Table of Contents

• List of Contributors xxiii
• Preface xxv
• Acknowledgment xxvii
• About the Companion Website xxix
• Section 1 The Cat and Special Considerations 1
• 1 Feline Behavior 3
• Monique Feyrecilde BA, LVT, VTS (Behavior), Elite FFCP Veterinary
• 1.1 Sensation and Perception 3
• 1.2 Feline Body Language 5
• 1.3 Community Behavior in Cats 7
• 1.4 Sexual Behavior in Cats 8
• 1.5 Elimination Behaviors 8
• 1.6 How Cats Learn and Modifying Behaviors 8
• 1.7 Functional and Applied Behavior Analysis 13
• 1.8 Common Unwanted Behaviors 16
• 1.9 Behavior Emergencies 20
• 1.10 Incorporating Behavior into Everyday Veterinary Practice 20
• 2 Feline-Friendly Interactions 23
• Ellen M. Carozza, LVT, VTS (CP-Feline)
• 2.1 Understanding Cat Emotions and Their Motivations 24
• 2.2 Be Respectful, Remain Professional; Words Matter 25
• 2.3 Feline Emotions: Engaging and Protective - Both Are Normal! 26
• 2.4 Sensory Communication Cats: How Cats Gather and Interpret Information 27
• 2.5 Interpreting Feline Behaviors at the Clinic and Modifying Our Techniques to Prevent Escalation 28
• 2.6 Setting Yourself Up for Success 31
• 2.7 Stressor Stacking: Understanding Stressors that Contribute to Difficult Visits 31
• 2.8 Making Changes at the Clinic 33
• 2.9 Know Your Cats: They Are Communicating! 35
• 2.10 Handling Techniques 36
• 2.11 Sedation 38
• 2.12 Tips for Safe and Feline-friendly Life Stage Handling: A New Way to Approach Cats 40
• 3 Preparing the Veterinary Hospital for the Feline Patient 43
• Jan Yaroslav RVT, VTS (Dentistry), VTS (CP-Feline)
• 3.1 General Clinic Preparation for a Feline Visit 43
• 3.2 The Reception Area 45
• 3.3 The Exam Room 46
• 3.4 The Treatment Room 48
• 3.5 The Surgical Suite 49
• 3.6 The Hospitalization Ward 49
• 3.7 Training the Team 51
• 3.8 How to Become a Cat Friendly Practice® 52
• 3.9 Resources for Veterinary Professionals 52
• 3.10 Resources for Clients 53
• 4 Life Stage Considerations 55
• Ann Wortinger BIS, LVT, VTS (ECC) (SAIM) (Nutrition), Elite FFCP
• 4.1 Kitten 55
• 4.2 Junior 57
• 4.3 Prime 59
• 4.4 Mature 60
• 4.5 Senior 62
• 4.6 Geriatric 62
• 4.7 Body Condition Scoring 64
• 4.8 Body Condition Score Uses 66
• 4.9 Diagnostic Techniques 66
• 5 Client Education and Communication Topics for the Feline Owner 69
• Christina M. Daigle, LVT, VTS (CP-C/F)
• 5.1 Types of Communication 69
• 5.2 Obtaining a Medical History 70
• 5.3 Home Environmental Factors 71
• 5.4 Preparing for the Veterinary Visit 75
• 5.5 Nutrition 77
• 5.6 Nursing Care for the Feline Pet Owner 78
• 5.7 Client Communication and Feline Disease Management 83
• 6 Anesthetic Considerations for the Feline Patient 97
• Lanette Jordan, BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia)
• 6.1 Preanesthetic Phase 99
• 6.2 Anesthetic Phase 101
• 6.3 Recovery Phase 122
• 7 Analgesic Considerations for the Feline Patient 125
• Lanette Jordan BS, LVT, VTS (Anesthesia and Analgesia)
• 7.1 The Pain Pathway 127
• 7.2 Types of Pain 128
• 7.3 Negative Effects of Pain 128
• 7.4 Assessment of Pain 129
• 7.5 Pain Scoring Instruments 130
• 7.6 Treatment of Pain 135
• 8 Introduction to Feline Pharmacology 147
• Ann Wortinger BIS, LVT, VTS (ECC) (SAIM) (Nutrition), Elite FFCP
• 8.1 Unique Pharmacokinetics for the Feline Patient 147
• 8.2 Metabolism 147
• 8.3 Acetylation 150
• 8.4 Methylation 150
• 8.5 Renal Excretion 150
• 8.6 Medications with Unique Pharmacokinetics in the Feline Patient 150
• 8.7 Introduction and Current Guidelines of Antimicrobial Stewardship 162
• 9 Feline Immunology and Current Vaccination Guidelines 165
• Ellen M. Carozza, LVT, VTS (CP-Feline)
• 9.1 Vaccine History 166
• 9.2 How Vaccines Work 166
• 9.3 Natural Immunity: Maternal Derived Antibodies 166
• 9.4 Feline Injection Site Sarcoma 166
• 9.5 Vaccination Administration Sites 168
• 9.6 Vaccine Site Monitoring 168
• 9.7 Vaccine Hypersensitivity 168
• 9.8 Vaccination Types 169
• 9.9 Routes of Administration 169
