Feline Restraint

Question 1

Towel Restraint

Answer 1

one of the best tools for the health-care team to have readily available is a large towel. Towels can be used to wrap the cat’s body securely. It also allows for wrapping, and thus controlling, the cat’s body, feet, and claws. For femoral or cephalic vein exposure, or if an IM injection is warranted, a front or back leg can be held outside the towel wrap. Also, the towel wrap restraint allows for oral or ophthalmic medications to be given without risk of the cat scratching a health-care team member. Some health-care teams have found that simply covering the head of the cat (paying careful attention to insure the cat can breathe) calms the cat down and enables them to perform procedures. Whichever method is used, insure that all team members involved are in agreement with the restraint plan.

Question 2

Feline restraint bag

Answer 2

feline restraint bags. The cat bag should be comprised of a heavy canvas or nylon material and have a zipper or Velcro closure. The bag has openings for the cat’s front and rear legs so one limb at a time can be removed for procedures. As cats come in all sizes, a variety of cat bag sizes are available. Health-care team members should never leave a cat in a feline restraint bag unattended because the cat can easily roll off the table.

Question 3

Muzzle restraint

Answer 3

muzzles available commercially for felines. Feline muzzles typically cover the cat’s eyes, leaving a small opening for the cat to breathe through. However, muzzles typically add to a cat’s stress and anger, so thought and planning should be used prior to muzzling. Another restraint technique might be better.

Question 4

Gauntlets

Answer 4

can also be used when handling cats, as these heavy, thick gloves will help to protect from scratches or potential bite wounds from the cat.

Question 5

distraction

Answer 5

Heavy but gentle patting or rubbing of the cat’s head can be used to draw the attention of the cat to the distraction and away from the procedure being performed. It is recommended to vary the stroke and the force (but never to the point of roughness).

Question 6

blowing air into the face of the cat.

Answer 6

Light blowing onto the cat’s face will help the health-care team to distract the animal from the medical procedure. The speed and direction of the airflow should vary, and as always, utmost caution should be taken when a health-care team member approaches the cat’s face.

Question 7

physical examination

Answer 7

hold the cat in a sitting or sternal recumbent position with one hand at the front of the cat’s chest and the other hand steadying the hind end. Team members should talk quietly to the cat and when possible gently pat the cat to try to ease its stress. As the examination of the cat moves to the head, one hand of the restraint should encircle the neck with the hand holding the mandible. The other hand can then move over the back to hold the front feet of the cat. This positioning allows the restrainer to hold the cat against his or her body. The less restraint, the better for everyone involved, especially the feline patient.

Question 8

lateral recumbency restraint.

Answer 8

Another restraint technique often used for SQ or IM injections, temperature taking via the rectum, or for access to the saphenous vein is the lateral recumbency restraint. The team member should scruff the cat behind the neck/dorsal area, grasping as much fur as possible with one hand, while grasping the back feet of the animal with the other hand (Figure 4.5). The cat is held and slightly

stretched at the same time. When in this position, most cats seem to believe they are unable to use their front feet to scratch.