Lesson 6 - Feline Health and Anatomy

• Full Grooming
• Customer Service
• +1
• Vocational Education

Lesson Outline

Theory

• Feline Health and Anatomy

Practical

• Scissoring Practice - Cut ¼-½ and Scissor Control

Models

• Dummy - Cut Straight Lines/Rectangle (Feather Duster)

Lesson 6

Feline Health and Anatomy

Presented by:

Cat Anatomy

The use of veterinary anatomical terminology can be confusing. When discussing a pet's condition, always use both technical and laymens terminology. People think and hear in pictures. Below are a selection of visual aids to help you communicate the importance of the pet's health as well as the recommended veterinary services.

Veterinary Terms

Abdomen	Tummy
Dew Claw	First digit
Patella	Knee Cap
Stifle	Knee
Thorax	Chest
Digit	Finger or Toe
Flank	Side of the body between chest and tail base
Muzzle	Nose or upper and lower lip
Pinna	Ear Flap
Tarsus	Hock

Early Kitten Development

Age: Birth

• Kitten’s eyes are closed and ears folded
• Born blind and deaf
• Cannot regulate body temperature
• Cannot excrete on their own

Age: First Week

• Start to hear

From birth to 8 weeks, a kitten will go through major growth development phases. They are born with closed eyes and folded ears, meaning they are born blind and deaf. They cannot regulate their own body temperature, nor excrete wastes on their own. After the first week they will start to hear, in the second week their eyes will open and by the third week they will have full sight and hearing. In the forth week they start to run and climb and by 8 weeks they have developed a full set of teeth and can start eating canned and dry kitten food. 

Early Kitten Development

Age: Second Week

• Eyes open - all kittens are born with blue eyes, however, the color may change later
• Start to see - sight will not fully develop until 8 weeks of age
• Start to crawl and stand

Age: Third Week

• Full sight and hearing
• Start to walk
• Sense of smell increases
• First teeth may appear
• Will start to excrete on its own

From birth to 8 weeks, a kitten will go through major growth development phases. They are born with closed eyes and folded ears, meaning they are born blind and deaf. They cannot regulate their own body temperature, nor excrete wastes on their own. After the first week they will start to hear, in the second week their eyes will open and by the third week they will have full sight and hearing. In the forth week they start to run and climb and by 8 weeks they have developed a full set of teeth and can start eating canned and dry kitten food. 

Early Kitten Development

Age: Fourth Week

• Start to run and climb
• Learns to play 
• Learns to groom itself

Age: Fifth Week

• Important socialisation skills need to be introduced such as playing with other kittens, interacting with people, being petted for at least 10-15 minutes after feeding
• Provide a variety of toys particularly to redirect any rough kitten play

Age: Eighth Week

• Develops full set of teeth
  
• Fully weaned
  
• Eating canned and dry kitten food
  

From birth to 8 weeks, a kitten will go through major growth development phases. They are born with closed eyes and folded ears, meaning they are born blind and deaf. They cannot regulate their own body temperature, nor excrete wastes on their own. After the first week they will start to hear, in the second week their eyes will open and by the third week they will have full sight and hearing. In the forth week they start to run and climb and by 8 weeks they have developed a full set of teeth and can start eating canned and dry kitten food. 

Cat Senses

Hearing

• The shape of the cat’s ears allows it to funnel sound
• Ear tubes are lined with fine hairs that pick up sound vibrations
• They can hear very high-pitched noises and have much more sensitive hearing than us
• Cats can hear sounds from distances four to five times farther than people

Pets communicate in a very different way than people do. They have the same basic senses like sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste, but they use them differently to communicate with the world. In general, pets have a much better sense of smell, hearing, and sight than humans. This allows them to identify odours better, to hear noises at greater distances, and to see in the dark. Pets also have sharp teeth and claws that developed to help them survive in the wild.

Cats are solitary (like to be by themselves) creatures and are naturally nocturnal (more active at night). They have excellent vision in the dark and can pick up the slightest of movements, which is perfect for hunting in the wild. They are very flexible creatures that have whiskers to help them jump into and crawl through awkward spaces. Cats have developed sharp claws to help them climb and catch prey in the wild. It is a natural behavior for cats to renew their claws by scratching surfaces.

