I have presented the idea of putting birth control into feral cat populations to some key players including the animal welfare coalition and animal welfare commission. I am not a proponent of hormones generally BUT - the alternative is killing cats every day at Animal Care and Control. Noone wants this to happen but if impound numbers are brought down there will be less over-crowding and more resources to go around-which also means less animals will have to be put to death because they are undersocialized. Birth control will obviously cause less kittens to be born. This is presented as a temporary idea until these animals can be brought to spay/neuter.
This was the response from one....
birth control is "not good for health concerns of cat and we will not put a cat's health at risk!!! HYPOCRISY!!!!!!!!!!
HYPOCRISY of this statement is amazing when you look at what is used for shelter animals and what is "safe for a cat's health"
Griseofulvin - a highly toxic liver damaging drug has been used for months on ringworm cats. It has been proven time and time again in vet world and human world that is potentially dangerous. Cats have died of hepatic failure from this drug. Ringworm is a fungus! Yet, we will risk a cat's life to use this drug to treat a simple fungus that is self-limiting!!!
I have 2 of the cats from a ringworm ward that were saved from imminent death by a local rescue and were treated with this drug for 3 to 5 months that is unheard of in medical communities due to its health risks!!
It is incredibly health concerning, toxic and could be potentially lethal. Yet, it is widely used!
As well, as steroids which is also rampantly used.
Steroids is PROVEN to cause, heart disease, kidney disease and diabetes yet is used rampantly in vet practices!!
I really believe that i presented my idea of birth control (which i have discussed for the last two decades trying to get someone to develop this) to people that they haven't thought of before and it's hard for people to accept things differently from what they are used to!
Yet we use everything from prosac to paxil on cats! Communities use birth control for pigeons and deer populations! Yet, not for breeding cats...yet, noone really wants to have to put animals to sleep for crowding.
To get euthanasia rates down we must get impound numbers down-it is a temporary solution until spay/neuter. Yet, for some reason it falls on deaf and resistant ears in San Francisco.
Why is that? Because people aren't ready for this and won't think outside of the box which I find shocking.
I don't have the resources to get this out or further develop this, but have presented this to many people hoping that a vet or scientist will take the idea and run with it. It amazes me how closed minded people are!
Now, in the past few years, some companies have developed a birth control and have made a 3month option but still san francisco won't give it credence and prefer to kill cats and argue with each other as opposed to get the impound numbers down!
I promote this as a temporary idea UNTIL spay/neuter can be done.
I help out a NY times website and help people internationally that couldn't even afford to take one cat from their colony to get spayed or neutered and for me the solution is get them birth control for their breeding colony of ferals during mating season, monitor it-feed during the day so wildlife doesn't eat.
This is the EASY solution to the argument of how do we protect wildlife from eating the birth control laden food?? FEED DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS! MONITOR FEEDING!!!
Raccoons and skunk and wildlife are generally nocturnal. Easy solution!!
For aggressive males- traditional vet practices used female hormones-so it has been used! Anyway, the reality is I am not one for hormones as my business is holistic-but when I weigh the odds-this is a fantastic temporary solution. This brings fighting in feral colonies among males down- which means less disease transmission...
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
"Shanti Zinzi- The Cat Whisperer" on Pirate Cat Radio 87.9FM 1/28/10 10 am
radio appearance interview- discussing holistic medicine for cats, cat handling, cat behavior, the cartesian paradigm of western veterinary medicine, animal rights and shelter cats and their stress...10am-12pm
Sunday, November 7, 2010
HSUS released info -one unspayed female and subsequent offspring can produce 420,000 cats in seven years!!!
shocking!! and even more shocking that some animal right advocates are against birth control as a temporary fix until animals can be spayed or neutered! It has even been reported that aggression among males in colonies have been decreased when they have eaten the hormone laden food..
If adding birth control to the food colonies should be fed during the day so wildlife can not get to it and animals should be monitored as best as possible while you are trying to trap for spay/neuter surgery.This should not be used as a permanent solution.
Yes, it has side effects and should not be used for long term but come on people open your minds!
How many women do you know that are using birth control? It is not a revolutionary topic! How are people trying to solve the overpopulation problem?? Has there been a huge decline in population since trap/spay/neuter has been employed?? How effective is it? Are there other methods to employ?
Ironically, I do not like hormones but i am thinking long term solutions for suffering shelter animals and think about the millions that are slaughtered!! Millions because there are not enough homes for these animals.
Not everyone can afford to fix a colony of 20 cats let alone trap them successfully. And many people in different parts of the US can't afford a reduced rate that some vets will offer.
