canine, feline and vet

SCRUFF

'Scruffing' of a cat is a term used to describe restraining a cat by firmly gripping the loose skin at the back of the cat's neck - this is sometimes accompanied by lifting the cat up or heavily restraining the cat in other ways. When necessary, the scruff technique can give the handler control over head. This can also be used to distract their attention away from an area you are working on. However, other more effective restraint techniques should be considered first.

CAT MUZZLE

A cat muzzle is a device that goes around a cat's face used to prevent them from biting. It is primarily used in veterinary hospitals to prevent cats from biting when they are in pain or when they acting aggressively.

Juvenile Cat

A juvenile cat is referred to as a kitten.

Male Cat

A male cat is called a tom or tomcat. A neutered male is called a gib.

natural breed

A natural breed of cat refers to cat species that have developed due to naturally occurring adaptation to their local environment. In other words, natural cats have evolved without the direct intervention of people. Typically, these natural cats (sometimes referred to as landraces) have subsequently been developed into formal breeds by cat fanciers. Abyssinian American Shorthair Arabian Mow British Shorthair Dragon Li Egyptian Mau European Shorthair Japanese Bobtail Khao Manee Kurilian Bobtail Main Coon Manx Norwegian Forest Russian Blue Siberian Forest Sokoke Thai Traditional Persian Turkish Angora Turkish Van

restraints - canine/feline intro

A number of factors are involved in triggering aggression and/or escape responses in animals. The most common include fear, pain, punishment (which induces fear and anxiety), and excessive physical contact. Most animals show fear/defensive aggression because they find some aspect of the processes threatening. This may be the environment, the personnel, the equipment, the procedure, the restraint technique used or any combination of these.

Veterinary Technician Specialty Fields

After graduation, you may wish to seek advanced training and skill in an area of specialization. The National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA) has developed the Committee on Veterinary Technician Specialties (CVTS) in these areas: Dentistry ￮ Zoological Medicine Equine ￮ Surgical Technology Anesthesia ￮ Nutrition Behavior ￮ Technicians in Clinical Practice Emergency and Critical Care ￮ Clinical Pathology Internal Medicine

Hound

All breeds in the Hound Group were bred to pursue warm-blooded quarry. The sleek, long-legged sighthounds use explosive speed and wide vision to chase swift prey, like jackrabbits and antelope, while tough, durable scent hounds rely on their powerful noses to trail anything from raccoons to escaped convicts. Members of the Hound Group possess strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch their quarries.

catus

Although many scientists believe that the species catus descended from the European wildcat, which shuns man, domestic cats are primarily raised as pets. F. catus includes between 40 and 55 pure breeds (different associations recognize different pedigrees) and is constantly changing as new breeds are developed. One of the newest breeds, the Burmilla, was recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association Inc. in February 2011.

Using Force and restraint

Always use the least amount of restraint necessary for the procedure and invade the animal's "intimate space" as little as possible. Restrain the animal for the behavior that it is currently showing - not for the behavior that you think it may show in the near future.

Female cat

An unspayed female is called a queen, especially in a cat-breeding context. The act of giving birth is called queening.

reaction of animals using restraints

Animals are particularly likely to react to the handling of certain body regions as well. These include the head/neck, the legs and feet, the groin/perineum, the abdomen, and any area that is painful. These areas are natural targets in serious attacks because they are areas where it is relatively easy to deliver an incapacitating or fatal injury. Restraint techniques should be chosen with these factors in mind. In particular, avoid directly restraining the animal's legs whenever possible as this universally induces even more struggling and aggression. Protection of the legs is a biologically hard-wired behavior.

RESTRAINT METHODOLOGY

Appropriate restraint is all about empathy, finesse, and technique - it has little to do with strength. If any procedure requires more than two people to actually hold the animal, there is something wrong with the employed technique for that procedure on that animal for that day. The more people that are involved, the more threatened the animal will feel and the more easily someone will be injured.

Mammalia

Because cats have hair, three middle-ear bones and mammary glands, which produce milk for their young, they belong to the class Mammalia, which includes all mammals. More specifically, cats are placental mammals, or eutherians, who primarily nourish their fetal young through a placenta inside the womb. Cats share this class with a wide variety of animals, from mice to blue whales.