Cat Senses

Sight

• With their elliptical pupils, are able to detect movement, making them ideal for hunting
• Developed better sight for early evening and night
• Field of vision is about 200 degrees
• Shiny membrane, the tapetum lucidum, at the back of their eyes which allows them to see in low light
• In a dark room, the shiny membrane reflects light from a flashlight
• They have a third eyelid that protects their eyes from injury when out in the dark or hunting

Pets communicate in a very different way than people do. They have the same basic senses like sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste, but they use them differently to communicate with the world. In general, pets have a much better sense of smell, hearing, and sight than humans. This allows them to identify odours better, to hear noises at greater distances, and to see in the dark. Pets also have sharp teeth and claws that developed to help them survive in the wild.

Cats are solitary (like to be by themselves) creatures and are naturally nocturnal (more active at night). They have excellent vision in the dark and can pick up the slightest of movements, which is perfect for hunting in the wild. They are very flexible creatures that have whiskers to help them jump into and crawl through awkward spaces. Cats have developed sharp claws to help them climb and catch prey in the wild. It is a natural behavior for cats to renew their claws by scratching surfaces.

Cat Senses

Voice

• Used to meow, purr, hiss or growl
• Meow - want something like food or attention
• Loud constant meows - stress or boredom
• Hiss or growl - during threatening situations

Pets communicate in a very different way than people do. They have the same basic senses like sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste, but they use them differently to communicate with the world. In general, pets have a much better sense of smell, hearing, and sight than humans. This allows them to identify odours better, to hear noises at greater distances, and to see in the dark. Pets also have sharp teeth and claws that developed to help them survive in the wild.

Cats are solitary (like to be by themselves) creatures and are naturally nocturnal (more active at night). They have excellent vision in the dark and can pick up the slightest of movements, which is perfect for hunting in the wild. They are very flexible creatures that have whiskers to help them jump into and crawl through awkward spaces. Cats have developed sharp claws to help them climb and catch prey in the wild. It is a natural behavior for cats to renew their claws by scratching surfaces.

Cat Senses

Smell

• 70 million olfactory cells within their nose that allow them to identify odours in the air from great distances
• Scent glands on their forehead in front of their ear canals, along their lips and chin, and under their tail
• Used to mark objects and people - claiming ownership
• Marks its scent and shows affection by rubbing its face on you

Pets communicate in a very different way than people do. They have the same basic senses like sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste, but they use them differently to communicate with the world. In general, pets have a much better sense of smell, hearing, and sight than humans. This allows them to identify odours better, to hear noises at greater distances, and to see in the dark. Pets also have sharp teeth and claws that developed to help them survive in the wild.

Cats are solitary (like to be by themselves) creatures and are naturally nocturnal (more active at night). They have excellent vision in the dark and can pick up the slightest of movements, which is perfect for hunting in the wild. They are very flexible creatures that have whiskers to help them jump into and crawl through awkward spaces. Cats have developed sharp claws to help them climb and catch prey in the wild. It is a natural behavior for cats to renew their claws by scratching surfaces.

Pet Senses

Taste

• Cats have 30 very sharp, permanent teeth
• Cat’s tongue has a rough surface with small barbs to help it tear its food and groom its fur
• Tongue feels like sandpaper
• 400 taste buds compared to dogs at 1,700 and people at 9,000
• Cats rely on their sense of smell to determine the taste of food

Pets communicate in a very different way than people do. They have the same basic senses like sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste, but they use them differently to communicate with the world. In general, pets have a much better sense of smell, hearing, and sight than humans. This allows them to identify odours better, to hear noises at greater distances, and to see in the dark. Pets also have sharp teeth and claws that developed to help them survive in the wild.

Cats are solitary (like to be by themselves) creatures and are naturally nocturnal (more active at night). They have excellent vision in the dark and can pick up the slightest of movements, which is perfect for hunting in the wild. They are very flexible creatures that have whiskers to help them jump into and crawl through awkward spaces. Cats have developed sharp claws to help them climb and catch prey in the wild. It is a natural behavior for cats to renew their claws by scratching surfaces.

Pet Senses

Touch

• Skin and hair offer insulation against hot and cold weather
• Hair protects the animal from insect bites, stings, thorns, and other sharp objects
• Shed hair depending on weather and their health
• Cats do not rely on sweating to regulate their body temperature
• Pant to release excess body heat

Pets communicate in a very different way than people do. They have the same basic senses like sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste, but they use them differently to communicate with the world. In general, pets have a much better sense of smell, hearing, and sight than humans. This allows them to identify odours better, to hear noises at greater distances, and to see in the dark. Pets also have sharp teeth and claws that developed to help them survive in the wild.

