Journal of feline medicine and surgery
-
J. Feline Med. Surg. · Oct 2009
Randomized Controlled TrialThermal antinociception after dexmedetomidine administration in cats: a comparison between intramuscular and oral transmucosal administration.
Dexmedetomidine 40microg/kg was administered either intramuscularly (IM) or oral transmucosally (OTM) to 12 cats in a randomised cross-over study. Thermal nociceptive thresholds and visual analogue scale (VAS) sedation scores were obtained before and at regular intervals up to 24h after test drug administration. ⋯ Data are presented as mean+/-standard deviation: delta T mean increase over time (IM 6 degrees C+/-3 degrees C, OTM 6 degrees C+/-2 degrees C); overall mean VAS (IM 43+/-9 OTM 39+/-1); onset (IM 35+/-32 and OTM 30+/-40min); offset (IM 96+/-56 and OTM 138+/-135min); duration (IM 61+/-47 OTM 99+/-124min). Dexmedetomidine is well absorbed through the oral mucosa in cats since OTM and IM administration of dexmedetomidine 40microg/kg produced similar overall sedative and antinociceptive effects.
-
J. Feline Med. Surg. · Oct 2009
Human directed aggression in Brazilian domestic cats: owner reported prevalence, contexts and risk factors.
Aggression by cats towards humans is a serious behavioural, welfare and public health problem, although owners may believe it is an inevitable part of cat ownership. There has been little scientific investigation of the risk factors associated with this problem. One hundred and seven owners in the Sao Paulo region of Brazil, took part in a survey aimed at investigating the perceived prevalence of the problem, defining the most common contexts of human directed aggression and identifying associated potential risk factors. ⋯ However, sex, age, age when acquired, source of pet, attachment to a specific household member, type of domestic accommodation, relationship with another cat if present and contact with other animals did not appear to increase the risk. The results suggest sensitivity to being stroked and background levels of stress in the home are the most pervasive risk factors, and future research should aim to investigate these factors further. These data are of relevance when advising owners about the risk and development of this problem.