Chapter I 



GENERAL CONSIDERATION OF 

 THE FELINE PATIi^NT 



In dealing with feline patients special con- 

 sideration must be j)aid to the psychology of 

 these animals far more than is necessary in the 

 equine or canine species. In fehne practice, 

 details that are of minor importance. in. other 

 animals, assume such importance that the pa- 

 tient's recovery may depend altogether upon 

 them. Nauseous drugs, roughi handling, a 

 istrange place, odors, the presence of dogs or 

 other animals, all have a psychic influence 

 which may result in obstinate refusal of food 

 and a condition of inanition which may lead 

 to a fatal termination quite irrespective of the 

 actual pathological condition. 



In cases admitted to veterinary hospitals, 

 nostalgia plays a more important part in the 

 recovery or its failure, than is generally attrib- 

 uted to it. For example, it is well known that 

 many cats die in hospitals after being sub- 

 jected to the operation of oophorectomy, hys- 

 terectomy or other laparotomies and opera- 

 tions in general without any discoverable 

 lesions, no toxemia, no local or generalized 

 peritoneal inflammation or any other comphca- 

 tion of the operation, the only symptoms dur- 

 ing the post operative period until death, being 



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