Cats are solitary (like to be by themselves) creatures and are naturally nocturnal (more active at night). They have excellent vision in the dark and can pick up the slightest of movements, which is perfect for hunting in the wild. They are very flexible creatures that have whiskers to help them jump into and crawl through awkward spaces. Cats have developed sharp claws to help them climb and catch prey in the wild. It is a natural behavior for cats to renew their claws by scratching surfaces.

Cardiovascular and Circulatory System

The heart is made of up of the following structures:

• Aorta
  
• Pulmonary artery
  
• Right Atrium
  
• Right Ventricle
  
• Left Atrium
  
• Left Ventricle
  
• Ventricular Septum
  

The cardiovascular system refers to the organs and vessels that allow blood to circulate nutrients, oxygen, carbon dioxide, wastes and hormones to the various cells within the body. The heart pumps oxygenated blood from the lungs to the rest of the body, while pumping deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

Cardiovascular and Circulatory System

Blood Vessels

• Refer to arteries, veins and capillaries

Blood

• Made up of red blood cells and white blood cells suspended in fluid called plasma
• Contains hormones and proteins that can help diagnose health conditions
• Blood samples - preanaesthetic bloodwork, diabetic monitoring or senior wellness checks

Good Nutrition

• Good heart starts with good nutrition
• Taurine - important amino acid
• Essential for strong heart muscles, eye and brain function
• Commercial cat food contains Taurine
• Homemade diets - higher risk of taurine deficiency and heart problems

Cardiovascular conditions are particularly complex. In order for pet owners to make sound health decisions, they need to understand the risks and benefits that come with medical treatments and diagnostic tests. Studies have shown that people consider risk information easier to understand and recall when it is presented visually. 

Digestive System

Includes:

• Mouth & Teeth
  
• Tongue
  
• Salivary Glands
  
• Oesophagus
  
• Stomach & Stomach Lining
  
• Small Intestine
  
• Large Intestine
  
• Pancreas
  
• Liver
  
• Gall Bladder
  

The digestive system is made up of the organs responsible for processing food into a format that can be used by the body in the form of energy and nutrients. Food enters the mouth and travels through the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine before being passed through the anus as solid waste.

Nutrition for Good Health

• Cats are obligate carnivores
• Appropriate diet combines high quality, balanced, commercial diet and human-grade foods such as pieces of chicken, beef or lamb
• Commercial diets should be considered, especially for kittens up to 12 months of age (unless they have specific recipes formulated by their vet)

The digestive system is made up of the organs responsible for processing food into a format that can be used by the body in the form of energy and nutrients. Food enters the mouth and travels through the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine before being passed through the anus as solid waste.

Mouth & Teeth

30 adult teeth made up of:

• Front incisors
• Sharp canine teeth
• Premolars
• Molars

Milk teeth fall out between 5-7 months of age

Stomach & Stomach Lining

The food enters via the oesophagus, into the stomach is where the food is digested so that the nutrients can be absorbed. 

Small Intestine

• The small intestine connects the stomach to the large intestine
  

It can be broken into three sections - the duodenum, jejunum and ileum. It is where food absorption continues to take place after it has left the stomach.

Pancreas

• Gland located near the stomach
  
• Produces a number of important hormones that aid in digestion and regulates blood sugar
  

Liver

• Liver is responsible for removing toxins that come from the digestive tract

Musculoskeletal System

• Responsible for form, support, stability and movement. 
• Cats have 230 bones
• It is made up of skeletal bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints and connective tissue.
  

Musculoskeletal System

Skeleton

5 Major Areas:

• Spine - cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, caudal regions
  
• Skull
  
• Ribs
  
• Forelimbs
  
• Hindlimbs
  

When cats experience a musculosketal injury, they are less likely to walk and prefer to hide in a corner or under a bed.

Noting the cat's behaviours from a distance can help give the veterinarian a good idea of what may be going on as cat's are very reluctant participants when it comes to a musculoskeletal examination. Common orthopaedic conditions in cats include forelimb fractures and femoral (large hindlimb bone) fractures. Hip dislocation and cranial cruciate ligament rupture are also common in cats that experience a traumatic event. 

