A comprehensive overview of feline medicine in a clinical setting for the veterinary technician
Feline Medicine for Veterinary Technicians is a complete, specialty reference guide, written by veterinary technician specialists, for the veterinary technician to use in a feline medicine clinical setting. Covering everything from the pathophysiology of common feline diseases, current therapies and nursing care, diagnostic techniques, unique history taking methods, and nursing care in every major body system. It is a critical tool for anyone preparing for a specialty exam or the Veterinary Technician National Exam (VTNE).
Feline Medicine for Veterinary Technicians readers will also find:
Coverage of cutting-edge diagnostics, treatment options, and more Detailed discussion of topics including feline friendly interactions, life stage considerations, client communication, pharmacology, and many more A team of contributors with decades of combined veterinary technician experience A comprehensive review of diseases in all major body systems including endocrinology, cardiology, renal and urinary systems
Feline specific considerations for behavior, anesthesia, analgesia, transfusion medicine and nutrition The companion website includes study questions for all chapters, as well as client education materials, dental positioning guidelines and educational handouts
Feline Medicine for Veterinary Technicians is ideal for students as well as anyone preparing for a specialty exam or as a veterinary technician in feline clinical practice.
Edited by:
Paula Plummer (Texas A&M University)
Imprint: John Wiley & Sons Inc
Country of Publication: United States
Dimensions:
Height: 274mm,
Width: 216mm,
Spine: 33mm
Weight: 1.474kg
ISBN: 9781394239047
ISBN 10: 1394239041
Pages: 560
Publication Date: 30 June 2025
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Table of Contents Section 1: The Cat and Special Considerations 1. Feline Behavior 1.1. Sensation and Perception 1.2. Feline Body Language 1.3. Community Behavior in Cats 1.4. Sexual Behavior in Cats 1.5. Elimination Behaviors 1.6. How Cats Learn and Modifying Behaviors 1.7. Functional & Applied Behavior Analysis 1.8. Common Unwanted Behaviors 1.9. Behavior Emergencies 1.10. Incorporating Behavior into Everyday Veterinary Practice 2. Feline Friendly Interactions 2.1. Understanding Cat Emotions and Their Motivations 2.2. Be Respectful, Remain Professional: Words Matter 2.3. Feline Emotions: Engaging and Protective 2.4. Sensory Communication: How Cats Gather and Interpret Information 2.5. Interpreting Feline Behaviors and Modifying Technique to Prevent Escalation 2.6. Setting Yourself Up for Success 2.7. Stressor Stacking: Understanding Stressors that Contribute to Difficult Visits 2.8. Making Changes at the Clinic 2.9. Know Your Cats: They are Communicating! 2.10. Handling Techniques 2.11. Sedation 2.12. Tips for Safe and Feline Friendly Life Stage Handling 3. Preparing the Veterinary Hospital for the Feline Patient 3.1. General Clinic Preparation for a Feline Visit 3.2. The Reception Area 3.3. The Exam Room 3.4. The Treatment Room 3.5. The Surgical Suite 3.6. The Hospitalization Ward 3.7. Training the Team 3.8. How to Become a Cat Friendly Practice® 3.9. Resources for Veterinary Professionals 3.10. Resources for Clients 4. Life Stage Considerations 4.1. Kitten 4.2. Junior 4.3. Prime 4.4. Mature 4.5. Senior 4.6. Geriatric 4.7. Body Condition Scoring 4.8. Body Condition Score Uses 4.9. Diagnostic Techniques 5. Client Education and Communication Topics for the Feline Owner 