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Evaluation of clinical examination location on stress in cats: a randomized crossover trial
- Source :
- Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. 23:364-369
- Publication Year :
- 2020
- Publisher :
- SAGE Publications, 2020.
-
Abstract
- Objectives The objective of this study was to quantify the effects of owner separation and physical examination location on fear, anxiety and stress (FAS) behavioral indicators in cats. Methods The study was a prospective, non-blinded, randomized, two-period, two-treatment crossover trial. Healthy adult cats presenting for wellness or dental evaluations at a single veterinary teaching hospital received three physical examinations: a baseline assessment (owner present) followed by physical examinations in both a treatment area (owner absent [TAOA]) and an examination room (owner present [EROP]). The physical examination sequence order was randomized. Low-stress handling techniques were used for all examinations. The primary endpoints were heart rate (HR; beats per min [bpm]) and total FAS scores. HR was measured by auscultation, and FAS by five specific behaviors scored as 0/1 and summed for each assessment period. Results Twenty-one healthy cats were enrolled. HR measured at entry (baseline) was a significant determinant of subsequent HR readings. HR measured during examinations conducted in both EROP and TAOA were elevated to levels indicative of stress (>180 bpm). HR was significantly higher for TAOA relative to EROP (30 bpm, 95% confidence interval 18–43; P Conclusions and relevance Owner separation coupled with physical examination location can result in clinically significant increases in perceived stress in cats, and compromise vital sign assessments. Whenever possible, physical examinations and procedures should take place with the owner present with separation from unfamiliar dogs and cats.
- Subjects :
- Physical Examination Location
medicine.medical_specialty
040301 veterinary sciences
Physical examination
Cat Diseases
0403 veterinary science
Hospitals, Animal
Dogs
Heart Rate
Heart rate
Stress (linguistics)
Animals
Medicine
Dog Diseases
Prospective Studies
Hospitals, Teaching
Small Animals
Cross-Over Studies
CATS
medicine.diagnostic_test
business.industry
0402 animal and dairy science
04 agricultural and veterinary sciences
040201 dairy & animal science
Crossover study
Cats
Physical therapy
Anxiety
medicine.symptom
business
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15322750 and 1098612X
- Volume :
- 23
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....562f18a2b5f47f0160ac727456075d5f