Assessment of behavioural changes in domestic cats during short-term hospitalisation

Abstract

We evaluated behavioural changes in domestic cats during a short-term hospitalisation using a novel cat demeanour scoring system. Thirty-five, healthy client-owned cats admitted for neutering were enrolled. Cats were housed in a standardised cat ward for a short-term hospitalisation period (3-5 days) and demeanour scores were recorded once daily. The scoring system classified cats into one of five behavioural groupings: friendly-and-confident, friendlyand-shy, withdrawn-and-protective, withdrawn-and-aggressive, and overtly-aggressive. Total demeanour score decreased over time (P<0.001) and the demeanour category improved (P<0.001). The intra-class correlation was 0.843 (P<0.001) and kappa was 0.606 (P<0.001) suggesting good repeatability and agreement among investigators. The demeanour scoring system was effective in detecting behaviour change in healthy cats undergoing a short-term hospitalisation period. The findings suggest that healthy cats require two days to acclimatise to hospitalisation.

The influence of demeanor on scores from two validated feline pain assessment scales during the perioperative period

“…In the context of recent work by Zeiler et al (2013), showing the negative effects of a clinic environment on feline demeanor, it is perhaps unsurprising that pain assessment is confounded by high demeanor scores in non-painful cats. Interestingly, Calvo et al (2014) and Zeiler et al (2013) both commented on the possible interaction between demeanor and pain assessment.…”

“…Interestingly, Calvo et al (2014) and Zeiler et al (2013) both commented on the possible interaction between demeanor and pain assessment. Calvo et al (2014), during development and validation of the rCMPS-F, observed high rCMPS-F scores associated with elevated "general impression" (demeanor) scores (Calvo et al 2014).…”

“…When data collection was completed, > 24 hours after surgery, the baseline demeanor scores were used Demeanor and pain assessment in cats M Buisman et al to separate cats into two demeanor groups (Zeiler et al 2013). Group LO consisted of cats with baseline scores of 0e5 and were classified as friendly and group HI comprised cats with baseline scores of 6e21 and were classified as shy or aggressive.…”

“…Sedation was scored using a numerical rating scale which ranged from 0 to 4, with increasing score indicating increased sedation . Demeanor was scored with a demeanor scale (Zeiler et al 2013). The original scale was modified, as two of the original 8 items required assessments of the specific behaviors of Demeanor and pain assessment in cats M Buisman et al eating and litter tray use over the previous 24 hours prior to procedure, which were unavailable (Buisman et al 2016).…”

“…Recently, the role of demeanor (temperament) in pain assessment has been raised as a potential confounding factor (Zeiler et al 2013;Calvo et al 2014). Both of the available feline pain scales include multiple behavioral assessments, with the potential that they could be affected by factors other than pain (Brondani et al 2013;Calvo et al 2014;Buisman et al 2016).…”