STERNAL RECUMBENCY

Begin in sitting position Use light pressure to encourage dog to lie down on its chest "Bear-hug" dog to maintain restraint Use: Close examination Blood draw

LATERAL RECUMBENCY

Begin in sitting restraint Hold legs that are on the downside of table/ floor Prevents standing Pay attention to the head Use: X-Rays Blood Draws Nail Trims (Extreme distress)

Sporting

Breeds in the Sporting Group were bred to assist hunters in the capture and retrieval of feathered game. Retrievers, built for swimming, specialize on waterfowl, while the hunting grounds of setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds are grasslands where quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest. Many Sporting Group breeds possess thick, water-repellant coats resistant to harsh hunting conditions.

Working

Breeds in the Working Group are dogkind's punch-the-clock, blue-collar workers, and the group includes some of the world's most ancient breeds. They were developed to assist humans in some capacity - including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks and homes, and protecting their families - and many of these breeds are still used as working dogs today. Breeds in the Working Group tend to be known for imposing stature, strength, and intelligence.

Domestic Dogs

COMMON NAME: Domestic dogs SCIENTIFIC NAME: Canis familiaris TYPE: Mammals DIET: Omnivore GROUP NAME: Pack Male: Dog Female: Bitch Young: Puppy Giving birth: Whelping

Carnivora

Cats are meat eaters in the order Carnivora. Like all members of this group, they have large canine teeth, three pairs of incisors and sharp carnassial teeth where other mammals' premolars would be. This allows them to efficiently slice and tear through the flesh of other animals. They are also distinguished by a fixed jaw, which can only move up and down and not side to side as the jaws of many other mammals can. Cats are among the most carnivorous of the carnivores, feeding almost exclusively on meat.

Chordata

Cats have backbones, which places them in the phylum Chordata and the subphylum Vertebrata. Unlike members of other phyla, such as segmented worms (phylum Annelida) and insects (phylum Arthropoda), the chordates have a notochord that forms during some stage of their early development to support the body. In vertebrates, this primitive rod develops into part of the spinal column. They also have a nerve cord that transmits signals to the rest of the body. Vertebrates, such as cats, have a fully-formed skeleton and spinal column, which is segmented into discrete bones to allow movement.

CAT RESTRAINT

Cats tend to be one of the most difficult during restraint when they become upset and aggressive from stress Safely restrain and have control over head Cat bags: control the limbs and head Squeeze cages: wire boxes with small slots that allow injections to be given

Educational Tracks

Certification Associate Degree Bachelor's of Science (B.S.) Master's Degree Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM/VMD)

INTERPRETING ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

Changes in the patient's environment may cause normal behavior patterns to change Body language communicated by the animal can demonstrate clearly how it feels toward other animals, people, and its surroundings Body language can help you determine how easy or difficult an animal may be during handling and restraint

EQUIPMENT - Muzzles

Commonly used for dogs, cats, and horses Made of nylon, leather, wire, or basket materials Can be made with gauze, tape, or leashes Prevent biting Can be simple narrow strips of gauze or cloth Make a loop in the material Loop is then slipped over the dog's nose and mouth The ends are crossed under the jaw to bring them up behind the ears for tying in a bow

Felidae

Domestic and wild cats make up the family Felidae. This family is characterized by short muzzles and a reflective membrane over their eyes, which gives them excellent vision. They are also agile, have excellent balance, and possess partially or completely retractable claws -- all characteristics which make them excellent hunters

A Change in the 17th Century..

During the 17th Century, attitudes toward the cat began to change for the better. Cats found a special spot in the family household and eventually became the beloved pets they are today. The cat's progress was significantly improved in the 19th Century, the Victorian Era, which saw an improvement in the treatment of all domestic animals. The Victorian Era also saw an increasing enthusiasm for exhibiting and breeding cats. The first cat show was held in London, England, on July 13, 1871, at The Crystal Palace. There were 160 cats for display and competition. During the late 1800's interest in breeding and showing began to spread abroad. The first American cat show was held in Madison Square Garden, New York City in 1895. In 1904, the Cat Fancier's Association (CFA) began a registry of pedigreed cats in America.

