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Think that cat is fractious? Try freaked out
Margie Scherk, DVM, DABVP (feline practice)
Dr. Margie Scherk graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1982. In 1986, she opened Cats Only Veterinary Clinic in Vancouver and practiced there until 2008, publishing several clinical trials during that time. She has written a number of book chapters, is an active international speaker and enjoys teaching online courses. Dr. Scherk has served extensively in the American Association of Feline Practitioners, as well as other veterinary organizations. Her interests include all things feline, especially the study of analgesia, peculiarities of the digestive system and enabling positive interactions with cats.
Your feline patients don't consider themselves predators in your veterinary clinic-they considers themselves the prey. It's time to reframe, not blame.
(Getty Images)Do you think the cat waiting for you in the exam room is aggressive and maybe even label her as being fractious? Margie Scherk, DVM, DABVP (feline), says think again. That cat is scared. At a recent CVC (now Fetch, a dvm360 conference), Dr. Scherk discussed the fact that in the wild cats are predators, yes-but they are also prey. When on the hunt for food themselves, they are just as much aware that they might be the hunted. And they must defend their territory so that they can find a morsel or two. "They have developed a whole lot of self-defensive body language to communicate that another individual-be it a cat or something else-should stay away," Dr. Scherk says. This body language is often misinterpreted as being aggressive when in actuality the cat is anxious and terrified. It's a matter of lunch or death. Hear more from Dr. Scherk about this natural tendency and why to give these scaredy cats some compassion in the exam room.
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