Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

k.91 — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 22:01:41 GMT

i personally prefer a towel because i'm just clumsy with gauntlets, they have just way too much finger length when compared with my size 6 hands. But in all fairness being theatre based most cats are sedated or under GA by the time i see them.

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

Robyn — Fri, 18 Mar 2016 15:35:59 GMT

Thanks for your input everyone! My partner's family are big bikers, I might have to ask them if they've got any spare gloves lying around! I think I would just want something with more grip than a towel that would let me handle a cat without it wriggling out of my grip or having to consider scruffing.

I'm definitely looking to look in to doing some training with the ISFM etc, but all your input is super valuable. I really do empathise with these fearful cats, and I feel awful every time I'm left to handle one because our head vet is a proper old school 'get it over and done with rather than stressing them out by faffing around' vet, and our practice is so small that we have no space at all for separate kennels. I think I'm just going to have to get super creative with ways around it, but I'll be watching this thread with a lot of interest.

Cheers again!

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

jojofruits — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 18:03:21 GMT

I haven't had to use gauntlets in a cat for over 15 years. I hate them and I think it makes them worse.. I find towels, crush cages, covering the eyes, leaving it 15 mins and trying again, sedation in extreme cases is much more helpful.

the cat friendly practice scheme is a good thing to look into for handling and stress reduction tips :)

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

nickyc — Wed, 09 Mar 2016 14:12:28 GMT

If heavy restraint is needed then sedation should be used for those patients where all other handling techniques are impossible ....

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

annaschu — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 21:43:02 GMT

Well said Jill

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

annaschu — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 21:42:39 GMT

Hit the nail on the head James! We shouldn't have the attitude of trying to conquer these cats!!!!

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

WelshyNurse — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 11:41:43 GMT

I agree this works in a majority of cases, but not all.

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

jill Coleshaw — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 09:58:30 GMT

As the owner of a cat only practice, I am proud to say we have never used gauntlets to restrain a cat. Since opening 3 years ago I can only recall a couple of scratches and maybe one bite. The reason cats bite, scratch scream etc.. is because they are freaked out by the visit to the vets. Take away the dogs, allow them time to relax before handing and bingo no aggression.

One day the veterinary profession will wake up and treat dogs and a cats completely separately. Try reading the ISFM guidlines for some handy advice

I would welcome any nurse/ vet to come and visit us and see how cats should be treated in veterinary practice.

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

Sal the 1st — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 21:54:09 GMT

[quote user="SharonSP"]

we don't try and wrestle with them for too long.....

[/quote]

I agree strongly with this - I have seen hyperthyroid cats get into real trouble because either they have been wrestled to the point of collapse or are being restrained too heavily. I am not saying people have to get mangled but if people can take it steady and spend a little bit of time - have everything ready so people are not running around looking for this that or the other while somebody is restraining a terrified cat most times a lot can be achieved.

I hate to see appointments booked for evening surgery when you know that its going to be a busy waiting room, appointments probably getting a bit pushed because of the umpteen last minute emergencies and a 'quick ' routine bloods is needed - you just know it isn't going to be 'quick' and you just know the cat is going to be stressed to hell ( and probably those attempting the procedure as well because they know that the appointments are backing up in the waiting room). I just don't see the point in setting yourself up for failure. I know its unavoidable sometimes but most clients will come at quieter periods if its explained why you are requesting it.

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

SharonSP — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 19:21:17 GMT

Some very interesting comments on here, I can't remember the last time I had to use a pair of gauntlets, difficult to grip anything. I'm sure you guys are all doing this anyway, but we always try to see things from their point of view...predict possible behaviours and reactions. Take into account that they have a sense of smell far superior to ours and can pick up the scent of a dog etc from 20 paces. When they arrive at practice, they are most likely already wound up from the tussle into the cat basket from their owners...The drive to the surgery....The waiting on arrival even though we may have separate waiting areas, you will not stop the scent of a dog from across the room. The children waiting with their parents all wanting to 'look at the kitty in the box'. The consult room table that has been thoroughly disinfected but the air still smells slightly of dog anal glands....maybe even from the room next door! The vet (or nurse!) making lengthy eye contact (especially if the vet is doing a clinical exam and looking at 3rd eyelids etc). You've all seen the sweaty footprints on the consult table. ...this is one stressed out cat and that's even before you admit it for any treatment / procedure.