How the AKC Organizes Breeds

Each breed is classified into one of the seven recognized groups, organized by the original work that each breed was developed to do. Sporting Hound Working Terrier Toy Non-Sporting Herding

ELIZABETHAN COLLAR

Elizabethan Collars (or E-collars) prevent dogs and cats from reaching injuries with their teeth. They also protect facial sores from pawing or scratching nails. You can get them at pet-supply stores, catalogs, or from a vet. They can also be homemade.

Proper Restraints

Good restraint is all about empathy, finesse, and technique - it has little to do with strength. If any procedure requires more than two people to actually hold the animal, there is something wrong with that technique for that procedure on that animal for that day. The more people that are involved, the more threatened the animal will feel and the more easily someone will be injured.

STERNAL RECUMBENCY

Grasp head in one hand Use the other hand to grasp the front legs and extend them downward off the edge of the table Use your arm and elbow to restrain the cats body against your body. Uses: Jugular Venipuncture (Cats and Dogs) Tubing-Trachea IV Catheter (Cephalic vein for cats and dogs)

THE FRIGHTENED PET

Has the potential to be difficult to handle and can become aggressive quickly - always use caution and calmness with these patients Stiff stance, shaking and/or tremors from nervousness, avoids direct eye contact, lays their ears flat or back on the head, lowers their body or tail towards the ground Submissive pets can react instinctively when they feel threatened

Asia

In China, the cat became a symbol for good fortune, peace, and beauty. Buddhists admired the cat's meditative powers. The domestic cat arrived in Japan about 600 A.D., which was about the same time Buddhism was introduced to Japan. The Maneki Neko (beckoning cat) is one of the most common lucky charms seen in Japan. This figure of a sitting cat with the left front paw raised is frequently seen in shop windows where it is inviting customers to enter. The same figure with the right paw raised attracts money and good fortune. With the Japanese appreciation of simple artistic form, cats are seen as a being of rare beauty.

Egypt

In Egypt, cats were so special that they came to be considered sacred. The earliest mention of the cat as sacred is in the Book of The Dead dating back to 3500 B.C. The cat was the symbol for the sun god Osiris or Re. About this time, it is said that Bast (the wife, sister, or daughter of Re) fled from Re and assumed the shape of a cat, thus becoming the goddess that protects cats.

Remember with restraints

It also is important to remember that what matters is whether the animal finds an interaction threatening — not whether the veterinary professional does. Often, in the process of trying to be friendly to an animal, we portray body signals that actually mean the opposite. This is particularly true around horses and dogs. The way the average person greets a dog is a perfect example. Most people approach dogs from the front, lean over, and extend their hands to allow the dog to sniff it or to try to pet the dog. There are several elements in this approach that directly threaten the dog: the direct, frontal approach; making eye contact; leaning over; and reaching out over the dog's head. These are intensified if they are done in a quick, tense, or agitated manner.

The First National Cat Show - Cosey

It is at this show that the famous "Cosey", a brown tabby Maine Cat, was a winner and awarded a silver collar and medal, which is now on display at the Feline Historical Museum in Alliance, Ohio. While 'Cosey' may not have necessarily been named as the Best Exhibit in the Show, this entrant was declared to be the Best Long-haired Cat in Show and had the awards to prove it.

Europe

It is believed that Phoenicians and Greeks may have been the first to bring cats to Europe, starting around 2000 B.C. They likely used them for rat control on their ships, then sold or traded the cats at ports in Europe. Once on land, the Greeks, Romans, and others used the cats for rodent control. T he cats did well in Europe, enjoying the protection of the Church until the 10th century. During the Middle Ages, cats lost favor with the Church and were blamed for anything evil. Cats were connected to witchcraft clear into the 1700's.

