References

American Association of Veterinary Medical Colleges. AAVMC guidelines on the use of animals in veterinary education. 2022. https//www.aavmc.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AAVMC-Guidelines-AnimalUse.pdf (accessed 6 March 2024)

Cannon M Cat friendly handling. BVNA Congress Proceedings. 2018;

Understanding the cat. 2018. https//todaysveterinarynurse.com/behavior/understanding-the-cat/ (accessed 6 March 2024)

Clark C Dos and donts for reducing feline anxiety in the veterinary environment. Companion Animal. 2020; 9:(25)1-6 https://doi.org/10.12968/coan.2020.0030

Creswell J, Clark V Designing and conducting mixed methods research, 2nd edn. California: Sage Publication; 2011

Da Graça Pereira G, Fragoso S, Morais D Comparison of interpretation of cat's behavioral needs between veterinarians, veterinary nurses, and cat owners. J Vet Behav. 2014; 9:(6)324-328 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2014.08.006

Dawson L, Cheal J, Niel L, Mason G Humans can identify cats affective states from subtle facial expressions. Animal Welfare. 2019; 28:(4)519-531 https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.28.4.519

Dawson L, Dewey CE, Stone EA, Guerin MT, Niel L A survey of animal welfare experts and practicing veterinarians to identify and explore key factors thought to influence canine and feline welfare in relation to veterinary care. Universities Federation for Animal Welfare. 2016; 25:(1)125-134 https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.25.1.125

Dunne K, Brereton B, Bree R, Dallat J Integrating customised video clips into the veterinary nursing curriculum to enhance practical competency training and the development of student confidence. All Ireland Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. 2015; 7:(3)2581-2582

Dunne K, Brereton B, Duggan V Competence perceptions of veterinary nursing students and registered veterinary nurses in Ireland: a mixed methods explanatory study. Ir Vet J. 2020; 73 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13620-020-00162-2

Duijvestijn MBHM, Van der Wiel BMWK, Vinke CM Implementation of a blended learning module to teach handling, restraint, and physical examination of cats in undergraduate veterinary training. J Vet Med Educ. 2022; 49:(5)537-546 https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme-2020-0160

Fielberg E, Corridan C, Buckley L A cross sectional survey of UK veterinary practices to determine prevalence of patient stress-reducing and welfare-enhancing approaches believed to be undertaken in companion animal practices. J Vet Behav. 2020; 43:14-23

Goins M, Nicholson S, Hanlon A Veterinary professionals' understanding of common feline behavioural problems and the availability of “cat friendly” practices in Ireland. Animals (Basel). 2019; 9:(12) https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9121112

Gottlieb M, Chan TM, Zaver F, Ellaway R Confidence-competence alignment and the role of self-confidence in medical education: A conceptual review. Med Educ. 2022; 56:(1)37-47 https://doi.org/10.1111/medu.14592

Grimm P Social desirability bias.: Wiley International Encyclopedia of Marketing; 2010 https://doi.org/10.1002/9781444316568.wiem02057

Hill R Are professionals receiving sufficient training in ‘feline friendly’ techniques?. The Veterinary Nurse. 2023; 14:(4)180-185 https://doi.org/10.12968/vetn.2023.14.4.180

Kendall K Delivering feline friendly care, 1st edn. In: Ackerman L (ed). Chichester, UK: John Wiley and Sons; 2021

Little S Why focus on felines in your veterinary clinic. Veterinary Focus. 2016; 2:(26)40-45

Mariti C, Bowen JE, Campa S Guardians' perceptions of cats' welfare and behavior regarding visiting veterinary clinics. J Appl Anim Welf Sci. 2016; 19:(4)375-384 https://doi.org/10.1080/10888705.2016.1173548

Moody CM, Dewey CE, Niel L Cross-sectional survey of cat handling practices in veterinary clinics throughout Canada and the United States. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2020; 256:(9)1020-1033 https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.256.9.1020

Mossop LH, Cobb K Teaching and assessing veterinary professionalism. J Vet Med Educ. 2013; 40:(3)223-232 https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme.0113-016R

Nibblett B, Ketzis J, Grigg F Comparison of stress exhibited by cats examined in a clinic versus a home setting. Appl Anim Behav Sci. 2015; 173:68-75 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2014.10.005

