Cat Handling and Restraint

Question 1

What are the three major categories of Restraint Techniques?

Answer 1

The three major categories of restrain techniques are:

Manual: Simply using your hands to hold the animal in the desired position, never hold an animal with force; if more force is necessary use mechanical restraint.

Mechanical: Involves using equipment such as collars, leashes, restraint bag and poles; remember to always clean each device after every use.

Chemical: Involves using sedatives, tranquilizers and anesthetics; it is the least desirable restrain method because it may interfere with the diagnosis.

Question 2

Manual Restraint

Answer 2

Simply using your hands to hold the animal in the desired position, never hold an animal with force; if more force is necessary use mechanical restraint.

Question 3

Mechanical Restraint

Answer 3

Involves using equipment such as collars, leashes, restraint bag and poles; remember to always clean each device after every use.

Question 4

Chemical Restraint

Answer 4

Involves using sedatives, tranquilizers and anesthetics; it is the least desirable restrain method because it may interfere with the diagnosis.

Question 5

What is the best way to handle a cat?

Answer 5

The best way to handle a cat is with the least amount of restraint.

Question 6

Are Cats difficult to handle and

restrain?

Answer 6

Cats are difficult to handle and restraint because they are very unaccustomed to regular handling and normally arrive at the veterinary clinic fearful because it is not used to traveling away from home.

Question 7

Cats tend to respond to fear in what three ways?

Answer 7

Cats tend to respond to fear by freezing, attempting to escape or attacking if they cannot escape.

Question 8

What is one of the main reasons to avoid a cat bite?

Answer 8

Cat bites transmit disease and infections much more readily than dog bites; which can make you seriously ill if you get bit.

Question 9

What do you do before handling a Cat?

Answer 9

Before handling a cat make sure all doors, windows, and cabinets are shut because cats are extremely nimble when they try to escape.

Question 10

What three signs show if a Cat is ready to strike?

Answer 10

A cat is ready to strike if it begins to vocalize, pull its ears back, and twitch its tail slowly.

Question 11

What is the Equipment used for Restraining Cats?

Answer 11

Cat Collars: Collars come in various styles and materials and do not restrain cats very well.

Cat Harness: Harnesses may work for cats, but must be fitted exactly.

Slip Leash: Slip leashes are used to thwart a cat’s escape attempts; its best to apply it before picking up a cat.

Muzzle: A tool that is used to minimize a cat’s ability to bite, but does not eliminate the need to restrain its head. You can improvise a muzzle for a cat from bandages as you would a pug-nose dog.

Head Snare: A head snare is the last instrument of choice for recapturing an escaped cat; it will make the cat more fearful than any other restraint device.

Restraint Gloves: Heavy gauntlet-type gloves that are usually made of leather too thick for cats to bite through.

Cat Bag: A tool used to calm a cat by being in an enclosed environment, while reduces its ability to attack. It is usually made of nylon, and has access areas used for injections and other minor technical procedures.

Towel - If you do not have a cat bag, wrap the cat with a towel or roll it in a thick blanket.

Question 12

Towel Restraint

Answer 12

If you do not have a cat bag, wrap the cat with a towel or roll it in a thick blanket

Question 13

Cat Bag Restraint

Answer 13

A tool used to calm a cat by being in an enclosed environment, while reducing its ability to attack. It usually is made of nylon, and has access areas used for injections and other minor technical procedures

Question 14

Head Snare Restraint

Answer 14

A head snare is the last instrument of choice for recapturing an escaped cat; it will make the cat more fearful than any other restraint device.

Question 15

Restraint Gloves

Answer 15

Heavy gauntlet-type gloves that are usually made of leather too thick for cats to bite through.

Question 16

Muzzle

Answer 16

A tool that is used to minimize a cat’s ability to bite, but does not eliminate the need to restrain its head. You can improvise a muzzle for a cat from bandages as you would a pug-nose dog.

Question 17

Slip Leash

Answer 17

Slip leashes are used to thwart a cat’s escape attempts; its best to apply it before picking up a cat.

Question 18

Cat harnesses

Answer 18

Harnesses may work for cats, but must be fitted exactly.

Question 19

Cat Collars

Answer 19

Collars come in various styles and materials and do not restrain cats very well.

Question 20

How do you improvise a muzzle for a pug-nosed dog or cat?

Answer 20

Take a long piece of bandage, tie a loop at its midsection, then approach the dog/cat from the side or behind and slip the loop over the end of its nose with the tie under its jaw.
Pull the ends of the gauze behind its ears and tie them securely.
One end should be drawn down across the animal’s forehead and slid under the loop over the end of its nose.

Question 21

What do you do to recapture a violent escaped cat?

Answer 21

To recapture a violent cat first, find the cat, slip a head snare loop over its head and gently pull it from hiding, then have an assistant to hold the cat while the technician sprays tranquilizer into its mouth.

Question 22

How do you catch an escaped Cat?

Answer 22

To retrieve an escaped cat just use a net or another tool like it to retrieve the cat.

Question 23

How do you approach a Cat?

Answer 23

Approach the cat slowly without sudden movements, while speaking softly to it; if the cat freezes be careful because it may attack when fully approached.

