Pinch-induced behavioral inhibition (‘clipnosis’) in domestic cats

Research has documented immobilization of rodents, rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs by mechanical means, typically using neck clips or inversion (‘animal hypnosis’). In contrast, only a few studies of mechanical immobilization of cats are available, although some success has been reported in the litera...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of feline medicine and surgery 2008-02, Vol.10 (1), p.82-87
Main Authors: Pozza, Megan E., Stella, Judi L., Chappuis-Gagnon, Anne-Claire, Wagner, Susan O., Tony Buffington, C.A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Behavior, Animal
Cat Diseases - therapy
Cats
Cystitis - therapy
Cystitis - veterinary
Female
Inhibition (Psychology)
Male
Pilot Projects
Reference Values
restraint of animals
Restraint, Physical - instrumentation
Restraint, Physical - methods
Stress, Physiological - therapy
Stress, Physiological - veterinary
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Summary:Research has documented immobilization of rodents, rabbits, guinea pigs and dogs by mechanical means, typically using neck clips or inversion (‘animal hypnosis’). In contrast, only a few studies of mechanical immobilization of cats are available, although some success has been reported in the literature. Domestic cats may be effectively immobilized by clips placed along the animal's dorsum. We use the term ‘pinch-induced behavioral inhibition’ (PIBI) for this behavior because it describes both the method and the response, while avoiding the more anthropomorphic term ‘hypnosis’. We investigated the effectiveness of PIBI and its neurological and habituation effects in healthy cats and cats with idiopathic cystitis (IC). Although not all cats were susceptible to PIBI and effectiveness varied among individuals, PIBI was useful for gentle restraint in most cats.
ISSN:1098-612X
1532-2750
DOI:10.1016/j.jfms.2007.10.008