Working With Cats and Dogs

By the end of this lecture, students will be able to:

Recognize the characteristics of cats and dogs and understand their husbandry needs.
Describe the differences in husbandry between cats/dogs and rodents (e.g., mice and rats), including:
- Fasting requirements due to potential vomiting.
- Zoonotic pathogens found in cats and dogs.
- Techniques for handling and restraint.

USDA-Covered Species: Under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA)
Behavioral Traits:
- Enjoy climbing, chasing, and hunting.
- Intelligent animals categorized as predator species within
  - Genus: Felis
  - Species: catus

Life Span: 9-14 years
Sexual Maturity:
- Male: 7-8 months
- Female: 5-9 months
Estrous Cycle:
- Polyestrous seasonal
- Induced ovulator with a sexual cycle duration of 2-3 weeks
Gestation Period: 58-67 days
Number of Young: 3-7
Weaning Age: 7-8 Weeks

Dietary Needs:
- Cats are obligate carnivores; their nutritional requirements differ from those of dogs.
- Susceptible to vomiting; needs to be fasted for 12 hours prior to surgery.
- Can maintain on a dry diet offered ad libitum, but fresh water must be provided at all times.

Very Thin: More than 20% below ideal body weight
- Ribs, spine, and hip bones are prominently visible.
- Pronounced waist and noticeable muscle mass loss.
Thin: 10-20% below ideal body weight
- Ribs, spine, and hip bones visible, waist maintained with minimal belly fat.
Ideal: Body weights within ideal range with a visible waist and slight belly fat.
Overweight: 10-15% above ideal body weight.
- Difficulty feeling ribs; defined waist is not visible, possible slight sagging belly.
Obese: More than 15% above ideal body weight
- Ribs are difficult to feel; waist absent, significant fat deposits noticeable.

Recommended to house in pairs or groups to minimize aggression:
- Housing designs should allow for normal bodily function and secure living environments that are durable and maintainable.

Individual personality traits may vary considerably.
Generally, cats raised together are more social though could display aggression if improperly socialized.
Early and positive exposure to humans (2-4 weeks old) is crucial for their future suitability in research.

High FAS (Level 5): Aggressive behaviors with significant distress.
- Offensive aggression: Symptoms include dilated pupils, aggressive body postures (e.g., present hunting posture, growling).
- Defensive aggression: Ears back, hissing, or swatting signs.
FAS Level 4: Flight behavior or tonic immobility signs.
Moderate to Mild FAS Monitoring: Evaluate through specific behavioral cues like eye contact, tail movements, and body posture.

Scientific Research Areas:
- Neurological and sensory research.
- Studies on cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses, especially pertinent viruses like Feline Leukemia Virus (FLV) or Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).

USDA-Covered Species: Under the Animal Welfare Act (AWA)
Social Nature: Description of dogs as very social species that often thrive in group settings and enjoy interaction with humans.
Taxonomic Characteristics:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Mammalia
- Order: Carnivora
- Family: Canidae
- Genus: Canis
- Species: lupus familiaris

Dietary Profile: Domesticated dogs are generally carnivorous, necessitating regular feeding schedules.
- Suggested feeding frequency includes once daily, with many dogs benefiting from twice-daily feedings due to their enjoyment of structured feeding times.
- Continuous access to potable water is essential.

Identification of Weight Classes:
- Very Thin: More than 20% below ideal body weight with visible ribs and no fat.
- Thin: 10-20% below ideal body weight, obvious waist but some fat.
- Ideal: Should exhibit visible waist and minimal fat covering bones.
- Overweight: 10-15% above ideal body weight with difficulty feeling ribs.
- Obese: Greater than 15% above ideal weight; significant fat deposits with no waist.

Potential for injuries includes:
- Dog barking (risk for hearing damage).
- Bites and scratches.
- Allergies and zoonoses including rabies, Campylobacter jejuni, and Brucellosis.

Areas of Research Impact:
- Heart and lung diseases, cancer studies, pharmacology safety testing, and more.

The importance of understanding the unique needs of both cats and dogs in management, research, and welfare contexts cannot be overstated. The details provided form the essential foundation for effective practice in the field of small animal management.