What is now called FERALSTAT has been on the market over 20years and guess what vets have used female hormones as a fix for aggression in males for a couple of decades as well! This is NOT a new product.
The monopoly of ACCD is causing trouble for FeralStat because they are now producing their own birth control! Can we see financial motive? and in the meantime they are subjecting hundreds of cats to animal testing which is an absolute, unforgivable hypocrisy in veterinary medicine.
And I must add-diabetes was found to be a side effect in these animals tested- but what diet were they fed? Purina which is primarily corn-which has a huge glycemic index. How does a carnivore survive on sugar?-they don't- they develop diabetes. So I do not have the facts about how these animals were treated and fed. If we have SF SPCA with a fully staffed veterinarian dept feed shelter cats a lousy diet of Purina which is high in sugar - do i trust the financially motivated scientists invested in ACCD that are claiming birth control causes diabetes?- NO i dont, because they did not mention what those cats were fed. We all need to think and think deeply about all of the variables and parts of the equation.
And we all need to follow animals on their stay at shelters and really watch behavioral and health changes day to day. It is absolutely dismal. Basic requirements and needs are not met. Even at those revamped shelters that have nice little condos- there are hundreds of animals on a waiting list in a dismal area waiting for a space to open at many revamped shelters across the US. Some of them wait months in that state.
If adding birth control to the food colonies should be fed during the day so wildlife can not get to it and animals should be monitored as best as possible while you are trying to trap for spay/neuter surgery.This should not be used as a permanent solution.
Yes, it has side effects and should not be used for long term but come on people open your minds!
How many women do you know that are using birth control? It is not a revolutionary topic! How are people trying to solve the overpopulation problem?? Has there been a huge decline in population since trap/spay/neuter has been employed?? How effective is it? Are there other methods to employ?
Ironically, I do not like hormones but i am thinking long term solutions for suffering shelter animals and think about the millions that are slaughtered!! Millions because there are not enough homes for these animals.
Not everyone can afford to fix a colony of 20 cats let alone trap them successfully. And many people in different parts of the US can't afford a reduced rate that some vets will offer.
What is now called FERALSTAT has been on the market over 20years and guess what vets have used female hormones as a fix for aggression in males for a couple of decades as well! This is NOT a new product.
The monopoly of ACCD is causing trouble for FeralStat because they are now producing their own birth control! Can we see financial motive? and in the meantime they are subjecting hundreds of cats to animal testing which is an absolute, unforgivable hypocrisy in veterinary medicine.
And I must add-diabetes was found to be a side effect in these animals tested- but what diet were they fed? Purina which is primarily corn-which has a huge glycemic index. How does a carnivore survive on sugar?-they don't- they develop diabetes. So I do not have the facts about how these animals were treated and fed. If we have SF SPCA with a fully staffed veterinarian dept feed shelter cats a lousy diet of Purina which is high in sugar - do i trust the financially motivated scientists invested in ACCD that are claiming birth control causes diabetes?- NO i dont, because they did not mention what those cats were fed. We all need to think and think deeply about all of the variables and parts of the equation.
And we all need to follow animals on their stay at shelters and really watch behavioral and health changes day to day. It is absolutely dismal. Basic requirements and needs are not met. Even at those revamped shelters that have nice little condos- there are hundreds of animals on a waiting list in a dismal area waiting for a space to open at many revamped shelters across the US. Some of them wait months in that state.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
BIRTH CONTROL FOR CATS!
Why isn't more being done about this? Why isn't progesterone-laden foods being fed to strays and ferals?
Many animal advocates including myself, are exhausted and overwhelmed this time of year and constantly in crises mode with the infinite amount of felines (and all animals) surrendered or picked up as strays to face a very possible death sentence and the miseries of kenneling. Not to mention the very large canine and small animal population at municipal shelters being surrendered daily.
Trying to tend to socialization and health issues, save lives, get adoptions, fight for animal protection in the legal arena, it is never ending. We are advocating 24/7....
If i was more of a fundraiser, I would try to raise funds to get this out info out there and really promote it. But, instead i have the internet, email and word of mouth....
One day in SF there were 36 felines (that number does not include dogs and small animals) impounded in early August, the next day 27. This is insane.
Shelters are euthanizing for space in many counties.
Trap-spay-neuter of ferals is not enough .There is only so much that can be done in this area. If we could trap a 100 cats a day in SF that is one thing, but can we get them altered in a day in one city? And how about the next day?
Let's fight to get birth control into all commercial diets or add to food for feral colony keepers and really get the word out that this is an option. Perhaps, people aren't aware of this?
