Changes

==Risk Assessment==

==Risk Assessment==

There is little scientific data to provide a reliable means of prognostication, but the same basic issues remain when considering safety during the treatment of feline aggression problems:

Risk assessment in aggression is an are that requires proper investigation. There is also little scientific data to provide a reliable means of prognostication. However, the following factors should be taken into account:

*Will the cat bite (again)?

* Frequency of aggressive incidents, which have resulted in physical injury, in the past.

*What harm will it cause if it does?

* Level of physical damage caused in previous incidents.

*Can the cause for the aggression be treated?

* Predictability of aggressive incidents (what events and stimuli elicit aggression, and whether the cat provides adequate warning if its action).

* Manageability of the behaviour: what measures can be taken to minimise risk of injury.

*Whilst treatment proceeds, can people and animals be kept safe from the cat?

*Are the owners willing and capable to accept and safely manage the immediate and long-term risks?

There is also a need to consider the amount of warning that precedes an attack and how often such attacks occur. Infrequent but severe attacks that occur without much warning represent a genuine threat to safety and carry a poor prognosis.  

If bites have been frequent and unpredictable and with little warning, and it is difficult to institute measures that alleviate risk of injury, then risk is high.

Unless the damage caused by previous bites has been minimal, and the underlying cause for the aggression can be treated effectively then the prognosis if poor.

There is an absolute necessity to follow up and manage these cases and to make sure that clients do not place themselves or others at risk. Predictability of aggressive behaviour is critical, as is preparing the owner with a plan of action should aggression be seen.  

Making an assessment of the owner's willingness and ability of comply with treatment and management instructs if critical; poor compliance can lead to serious injury.

After a problem has been successfully treated, there may still be an ongoing risk of incidents, and risk management may need to be continued for the remainder of the cat's life.

In many cases cats show inhibited behaviour and subtle initial signs of [[Feline Fear and Stress|fear or anxiety]]. Clients must be able to identify these in order to fully understand the cat’s behaviour.

In many cases cats show inhibited behaviour and subtle initial signs of [[Feline Fear and Stress|fear or anxiety]]. Clients must be able to identify these in order to fully understand the cat’s behaviour.