Common feline problem behaviors: Destructive scratching

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 235-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa L DePorter ◽  
Ashley L Elzerman
Keyword(s):  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Practical Relevance ◽  
Preventive Strategies ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Personal Experiences

Practical relevance: While scratching is a normal, beneficial behavior for cats, it can create problems when cats scratch objects owners deem as inappropriate. However, if veterinarians make suitable recommendations from the first veterinary visit, owners will be able to implement effective preventive strategies to develop good scratching patterns for life. Educating owners as to why cats scratch, how to guide cats to scratch only on desirable surfaces (ie, a scratching post), which types of scratching posts are preferred by most cats, the benefits of pheromone products, as well as other strategies to avoid destructive scratching, helps to preserve the cat–owner bond and reduces the risk of relinquishment. Clinical challenges: Clients may not directly ask veterinarians for their assistance regarding their cat’s destructive scratching, and may not be aware that anything can be done except for declawing their cat. Evidence base: Published studies on scratching are limited. Destructive scratching has been documented as a reason for the relinquishment of cats to shelters and the negative effects of declaw surgeries are being increasingly discovered. Among recent scientific publications are studies assessing kitten and cat preferences for scratching substrates, and the use of pheromones to encourage appropriate scratching behavior. This review draws on these studies, among other resources, as well as the authors’ personal experiences.

Common feline problem behaviors: Aggression in multi-cat households

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Ramos
Keyword(s):  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Practical Relevance ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Clinical Behavior ◽  
The People ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
The Individual ◽  
And Behavior

Practical relevance: Being able to understand and intervene in cases of cat–cat aggression in multi-cat households is important for all veterinarians and behavior counsellors dealing with feline behavior cases. Clincal challenges: Feline conflicts are common, perhaps not helped by many owners’ assumption that this is the norm. Interventions can be complex in multi-cat households with large numbers of cats as there are more interactions to evaluate and monitor, and care needs to be taken not to negatively affect the other cats. There may be limitations due to the environment or the people involved and so behavior guidelines should always be tailored to the individual situation. Aims: This article reviews the main forms of aggression in multi-cat households and the appropriate behavioral interventions, considering both the typical scenarios and emotions/motivations most likely involved. It details essential environmental management for multi-cat homes, as well as an approach to friendly cat introductions. Audience: This article is aimed at veterinarians dealing with feline behavior cases as well as behavior counsellors, as both professionals are likely to experience cases of aggression in multi-cat households. Evidence base: The author draws on the published literature where available and, where there is a lack of research, on hypotheses derived from her own clinical behavior experience.

Hair Balls in Cats

2012 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 21-29 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha Cannon
Keyword(s):  
Evidence Base ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Practical Relevance ◽  
Preventive Strategies ◽  
Domestic Cats ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
The Public ◽  
Pruritic Skin ◽  
Predisposing Causes

Practical relevance: Vomiting of hair balls is a common problem in domestic cats, to the extent that it is considered by many owners and veterinarians to be a normal feline behaviour. Whether this is ever the case remains unclear but in most shorthaired cats the frequent elimination of hair balls is an indicator of an underlying chronic disease that is causing increased ingestion of fur or altered gastrointestinal motility. Pruritic skin disease, flea infestation and/or an underlying dietary intolerance are common contributing factors that should not be overlooked. Evidence base: Studies concerning this common problem are lacking and there are no previously published data regarding the incidence of hair balls in pet cats or potential predisposing causes. Although a range of commercial hair ball control diets are available there is no objective information in the public domain regarding their efficacy. Similarly, no studies have evaluated the success of other commonly recommended preventive strategies. Clinical challenges: Despite the lack of evidence-based information, veterinarians are faced with the day-to-day challenge of helping owners to limit the extent to which their cats produce hair balls. The problem is at best an unpleasant nuisance for both cat and owner, and at worst may be a cause of significant morbidity and even, in rare cases, mortality.

The Impact of War on Population Health

2014 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Turkan Ahmet
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Status ◽  
Health Care Services ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
The Past ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Physical Environments ◽  
The Social ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
The Impact

The past few decades of ongoing war in Iraq has had a dramatic impact on the health of Iraq’s population. Wars are known to have negative effects on the social and physical environments of individuals, as well as limit their access to the available health care services. This paper explores the personal experiences of my family members, who were exposed to war, as well as includes information that has been reviewed form many academic sources. The data aided in providing recommendations and developing strategies, on both local and international levels, to improve the health status of the populations exposed to war.

