Assessment of behavioural changes in domestic cats during short-term hospitalisation

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Authors

Zeiler, Gareth Edward
Fosgate, Geoffrey Theodore
Van Vollenhoven, Elize
Rioja-Garcia, Eva

Journal Title

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Publisher

Sage

Abstract

We evaluated behavioural changes in domestic cats during short-term hospitalisation using a novel cat demeanour scoring system. Thirty-five healthy, client-owned cats admitted for neutering were enrolled. Cats were housed in a standardised cat ward for a short-term hospitalisation period (3–5 days) and demeanour scores were recorded once daily. The scoring system classified cats into one of five behavioural groupings: friendly and confident, friendly and shy, withdrawn and protective, withdrawn and aggressive, and overtly aggressive. Total demeanour score decreased over time (P <0.001) and the demeanour category improved (P <0.001). The intra-class correlation was 0.843 (P <0.001) and kappa was 0.606 (P <0.001), suggesting good repeatability and agreement among investigators. The demeanour scoring system was effective in detecting a change in behaviour in healthy cats undergoing shortterm hospitalisation. The findings suggest that healthy cats require 2 days to acclimatise to hospitalisation.

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Keywords

Behavioural changes, Domestic cats, Hospitalization, Stress, Cat demeanour scoring system

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Citation

Zeiler, GE, Fosgate, GT, Van Vollenhoven, E & Rioja, E 2014, 'Assessment of behavioural changes in domestic cats during short-term hospitalisation', Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery, vol. 16, no. 6, pp. 499-503.