The people that are not altering their animals are feeding lousy junk diets. I personally think we should fight to get birth control added to brands like Fancy Feast, Whiskas, Purina, Friskies etc. Can we advocate for this?...
I haven't heard as much about it as i would have hoped over the years. In fact, most cat advocates i know don't even realize this is an option.
Some cities do put birth control in the pigeon feed by the way! Why not for feral or outdoor cats?
I keep trying to discuss and plant the idea with someone that will really do something about it and/or use it but I still don't hear that it is being used as much as it could.
Birth control has been on the market for animals for years by the way!
I am not one for hormones for animals BUT I am more against killing and more against extended kenneling and all the miseries created for animals at public and private shelters from overpopulation/overcrowding. Disease breaks out like wildfire when shelters are at capacity and animals are miserably confined. We don't have enough space or resources in any city to house all abandoned animals. Problems must be tended to at the root.
People want to see more no-kill shelters but what will we do when there is no space and more animals are impounded? Is there fair and adequate space to keep 600+ cats happy and healthy which is ACC's and SFSPCA's numbers on 8/20/10. Where will the money come from to pay all of the employees required to house 600 cats + dogs + small animal when the numbers triple?
I am 100% against killing by the way.
What happens when disease breaks out? An overpopulated community always becomes ravaged with disease. What about the ones that die because they have given up and just stop eating? What about the DREADFUL stress of long term kenneling? Are there enough volunteers to spend time with these animals daily? Is there enough space to exercise them?
I am always against killing but i dont think people are thoroughly thinking through the amount of animals and the amount of space at shelters and the amount of anxiety/suffering/loneliness and boredom animals at many shelters experience. (I am not talking sanctuaries).
We need to think about all possible solutions.
The earth shines less brightly every time a little sweet angel soul (picked up off the street or dumped by a callous owner) is killed. It devastates many of us. I have known so many wonderful animals that haven't made it.
Please get this out to all feral cat keepers and advocates. Until the animals can be trapped get birth control into their food. Humane Society has discussed a three month hormone treatment at a convention several years ago....
This CAN BRING NUMBERS DOWN AND SOLVE THE MUCH OF THE PROBLEM OF OVERPOPULATION!
We can't save/place as many lives as being born without entire cities becoming filled with hoarders...something to think about and pass on...
Many animal advocates including myself, are exhausted and overwhelmed this time of year and constantly in crises mode with the infinite amount of felines (and all animals) surrendered or picked up as strays to face a very possible death sentence and the miseries of kenneling. Not to mention the very large canine and small animal population at municipal shelters being surrendered daily.
Trying to tend to socialization and health issues, save lives, get adoptions, fight for animal protection in the legal arena, it is never ending. We are advocating 24/7....
If i was more of a fundraiser, I would try to raise funds to get this out info out there and really promote it. But, instead i have the internet, email and word of mouth....
One day in SF there were 36 felines (that number does not include dogs and small animals) impounded in early August, the next day 27. This is insane.
Shelters are euthanizing for space in many counties.
Trap-spay-neuter of ferals is not enough .There is only so much that can be done in this area. If we could trap a 100 cats a day in SF that is one thing, but can we get them altered in a day in one city? And how about the next day?
Let's fight to get birth control into all commercial diets or add to food for feral colony keepers and really get the word out that this is an option. Perhaps, people aren't aware of this?
The people that are not altering their animals are feeding lousy junk diets. I personally think we should fight to get birth control added to brands like Fancy Feast, Whiskas, Purina, Friskies etc. Can we advocate for this?...
I haven't heard as much about it as i would have hoped over the years. In fact, most cat advocates i know don't even realize this is an option.
Some cities do put birth control in the pigeon feed by the way! Why not for feral or outdoor cats?
I keep trying to discuss and plant the idea with someone that will really do something about it and/or use it but I still don't hear that it is being used as much as it could.
Birth control has been on the market for animals for years by the way!
I am not one for hormones for animals BUT I am more against killing and more against extended kenneling and all the miseries created for animals at public and private shelters from overpopulation/overcrowding. Disease breaks out like wildfire when shelters are at capacity and animals are miserably confined. We don't have enough space or resources in any city to house all abandoned animals. Problems must be tended to at the root.
People want to see more no-kill shelters but what will we do when there is no space and more animals are impounded? Is there fair and adequate space to keep 600+ cats happy and healthy which is ACC's and SFSPCA's numbers on 8/20/10. Where will the money come from to pay all of the employees required to house 600 cats + dogs + small animal when the numbers triple?
I am 100% against killing by the way.