You have to take it slowly...and this is easier said than done in a busy practice. We give all cats a 'hide ', we change the vet bed only if soiled, to keep the scent of that cat so it feels and smells comfortable to them ...not change it because it's part of the daily routine, if it's got hair on it...so be it, leave it there. Towelling does help make them feel less exposed and subsequently aggressive, don't get me wrong, we do use crush cages for the feral or excessively aggressive if required and even then it's quickly decided, we don't try and wrestle with them for too long.....These are just my opinions and it works for me.

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

Hope — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 09:49:47 GMT

There is a very interesting article in the VNJ this month on cat handling that may be of interest to a few on here if you have access. Amazing how much stress we can add to an already fearful cat, and in turn make us even more likely to be bitten/scratched

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

James Colver Cert. Ed, RVN — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 21:24:08 GMT

[quote user="Scottywildcat"]Cats that bite and scratch for no reason[/quote]

There is always a reason - whether or not it is apparent to us :)

The point is, whatever the reason is, it is not premeditated or personal as some of the comments / adjectives on this thread seem to be suggesting..

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

Sal the 1st — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 20:46:40 GMT

[quote user="Scottywildcat"]

Cats that bite and scratch for no reason tend to be ones that were hand reared from birth, taken from their mothers too young, or not handled well as kittens.

[/quote]

agreed - which is precisely the case with both of the bengals in our practice, and I might add one of my own cats.

Just to chuck this into the mix - mine came via a very large national charity where he was on death row - because he can be quite aggressive, it is not a fear aggression ( behaviourists have confirmed this). He is not a fearful cat , a bit broken maybe but not fearful - he just likes to do what he wants to do and so long as everything is on his terms there isn't a problem. I wanted to give him a chance - we have lived together (mostly) happily for the last 8 yrs. He can be quite loving when he wants, but an absolute sod when he doesn't. He is not a nasty cat - but the results of his behaviour can certainly be quite nasty and I am guessing? that is what people mean sometimes when they say an animal is nasty. He is very scruff shy and will go berserk if you go near his neck - there is nothing actually wrong with his neck( it has been checked) and without knowing too much about his full history I am guessing because of his unpredictability he has been scruffed in the past , made it very interesting the first time I tried to vaccinate him I still have the scars. I am not a fan of scruffing either - its very much last resort stuff.

I work in a cat friendly practice

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

James Colver Cert. Ed, RVN — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 20:36:55 GMT

[quote user="Sal the 1st"]No proof for it what so ever but I reckon as soon as a cat sees gauntlets coming towards it its going to make it worse, and again no proof but if you have used those gauntlets to handle previous gitty kitties isn't something somewhere along the line going to transfer ie isnt the current cat going to pick up on whatever the previous cat has left on the gauntlets ? again no proof for it so I guess there will be a lot of people come out with the million and one reasons I am wrong now- and no I dont think spraying gauntlets with feliway/ pet remedy is going to help.[/quote]

Absolutely right - "Cats inherently resist intimate handling and restraint. By confining them, we take away their sense of control and cause them to react. It is very easy to condition negative emotional responses; bags, masks and gloves all carry the scents of previous similarly terrified patients plus other sundry smells (anal gland secretion, pus, blood, halitosis, etc.) Use of a towel is usually all that is needed to 'burrito' a cat for protection of the handler. Remember, a cat would rather flee - or hide - than attack." - BSAVA Manual of Feline Practice, 2013 p.12

The comments I have seen on this thread are astounding. "Evil" and "nasty" are words in human narratives. Animals lack the concepts of good and evil. To bestow a human emotion on an animal is to anthropomorphise, and is just utterly ignorant. The fact that I am having to explain this only serves to highlight the need for proper training for people working with animals.