Question 24

How do you pick up and carry a Cat?

Answer 24

You can pick up and carry a cat by grabbing its scruff which is the loose skin the back of its neck and placing your other hand under it’s abdomen with your fingers in between it’s front legs.
You can carry a cat safely in this position.

Question 25

How do you take a Cat from its owner?

Answer 25

The cat owner should bring the cat to the veterinary clinic in a carrier; if not ask the owner to place a slip leash over its neck before you approach it.
When the slip leash is in place, approach the cat slowly and then stretch out your hand for the cat to sniff while carefully observing its response. If the cat displays no aggression, pick it up and move it to the examination area.

Question 26

How do you remove a Cat from a Cage?

Answer 26

To remove a cat from a cat use the same procedures as you would for a dog:
Partially open the cage door, place a slip leash over the cat’s head and pull the cat toward the cage door; then place one hand under the cat’s neck and place the other under the cat’s body, then pick it up.

Question 27

How do you remove an aggressive cat from a cage?

Answer 27

To remove an aggressive cat, wrap a blanket around it, then lift it out of the cage and carry it to the examination room.

Question 28

What are two techniques for restraining a Cat for a Physical Examination?

Answer 28

The first technique: allow the cat to sit or stand on the table, keep it there by directly placing your hand in front of the cat and begin to stroke it with the other.

The second technique: Place one hand on the cat’s shoulders, then place the other on the cat’s hips and then gently press the cat against the table.

Question 29

What are the two techniques for restraining a Cat for Intramuscular Injections?

Answer 29

The first technique: Grab the cat by it’s scruff with your right hand and grab it’s rear legs with your other, placing a finger between it’s feet. Lay the cat on it’s side with it’s back against your right forearm, then gently extend the cat’s body by stretching it’s legs back and it’s head forward.

The second technique: Place your right forearm across the cat’s neck, then gently press the cat against the table, while grabbing it’s front paws between your fingers.
Grab it’s rear feet with your left hand, placing a finger between the feet; extend the cat’s body by stretching it’s legs back and it’s head forward.

Question 30

What are the most common Cat Venipuncture Sites?

Answer 30

The Cephalic Vein: which is along the cat’s foreleg.

The Femoral Vein: which is in the inside of that cat’s rear leg.

The Jugular Vein: which is on the front of the cat’s neck.

Question 31

How do you restrain a Cat for Cephalic Venipuncture?

Answer 31

First, grab the cat’s head firmly under it’s jaw with your right hand, then extend your left arm around the cat’s body and grab it’s left forelimb near the elbow.
Hold this forelimb as you occlude the vein by pressing slightly to the side.

Question 32

How do you restrain a Struggling Cat for Cephalic Venipuncture?

Answer 32

Grab the cat by it’s scruff with your hand and pull the cat tightly against your body with your free arm, while pressing the cat against the table. Then grab the cat’s elbow, then extend it’s leg, and use your thumb to occlude the vein.

Question 33

How do you restrain a Cat for Jugular Venipuncture?

Answer 33

Wrap a towel around the cat’s rear legs to prevent it from scratching, then place the cat on it’s sternum with it’s forelegs extending off of the table.
Stand alongside the cat, place one hand under it’s nose and point the cat’s head toward the ceiling. With your other hand, grab it’s forelegs just above the feet, secure your grip by placing a finger between the feet and pull them slightly to align them with the cat’s nose.

Question 34

How do you restrain a Cat for Femoral Venipuncture?

Answer 34

Grab the cat by it’s scruff with one hand, and grab it’s feet with your other hand, secure your grip by placing a finger between it’s feet. Lay the cat on it’s side with it’s back against your right forearm, then extend the cat by stretching it’s legs back and it’s head forward. Extend the cat’s upper hind leg to reveal the medial femoral vein of the leg lying on the table.
An additional person may be required to occlude to vein; the vein must be held after venipuncture is complete to prevent hematoma.

Question 35

What vein is used to deal with an irritable cat?

Answer 35

The medial femoral vein is used to deal with irritable cats.

Question 36

How do you distract a cat for a physical examination, jugular venipuncture, and Intramuscular Injections?

Answer 36

To distract a cat for a physical examination: gently stroke it or scratch it behind it’s ears

To distract a cat for jugular venipuncture: tap the cat lightly on the nose or puff air on its nose.

To distract a cat for intramuscular injections: gently shake its scruff.

Question 37

What is a Fetal Hold?

Answer 37

A fetal hold is how a mother cat moves her kittens by grabbing their scruff with her mouth; the kitten’s instinct is to go limp and curl it’s body.
Never carry large/obese cats with this hold because it will damage the cat’s skin surface.

Question 38

How do you perform a Fetal Hold?

Answer 38

To perform a fetal hold grab a cat by it’s scruff with one hand and rest it’s back against your forearm. You can carry small or young cats for short distances with this hold.

Question 39

How do you carry an Injured or Ill Cats?

Answer 39

Treat an injured/ill cat as if it’s going to bite because cats often respond with extreme pain by biting.

To carry in injured/ill cat, place a towel or blanket over the violent cat; this will calm it momentarily. This calm will not last long so quickly take it to the examination room.