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Rectal temperature measurements as a cause of stress during veterinary examinations

USER-ALT Claudel Bigras-Fontaine and others, University of Montreal, Canada

Rectal temperature measurements are considered an important part of veterinary patient examinations, but they can cause stress in some patients, particularly cats, which may cause a temporary increase in body temperature. The authors used a Simplified Feline Stress Scale to identify those patients that may be affected by stress during a consultation. Their findings indicate that a high rectal temperature in healthy but stressed cats would be unlikely to affect therapeutic plans. Therefore, they suggest that rectal temperature measurements in healthy cats during a routine examination may be unnecessary and should be avoided in highly stressed feline patients. Additionally, they note that behavioural training was found to be effective in helping veterinary staff to identify cats experiencing stress.

Journal of Veterinary Behaviour https:// doi. org / 10.1016 / j. jveb. 2025.05.002

Pain assessment scores in cats may be influenced by the patient ' s personality

USER-ALT Ana Cadariu and Chiara Adami, University of Cambridge, UK

The Glasgow Feline Composite Measure Pain Scale( CMPS-Feline) and the Feline Grimace Scale( FGS) are methods developed to help clinicians identify cats experiencing surgical and postoperative pain. The authors investigated the effects of cats ' personalities on the results of pain scores derived by using these measures, recording whether a cat was considered to be‘ independent’ or‘ social’ by nature. The scales were used in 29 cats undergoing orchidectomy or ovariectomy. Both before and after surgery, those cats regarded as independent had higher CMPS-Feline and FGS scores than those considered to be more social individuals. Personality may therefore need to be factored into an assessment of the level of analgesia required by feline surgical patients.

Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery https:// doi. org / 10.1177 / 1098612X251349718

Effects of flickering fluorescent lights on behaviour in shelter dogs

USER-ALT Jennifer Abrams and others, City University of New York, USA

Fluorescent lighting is widely used in public buildings due to its energy efficiency and low heat output. However, there is evidence that the characteristic flickering of these lights can have negative effects on both humans and animals. The authors investigated the effects of fluorescent lighting on shelter dogs, a population commonly housed in buildings lit this way. They compared the behaviour of dogs kept under fluorescent lights with those under flicker-free LED lighting. Dogs housed under fluorescent lighting spent more time at the front of their kennel, standing up and licking their lips, whereas those under LED lights spent more time lying down in their beds. The authors suggest that the more active behaviours of the former group could be an indicator of environmental stress.

Applied Animal Behaviour Science https:// doi. org / 10.1016 / j. applanim. 2025.106692

12 Veterinary Nursing Journal