Hospitalisation of the feline patient

Author:

Andrea Harvey

Published:

October 21, 2020

The overall aim of hospitalisation is to keep the cat in a safe, clean and quiet environment conducive to recovery and where it can be handled with minimum stress to the cat or staff. As such, the design of the cat ward, ventilation, temperature and cage design need to accommodate these aspects.

Design of the cat ward

Having a dedicated feline-only hospitalisation ward really is an absolute essential for a cat-friendly clinic. The difference this makes to stress-levels and comfort for hospitalised cats is enormous. However, location, size and layout are also vital to the success of having a cat-only ward, along with consideration of the cage size and layout. If possible, the ward should be large enough to contain a set of electronic scales suitable for weighing cats to enable daily monitoring of in-patients without having to remove them from the ward.

Cat-only ward

Being above or next to barking dogs is not conducive to relaxation for a feline patient! A completely separate location for canine and feline patients is far preferable. The cat ward should therefore be physically separated from the dog ward with solid walls and should allow for complete closure for safety and security.

The ward should be calm and quiet and positioned away from noise (e.g. washing machines etc). It should have appropriate lighting, ventilation and temperature control for the feline patients housed. The noise of dogs, other cats, banging equipment or metal implements should be excluded from the cat ward as far as possible.

Location of the ward and visibility of cats

The ward should be in a location that is easily accessible and does not require the cat to be taken through busy noisy areas to get there. However, it needs to be near enough to other areas to ensure that the cats are frequently observed, and not forgotten about. Put cats as far away as possible from entrance doors, stainless steel sinks, telephones and other noisy, busy areas. Timid, frightened or very ill cats generally need quieter, but observation must still be straightforward. The careful use of glass panels in doors and partitions, or even having a glass wall, may greatly enhance the ability to observe cats easily without being intrusive.

Size of the ward, temperature and ventilation

The size of the ward is important, regardless of the number of cages within it. The room needs to be wide enough to get cats in and out of the cages without them having to be held directly in front of another patient. If the ward isn’t next to a procedures room, there may need to be space for a table where cats can be examined, again without having to be directly in front of the other hospitalised patients. There needs to be space for personnel to work and observe the cats without having to be right close up to the cage of a nervous cat.

Cages, cage design and size

There should be a sufficient number of cages in the ward (and of sufficient size) for the normal workload of the clinic. They should be constructed of a solid, impermeable material to facilitate cleaning and disinfection and should be escape-proof. The floor must be solid.

Stainless steel is commonly used but may conduct heat away from the cat, can be quite noisy, and reflections may stress some cats. White fibreglass cages give better comfort for cats, are quieter and warmer and, if finished well, are just as easy to clean.

The front of the cage must be easy to clean, allow good observation and prevent escape or injury. A toughened glass door allows very good visibility, reduces the risk of airborne infection spreading, and reduces the chances of the patient putting paws through the bars and opening the door or causing self-injury.

If a mesh front is used, consider the size of the mesh – if it is too small it may reduce visibility but if too large, small kittens may get their heads stuck. Cages with different size mesh may be needed.

Rubber or plastic stoppers on metal cage doors are very valuable to reduce noise when the doors are closed. The position and layout of the cages are important.

The position of the cages should avoid direct visual contact between patients and the risk of aerosol spread of infectious particles. Ideally, cages should not abut each other (e.g. at a 90° angle) and should not face each other. If cages do face each other (directly or at an angle) there should ideally be a minimum distance of 2m between the closest parts of the cages.

If space allows, having a mobile cage may allow flexibility in hospitalising some patients that may get too stressed in a general ward.

Ideally, the lowest cages should be at a safe height for personnel (about 90-100 cm above floor level) so the cat is fully visible and can be retrieved easily.

If there are two rows of cages, the lower level should be raised off the ground by at least 20cm. Cats prefer not to be at floor level.

Cages which are too high or too deep can also prevent good observation and pose a safety risk to personnel as it is more difficult (and more stressful) to retrieve the cat from the back of the cage.

Cages that are too high, too low or too deep are also difficult to clean properly.

Furnishing the cage

Hospitalised cats frequently feel vulnerable and stressed, often showing this by hiding in their litter trays or under bedding. Often small changes can make the hospitalisation cage much more acceptable.

Cats enjoy being in a high position and often prefer to lie on a perch within their cage. A shelf or perch within the cage can be very useful for cats hospitalised for more than 24 hours. Some cages have inbuilt shelves, which are excellent for long-stay patients, but even an upturned disposable cardboard box that the cat can sit inside or on top of will help, or if the cage is of sufficient size, it may help to put the cat’s carrier (open or with door off) in the cage so it can curl up either inside or sit on top.

Comfortable warm hygienic soft bedding should be used for all feline patients to provide a soft surface for the cat. Towels and blankets may be used, but absorb moisture and so must be changed quickly if they become soiled. Old newspapers are not enough!

Many cats like to hide when hospitalised – providing materials to enable them to feel secure and partially hidden without the need to hide under bedding is helpful. This can be provided in the form of a disposable cardboard box with one or more sides cut off, commercial ‘igloo-type’ beds, or sack-type beds.

If a towel is used for restraining the patient, it is useful for this to be kept within the cage so that it picks up the cat’s own scent.

Remember that using some bedding or clothing from the owner may help to reassure the cat with a familiar smell.

The cage should be large enough to accommodate a reasonably sized litter tray, and the clinic should have a range of cat litters available to accommodate individual cat preferences. Some cats prefer privacy and may prefer a covered tray or a tray inside a cardboard box turned on its side.

Maintaining body temperature may be crucial for some patients, and facilities should be available to do this. Under-floor heating in cages may be ideal, but heat pads with bedding on top (taking care not to burn cats which are unable to move) are also fine. Microwaveable snuggle beds and wheat bags are useful, but care should be taken that they are not too hot (causing burns). Hot water bottles are an alternative, but not as good – if left to cool they will take heat away from the cat.

Food, water bowls and litter trays should be placed as far apart as possible in the cage. Placing the litter tray in one corner, and the food/water bowls in diagonally opposite corners will help. If food and water can also be separated this is ideal.

Disposable or readily cleaned/disinfected toys should be made available in the cage for cats that are hospitalised for more than 24 hours and which enjoy playing (especially young cats and kittens).

Food and water bowls should be shallow (to avoid the cat’s whiskers brushing against the sides when eating/drinking), and should not be made of plastic (as this may become tainted with odours). Shallow ceramic dishes are ideal.

In some situations, where a cat is becoming stressed in the clinic, covering the front of the cage (or partially covering the front of the cage) with a towel or blanket may help reduce stress. If this is done, additional measures must be taken to ensure the cat is checked appropriately, and this is rarely (if ever) suitable for patients that require intensive monitoring.

Do you have a dedicated cat ward in your practice that has been designed to accommodate cat friendly principles?