Controversy-Wolf Evolution

It is important to note that there are lots of different theories on canine evolution and although DNA can prove a lot, it is still a challenge to map out the exact bloodline of the dog. 'The origin of the dog is a subject of much controversy, jackals, wolves, and dogs all have similar characteristics and chromosome count.' (Lloyd, Wend, 'Dogs A Historical Journey', Howell Book House, 1996) All we can say is that today's dogs, which come in many different shapes and sizes due to artificial selection, are all likely to have evolved from a small group of grey wolves.

Domestic Cat

Kingdom: Animalia (Animals) Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Felis Species: catus

Mutations

Mutations take the form of skeletal changes (Manx, Scottish Folds), new coat forms (Cornish Rex, Devon Rex, American Wirehair), and new colors (Red Abyssinian).

Hybrid

New breeds created by generations of outcrossing and line breeding to create a new breed. Examples of hybrid breeds are the Himalayan-Persian, the Exotic and the Oriental.

Breeds of Cats

New breeds of cats can be naturally occurring or arise either as spontaneous mutations or result from the hybridization of two previously known breeds. When two cats come together and produce offspring unlike either parent, a mutation is strongly suspected. It does happen that a different offspring may occur as a result of different breeds or colors in the ancestry of the parents. Such a kitten is not a mutation, but rather a reflection of its ancestry.

Established

No breed of any classification may be merged in whole or in part with a Natural or Established breed.

Acinonyx

Non-retractable claws Early taxonomists interpreted the numerous specialized traits of cheetahs as evidence that they diverged from the other cat species early in the evolutionary history of the cat family (Felidae). The cheetah was therefore granted unique taxonomic status, and since the early 1900s it has been classified as the only species of genus Acinonyx. Cheetahs are often divided into five subspecies. The king cheetah, once thought to be a distinct subspecies, is a Southern African form that has a "blotchy" coat pattern presumably from a rare recessive genetic mutation.

Veterinary Technician

Number of jobs: 102,000 (2016) Average Pay: $32,490 annual or $15.62/hour (2016) Typical Entry-Level Education: Associate's or Bachelor's Many states require college training and passing state and local exams Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT) Similar duties and responsibilities of human nurses Restraints, initial evaluation, vital signs, administering medication, nursing sick and recovering animals, blood work, assisting in surgery, many more.

Veterinarian

Number of jobs: 79,600 (2016) Average Pay: $88,770 annual or $42.68/hour (2016) Typical Entry-Level Education: Doctoral (DVM) A person who practice veterinary medicine or surgery Only person allowed to diagnose, prescribe medication, and perform surgeries.

Veterinary Assistant

Number of jobs: 83,800 (2016) Average Pay: $25,250 annual or $12.14/hour (2016) Typical Entry-Level Education: High school diploma or equivalent Technically no training prior to employment is needed. Training on site Limited in duties and responsibilities Restraints, kennel work, cleaning, clerical work

CAT HANDLING

Picking up a cat appropriately is more challenging than people realize. Read these steps to ensure the cat is comfortable and safe in your arms. Remember that with each step you should remain calm and quiet. Move smoothly and a little slower than you might normally. Step 1: Placement of your hands and arms. Place one hand and part of your arm under the cat's front legs and the other underneath her back legs. She needs to feel supported under her rear end especially. Step 2: Lift the cat. Once you lift her up, immediately bring her close to your body, against your chest or stomach. Do so as soon as possible during lifting, even before you have fully stood up. Step 3: Hold the cat securely. Many times people will move to wrapping their arms around the cat. This is fine, as long as you continue to hold the cat against you, and her rear end is always supported. Some shy cats may choose to hide their face in the crook of your arm; allow them to do this. Step 4: Continue monitoring body language throughout carrying the cat. While she may have enjoyed it initially, when a cat becomes tired of being held she will give cues such as tail twitching or thrashing, growling, tensing the body, squirming in your arms or stopping purring. If any of these things occur, put the cat down right away in a safe way (see the next step). Step 5: Put down the cat in a quiet area away from activity. Even though cats can jump from high places, it is safer and more polite to assist the cat in meeting the height to which she is to jump. For example, if you want to set her on the ground, kneel down so she can jump from a lesser height. If you wish to set her on a surface, bring her close to the surface both in height and proximity. This is particularly important to avoid getting scratched by her back claws as is common for cats when they leap out of your arms.

