It's not really disturbing until you start realizing how terrified the animal - not knowing it wasn't actually going to die - must have been. The reason you bathe animals by hand is first off so that you have some kind of control over the spray and second so that they have the comfort of your presence. Even if it's just so they can dig their claws into your legs.

I agree with the person who said it was the difference between going with a toddler for an unpleasant procedure and holding them as it's done and putting them in a cold box that performs the procedure without any human contact.

/my thoughts on yaoi