Surgery and Radiology Section

RESTRAINING OF CATS

• Cat should be carried to the hospital by a cardboard box (or) suitable carrier.
• Animal Restraint is the most successful way to examine the cats.
• Giving injections or taking blood samples is more challenging because of the smaller size, flexibility and agility of cats.
• Very nervous cats may be wrapped in a large, thick towel with just the head exposed.
• A towel can also be used to pick up a difficult cat by throwing it completely over the animal, then scooping it up.
• Aggressive cats should be handled with thick leather gloves with a wide cuff to protect the lower arm.
• Frightened cats must be sedated and examined.
• Cats do not respond to physical restraint (or) a firm tone of voice.
• Cats should be carried under the arms, with the fingers separating and controlling the forelegs. The elbow should be used to hold cat’s body against the waist and trips of the handler.
• The free hand should be used spaning the doors (or) controlling the head as necessary.
• The cats should be controlled by holding the scruff of the neck using the loose skin only when no other means of restraint is possible.
• The cat should be held in lateral recumbency by the controlling head and forelegs using both the hands. The rear legs are managed by the person giving injection.