What happens when disease breaks out? An overpopulated community always becomes ravaged with disease. What about the ones that die because they have given up and just stop eating? What about the DREADFUL stress of long term kenneling? Are there enough volunteers to spend time with these animals daily? Is there enough space to exercise them?
I am always against killing but i dont think people are thoroughly thinking through the amount of animals and the amount of space at shelters and the amount of anxiety/suffering/loneliness and boredom animals at many shelters experience. (I am not talking sanctuaries).
We need to think about all possible solutions.
The earth shines less brightly every time a little sweet angel soul (picked up off the street or dumped by a callous owner) is killed. It devastates many of us. I have known so many wonderful animals that haven't made it.
Please get this out to all feral cat keepers and advocates. Until the animals can be trapped get birth control into their food. Humane Society has discussed a three month hormone treatment at a convention several years ago....
This CAN BRING NUMBERS DOWN AND SOLVE THE MUCH OF THE PROBLEM OF OVERPOPULATION!
We can't save/place as many lives as being born without entire cities becoming filled with hoarders...something to think about and pass on...
Pittie Pups Slated for Death for Genetics
delayed posting...
On Wednesday, I found the cutest, little, isolated runt pittie pup crying inconsolably for his mama, and some warm body to snuggle up against. My heart sank, when I inquired as to his his impound story. This little guy wasn't getting enough nutrients and was separated from his mom and siblings to make sure he was eating. Appearing in size to be about 1month old, his little body needs to catch up to his age of 8weeks.
On Friday, I found another littermate in his cage as they wrapped their thin, but chunky little bodies into puppy knots.
I hand fed them as they shyly kissed my hand and calmly snuggled up with an innocence too gentle for this cruel world. I snapped a picture as to remember them as I knew the next time i went to the shelter to volunteer, their bodies would be locked inside a refrigerator with a mass of heaped carcasses in a steal drum awaiting transport.
1am Friday night, I was summoned as a Bacchanalian cohort to tend bar at Skylark at the insanely debaucherous, party central of San Francisco, - the Mission District. The often unsavory Mission has the most diverse crowd of people- from the hollowed, hungry ghosts of the crack pipe, to trannies turning tricks at Esta Noche, to the yuppie annoying blondes of Marina District to the Norteno and Soreno gangsters packing a shit load of attitude and concealed weapons of which Mission streets are often caught in the crossfire. Out of curiosity and not knowing what the rescues thought of this pups, i impulsively, texted Pali of Rocket Dog Rescue to found out if she knew about these little ones. (Unbeknownst to me that this was not intended to be public information and completely unaware what upheaval would ensue. oops.... The powers that be did not want information on these pups leaking out to rescues as they were slated for euthanasia and it was a unanimous decision amongst the employees.
Pali is tireless in her efforts to save dogs, I didnt want to overwhelm her with eight more dogs, as she has saved hundreds if not thousands of canines, but those little chunks were tugging at my heart strings all day.
Thank you Pali and Lena!! from Rocket Dog Rescue www.rocketdogrescue.org
These adorable pups mom and dad were "deemed vicious and dangerous in San Mateo County" which basically signs their death slip at any municipal shelter.
And due to what is seen as genetic transference of aggressive traits eight little babes were going to doggie heaven with their parents.
I was told Lena went marching in to the shelter to find out about these babes early sat morning and although a whole host of bureaucratic hogwash will ensue, these two of which there are also six more will live to see another day! I hope the passing of their mom and dad will be peaceful and i am sorry I couldnt save them.
Rocket Dog Rescue contacted Lana from www.GiveMeShelterSF.org a bay area cat rescue that has saved thousands of SPCA discards, ah, hem, i mean "declines." Thanks to these three, Lana, Lena and Pali for your hearts and tireless dedication...Give Me Shelter has already found placements for the little guys and girls.
Rocket Dog Rescue contacted Lana from www.GiveMeShelterSF.org a bay area cat rescue that has saved thousands of SPCA discards, ah, hem, i mean "declines." Thanks to these three, Lana, Lena and Pali for your hearts and tireless dedication...Give Me Shelter has already found placements for the little guys and girls.
On Wednesday, I found the cutest, little, isolated runt pittie pup crying inconsolably for his mama, and some warm body to snuggle up against. My heart sank, when I inquired as to his his impound story. This little guy wasn't getting enough nutrients and was separated from his mom and siblings to make sure he was eating. Appearing in size to be about 1month old, his little body needs to catch up to his age of 8weeks.
On Friday, I found another littermate in his cage as they wrapped their thin, but chunky little bodies into puppy knots.
