Cats AHW Flashcards
What are the roles of cats within society?
- pets
- rodent control
- ‘fancy’ showing pedigrees
- a commodity to make money from
- strays
What are the two different theories about the domestication of cats?
- Wildcats were tamed and selected due to their friendliness
- Wildcats were drawn to human settlements due to the presence of rodents for food, so began to drift from their relatives
How have cats evolved
- still generally happy to live without other cats, have an inherent desire to be independent
- not developed facial expressions to communicate with each other
- use sense of smell to communicate
What is the socialisation period and when does it occur?
2-7/8 weeks of age
Defines what the cat sees as normal
Both good and bad experiences have an impact
Cats are more likely to be fearful of any experiences encountered outside this time of life
What are the two key characteristics of cats?
Territorial- usually happy on their own and like boundaries
Predator and prey- innate carnivores, fearful of the unknown
What factors affect the sociability of cats?
- genetics
- kitten socialisation
- social maturity
- previous experiences
- relatedness
What is the best way to approach/ handle a cat?
Work from behind or the side, eye contact can be intimidating
Calm them down with running
Invite the cat to approach us
Put in dark quiet place to calm down for at least 30 mins
What zoonotic diseases can be transmitted by bites and scratches?
- pasturella multocida
- rabies
- capmpcutophaga carnimorsus
Which zoonotic diseases can be spread by fleas?
Bartonella henselae
Ringworm
Toxoplasmosis
Roundworms
What are the different sites of medicine administration?
- oral
-topical - subcutaneous (between shoulders)
- intramuscular (quadriceps or lumbar, lower part of back)
- intravenous (cephalic, forearm)
Where is the best place to take blood samples from?
- jugular (in neck)
- cephalic (in forearm)
- saphenous (in leg)
What age can cats be neutered?
From 4 months
What are clinical signs of illness in cats
drinking more or less than usual
being off their food
sleeping more than usual
sudden weight loss
change in their grooming habits (for example, overgrooming or stopping altogether)
Panting
What is a normal rectal temperature
Between 36.7- 38.9C
What is a normal respiratory rate?
20-30 breaths per minute
What is a normal heart rate?
110-180 bpm
Why are most tortoiseshell cats female?
Needs XX chromosomes to get colouring
Male torties have an extra chromosome, XXY, so very rare
What are the advantages of grooming your long haired cat?
Reduces hairballs
May improve skin and hair quality
Good owner/ cat bonding
What are common characteristics of a Siamese cat?
Long face
Large ears
Delicate physique
Himalayan mutation, so coldest bits of fur are darker
What are some characteristics of Devon and Cornish Rex?
Big ears
Curly coat
Quite vocal
What are some characteristics of Abyssinian cat?
Indidiviual hairs have 2-3 coloured bands
Distinctive colours