Standing Restraint

Place one arm under the dog's neck with the forearm, holding the head The other arm is placed around the animal's body to pull it close to the handler Can be used on floor or table Use General Exams Specimen Retrieval Nail Trims

WHY PROPER RESTRAINT TECHNIQUES?

Prevents injury Necessary for examinations and treatments More comfortable for animal and handler A First Aid Kit should be available for all bites and scratches All Animal bites must be reported to the Dept. of Health

CAT BAG

Put the bag on the table with the long zipper open, and put your cat in the middle of the bag. Gently tuck her legs and tail into the bag, pull up the sides of the bag around her, and zip her up with the long zipper running the length of her back

Evolution of the Dog

Recent molecular evidence shows that dogs are descended from the gray wolf, domesticated about 130,000 years ago. But if they all share a common ancestor, why do toy poodles and Great Danes seem to have little in common? Years of selective breeding by humans has resulted in the artificial "evolution" of dogs into many different types.

THE FRIENDLY PET

Relaxed, alert, is able to stand, sit or lie with a comfortable appearance, ears up and forward Amenable to being handled However, all veterinary staff should be alert to any change in behavior Behavior changes can occur rapidly depending on the procedures being performed

BEHAVIOR AND RESTRAINT

Restraint also does not necessarily mean immobilization. Animals have 5 basic reactions to stress or threat. These include fight, flight, freeze, faint, and fidget (or fooling around). The latter is an often overlooked sign of stress. Staff members frequently assume animals that are obnoxious and hyper in the room are just plain stupid or untrained, but this is a simplistic outlook considering the situation the animal is in. Keep open-minded that the animal's hyperactivity might actually be a reaction to stress. Punishing these animals usually raises their stress level and exacerbates the behavior.

what does restraint dictate

Restraint dictates that we move into the animal's personal space without the animal's permission. This puts personnel in the "critical zone" where animals are often more likely to attach rather than to try to run away, especially if escape is blocked. Making wise choices as to how you invade the animal's space can reduce this reaction in most animals.

RESTRAINT CONSIDERATIONS

Restraint is the process of; holding back, checking, or suppressing an action and/or keeping something under control using safety and some means of physical, chemical, or psychological action. Restraint is a necessary tool used by veterinary staff to allow an animal to be controlled for various procedures The safety of the patient and staff is paramount! Sedatives/Tranquilizers - are sometimes necessary to keep a patient calm or pain-free during certain stressful procedures or circumstances.

what does restraint require?

Restraint requires patience! Some animals need time to adapt to the process; trying to rush the animal will only increase its anxiety.

SITTING RESTRAINT

Same technique as standing restraint, but dog is sitting Can be against wall to keep dog from backing up Use: General Exams Cleaning ears Blood draw

THE AGGRESSIVE PET

Shows Aggressive behaviors...growling Stiff stance, baring teeth, head lowered to the ground, staring, and tail raised Dominance aggression - "pack" animal instinct and social status within a group Fear aggression - defense reaction to being harmed and the instinct for an animal to protect itself Territorial aggression - refers to an animal's protective nature of its environment (Cage Aggression) Redirected aggression - predator instinct where the animal turns its aggressive behaviors on the owner and staff This is the most serious type of aggression

Felis

Since domestic cats are small felines, they are placed in the genus Felis. Although the cats in this genus are smaller than some of the "large" cats, such as lions and tigers, there is still a significant range of sizes. For example, the domestic cat and the mountain lion are both classified as "small" or "lesser" cats, even though the mountain lion is larger than the leopard, which is a "big" cat. The most distinguishing feature of this genus is that none of its members can roar, as large cats can.

Lifting

Small Dogs: Slide one hand between her front legs and under her chest to support her upper body. Take your other hand and place it behind her rump. Make sure you have a secure grip and slowly lift up your dog while you stand to your feet. Pull your dog close to your chest as you carry her so she feels secure Big Dogs: If your dog weighs more than 20 pounds, pick him up with one hand under his neck and the other scooped under his rump. At the same time, lift like you're lifting a board.For dogs over 40 pounds, get another person to help. One person will be at the head of the dog with one arm under the neck and the other under the chest. The other person gets a hand under the belly and their other hand scoops under the rump. Lift at the same time.