5.1. Type of Communication 5.2. Obtaining a Medical History 5.3. Home Environmental Factors 5.4. Preparing for the Veterinary Visit 5.5. Nutrition 5.6. Nursing Care for the Feline Pet Owner 5.7. Client Communication and Feline Disease Management 6. Anesthesia Considerations for the Feline Patient 6.1. Preanesthetic Phase 6.2. Anesthetic Phase 6.3. Recovery Phase 7. Analgesic Considerations for the Feline Patient 7.1. The Pain Pathway 7.2. Types of Pain 7.3. Negative Effects of Pain 7.4. Assessment of Pain 7.5. Pain Scoring Instruments 7.6. Treatment of Pain 8. Introduction to Feline Pharmacology 8.1. Unique Pharmacokinetics for the Feline Patient 8.2. Metabolism 8.3. Acetylation 8.4. Methylation 8.5. Renal Excretion 8.6. Medications with Unique Pharmacokinetics in the Feline Patient 8.7. Introduction and Current Guidelines of Antimicrobial Stewardship 9. Feline Immunology and Current Vaccination Guidelines 9.1. Vaccine History 9.2. Vaccine Mechanism of Action 9.3. Natural Immunity: Maternal Derived Antibodies 9.4. Feline Injection Site Sarcoma 9.5. Vaccine Administration Sites 9.6. Vaccine Site Monitoring 9.7. Vaccine Hypersensitivity 9.8. Vaccine Types 9.9. Routes of Administration 9.10. Feline Core Vaccines 9.11. Feline Non-Core Vaccines 9.12. Vaccines No Longer Recommended 9.13. Feline Patient Populations that Need Protection 9.14. Vaccination and Age 9.15. Lifestyle Vaccinations 9.16. Post Vaccination Serological Screening 9.17. Staff Compliance Section 2: Feline Patient Care 10. Critical Thinking and Kirby’s Rule of 20 10.1. Veterinary Medical Error Background 10.2. Patient Care Checklist Background 10.3. Kirby’s Rule of 20 10.4. Critical Thinking 11. Interpretation of Common Diagnostic Test Results 11.1. Use of a Microscope 11.2. Care and Maintenance of a Micorscope 11.3. Interpretation of Common Diagnostic Tests 11.4. Diagnostic Techniques 12. General Feline Nutrition 12.1. Feeding Behaviors 12.2. Anatomic Adaptations 12.3. Physiologic Adaptations 12.4. Metabolic Adaptations 12.5. Fixed Taste Preferences and Food Aversions 12.6. Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) Life Stages 12.7. Reproduction and Neonatal Nutrition 12.8. Orphaned Kitten Nutrition 12.9. Kitten Nutrition 12.10. Young Adult Nutrition 12.11. Mature Adult Nutrition 12.12. Geriatric Nutrition 12.13. Feeding Tubes: Uses, Indications and Placement 12.14. Diagnostic Techniques 13. Wound Care and Bandaging 13.1. Etiology of Feline Wounds 13.2. Wound Physiology 13.3. Wound Classification 13.4. Wound Healing 13.5. Approach to the Feline Trauma Patient 13.6. Wound Care and Management 13.7. Bandage Techniques 13.8. Wound Drains 13.9. Emerging Wound Management Techniques 13.10. Burn Care Section 3: Feline Systems, Diseases, and Conditions 14. Cardiology/Cardiovascular Diseases 14.1. Patient History and “History Gathering Questions” 14.2. Clinical Signs 14.3. Physical Examination Findings 14.4. Specific Nursing Care Considerations 14.5. Cardiovascular Diseases 14.6. Cardiomyopathy Prognosis 14.7. Comorbidities to Consider 14.8. Cardiovascular Emergencies 14.9. Diagnostic Techniques 15. Dentistry 15.1. Feline Dental Anatomy 15.2. Patient History and “History Gathering Questions” 15.3. Dental Equipment 15.4. Ergonomics 15.5. Dental Radiography 15.6. The Feline Oral Exam 15.7. The Professional Dental Cleaning 15.8. Dental Charts 15.9. Tooth Numbering Systems 15.10. Nomenclature and Abbreviations 15.11. Oral Pathology 16. Dermatology and Auricular Conditions 16.1. Patient History and “History Gathering Questions” 16.2. Clinical