I hand fed them as they shyly kissed my hand and calmly snuggled up with an innocence too gentle for this cruel world. I snapped a picture as to remember them as I knew the next time i went to the shelter to volunteer, their bodies would be locked inside a refrigerator with a mass of heaped carcasses in a steal drum awaiting transport.
1am Friday night, I was summoned as a Bacchanalian cohort to tend bar at Skylark at the insanely debaucherous, party central of San Francisco, - the Mission District. The often unsavory Mission has the most diverse crowd of people- from the hollowed, hungry ghosts of the crack pipe, to trannies turning tricks at Esta Noche, to the yuppie annoying blondes of Marina District to the Norteno and Soreno gangsters packing a shit load of attitude and concealed weapons of which Mission streets are often caught in the crossfire. Out of curiosity and not knowing what the rescues thought of this pups, i impulsively, texted Pali of Rocket Dog Rescue to found out if she knew about these little ones. (Unbeknowst to me that this was not intended to be public information and completely unaware what upheaval would ensue. oops.... The powers that be did not want information on these pups leaking out to rescues as they were slated for euthanasia and it was a unanimous decision amongst the employees.
Pali is tireless in her efforts to save dogs, I didn't want to overwhelm her with eight more dogs, as she has saved hundreds if not thousands of canines, but those little chunks were tugging at my heart strings all day.
Thank you Pali and Lena!! from Rocket Dog Rescue www.rocketdogrescue.org
These adorable pups mom and dad were "deemed vicious and dangerous in San Mateo County" which basically signs their death slip at any municipal shelter.
And due to what is seen as genetic transference of aggressive traits eight little babes were going to doggie heaven with their parents.
I was told Lena went marching in to the shelter to find out about these babes early sat morning and although a whole host of bureaucratic hogwash will ensue, these two of which there are also six more will live to see another day! I hope the passing of their mom and dad will be peaceful and i am sorry I couldnt save them.
Rocket Dog Rescue contacted Lana from www.GiveMeShelterSF.org a bay area cat rescue that has saved thousands of SPCA discards, ah, hem, i mean "declines." Thanks to these three, Lana, Lena and Pali for your hearts and tireless dedication...Give Me Shelter has already found placements for the little guys and girls.
Rocket Dog Rescue contacted Lana from www.GiveMeShelterSF.org a bay area cat rescue that has saved thousands of SPCA discards, ah, hem, i mean "declines." Thanks to these three, Lana, Lena and Pali for your hearts and tireless dedication...Give Me Shelter has already found placements for the little guys and girls.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
No More Scruffing! No more forcing! and the result of constant vet visits..
Scruffing a kitten is something a queen does when a cat is a few ounces. When an animal weighs several pounds you will be ripping muscle from flesh and it is EXTRAORDINARILY uncomfortable and painful for a cat.
Whomever tells you otherwise is clueless. If an animal is fractious or needs a blood draw at the vet's office then scruffing is required. If a cat shows potential aggression when being transported at a vet's office or shelter and then scruffing is often required but the FULL WEIGHT OF THE ANIMAL MUST BE SUPPORTED AT ALL TIMES WITH OPPOSITE HAND.
I have watched cat's be carried through shelter hallways just from scruff and it is barbaric.
This is from the old school that is from the Cartesian model. Get rid of cruelty and develop positive associations for your cat.
We all need to have an education in the psychobiology of Post Traumatic Stress. Animals often experience ptsd at vet visits and during restraint. In laymen's terms what constitutes what becomes a traumatic experience is the flight or fight response was never completed and gets locked into the body and neurology of the individual as a "freezing". In one of my graduate programs, i did special studies in somatic responses and how to retrain ptsd. An animal that is restrained, held against their will and stabbed with a needled can lead to ptsd. There are at times multiple attempts as some animals struggle to get free. Body bags, muzzles, leather face masks are used to protect the humans and at times several people are needed to restrain. It may not be intention of abuse but the animal processes it this way. Think if you were held down against your will by several people, tied up and restrained? what would your autonomic responses be?
We need to understand once the animal has been traumatized once, the amygdala literally gets hijacked by a flood of stress and neurological responses by any thing that could possibly remind him/her of the earlier trauma. It is conditioned responses to specific stimuli. I have witness cats get very upset by touching their neck, i look deeper into their history and records and often ask an owner to show me how they are medicating -and i often see the dreaded scruff. I also see "caution" on their vet records-this means kitty is having a horrendous time and fighting back.