The Domestication of Wolves

So how did wolves turn into man's best friend? There are many theories about the domestication of wolves. One is that they gradually got closer to human settlements once they recognize a food source and became more acclimatized to being around people. As the generations went on they got braver and were more comfortable around humans. As humans got to know wolves they realized how useful they could be. Wolves were perhaps used to sound the alarm and alert people of danger and eventually trained to bring down large prey. Domesticated wolves may have also been used for warmth. People then realized the strengths of wolves and eventually started breeding them for specific traits. A lot of dog training is based on how wolves behave but it's important to remember that dogs have domesticated a long time ago. They are likely to have developed behaviors that are far from what wolves living in the wild would do. However, we can distinguish some similarities and use science to help explain the evolution of the wolf. Dogs are amazing creatures who have lived in harmony with humans for a very long time. Some dog breeds today are so different from wild wolves in appearance. It makes you wonder how a breed such as a pug or a Chihuahua could be linked to the mighty wolf.

KITTY BURRITO

Step 1 Take a regular size bath towel and lay it out fully. Place your cat about 6 inches away from the one end of the towel. Sometimes to help get started, you can scruff your cat to keep them still. Step 2 (A & B) Take the short edge of the towel and wrap it up around one side of your cat (width-wise). Fold the part of the towel that is at your cat's rump up over its back. Be mindful of their tail, usually, they will curl their tail at their side. Folding the towel in this manner will help ensure they can't back out of the towel. Step 3 Take the other side of the towel and wrap it around the other side of your cat. Make sure your cat's front paws are still inside the towel. Step 4 Continue to wrap the rest of the towel around your cat until the towel is fully wrapped around your cat like a burrito. Make sure the towel is tight enough that they wouldn't be able to get their feet out of the towel but not tight enough they are unable to breath.

TOWELING

Step 1 Start by placing your cat several inches from the front edge of the towel, about a foot in from one side. Step 2 Wrap the short side of the towel snugly around your cat's neck, like a scarf. Step 3 Pull the short side of the towel over your cat, so that her entire body is covered, except for the face. Step 4 Pull the front edge of the towel forward, which will wrap under your cat's neck. Step 5 Once the towel is wrapped all the way around, grab the other side and pull it over your cat, making sure that it's snugly in place. Now that your cat is secured in the towel, you can give her medication or clip her nails by working on one leg at a time. When trimming nails, use your arm to gently hold the cat next to your body, and keep your hands away from her mouth to prevent bites.

LIFTING

Step 1: Placement of your hands and arms. Place one hand and part of your arm under the cat's front legs and the other underneath her back legs. She needs to feel supported under her rear end especially. Step 2: Lift the cat. Once you lift her up, immediately bring her close to your body, against your chest or stomach. Do so as soon as possible during lifting, even before you have fully stood up. Step 3: Hold the cat securely. Many times people will move to wrapping their arms around the cat. This is fine, as long as you continue to hold the cat against you, and her rear end is always supported. Some shy cats may choose to hide their face in the crook of your arm; allow them to do this.

What is the AKC?

The American Kennel Club, founded in 1884, maintains the largest registry of purebred dogs in the world, and currently registers 197 breeds, representing a wide variety of sizes, colors, coats, temperaments and heritages. A dog that has full registration with the AKC is eligible to participate in many of the more than 22,000 events offered by the AKC and its affiliated clubs each year (some events are breed-specific). Internationally, there are approximately 400 breeds that are listed with registry organizations in other countries. The AKC, however, does not register all of these breeds, either because there are too few dogs (of that breed) in this country or there is too little interest among owners of these breeds to obtain AKC registered status. Because the AKC is a "club of clubs," owners of a particular breed, wishing to have that breed registered, must establish an organized National Breed Club.

Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA)

The Cat Fanciers' Association, Inc. is the largest registry of purebred cats in the world. For purposes of registration, CFA has arbitrarily divided cats into the following groups: Natural Hybrid Established Mutant breeds The establishment of artificial boundaries of four large groups was necessary to encompass those breeds present and those to come in the future. It should also be pointed out that registration rules need not follow the laws of genetics.

