Kvet Forum
Well-known member
Depending on the layout and design of a kennel area cats and small patients such as rabbits, guinea pigs, rats and birds should be housed separately from dogs. Serious thought should be given to the patient’s condition and the effect of the external environment around them. For example, a dyspnoeic feline patient should not be placed in the kennel above a barking dog. A recumbent patient should not be hidden away in a kennel on its own but accommodated next to an area of activity so that it does not feel forgotten and can be closely monitored.The size of kennel should be relative to the size of the patient and it should be able to fully stretch out. This is particularly relevant with recumbent and geriatric patients.
Placement of equipment within the kennel is also important. A feline patient may be hesitant to eat if its food bowl is directly next to the litter tray. A geriatric patient with spondylosis or a patient with megaoesophagus may benefit from their food and water bowls being raised off the ground.