Musculoskeletal System

Joints

Formed between the union of two or more bones. They connect to the bone with connective tissue e.g. ligaments and tendons

Ligaments attach bone to bone

Tendons attach bone to muscle

2 Types of Joints:

Ball and socket e.g. shoulder and hip

Hinge e.g. wrist, stifle, hock

Common joints include the:

• Elbow
  
• Shoulder
  
• Hip
  
• Stifle (knee)
  

Musculoskeletal System

Shoulder

• The shoulder joint is made up of the scapula (shoulder blade) and humerus (large arm bone).
  

Musculoskeletal System

Pelvis

• The pelvis is where the femoral (large leg bone) head fits into the hip joint.
  

Musculoskeletal System

Stifle and Patella

• The stifle is the knee and the patella is the knee cap. They are both positioned in the hindlimbs of the cat.
  

Respiratory System

The respiratory system is responsible for bringing oxygen into the body and removing wastes in the form of carbon dioxide.

Includes:

• Nose
  
• Pharynx
  
• Larynx
  
• Trachea
  
• Bronchi
  
• Lungs
  

Pets cannot regulate their heat through their skin in the form of sweat - the respiratory system is responsible for regulating the body temperature for example panting when the pet is hot.

Urogenital System

Urinary & Reproductive Systems

The urogenital system refers to the urinary system that includes the kidneys, ureter, urethra and bladder in the excretion of liquid wastes.

Reproductive system that includes the female uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes and vagina and the male testes, epididymis, vas deferens and penis.

Urogenital System

Lower Urinary Tract

Estimated that over 50% of cats suffer from:

• Feline lower urinary tract disease
  
• Cystitis (Bladder inflammation)
  

• Feed smaller amounts of food over 2-3 meals a day
  
• Feed canned food
  
• Find a diet with Omega 3 fatty acids to help reduce bladder inflammation
  
• Provide fresh water in multiple bowls around the house
  
• Have at least 1.5 litter trays per cat per household
  

Reduce stress

Urogenital System

Female Genitalia

A spey or ovariohysterectomy involves the 

removal of both ovaries and the uterus. 

Urogenital System

Benefits of Desexing

• Prevention of unwanted litters
  
• Health benefits for females such as womb infections (pyometra), breast cancer
  
• Health benefits for males such as reduced prostate disease, testicular cancer, perianal tumours
  
• Behavioural benefits such as reduced spraying, marking, fighting if castration occurs before 6 months of age or before the onset of these behaviours
  
• Prevention of hormonal changes that can interfere with the medical management of pets with diabetes or epilepsy
  

Desexing is usually recommended before puberty between the age of 4 and 9 months but can occur at any age. Six months is an ideal age as the puppy vaccination series is usually completed. Males undergo a castration which is the removal of both testicles from beneath the skin. Females undergo a spey or ovariohysterectomy which requires abdominal surgery to remove the uterus and ovaries.

• 
  

Urogenital System

Male Genitalia

A castration involves the removal of the testicals from within the scrotal sac

Nervous System

Male Genitalia

The nervous system includes:

• Brain
  
• Spinal Cord
  
• Nerves
  

The nervous system is responsible for the transmission of messages to and from the brain and spinal cord. The spinal column is protected by the boney spinal vertebrae. 

Eye

Eye collects light from the environment and converts it into an image in a three dimensional, moving image. 

Eye conditions in the cat also arise secondary to other disease such as Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Feline Infectious Virus, Toxoplasma, Cryptococcus, Coccidia, Lymphosarcoma and Multiple Myeloma.

Eye is made up of:

• Cornea
  
• Iris
  
• Ciliary Body
  
• Vitreous Body
  
• Retina
  
• Lens 
  
• Anterior Chamber
  
• Optic Disk
  
• Optic Nerve
  

The eye is responsible for collecting light from the environment and converting this into an image in a three dimensional, moving image. Although the cat's eye contains functioning red, green and blue photoreceptors, studies suggest that their color vision is poor.

The cat's eye is uniquely different to other mammals. The cat's cornea and pupil are larger, which allows them to let more light in to increase visibility at night. The shape of a cat's pupil is a vertical slit when closed and round when open. Their cornea is less prone to inflammatory disease, making early detection of disease more challenging. Eye conditions in the cat also arise secondary to other disease such as Feline Leukemia Virus, Feline Infectious Peritonitis, Feline Infectious Virus, Toxoplasma, Cryptococcus, Coccidia, Lymphosarcoma and Multiple Myeloma.

Other interesting facts about the cat's eye is that the third eyelid is hidden with the edge barely noticeable. Therefore, visibility is often sign of a problem and can occur with a number of conditions. The cat also does not blink as frequently as other mammals. Their tears are more stable and effective.