Herding

The Herding Group comprises breeds developed for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness makes them highly trainable. Today, some Herding breeds, such as the German Shepherd Dog, are commonly trained for police work. The high levels of energy found in Herding Group breeds means finding them a job is recommended, lest they begin herding your children at home.

Non-Sporting

The breeds of the Non-Sporting Group have two things in common: wet noses and four legs. After that, there's not much shared by this patchwork group of breeds whose job descriptions defy categorization in the six other groups, though they all have fascinating histories. Today, the varied breeds of the Non-Sporting Group are largely sought after as companion animals, as they were all developed to interact with people in some capacity.

Toy

The diminutive breeds of the Toy Group come in enough coat types and colors to satisfy nearly any preference, but all are small enough to fit comfortably in the lap of their adored humans. In a way, toys dogs are their own version of working dogs: they work hard at being attentive, affectionate companions. Breeds in the Toy Group are popular with city dwellers, as their small size makes them a good fit for smaller yards or apartments.

Animalia

The domestic cat belongs to the kingdom Animalia, which includes all animals. Animals are made up of many cells, all of which lack the cell walls that characterize plants and fungi. These cells are organized into larger units called tissues in all animals except for sponges, and often form complex groups of tissues called organs. Animals cannot make their own food like plants, but must rely on catching and ingesting other organisms. To this end, most animals have the ability to move in more complex ways than the organisms of any other kingdom.

Evolutionary Timeline

The evolutionary timeline of the dog dates back 60 million years. The Miacis existed in the Palaeocene epoch era. It was an animal that lived in North America. It looked like a weasel and had much shorter legs and a smaller brain than modern day dogs. It also had the typical distinctive carnivore teeth but walked on the soles of its feet. As we know, there were two lines that evolved from the miacids - the feloidea (lions, cats, caracals) and the canoidea (wolves, dogs, foxes). The next stage of canine evolution was understood to have taken place 35 million years ago. The Leptocyon was around during the Oligocene epoch era and was more fox-like and walked on its toes, which allowed it to sprint more easily. Then came the Mesocyon around 20 million years ago, and towards the end of this period came the Miocene. This animal looked like a very basic dog and had a bigger brain, making it more intelligent. It also had a better memory making it more likely to remember family members and therefore it developed a pack mentality. This was then followed by the wolves around 5-7 million years ago. They developed the advantage of walking on four hind toes allowing them to chase prey more effectively. Finally came wolves and jackals, who were alive around 1 million years ago. This animal was the beginnings of the early wolf and could be found in Eurasia.

Terrier

The feisty, short-legged breeds in the Terrier Group were first bred to go underground in pursuit of rodents and other vermin. Long-legged terrier breeds dig out varmints rather than burrowing in after them, while the group's "bully" breeds, created long ago for ghastly pursuits like bull-baiting, are popular companion dogs today. Breeds in the Terrier Group are excellent competitors in the sport of Earthdog.

Domestication

The first sign of domestication of cats appears to be around 4500 B.C. The earliest remains were found in Africa. Overwhelming evidence points to Ancient Egypt and the African Wildcats (Felis Sylvestris libyca) as the oldest truly domestic cats. They were probably used in farming villages to hunt the river rats that invaded the granaries. Feline remains were found on Cyprus dating back to 5000 B.C., but wild cats did not occur naturally on Cyprus, so they had to have been brought there.

ANIMAL SAFETY

The patient's safety is of the highest concern when selecting and implementing restraint techniques. Patients who are not well socialized or accustomed to human contact will become easily stressed in a new environment Young animals must always be handled with care, as they can be very fragile Older patients should also be handled with care, as they may be arthritic and have increased pain The safety of the patient and staff must be considered every time restraint is necessary Never allow non-veterinary staff or an owner to restrain any animal -This can have potential legal repercussions

Purpose Of Registry of purebred cats

The purpose of a registry of purebred cats is to provide a continuing history of cats as a service to breeders. Because of changes in registration rules that have occurred from time to time in the history of CFA, these rules have been prepared to offer guidelines to breeders interested in developing new breeds and colors of cats.

