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Figure 4.8 Cat restraint bag.

      Source: Courtesy of Dr Lori Renda‐Francis, LVT.

      As with dogs, muzzles are available commercially for felines. Feline muzzles typically cover the cat’s eyes, leaving a small opening for the cat to breathe through. However, muzzles typically add to a cat’s stress and anger, so thought and planning should be used prior to muzzling. Another restraint technique might be better.

      Gauntlets can also be used when handling cats, as these heavy, thick gloves will help to protect from scratches or potential bite wounds from the cat.

      Another method to use specifically with cats to help in their restraint is distraction. Heavy but gentle patting or rubbing of the cat’s head can be used to draw its attention to the distraction and away from the procedure being performed. It is recommended to vary the stroke and the force (but never to the point of roughness). Another idea that is commonly used and typically successful is blowing air into the face of the cat. Light blowing onto the cat’s face will help the health‐care team to distract the animal from the medical procedure. The speed and direction of the air flow should vary, and as always, the utmost care should be taken when a health‐care team member approaches the cat’s face.

      When physical examination of a cat is warranted, the health‐care team member should hold the cat in a sitting or sternal recumbent position with one hand at the front of its chest and the other hand steadying the hind end. Team members should talk quietly to the cat and when possible gently pat it to try to ease its stress. As the examination of the cat moves to the head, one hand of the restraint should encircle the neck with the hand holding the mandible. The other hand can then move over the back to hold the front feet of the cat. This positioning allows the restrainer to hold the cat against his or her body. The less restraint, the better for everyone involved, especially the feline patient.

Another restraint technique often used for SQ or IM injections, temperature taking via the rectum, or for access to the saphenous vein is the lateral recumbency restraint. The team member should scruff the cat behind the neck/dorsal area, grasping as much fur as possible with one hand, while grasping the back feet of the animal with the other hand (Figure 4.9). The cat is held and slightly stretched at the same time. When in this position, most cats seem to believe they are unable to use their front feet to scratch.

      Not all cats react to restraint in the same manner. All members of the health‐care team must be familiar with the various restraint techniques. Most importantly, all team members must be prepared and have all equipment ready when performing any procedure on a feline patient. This helps to assure the success of the procedure and decreases the stress and impact on the feline patient.