Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, CP-fe), is a credentialed veterinary technician and training coordinator at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. She has devoted her career to teaching others in addition to being an advocate for feline patients.

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...