Signs 16.3. Physical Examination Findings 16.4. Specific Nursing Care Considerations 16.5. Basic Feline Dermatology 16.6. Allergic Reaction Patterns 16.7. Hypersensitivity Reactions 16.8. Facial Dermatosis 16.9. Feline Auricular Anatomy and Conditions 16.10. Diagnostic Techniques 17. Emergency and Critical Care 17.1. Patient History and “History Gathering Questions” 17.2. Feline Interactions in the ER 17.3. Clinical Signs 17.4. Physical Examination Findings 17.5. Triage 17.6. The Feline Inpatient 17.7. Specific Nursing Care Considerations 17.8. Common Emergencies by Body System 17.9. Diagnostic Techniques 18. Endocrinology 18.1. Patient History and “History Gathering Questions” 18.2. Clinical Signs 18.3. Physical Examination Findings 18.4. Specific Nursing Care Considerations 18.5. Endocrine Disorders 18.6. Diagnostic Techniques 19. Gastroenterology 19.1. Patient History and “History Gathering Questions” 19.2. Clinical Signs 19.3. Physical Examination Findings 19.4. Specific Nursing Care Considerations 19.5. Gastrointestinal Disease in the Feline Patient 19.6. Diagnostic Techniques 20. Gestation, Lactation and Pediatrics 20.1. Breeding in Cats 20.2. Pregnancy and Birth 20.3. Dystocia 20.4. Apgar Scoring in Neonates 20.5. Nursing and Lactation 20.6. Kitten Mortality 20.7. Postpartum Complications in the Queen 20.8. Kitten Care 20.9. Bottles and Tube Feeding 20.10. Milestones 20.11. Kitten Nutrition 20.12. Weaning the Kittens 20.13. The Critical Neonate 21. Hematology 21.1. Patient History and “History Gathering Questions” 21.2. Clinical Signs 21.3. Physical Examination Findings 21.4. Specific Nursing Care Considerations 21.5. Red Blood Cell Conditions 21.6. White Blood Cell Conditions 21.7. Coagulopathies 21.8. Diagnostic Techniques 21.9. Feline Blood Donors 21.10. Blood Component Processing 22. Hepatobiliary 22.1. Patient History and “History Gathering Questions” 22.2. Clinical Signs 22.3. Physical Examination Findings 22.4. Specific Nursing Care Considerations 22.5. Diseases of the Liver 22.6. Diseases of the Gallbladder and Bile Duct 22.7. Diseases of the Exocrine Pancreas 22.8. Triaditis 22.9. Diagnostic Techniques 23. Infectious Diseases 23.1. Patient History and “History Gathering Questions” 23.2. Clinical Signs 23.3. Physical Examination Findings 23.4. Specific Nursing Care Considerations 23.5. Bacterial Infectious Diseases 23.6. Systemic Fungal Infectious Diseases 23.7. Protozoal Infectious Diseases 23.8. Viral Infectious Diseases 23.9. Diagnostic Techniques 24. Oncology 24.1. Patient History and “History Gathering Questions” 24.2. Clinical Signs 24.3. Physical Examination Findings 24.4. Specific Nursing Care Considerations 24.5. Treatment Modalities 24.6. Common Feline Neoplasms 24.7. Diagnostic Techniques 24.8. Chemotherapy Administration 25. Respiratory 25.1. Patient History and “History Gathering Questions” 25.2. Clinical Signs 25.3. Physical Examination Findings 25.4. Specific Nursing Care Considerations 25.5. Oxygen Supplementation 25.6. Respiratory Diseases 25.7. Diagnostic Techniques 26. Urinary and Renal 26.1. Patient History and “History Gathering Questions” 26.2. Clinical Signs 26.3. Physical Examination Findings 26.4. Specific Nursing Care Considerations 26.5. Renal and Urinary Diseases 26.6. Diagnostic Techniques
Paula Plummer, LVT, VTS (ECC, SAIM, CP-fe), is a credentialed veterinary technician and training coordinator at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. She has devoted her career to teaching others in addition to being an advocate for feline patients.