There's plenty of CPD out there for those that don't already know it all. The ISFM cat handling guidelines would be a good place to start and it won't even cost you a penny.

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

enigmaticat-uk — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 16:59:34 GMT

I agree with sedating very aggressive (scared) cats where appropriate but they still usually require some form of handling in order to sedate them - even if it is purely to transfer them into a crush cage. Some cats just won't tolerate any handling and there's no point sedating a cat just to give a booster. Staff getting bitten is not helpful to anyone so appropriate use of restraint aids such as towels/gloves etc is preferable.

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

nickyc — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:45:16 GMT

Also quite shocked by some of the responses.. If a cat is that stressed that it becomes so aggressive then should it not just be sedated for everyones benefit..? ISFM have lots of information on how to make your clinics 'cat friendly', and some of the changes are cheap and easy to do, but make a huge difference to the cats behaviour, and subsequently makes handling easier and less stressful.

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

SmegSlayer — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 13:29:40 GMT

much prefer gauntlets to towels- have been bitten through a towel and also, if the cat wriggles and you are not in a position to get a better grip, the cat just slips through the towels.

I've used everything from raptor gloves to gardening gloves to actual gauntlets from jak or animal direct. Best was leather motorcycle gloves with separate sleeves made out of the same material.

I'm more confident with gauntlets than with a towel, I've not had any issues with not being able to feel or manipulate adequately.

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

Scottywildcat — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 11:05:40 GMT

In my own opinion no animal is nasty or wicked, except for humans. Cats that bite and scratch for no reason tend to be ones that were hand reared from birth, taken from their mothers too young, or not handled well as kittens. Cats are very misunderstood and maligned animals, probably why Iv always loved them lol and strangely enough they seem to know that and often I can handle a cat that would go nuts with other people. But for truly wild things that let no one at all near them then Id say motorcycle gloves is a good idea, not gauntlets, way too big and inflexible, a cat is not an eagle lol

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

WelshyNurse — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 09:31:12 GMT

[quote user="James Colver Cert. Ed, RVN"]No animal is 'evil', they act on instinct. This comment shows a complete and utter lack of understanding of your patients and frankly I am horrified that such an attitude can exist in veterinary practice. [/quote]

Oh god, give me a break! You can be horrified all you want, its true though. Some cats are just nasty!

I had one recently who bit me quite bad. The owner told me later (whilst bringing me chocolates to apologise) that she was the most horrible cat he had ever owned. His words. He has had her 10 years and is full of bites where she will randomly pounce on him and bite for no reason.

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

James Colver Cert. Ed, RVN — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 21:21:52 GMT

No animal is 'evil', they act on instinct. This comment shows a complete and utter lack of understanding of your patients and frankly I am horrified that such an attitude can exist in veterinary practice.

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

WelshyNurse — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 18:39:44 GMT

Some cats are just pure evil! I'm not a fan of gauntlets though. Give me a thick towel and a crush cage any day

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

enigmaticat-uk — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 16:51:09 GMT

I tend not to use them generally but I do like to have all options available and I do sometimes feel they are the best option for a particular cat.

I think these are the ones I've used/liked:

http://www.jakmarketing.co.uk/protecta-gloves

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

Sal the 1st — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 09:51:35 GMT

[quote user="James Colver Cert. Ed, RVN"]

Aggressive cats / Spiteful cats - NERVOUS cats

[/quote]

I have met very few truly spiteful cats - but they are out there. These are not nervous cats but super confident cats who just do what they want to do. We have a couple in my current practice, both of them bengals and both of them also scare their owners.

I acknowledge that most aggressive behaviour stems from fear/pain/nervousness and it is important to take that into account but you do get the odd one where that is not true.

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

James Colver Cert. Ed, RVN — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 08:20:05 GMT

Aggressive cats / Spiteful cats - NERVOUS cats

RE: Angry Cat Wrangling - Are Gauntlets Worth It?

molladog — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 08:18:39 GMT

Hi, I use a pair of winter motorcycle gloves as they are tough but sensitive and flexible plus they have Kevlar knuckle protectors as a bonus,