• 9.10 Feline Core Vaccines 170
• 9.11 Feline Noncore Vaccinations 175
• 9.12 Vaccines No Longer Recommended 176
• 9.13 Feline Patient Populations That Need Protection: What and When to Provide Vaccination 176
• 9.14 Vaccination and Age 178
• 9.15 Lifestyle Vaccinations: When Vaccination Plans Have the Possibility of Changing 178
• 9.16 Postvaccination Serological Screening: The Debate on Over-vaccination 180
• 9.16.1 Serology Testing is Useful for Assessment of Immunity: Antibody Testing 180
• 9.17 Staff Compliance: Who Is Responsible for What? 181
• Section 2 Feline Patient Care 185
• 10 Critical Thinking and Kirby's Rule of 20 187
• Courtney Waxman, MS, CVT, RVT, VTS (ECC)
• 10.1 Veterinary Medical Error Background 187
• 10.2 Patient Care Checklist Background 188
• 10.3 Kirby's Rule of 20 188
• 10.4 Critical Thinking 203
• 11 Interpretation of Common Diagnostics Test Results 207
• Ann Wortinger, BIS, LVT, VTS (ECC) (SAIM) (Nutrition), Elite FFCP
• 11.1 Use of a Microscope 207
• 11.2 Care and Maintenance of a Microscope 208
• 11.3 Interpretation of Common Diagnostic Tests 209
• 11.4 Diagnostic Techniques 220
• 12 General Feline Nutrition 225
• Ann Wortinger, BIS, LVT, VTS (ECC) (SAIM) (Nutrition), Elite FFCP
• 12.1 Feeding Behaviors 225
• 12.2 Anatomic Adaptations 226
• 12.3 Physiologic Adaptations 226
• 12.4 Metabolic Adaptations 227
• 12.5 Fixed Taste Preferences and Food Aversions 229
• 12.6 The Association of American Feed Control Officials Life Stages 229
• 12.7 Reproduction and Neonatal Nutrition 230
• 12.8 Orphaned Kitten Nutrition 230
• 12.9 Kitten Nutrition 232
• 12.10 Young Adult Nutrition 233
• 12.11 Mature Adult Nutrition 235
• 12.12 Geriatric Nutrition 235
• 12.13 Feeding Tubes: Uses, Indications, and Placement 236
• 12.14 Diagnostic Techniques 239
• 13 Feline Wound Care and Bandaging 243
• Kelly M. Foltz, BA, AAT, CVT, LVT, RVT, VTS (ECC)
• 13.1 Etiology of Feline Wounds 243
• 13.2 Wound Physiology 244
• 13.3 Wound Classification 245
• 13.4 Wound Healing 246
• 13.5 Approach to the Feline Trauma Patient 247
• 13.6 Wound Care and Management 251
• 13.7 Bandage Techniques 254
• 13.8 Wound Drains 257
• 13.9 Emerging Wound Management Techniques 258
• 13.10 Burn Care 259
• Section 3 Feline Systems, Diseases, and Conditions 263
• 14 Cardiology/Cardiovascular Diseases 265
• Kristie Garcia, LVT, VTS (Cardiology)
• 14.1 Patient History and "History Gathering Questions" 266
• 14.2 Clinical Signs 267
• 14.3 Physical Examination Findings 268
• 14.4 Specific Nursing Care Considerations 269
• 14.5 Cardiovascular Diseases 270
• 14.6 Cardiomyopathy Prognosis 274
• 14.7 Comorbidities to Consider 275
• 14.8 Cardiovascular Emergencies 276
• 14.9 Diagnostic Techniques 278
• 15 Dentistry 285
• Jan Yaroslav RVT, VTS (Dentistry), VTS (CP-Feline)
• 15.1 Feline Dental Anatomy 285
• 15.2 Patient History and "History Gathering Questions" 286
• 15.3 Dental Equipment 286
• 15.4 Ergonomics 289
• 15.5 Dental Radiography 290
• 15.6 The Feline Oral Exam 293
• 15.7 The Professional Dental Cleaning 293
• 15.8 Dental Charts 294
• 15.9 Tooth Numbering Systems 294
• 15.10 Nomenclature and Abbreviations 294
• 15.11 Oral Pathology 294
• 16 Dermatology and Auricular Conditions 301
• Amanda Friedeck, BS, LVT, VTS (Dermatology)
• 16.1 Patient History and "History Gathering Questions" 301
• 16.2 Clinical Signs 301
• 16.3 Physical Examination Findings 302
• 16.4 Specific Nursing Care Considerations 302
• 16.5 Basic Feline Dermatology 302
• 16.6 Allergic Reaction Patterns 303
• 16.7 Hypersensitivity Reactions 306
• 16.8 Facial Dermatosis 311
• 16.9 Feline Auricular Anatomy and Conditions 313
• 16.10 Diagnostic Techniques 318
• 17 Emergency and Critical Care 321
• Kelly M. Foltz, BA, AAT, CVT, LVT, RVT, VTS (ECC)
• 17.1 Patient History and "History Gathering Questions" 321
• 17.2 Feline Interactions in the ER 322
• 17.3 Clinical Signs 322
• 17.4 Physical Examination Findings 322
• 17.5 Triage 323
