1. Chapter Twenty-Two Cats

2.  If viewing this in PowerPoint, use the icon to run the show (bottom left of screen).  Mac users go to “Slide Show > View Show” in menu bar  Click on the Audio icon: when it appears on the left of the slide to hear the narration.  From “File > Print” in the menu bar, choose “notes pages”, “slides 3 per page” or “outline view” for taking notes as you listen and watch the presentation.  Start your own notebook with a 3 ring binder, for later study! ALAT Presentations Study Tips

3. Cats  Domesticated for at least 5,000 years.  Domestic cat brain is of particular interest.  represents a stage of development between lower mammalian forms & primates  extensively mapped - anatomically & functionally This is my cat Albert. He tried to help with this study aid by bringing me rodent samples and voicing his opinion about how to care for rodents. He thinks he’s very smart.

4. Handling & Restraint  Minimal restraint a general rule  Transport in mobile cages or carriers  Restraint:  Place 1 hand on neck & firmly secure scruff.  Lift & place other hand beneath hindquarters.  Slide hand under hindquarters toward hind legs.  Encircle hind legs w/ thumb & middle finger.  Place index finger between 2 hind limbs to prevent them from being squeezed together.  Hold upright, close to chest for support, facing away from handler.

5. Handling & Restraint II  For additional restraint, hold forelegs by one hand.  The other hand holds scruff of neck & controls head.  Protect handlers against uncooperative cats w/ heavy gloves or a thick towel.  Towel over head & body quiets a difficult cat.  Apply least amount of restraint possible to reduce stress.

6. (Images) Cat Bag Restraint

7. Handling & Restraint III  Cat that needs a moderate amount of restraint may be placed on its side on a firm surface, such as an exam table, its back toward the handler.  Rear legs held w/ 1 hand & forelegs w/ other.  Forearm of hand holding forelimbs used to apply light pressure just below jawbone.  Place troublesome cat in restraint bag.  Catchpole is instrument of last resort.  Noose is placed around upper chest, just behind forelimbs but never around neck.  Chemical restraint (tranquilizers) may be required.

8. Physiological Data  Body temperature: 100.4°-102.2°F  Heart rate: 110-140 per min  Respiratory rate: 15-25 per min  Weight: adult 2-5 kg; newborn 125 gm  Water consumption: 100-200 ml / day  Food consumption: 100-200 gm  For dry food, ~ 4% of body weight  Requires high protein content  Life span: 12-16 years

9. Sexing & Breeding  Testes of male is easily seen external scrotal sac.  Penis & penile sheath retracted, not easily seen.  Female has easily visible vulva ventral to anus.  Female seasonally polyestrous; every 6 months.  Female is very vocal during estrus.  Nest area box w/ bedding or towels.  Sexual maturity: 5-6 mo.  Estrous: 6-7 months - several cycles in a row.  Gestation: about 62-65 days  Litter size: 3-6  Weaning: 6-7 wks

10. Behavior  Healthy, calm, alert & interested in surroundings.  Many enjoy being petted.  Many will play w/ toy placed in cage.  An “unhappy” cat often crouches in back of its cage with its tail twitching.  Ears are folded against its head & eyes partially closed.  Produces a low growl.

11. Husbandry  Cage contains a litter pan & a resting board.  Up to 12 cats group housed in large colony cages.  Clean litter pan and fresh litter daily.  Careful observation of litter pan is very important.  Urinary disease a problem in male cats.  1st indication of a problem is blood in urine  or decreased urine production  Completely clean or change cage > 1x / 2 wks.  Water bowls provide cats w/ fresh water.

12. Diet  Commercially formulated diets meet nutritional requirements.  3 types: dry, semi- and canned  Can be finicky eaters, so giving them fresh food daily is essential to a vigorous appetite.  Amount of water a cat consumes depends on type of food.

13. Additional Reading Crow, Steven E., and Sally O. Walshaw. Manual of Clinical Procedures of the Dog, Cat and Rabbit, 2nd Ed. Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia, PA. 1998. Martin, Brent. The Laboratory Cat. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL. 1997.