Reeve J, Hibbert A Evaluation of the attitudes and confidence of veterinary undergraduates toward working with cats in the veterinary hospital environment. J Vet Med Educ. 2022; 49:(1)45-50 https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme-2020-0058

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. The 2019 Survey of the Veterinary Nurse Profession. 2019. http//www.rcvs.org.uk/news-and-views/publications/the-2019-survey-of-the-veterinary-nursing-profession/the-2019-survey-of-the-veterinary-nursing-profession-report-final.pdf (accessed 6 March 2024)

Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. Code of professional conduct for veterinary nurses. 2023b. https//rcvs.org.uk/m/code/?item=page-code-of-professional-conduct-for-veterinary-nurses#page (accessed 6 March 2024)

Rodan I, Sundahl E, Carney H AAFP and ISFM feline-friendly handling guidelines. J Feline Med Surg. 2011; 13:(5)364-375 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfms.2011.03.012

Schull DN, Morton JM, Coleman GT, Mills PC Veterinary students' perceptions of their day-one abilities before and after final-year clinical practice-based training. J Vet Med Educ. 2011; 38:(3)251-261 https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme.38.3.251

Sedgwick P What is recall bias?. BMJ. 2012; 344 https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.e3519

van Soest EM, Fritschi L Occupational health risks in veterinary nursing: an exploratory study. Aust Vet J. 2004; 82:(6)346-350 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2004.tb11101.x

Cross-sectional study of perceptions of competence and confidence in feline handling

02 March 2024
20 mins read
Volume 15 · Issue 2
Figure 1. Bar chart of 152 participants work experience with felines before training as a student veterinary nurse.
Figure 1. Bar chart of 152 participants work experience with felines before training as a student veterinary nurse.

Abstract

Background:

Cats may be difficult to manage in the clinical environment as a result of behavioural responses to fear and stress, which can be misinterpreted as aggression. Registered veterinary nurses require both attributes of competence and confidence when working with feline patients.

Methods:

152 registered veterinary nurses working in small animal practice were recruited to this cross-sectional mixed-methods online survey study.

Results:

The results show that perceptions of competence and confidence are high, and both attributes are linked. Perceived competence and confidence across different scenarios were scored, with both attributes positively correlating – this was significantly higher with participant enjoyment and when handling amenable cats. Scores for handling difficult cats were significantly impacted by participant age, qualification, time qualified, ownership and previous experience. However, sample bias cannot be discounted, and the sample size was small.

Conclusions:

Registered veterinary nurses should be supported to develop both competence and confidence over time, especially when working with challenging patients. Overcoming negative experiences may be important for improving feline care, and further training may be one way to support this.

Despite their popularity as a pet, cats are perceived to be notoriously difficult patients to manage (Biggle, 2016). As territorial creatures, they require a sense of control to feel safe and the clinical environment can be hyper-stimulating and stressful for these patients who are sensitive to sights, sounds and smells (Dawson et al, 2016; Mariti et al, 2016; Cannon, 2018). As a predatory species, felines are inclined to show fear and defensiveness in unfamiliar or uncomfortable environments (Rodan et al, 2011; Dawson et al, 2016); behaviour that can be misinterpreted by veterinary staff as a natural compulsion for aggression. As such, there has historically been a tendency to use rough handling or ‘scruffing’ to conduct necessary treatment procedures (Dawson et al, 2019); practices which can lead to patient stress, and frustration for staff (Reeve and Hibbert, 2022) Recognising and reducing stress in feline patients is imperative as fearful cats may be presented less frequently to vet practices by their owners (Mariti et al, 2016). Supporting the welfare of these patients by using handling and restraint practices that meet an individual's specific needs can help reduce or prevent negative experiences, thus creating more cat-friendly practices (Nibblett et al, 2015; Fielberg et al, 2020). Patient low-stress guidelines and standard operating procedures can also support veterinary professionals to work confidently and with patient welfare in mind (Moody et al, 2020; Kendall, 2021).

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting The Veterinary Nurse and reading some of our peer-reviewed content for veterinary professionals. To continue reading this article, please register today.