Traumatic abdominal wall rupture in cats: Decision-making and recommended repair techniques

2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-240
Author(s):  
Julie M Hennet ◽  
John Williams
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Patient Care ◽  
Abdominal Wall ◽  
Postoperative Morbidity ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Practical Relevance ◽  
Postoperative Patient ◽  
Surgical Equipment ◽  
Serious Injury ◽  
Repair Techniques

Practical relevance: Traumatic abdominal wall rupture is a potentially serious injury in cats. Feline and general practitioners should be up to date with the significance of these injuries and the procedures required to correct them. Clinical challenges: It is essential that the surgeon understands the local anatomy and adheres to Halsted’s principles in order that postoperative morbidity and mortality are kept to a minimum. Equipment: Standard general surgical equipment is required together with the facilities to provide adequate pre-, intra- and postoperative patient care. Evidence base: The authors have drawn on evidence from the published literature, as well as their own clinical experience, in developing this review aimed all veterinarians who want to update their skills in managing feline abdominal wall trauma.

scholarly journals Feasibility and Acceptability of an mHealth Delivered Mindfulness Therapy for Caregivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 316-316
Author(s):  
Elissa Kozlov ◽  
XinQi Dong
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Behavioral Interventions ◽  
Pilot Trial ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Proven Efficacy ◽  
Managing Stress ◽  
With Memory ◽  
Mindfulness Therapy

Abstract Decades of research have documented the profound, negative effects of caregiving on unpaid caregivers. Mindfulness Therapy (MT) is a promising, non-pharmacological technique with proven efficacy and effectiveness in managing stress, depression and anxiety in diverse populations. While the evidence-base for MT in caregiving is growing, traditional MT (8+ hours of face-to-face treatment with trained providers) is likely not a realistic treatment model for most caregivers due to lack of trained personnel, time constraints of the caregiver, and reimbursement issues. Therefore, in order to meet the unique needs of caregivers of older adults with cognitive impairment, an innovative delivery model is required. MHealth can be a useful tool to deliver behavioral interventions, as it overcomes barriers of traditional psychotherapy such as provider availability, scheduling conflicts, and cost. The objective of this paper is to report the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a pilot trial of mHealth delivered MT for stress and caregiver burden in caregivers of persons with dementia. The average age of participant was 63.2 years old. After two weeks, 93% of participants reported using the mindfulness app for an average of 48.38 minutes per week. At eight weeks, 88% of users reported using the mindfulness app for an average of 35 minutes per week. At 8 weeks, 100% of users reported practicing mindfulness without using the app for an average of 45.6 minutes per week. MHealth mindfulness therapy appears to be a feasible method of delivering mindfulness to caregivers of older adults with memory impairment.

scholarly journals The teacher under stress

2003 ◽  
pp. 222-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stevan Krnjajic
Keyword(s):  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Work Experience ◽  
Direct Action ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Wrong Decision ◽  
Her Family ◽  
Teacher Personality ◽  
Teacher Professional ◽  
Effects Of Stress

Empirical records consistently point to the fact that the phenomenon of stress is characteristic of service professions, especially of teacher?s. Although stress in teachers is a problem of public interest, it is still a relatively new field of empirical investigations. Data available show that stress in teachers can have negative effects on school as an organization teacher professional achievement, his/her and his/her family psychosocial status. The most frequent symptoms of a prolonged professional stress are anxiety, depression, frustration, unfriendly behavior towards students and colleagues, emotional weariness, and extreme tension. Health and psychological problems cause, most frequently, the reduction of self-esteem job dissatisfaction, job resignation, absenteeism, and wrong decision-making. In an attempt to call professional public attention to negative effects of stress on the outcomes of teacher work, we have analyzed four important aspects of stress teachers experience in their everyday work (a) definition and measurement of stress, (b) distribution and sources of stress (problem behaviors in students, poor working conditions, lack of time, poor school ethos), (c) teacher personality traits (sex, age, work experience, locus of control, job satisfaction, intention to resign absenteeism), (d) strategies for overcoming and reducing negative effects of stress (direct action techniques, palliative techniques).

Common feline problem behaviors: Urine spraying

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 209-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Debra F Horwitz
Keyword(s):  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Scent Marking ◽  
Standing Position ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Correct Identification ◽  
Medical Problems ◽  
Urine Marking ◽  
Resultant Increase ◽  
Relationship Of

Practical relevance: Urine spraying (synonymous terms include urine marking or scent marking) is commonly described as urine deposited on vertical surfaces while the cat is in a standing position. With the increasing trend of keeping cats indoors in some countries and the potential resultant increase in frustration-related behaviors, urine spraying may occur in the home. Although also a normal feline behavior, it is usually not deemed acceptable when the cat targets household possessions. Urine spraying is a common behavioral complaint that practitioners receive from cat owners and has the potential to disrupt the human–cat bond. In fact, feline elimination issues are a frequent reason cited by owners when they relinquish their cats to shelters and rescue organizations. Clinical challenges: While the location of the deposited urine should be diagnostic, this is not always the case. Urine marking can occur on horizontal surfaces, thus complicating the diagnosis. Urine spraying by intact males and females is used to signal availability for mating but the behaviour can also be exhibited by neutered animals. Multiple factors including medical problems can trigger the onset and maintenance of urine spraying, and correct identification of these is necessary for treatment to be most successful. Evidence base: This review draws on information from multiple studies that have been published on the normal aspects of urine spraying in cats, the frequency as reported by owners, the relationship of urine spraying to intercat aggression and various treatment options including behavior modification, pheromone therapy and use of psychoactive medication.

