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Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infection 325

PO q 12-24h, maximum dose 0.9 mg/ ○ Change tactile environments with nonskid should trigger a behavioral consult and
day), gabapentin, trazodone, and benzo- flooring, yoga mats, and covering tables inform the quality and quantity of future
VetBooks.ir • Have all staff work to reward the dog for ○ Use treats to reward good behaviors, and • Use topical lidocaine or lidocaine/prilocaine Diseases and Disorders
diazepines can be given q 8-12 h for 2-3
interactions/exposure.
and scales with nonslip surfaces.
days before visit.
before venipuncture, vaccines, intravenous
teach animals to participate in the exam
calm and comfortable behaviors.
about 10 minutes for well-vascularized areas
• Integrate certified, no-force trainers (www process by offering body parts. catheters, and anal sac expression. Effect takes
.petprofessionalguild.com) with extensive Possible Complications for most patients.
experience in behavior modification into • These animals are at risk for inadequate
the practice. veterinary care (making physical illness more Technician Tips
• Treatment of phobias (p. 787) and separation likely and more severe), relinquishment, or • Technicians, particularly those with an inter-
anxiety (p. 905 ) as needed even euthanasia. est in behavior modification, can improve
• Human injury may result from fearful patients’ lives.
Behavior/Exercise veterinary patients. ○ Become comfortable with examining
• Well-pet veterinary visits should be enjoyable cats in carriers using towels, use of towel
for the pet. Interventional veterinary visits Recommended Monitoring wraps for cats and smaller dogs, use of
should be nonthreatening, calming, and as Screen each animal at every visit for behav- examination bags for cats and small dogs,
stress-free as possible. ioral concerns manifested at home or during and the use of head collars and no-pull
• Because patients learn fear as they age, early examinations/interventions. harnesses.
appointments should involve treats, play, ○ Learn to trim toenails and draw blood
and massage before anything threatening PROGNOSIS & OUTCOME without restraint.
(e.g., vaccination) is attempted. Puppy and ○ Teach dogs and cats to offer body parts
kitten visits should be longer to allow positive Varies, depending in part on recognition and for examination.
interactions with staff and to explore the subsequent modification of approach to address ○ Modify the environment according to the
hospital. the problem pet’s needs.
• On-site puppy/kitten and young dog ○ Do not pull or shake cats out of carriers.
manners classes are an excellent vehicle for PEARLS & CONSIDERATIONS • If feeding is allowed, use high-quality treats
these exposures. to repeatedly test stress levels during visit;
• Environments should be friendly to animals. Comments stressed animals may refuse treats.
This means that practices should attempt to • Iatrogenic fear conditioned by veterinary • Many practices have one or a few technicians
do the following: care may trigger otherwise latent pathologic who are adept at deciphering and acting
○ Modulate noise (e.g., acoustic tiles, Plexi- behavioral conditions. appropriately on cues of stress; much can
glas cage doors/walls) when possible. Con- • Positive trainers can help teach dogs to get be learned by example from these individuals.
sider Mutt Muffs (www.muttmuffs.com) on scales and tables and offer body parts for
or ear plugs for hospitalized/anesthetized exam. Client Education
animals. • Fear manifestations are commonly cited as • Clients should be taught it is not normal
○ Modulate the visual environment reasons for relinquishment, euthanasia, or for pets to fear veterinary visits.
(e.g., movable barriers, flexible and avoidance of veterinary visits. • There are programs intended to help
non-harsh lighting). Consider Doggles • Everyone can recognize the signs associated veterinary professionals decrease fear. Cat
(www.doggles.com), Thunder/Calming with this condition. Only when we find it Friendly Practice information can be
caps (www.thundershirt.com), or eye unacceptable to scare patients will we stop found at http://www.catvets.com/cfp/cfp.
shades as needed, especially on anesthetic doing it. Fear-Free Certification information can be
recovery. Provide hiding and perching found at https://fearfreepets.com/courses/
boxes/containers for caged cats. Prevention fear-free-certification-program/.
○ Modulate the olfactory environment by • This condition is completely preventable.
allowing animals to have T-shirts or gloves Routine behavioral assessments help to SUGGESTED READINGS
worn by their humans with them in cages identify fear early, when it responds fastest Döring D, et al: Fear-related behaviour of dogs in
and during manipulations or anesthetic to redress, possibly with a specialist’s help. veterinary practice. Vet J 182:38-43, 2009.
inductions. Rinse common areas with • Kittens and puppies should be exposed to
plain water. Use peroxide compounds pleasant interactions with people, animals, AUTHOR & EDITOR: Karen L. Overall, VMD, MA, PhD,
DACVB
instead of bleach when appropriate (bleach and environments between 2-9 weeks and
solutions ≤ 1%, well rinsed and aired after 3-16 weeks of age, respectively. Any pro-
use). foundly fearful reactions during this period

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus Infection Client Education
Sheet

BASIC INFORMATION Epidemiology • Male cats are about twice as likely to be
infected as female cats, and adult cats are
Definition SPECIES, AGE, SEX more commonly infected than kittens.
Common viral infection of cats that can result • Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) • Adult, male, sexually intact, free-roaming
in immunosuppression after a long latent and related viruses are able to infect all cats (fighting cats) are at higher risk for
stage Felidae. infection.

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