Animals, 10(2), 258.
Taylor, S., Saint Denis, K., Collins, S., Dowgray, N., Ellis, S. L. H., Heath, S., Rodan, I., & Ryan, L. (2022). 2022 ISFM/AAFP Cat friendly veterinary environment guidelines. Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, 24(11), 1133–1163. https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612X221128763.
Van Haaften, K. A., Forsythe, L. R. E., Stelow, E. A., & Bain, M. J. (2017). Effects of a single preappointment dose of gabapentin on signs of stress in cats during transportation and veterinary examination. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 251(10), 1175–1181. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.251.10.1175.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2024 Laura Gonçalves Nascimento, Ivam Moreira de Oliveira Junior
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Você tem o direito de:
Compartilhar — copiar e redistribuir o material em qualquer suporte ou formato
Adaptar — remixar, transformar, e criar a partir do material para qualquer fim, mesmo que comercial.
O licenciante não pode revogar estes direitos desde que você respeite os termos da licença. De acordo com os termos seguintes:
Atribuição
— Você deve dar o crédito apropriado, prover um link para a licença e indicar se mudanças foram feitas. Você deve fazê-lo em qualquer circunstância razoável, mas de nenhuma maneira que sugira que o licenciante apoia você ou o seu uso. Sem restrições adicionais
— Você não pode aplicar termos jurídicos ou medidas de caráter tecnológico que restrinjam legalmente outros de fazerem algo que a licença permita.