The Emerging Evidence Base for Motivational Interviewing: A Meta-Analytic and Qualitative Inquiry

2004 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian L. Burke ◽  
Christopher W. Dunn ◽  
David C. Atkins ◽  
Jerry S. Phelps
Keyword(s):  
Motivational Interviewing ◽  
Problem Behaviors ◽  
Rating Scales ◽  
Readiness To Change ◽  
Behavioral Skills Training ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Behavioral Skills

This article offers a meta-analytic, qualitative, and process review of the empirical literature for adaptations of motivational interviewing (AMIs), a promising approach to treating problem behaviors. AMIs are equivalent to other active treatments and yield moderate effects (from 0.35 to 0.56) compared to no-treatment/placebo for problems involving alcohol, drugs, and diet and exercise. Results do not support the efficacy of AMIs for smoking or HIV-risk behaviors. Conclusions regarding the mechanisms of action for AMIs are limited by methodological problems: confounding motivational interviewing with feedback, unclear definitions of the AMI interventions used, difficulties in therapist training, and limited use of treatment integrity rating scales. Extant research suggests that AMIs are equivalent in efficacy to and briefer than cognitive behavioral skills training (CBST) approaches. Since AMIs focus on readiness to change while CBST targets the change process, AMIs may be useful as preludes or additions to CBST.

Feline asthma and heartworm disease: Clinical features, diagnostics and therapeutics

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 825-834 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Garrity ◽  
Tekla Lee-Fowler ◽  
Carol Reinero
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Features ◽  
Airway Disease ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Experimental Models ◽  
Lower Airway ◽  
Practical Relevance ◽  
Asthma Morbidity ◽  
Clinical Syndromes ◽  
Heartworm Disease ◽  
Over Time

Practical relevance: For feline practitioners, the cat with a cough or respiratory distress and thoracic radiographs with a bronchial or bronchointerstitial pattern suggests lower airway disease. Two important differentials, allergic asthma and heartworm disease (HWD), have many overlapping clinicopathologic features, but also clear and important differences in terms of cause and disease progression, treatment and prognosis. Notably, asthma is readily treatable and HWD is preventable. Clinical significance: Feline HWD comprises two clinical syndromes: the comparatively recently described heartworm-associated respiratory disease (HARD) and adult HWD. The former is much more common; very few cats with HARD develop adult HWD. In HARD, following death of immature worms, pulmonary lesions may improve over time (‘self-cure’). Lesions of adult HWD also improve over time as long as reinfection does not occur; however, with death of adult heartworms, mortality is high, and the prognosis is guarded. In asthma, morbidity is relatively high, but mortality is low, with an overall good to excellent prognosis. Disease recognition: Feline asthma is encountered worldwide. In the authors’ impression, feline HWD is often under-recognized. Aims: The aim of this review is to assist clinicians in differentiating feline asthma from feline HWD; as such, the emphasis is on distinguishing clinical features, as well as on diagnostics, therapy and prognosis. In differentiating these conditions, clinicians can attempt the goal of properly managing these diseases and can best educate owners on prognosis. Evidence base: For both feline asthma and feline HWD, the authors have drawn on the available peer-reviewed literature studies involving experimental models as well as spontaneous disease.

scholarly journals Examining the Transition towards the Supply of Sustainable Apartments in Australia: A Design Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
Gloria Pignatta ◽  
Kushani Semasinghe
Keyword(s):  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Green Buildings ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Building Stock ◽  
Personal Experiences ◽  
Design Perspective ◽  
Barriers And Opportunities ◽  
Apartment Industry

The built environment in Australia accounts for about 25% of total greenhouse gas emissions (GHG), where only the multi-unit residential buildings account for a quarter of these emissions. Moving towards sustainable constructions and green buildings can help in reducing GHG emissions and their negative effects. In this context, integrating Circular Economy (CE) principles into buildings’ projects can further help in reducing the environmental impact of the building stock. The purpose of this research is to explore the embracing of CE in the apartment industry. Personal experiences and perspectives of 5 stakeholders from Vitoria and NSW involving sustainable new and retrofit apartment buildings are investigated by drawing on the results of the semi-structured interview. Results underlined barriers and opportunities for designing sustainable apartments.

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