There are autonomic and hyperarousal responses. This isn't something that happens to all animals but i have seen animals that have had repeated vet visits requiring restraining, blood draw, bladder aspirate, anal gland expression often suffer from this. It is further evidenced in labs by an incredibly high glucose. I knew of clients that took their cats and dogs several times monthly for different things which is just pure neurosis and not caring as the owner believes. High glucose can indicate diabetes but if the glucose can also be a sign of stress, severe stress. To further investigate values - a fructosamine can be evaluated.
Stop rushing your cat to the vet every opportunity you have. Consider a home visit. Your animal often hates office visits. They are violated and restrained. There are necessary visits but rushing your cat to a vet for a runny eye that is chronic and viral is abusive, neurotic and ridiculous.
There is such a thing as medical abuse and it is not in the public consciousness to acknowledge this. Due to Hippocratic oath we trust doctors. However, can we trust their callous training of desensitization? But the medical paradigm is comparable to as much empathy as the Nazis. Hypocrite is a word to describe medical paradigm's Hippocratic oath.
The toughest clients I have and the most fractious animals that can do some severe damage are the ones constantly handled at the vet's office. The poor cats are in a state of utter terror just from being picked up.
They immediately associate holding or a touch to the neck with the many negative experiences they have had at vet's office. They might immediately urinate from fear and anxiety.Many uneducated people think this is the cat being angry. But, no when an animal or person pisses their pants or poops their pants it is due to sheer terror! We all make associations in our minds, due to past experience- all mammals have memory consciousness. It's called body memory and association and learned response. Unfortunately, trauma is a learned resonse that gets repeated from the slightest stimuli that can be reminiscent of the earlier original trauma. The body responds the same, emotional and psychological responses are the same. This isn't just hypothesis - this is neurology, the body, the brain, which equals the experience
...
There are ways to lovingly medicate a cat in need that consists of sitting on floor and having her between legs so that if she backs up she backs up into you. You have to make her feel safe and calm always. You must always be master of your own energy field and know where your pressure/strength of every part of your body is at all times. You must be in control of this and all areas of your body and emotions. If you are stressed your palms will sweat, your heart accelerate and your grip will be rougher and more painful making it all the more tortuous for your cat. Tension in your body = tension and fear for you cat.
If some person or animal touches you lovingly do you relax?
If someone touches you with stern, stressed fingertips and grip how do you respond?
If you ever would have to give your kitty meds and she runs off and keeps associating it negatively, then coaching of scruffing a cat to restrain will get you nowhere.
The old school is callous to the animals.
The more uncomfortable kitty becomes, the more she will resist.
You have to associate it with positive things like affection and love. You have to feel and be conscious of how much pressure your hands are applying because hand and finger grips often cause pain. If you meditate you can carry that state with you of a calm peaceful energy that would be best for giving kitty if your kitty is in need of sub-q fluids, meds or assist feeding. No forcing!
If your cat is already resistant, you would need series of sessions to desensitize her resistance to build trust about touch again before you would be able to do it. So it wouldn't be easy on the first few tries, as making a cat unsure and skittish and scared to human touch must be reprogrammed. It would be many handling sessions of building trust always with a positive association.
At a vet hospital we must remember the treatment room has anxiety pheromones, odors of fear , smells of fearfully emitted urine and feces, barking and panting dogs, highly upset cats hissing and growling. Not a good environment! Cats respond to this and this all becomes part of the association of being restrained which consists of scruffing/restraining.being forced/held against their will. Again, for medical such as bladder aspirates and blood draws this is necessary but not at home when you medicate your cat or handle your feline.
As anyone who has worked with multiple animals know, they witness and observe, if they see an animal in distress another animal will immediately fear you if they are not familiar with you. If they see another animal being treated with kindness and the animal responding with body language of pleasure then the observing animal's trust will be offered much more readily. Imagine how the observing animals in the treatment room of the vet hospital watching other animals go through this.
Our medical system is often based on a very hardcore paradigm that does not take the patient's feelings, experiences or sensations or psychological wellbeing into account. It's about fast effectiveness. I am commenting on handling skills and so called "effectiveness" that needs to be updated with self awareness and consciousness of the biofeedback loop of the handler. So when you read literature on how to scruff to medicate find a more humane article or coach who is trained in handling and is savvy in cat behavior!
The Western medical paradigm treats pathology and is not in the business of wellness and optimal health. I believe in making it easiest for the cat and for the adoring owner to enhance the relationship.
I have seen cats be ok with an owner scruffing and forcing pills down their throat in a ridiculous manner but heaven forbid someone else like a petsitter need to do this for a feline that needs meds!
