Behavioural indicators of stress in cats during veterinary visits: effects of transportation and clinical examinations

Cats experience stress when visiting novel environments, including veterinary clinics. Stress can impact physiological indicators, which are crucial for assessing patients. Prolonged stress affects the immune system, health, and behaviour. The current study assesses cat stress using behavioural indicators after transportation to the university veterinary hospital for clinical examinations. A total of 35 cats of different sexes, including males, females and neutered, and ages between 6 to 36 months, were recruited for the study conducted at the Universiti Veterinary Hospital UPM. The study employed cat behavioural stress scores to monitor stress remotely. Cats were assessed on a scale ranging from 1 (indicating a state of relaxation) to 6 (indicating a state of extreme fear). Behavioural assessments were conducted in consultation rooms, and the cats were removed from the cage, examined physically, and carefully put back into the cage. Information regarding the patients’ attributes, consultation, and distances travelled to the UVH was documented and analysed. Results indicated that long-distance transportation substantially impacted clinical stress levels, even after waiting at UVH reception. No significant (P>0.05) changes were observed in stress levels following handling events, case presentation, consultation time, procedures, sexes, breeds, and ages. Overall, cats experience significant stress in clinical environments, particularly during physical examinations, with transportation playing a key role in eliciting stress-related behaviours that persist even after rest.

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