• 17.6 The Feline Inpatient 324
• 17.7 Specific Nursing Care Considerations 325
• 17.8 Common Emergencies by Body System 327
• 17.9 Diagnostic Techniques 344
• 18 Endocrinology 351
• Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, CP-fe)
• 18.1 Patient History and "History Gathering Questions" 351
• 18.2 Clinical Signs 352
• 18.3 Physical Examination Findings 353
• 18.4 Specific Nursing Care Considerations 354
• 18.5 Endocrine Disorders 354
• 18.6 Diagnostic Techniques 365
• 19 Gastroenterology 371
• Chastity Ketchum, LVT, VTS (Internal Medicine-SA)
• 19.1 Patient History and "History Gathering Questions" 372
• 19.2 Clinical Signs 373
• 19.3 Physical Examination Findings 375
• 19.4 Specific Nursing Care Considerations 376
• 19.5 Gastrointestinal Disease in the Feline Patient 377
• 19.6 Diagnostic Techniques 386
• 20 Gestation, Lactation, and Pediatrics 391
• Ellen M. Carozza, LVT, VTS (CP-Feline)
• 20.1 Breeding in Cats: So Many Kittens in Such Little Time 391
• 20.2 Pregnancy and Birth 393
• 20.3 Dystocia 396
• 20.4 Appearance, Pulse, Grimace, Activity, and Respiration Scoring in Neonates: Know Their Vitality Early on! 397
• 20.5 Nursing and Lactation 400
• 20.6 Kitten Mortality 400
• 20.7 Postpartum Complications in the Queen 401
• 20.8 Kitten Care 401
• 20.9 Bottles and Tube Feeding; What Can Be Used for Orphaned Kitten Feeding and How to Perform Tube Feeding When Necessary 402
• 20.10 Milestones 403
• 20.11 Kitten Nutrition 404
• 20.12 Weaning the Kitten 404
• 20.13 The Critical Neonate 405
• 21 Hematology 411
• Camille Kelly, CVT, VTS (ECC)
• 21.1 Patient History and "History Gathering Questions" 414
• 21.2 Clinical Signs 414
• 21.3 Physical Examination Findings 414
• 21.4 Specific Nursing Care Considerations 415
• 21.5 Red Blood Cell Conditions 415
• 21.6 White Blood Cell Conditions 419
• 21.7 Coagulopathies 420
• 21.8 Diagnostic Techniques 422
• 21.9 Feline Blood Donors 426
• 21.10 Blood Component Processing 431
• 22 Hepatobiliary 435
• Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, CP-fe)
• 22.1 Patient History and "History Gathering Questions" 437
• 22.2 Clinical Signs 437
• 22.3 Physical Examination Findings 438
• 22.4 Specific Nursing Care Considerations 438
• 22.5 Diseases of the Liver 439
• 22.6 Diseases of the Gallbladder and Bile Duct 443
• 22.7 Diseases of the Exocrine Pancreas 446
• 22.8 Triaditis 448
• 22.9 Diagnostic Techniques 448
• 23 Feline Infectious Diseases 453
• Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, CP-fe)
• 23.1 History-gathering Questions 453
• 23.2 Clinical Signs 453
• 23.3 Physical Examination Findings 455
• 23.4 Nursing Care Considerations 455
• 23.5 Bacterial Infectious Diseases 456
• 23.6 Systemic Fungal Infectious Diseases 457
• 23.7 Protozoal Infectious Diseases 461
• 23.8 Viral Infectious Diseases 463
• 23.9 Diagnostic Techniques 469
• 24 Oncology 473
• Jaci Christensen, BAS, LVT, VTS (Oncology)
• 24.1 Patient History and "History Gathering Questions" 473
• 24.2 Clinical Signs 474
• 24.3 Physical Examination Findings 474
• 24.4 Specific Nursing Care Considerations 474
• 24.5 Treatment Modalities 474
• 24.6 Common Feline Neoplasms 478
• 24.7 Diagnostic Techniques 484
• 24.8 Chemotherapy Administration 486
• 25 Respiratory 491
• Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, CP-fe)
• 25.1 Patient History and "History Gathering Questions" 493
• 25.2 Clinical Signs 494
• 25.3 Physical Examination Findings 494
• 25.4 Specific Nursing Care Considerations 495
• 25.5 Oxygen Supplementation 498
• 25.6 Respiratory Diseases 499
• 25.7 Diagnostic Techniques 504
• 26 Urinary and Renal 507
• Rhonda South-Bodiford, LVT, VTS (SAIM)
• 26.1 Patient History and "History Gathering Questions" 507
• 26.2 Clinical Signs 508
• 26.3 Physical Examination Findings 508
• 26.4 Specific Nursing Care Considerations 509
• 26.5 Renal and Urinary Diseases 509
• 26.6 Diagnostic Techniques 516
• References 524
• Index 525