If this cat ever makes it to an animal shelter such as aspca or or animal care and control it will be put down due to not being able to be handled for veterinarian treatment.
Each cat is unique and likes different types of handling, be an investigator and figure out the key to earning your cat's trust. some have been under handled or as we say under-socialized but there are other options for animals and there are ways of training to trust even if it is just from family members. I have an undersocialized cat that was in a shelter for five months. He came to the shelter at 2.5 months undersocialized. After two months at my house, he started following me around and loved to play fetch with rubber bands. The secret to his cuddling sessions for this cat that was barely handled affectionately or picked up (but forced itrafungol down his throat daily) and scared of humans when at the shelter will cuddle with me if i hold the rubber band in my hand. I have done this many times, several times a week always making it fun for him. He was extremely affectionate with the rubberband in my lap. We do this often to remind him and it is a process unfolding but he has now realized that it is actually pleasurable and will seek me out to sit next to me for love sessions. There is a map to follow but a lot must be individualized with animals, just like people.
Tips for pilling cats:
Use butter, put in a pill pocket treat, follow pill with 1cc of liquid so as not to cause strictures in the throat, find a compounded flavored treat option offered from a pet pharmacy or figure out if there is a form of the meds that can be palatable with food. Medications like tapazole have a skin absorption option. It is called transdermal and is applied to the inner ear flap. It is so easy! Much better than pilling a kitty twice a day for years! Make it easy for you and your cat in the long run!
Whomever tells you otherwise is clueless. If an animal is fractious or needs a blood draw at the vet's office then scruffing is required. If a cat shows potential aggression when being transported at a vet's office or shelter and then scruffing is often required but the FULL WEIGHT OF THE ANIMAL MUST BE SUPPORTED AT ALL TIMES WITH OPPOSITE HAND.
I have watched cat's be carried through shelter hallways just from scruff and it is barbaric.
This is from the old school that is from the Cartesian model. Get rid of cruelty and develop positive associations for your cat.
We all need to have an education in the psychobiology of Post Traumatic Stress. Animals often experience ptsd at vet visits and during restraint. In laymen's terms what constitutes what becomes a traumatic experience is the flight or fight response was never completed and gets locked into the body and neurology of the individual as a "freezing". In one of my graduate programs, i did special studies in somatic responses and how to retrain ptsd. An animal that is restrained, held against their will and stabbed with a needled can lead to ptsd. There are at times multiple attempts as some animals struggle to get free. Body bags, muzzles, leather face masks are used to protect the humans and at times several people are needed to restrain. It may not be intention of abuse but the animal processes it this way. Think if you were held down against your will by several people, tied up and restrained? what would your autonomic responses be?
We need to understand once the animal has been traumatized once, the amygdala literally gets hijacked by a flood of stress and neurological responses by any thing that could possibly remind him/her of the earlier trauma. It is conditioned responses to specific stimuli. I have witness cats get very upset by touching their neck, i look deeper into their history and records and often ask an owner to show me how they are medicating -and i often see the dreaded scruff. I also see "caution" on their vet records-this means kitty is having a horrendous time and fighting back.
There are autonomic and hyperarousal responses. This isn't something that happens to all animals but i have seen animals that have had repeated vet visits requiring restraining, blood draw, bladder aspirate, anal gland expression often suffer from this. It is further evidenced in labs by an incredibly high glucose. I knew of clients that took their cats and dogs several times monthly for different things which is just pure neurosis and not caring as the owner believes. High glucose can indicate diabetes but if the glucose can also be a sign of stress, severe stress. To further investigate values - a fructosamine can be evaluated.
Stop rushing your cat to the vet every opportunity you have. Consider a home visit. Your animal often hates office visits. They are violated and restrained. There are necessary visits but rushing your cat to a vet for a runny eye that is chronic and viral is abusive, neurotic and ridiculous.
There is such a thing as medical abuse and it is not in the public consciousness to acknowledge this. Due to Hippocratic oath we trust doctors. However, can we trust their callous training of desensitization? But the medical paradigm is comparable to as much empathy as the Nazis. Hypocrite is a word to describe medical paradigm's Hippocratic oath.
The toughest clients I have and the most fractious animals that can do some severe damage are the ones constantly handled at the vet's office. The poor cats are in a state of utter terror just from being picked up.
