Condutas cat friendly em ambiente hospitalar – da recepção à internação

Abstract

The comprehension about the feline species is still widely neglected in the small internal medicine, once many veterinarians still regard them as a small dogs. The feline population has been growing considerably in Brazil and in the world, on the other hand, the veterinary care for cats didn't keep up with the growth, because the dog is still the primary patient and considered man's best friend. Several owners report the difficulty in placing the cat in the transport box and also to deal with the cat, which usually experiences considerable stress when in hospital environment. Under this circumstance, the feline is inhibited from expressing his natural behavior, causing fear and anxiety, which can negatively influence its health and well-being. Because of this, the creation of the program cat-friendly practices has been working to disseminate knowledge about feline medicine, providing a more calm and peaceful hospital environment, making the visit as pleasant and less stressful as possible, encouraging tutors to take their cats to veterinarians periodically. The objective of this study is to bring a review of the main aspects to understand the cat, pointing out the importance of improving the handling and approach to the feline patient, as well the participation of the owner and the veterinarian, since they play essential roles in the feline's well-being.