Basics of Restraint

What is variable regarding restraint?

• Diversity of patients - species (cats vs. dogs)

• Variable techniques

  • Familiarity is required - for effective handling, safe working environment

What are indications for restraint?

For control during:

• Examinations - dx, therapeutic plans

• Procedures - prevents self harm, adminster therapy

• Protect personnel - veterinary staff, clients/owners

What are client perceptions of restraint?

Properly performed restraint - is it necessary? Makes you confident in procedures, examinations, protecting personnel, etc.

Improperly performed restraint - can be seen as cruel handling, potential litigation (law suits)

When are you liable when it comes to restraint?

1. The moment a client enters the clinic

2. The moment a truck stops on property

What are the responsibilities of restraint?

1. Decrease hazards - interactions (animals, people), and environment (restraint devices, buildings, tables)

2. Analyze the situation - patient status (healthy vs. disease), species

What are the general principles of restraint?

1. Least amount of restraint needed

2. Species dependent - LA vs. SA, comfort level (domesticated vs. feral)

3. Restraint response - dependent on species’ comfort level, health status (are they lethargic or BAR? Use appropriate level of restraint)

What are the steps of restraint?

1. Approach - observe from a distance, olfactory and visual are important, close the doors and windows

2. Capture - be careful of injury at a close distance

3. Minimize anxiety - avoid loud noise, rapid movement, reaching over, and a slippery table

4. Ask for help!

What are the first things you do when it comes to canine restraint?

1. Voice - increased pitch

2. Posture - less cover, get down

3. Movement - slow and deliberate

4. Use the back of hand - less threat, and protects our fingers

5. Touch - don’t grab, pet/stroke them

6. Have some caution - watch body language, does their behavior change with or without their owner, do we trust them - do we need to muzzle them

7. Prevent escape - close them doors, cages, and windows

What are some lifting restraint techniques when it comes to a dog?

Small - thorax grip (b/w neck and abdomen)

Medium - chest/rump

Large - ‘forklift’, two person job

Ergonomics - make sure to have straight back and lift with your legs

NO jumping

What are some other restraint techniques when it comes to dogs?

1. Table restraint - front and back control

   1. Chest/neck, back/abdomen

2. Lateral restraint

   1. 1st person - close to body - “hug” + pulls legs from under them

   2. 2nd person - catch/protect head, forearm on neck, hold down limbs, put weight on neck and rump

3. Floor restraint

   1. Large dogs only, not recommended

What are some muzzles used for restraint? (dogs)

1. Hand muzzle - short term, for good dogs, use one-hand/two-hand grip

2. Commercial muzzle - make sure proper size, adjust it depending on dogs

3. Tie muzzle

What is the technique for a tie muzzle?

1. Have two long strips of gauze

2. Do an overhand knot over the muzzle, make sure it is tight enough to prevent mouth from opening or tongue from sticking out

3. Cross under mandibles

4. Tie behind ears

What are some other restraint devices for dogs?

1. Muzzles for brachiocephalics - use an air muzzle

2. Mobility limiting - E-collars (Commercial and homemade), bucket, neck brace

3. Chemical - parenteral (outside the GI tract), pole syringe, dart (blowgun, gun)

What are the first things you do when it comes to feline restraint?

1. Voice - quiet

2. Movement - slow and deliberate

3. Touch - no grabbing, pet/stroke

4. Caution - watch body language, how do they do with or without owner, do we need to muzzle them

5. Chasing - do not chase, prevent escape by closing cage, doors, windows

6. Corner - with towels, nets, lasso, box, chemical (oral)

What are feline restriaint techniques?

1. Lifting - they are small → cradle, towel, scruff, kennel

2. Protection - use heavy gloves, cat bag, net

3. Carrying - cradle, towel, bag, cat stretch (scruff/hind limbs)

4. Table restraint - use minimal restraint, but typically cat stretch

What are some restraint devices for cats?

1. Muzzles - for eyes and mouth

2. Cat bag - watch for the mouth

3. Mobility limiting devices - E-collars (commercial and homemade), side brace

4. Chemical - parenteral (pole syringe and dart), oral medications