LATERAL RECUMBENCY: CAT STRETCH

The stretch technique involves scruffing the cat with one hand while in lateral recumbency and using the free hand to hold the rear limbs and pull them dorsally

CFA

Today there are many breeds of cats. The Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) recognizes 41 different breeds. Other North American associations recognize many additional breeds, including the exotic crosses between wild and domestic cats. There are more breeds recognized overseas and some that are still in development.

Restraints Reviewed

Towels/blankets - can be very useful in removing cats from cages, also can be used to wrap a cat to control the legs Cat restraint bag (aka "cat bag") - usually a nylon bag that a cat can be placed in to control the legs, can be difficult to initially get the cat inside, must be careful to not get fur/skin caught in the zippers Protective gloves - can reduce the likelihood of a serious scratch but cat teeth are sharp enough to penetrate them, can make it more difficult to grasp the scruff of the neck, can lead to applying too much pressure due to the inability to feel the cat through the gloves Flat leashes - can be used with caution when removing a cat from a lower cage Muzzles - useful to prevent bites but also to cover the cat's eyes and reduce stress E-collar - will keep the mouth away from the handler though because cats are more agile, they are more likely to remove them The most important restraint tool is an experienced veterinary professional, as cats are typically much more difficult to handle than dogs!

Education Track for Veterinarian

Undergraduate Program 4 years (Bachelor's Degree) Same courses as pre-med students Majors vary, but include a lot of science: Chemistry Biology Zoology Pre-Veterinary Veterinary School 4 years (DVM) including clinicals Only 30 vet schools in the US and only 1 in New England (Tufts in Grafton, MA)

WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTRAIN A CAT SHOULD:

Use the least amount restraint necessary for patient and staff safety Stay calm and relaxed Be firm but not aggressive Only attempt when all participants are ready as some cats have a limited amount of time they will tolerate handling Close all doors and windows Allow the cat to leave its cage or carrier of its own volition if possible Watch carefully for warning signs (beginning to growl, swishing the tail) as unlike dogs, cats rarely attack without warning Do not allow an owner to restrain their own fearful or aggressive cat as this may lead to the owner being injured or bit Scruffing the cat by the neck is one way to control the cat without hurting it Consider giving pain medication if the patient is painful or if pain is expected to be induced during a procedure Consider chemical restraint/sedation if the patient is overtly aggressive, nervous, or difficult to handle as it may be safer for both the patient and the handler Always remember that your safety is of the utmost importance

Equipment - Towels

Used to restrain small animals Used to wrap and contain Swaddle fearful patients

Traditional Veterinary Field Roles:

Veterinary Assistant Veterinary Technician Veterinarian

Vet Science Career paths

Veterinary Hospital Emergency Clinics Referral/Specialty Practice Government Military Rescue/Shelter Medicine Wildlife Management and Rehabilitation Zoos/Aquariums Biomedical Research Teaching Diagnostic Laboratories Veterinary Product Sales Animal Control

Miacids

We must go back 65 million years in the evolution of animals to identify the cat's ancestors. The earliest ancestors were called Miacids (pronounced my-a-kids). The Miacids were creatures about the size of a lynx, with long slender bodies, long tails, and short legs with retractable claws that extended from the paws during such activities as climbing trees or fighting. They evolved into dogs and cats

DORSAL RECUMBENCY

Will need more than one person Place in lateral recumbency, then carefully roll dog to its back Front legs are pulled forward to head Rear legs are pulled towards tail Use: X-Rays

To work around head:

Wrap or swaddle in a blanket or place in "cat bag" Allows handler to grasp and hold the back of the head between the thumb and fingers

Shorthair cat breeds

abyssinian, siamese, manx, british/european/american

Domesticated Cats

domesticated cats all come from wildcats called Felis silvestris lybica that originated in the Fertile Crescent in the Near East Neolithic period and in ancient Egypt in the Classical period.

felis

non roaring cats

Longhair cat breeds

persian, angora, maine coon, turkish van, norwegian forest

Panthera

roaring cats