They immediately associate holding or a touch to the neck with the many negative experiences they have had at vet's office. They might immediately urinate from fear and anxiety.Many uneducated people think this is the cat being angry. But, no when an animal or person pisses their pants or poops their pants it is due to sheer terror! We all make associations in our minds, due to past experience- all mammals have memory consciousness. It's called body memory and association and learned response. Unfortunately, trauma is a learned resonse that gets repeated from the slightest stimuli that can be reminiscent of the earlier original trauma. The body responds the same, emotional and psychological responses are the same. This isn't just hypothesis - this is neurology, the body, the brain, which equals the experience
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There are ways to lovingly medicate a cat in need that consists of sitting on floor and having her between legs so that if she backs up she backs up into you. You have to make her feel safe and calm always. You must always be master of your own energy field and know where your pressure/strength of every part of your body is at all times. You must be in control of this and all areas of your body and emotions. If you are stressed your palms will sweat, your heart accelerate and your grip will be rougher and more painful making it all the more tortuous for your cat. Tension in your body = tension and fear for you cat.
If some person or animal touches you lovingly do you relax?
If someone touches you with stern, stressed fingertips and grip how do you respond?
If you ever would have to give your kitty meds and she runs off and keeps associating it negatively, then coaching of scruffing a cat to restrain will get you nowhere.
The old school is callous to the animals.
The more uncomfortable kitty becomes, the more she will resist.
You have to associate it with positive things like affection and love. You have to feel and be conscious of how much pressure your hands are applying because hand and finger grips often cause pain. If you meditate you can carry that state with you of a calm peaceful energy that would be best for giving kitty if your kitty is in need of sub-q fluids, meds or assist feeding. No forcing!
If your cat is already resistant, you would need series of sessions to desensitize her resistance to build trust about touch again before you would be able to do it. So it wouldn't be easy on the first few tries, as making a cat unsure and skittish and scared to human touch must be reprogrammed. It would be many handling sessions of building trust always with a positive association.
At a vet hospital we must remember the treatment room has anxiety pheromones, odors of fear , smells of fearfully emitted urine and feces, barking and panting dogs, highly upset cats hissing and growling. Not a good environment! Cats respond to this and this all becomes part of the association of being restrained which consists of scruffing/restraining.being forced/held against their will. Again, for medical such as bladder aspirates and blood draws this is necessary but not at home when you medicate your cat or handle your feline.
As anyone who has worked with multiple animals know, they witness and observe, if they see an animal in distress another animal will immediately fear you if they are not familiar with you. If they see another animal being treated with kindness and the animal responding with body language of pleasure then the observing animal's trust will be offered much more readily. Imagine how the observing animals in the treatment room of the vet hospital watching other animals go through this.
Our medical system is often based on a very hardcore paradigm that does not take the patient's feelings, experiences or sensations or psychological wellbeing into account. It's about fast effectiveness. I am commenting on handling skills and so called "effectiveness" that needs to be updated with self awareness and consciousness of the biofeedback loop of the handler. So when you read literature on how to scruff to medicate find a more humane article or coach who is trained in handling and is savvy in cat behavior!
The Western medical paradigm treats pathology and is not in the business of wellness and optimal health. I believe in making it easiest for the cat and for the adoring owner to enhance the relationship.
I have seen cats be ok with an owner scruffing and forcing pills down their throat in a ridiculous manner but heaven forbid someone else like a petsitter need to do this for a feline that needs meds!
If this cat ever makes it to an animal shelter such as aspca or or animal care and control it will be put down due to not being able to be handled for veterinarian treatment.
Each cat is unique and likes different types of handling, be an investigator and figure out the key to earning your cat's trust. some have been under handled or as we say under-socialized but there are other options for animals and there are ways of training to trust even if it is just from family members. I have an undersocialized cat that was in a shelter for five months. He came to the shelter at 2.5 months undersocialized. After two months at my house, he started following me around and loved to play fetch with rubber bands. The secret to his cuddling sessions for this cat that was barely handled affectionately or picked up (but forced itrafungol down his throat daily) and scared of humans when at the shelter will cuddle with me if i hold the rubber band in my hand. I have done this many times, several times a week always making it fun for him. He was extremely affectionate with the rubberband in my lap. We do this often to remind him and it is a process unfolding but he has now realized that it is actually pleasurable and will seek me out to sit next to me for love sessions. There is a map to follow but a lot must be individualized with animals, just like people.
Tips for pilling cats:
Use butter, put in a pill pocket treat, follow pill with 1cc of liquid so as not to cause strictures in the throat, find a compounded flavored treat option offered from a pet pharmacy or figure out if there is a form of the meds that can be palatable with food. Medications like tapazole have a skin absorption option. It is called transdermal and is applied to the inner ear flap. It is so easy! Much better than pilling a kitty twice a day for years! Make it easy for you and your cat in the long run!
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