Feline Dissection

[ComeTogether]

So, I am a pre-nursing student and just started Anatomy and Physiology II. I have worked in healthcare for about 5 years now and seen many things. I have a really strong stomach, not much bothers me. I find clinical mode and just go. All that being said, I find I am having a really hard time coming to terms with the fact that I am going to have to participate in feline dissection.

My school uses a cat farm. These cats are bread for the sole purpose of being euthanized for students to use as specimens. I love cats, I love all animals. I fully understand and appreciate that animals have to die for us to exist. I'm not a vegetarian, I love me some burgers....LOL.

All that being said, I really don't know how I am going to do this. I feel that it is wrong, truly I do. A huge part of me feels like participating just for the knowledge I will gain, but I cant get past the fact that these animals come from a cat farm. I've never come across a situation in healthcare where I had to do something even though I felt it was wrong. Sure, i've come across many a things I didnt want to do,. I know I don't have a choice, that If I want to pass this class I must participate and Im not going to protest or drag my feet....... I just dont know how I am going to do it.

I live in South Carolina, where there are many kill shelters. So many feral cats are euthanized because homes can't be found. While I appreciate the fact that many of these cats are probably diseased and can't be used by students I still can't get past the fact that somewhere in this country cat's are being bread for us to dissect. It just seem so wrong. Oh, and yes, I have 2 of my own. Arthur and Grey who I freaking love and couldn't imagine my home without.

Mostly I needed to vent. If anyone has any advice or suggestions it would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

K

[ComeTogether, LPN]

It really burns my britches that they are still doing this in this day and age. What a waste as it is totally not needed. There are many other ways to teach the same info.

Me too. My professor was really sweet about my reservation. She said "we will help you get through it ". She is this adorable 70 something year old who ...get this... Made us lunch!! I didn't tell her I wouldn't do it but I did tell her why I take issue. I just wonder if its worse to not participate, because then the little furry guy died for nothing....

"No day but today"

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

I just wonder if its worse to not participate, because then the little furry guy died for nothing....

"No day but today"

The littly furry guy won't be 'wasted'. He's packed full of 'lovely' chemicals. He'll be used by someone else in the next A&P class.

I do understand your reservations. If these poor cats are being bred and born only to be killed for disection, that's crazy. While I'm not a fan of cat/dog disection in A&P classes I'd feel better knowing the poor thing wasn't born just to die to be a specimen.

[eatmysoxRN, ASN, RN]

I hated that part too. I was a vegan with extremely strong feelings for animal rights. I spent several days a week (except for days with clinicals) volunteering at my local animal shelter. It broke my heart to have to dissect that cat.

Unfortunately, options were limited. At my school it was required. Even if it hadn't been, there was no way even a virtual dissection would have prepared me for the exams. I cried several times during dissection. My fellow vegans frowned at me and offered to help stage a picket against it. I bowed my head and did it anyhow.

It is sad. I wish animals had more rights in this world. I've never heard of cat farms, and for good reason. I'm going to choose to remain ignorant and not research that at all.

~ No One Can Make You Feel Inferior Without Your Consent -Eleanor Roosevelt ~

[gerry75]

I can relate to this. I had to do it last summer but my professor claimed that the cats were from shelters and would have been out to sleep anyway. This made it a little easier for me to grasp; I hope I was not naive and he was being honest. The idea of a "cat farm" is indeed unsettling, and in my opinion not necessary. Seems to me that there are other options, just as suitable in this day and age. The good news is that your professor seems open to helping you through it, which is the complete opposite of the man who taught my class. I took issue with the cat dissection as well, and to top it off, MY cat at home was sick and experiencing some of the disorders we were learning about in class. It was horrible ( But it did teach me how to think clinically and separate my emotions from the task at hand). Best of luck to you, I hope you can get through this!