Handling and Restraint

Goals of Restraint

• Restrict the animal’s movement so medical or husbandry procedures may be performed.

• Keep the animal and all personnel safe.

• Use minimum amount of restraint necessary to prevent fear, pain, and suffering for the animal.These goals ensure effective handling while prioritizing the animal's welfare and safety.

Reason for use of restraints

• Examination and treatment

• Training other staff members in proper restraining techniques

complications of improper restraint

• Cause injuries such as strains, sprains, bruises, and abrasions

• Cause hyperthermia due to excessive stress

• Cause difficulty breathing (dyspnea)

Types of Restraints

1. Manual restraint

2. Mechanical restraint

3. Chemical restraint

manual restraint

Manual restraint is a “less is more” approach of using your hands to hold or guide the animal in the desired position. Since this method causes the least amount of stress, you’ll want to use it whenever possible.

Mechanical Restraint

Mechanical restraint employs equipment such as muzzles, leashes, collars, blankets, restraint bags, and poles. These devices may upset animals, so use them only when manual restraint is insufficient or presents safety concerns for the animal or the team.

Chemical Restraint

Chemical restraints are oral or injectable sedatives, tranquilizers, and anesthetics. If manual or mechanical restraint causes safety or stress concerns for the patient, chemical restraint may be the best option.

applying a dog muzzle

1. An assistant should restrain the patient in sitting or sternal recumbency.

2. Approach the dog from the side or behind with one hand on each end of the muzzle straps.

3. In a swift and fluid motion, slide the muzzle over the patient’s nose, with the narrow portion of the muzzle over the nose and the wider portion under the chin.

4. Buckle or clasp the muzzle securely so you can only fit one finger under the strap.

Head Snare Use

Step 1

Set the head snare in the open position.

Step 2

Approach the dog from the side or behind and slip the loop over the dog’s head.

Step 3

Tighten the loop. The animal may flail and react, but the handle keeps it at a safe distance. Lead the dog to a kennel or enclosure. Then, remove the head snare once the dog is secure. 

Approaching a dog

Whenever possible allow the dog to approach you first

only a veterinarian can Authorize?

The use of chemical restraint

Why is it important to recognize fear and aggression?

It can cause injury to the staff member if not recognized

If manual restraint isn’t effective on an animal what is the next step?

Mechanical restraint is the next step.

what behavior is a dog displaying if they are tensing their muscles during restraint?

Anxiety

what is the best way to approach a dog?

let the dog approach you whenever possible

which collar is most appropriate for daily home use but not reliant for restraint?

Nylon collar

How to pick up a cat?

1. Control the cat’s head with manual or mechanical restraint.

2. Place your other hand under the cat’s abdomen, with your fingers between the cat’s front legs.

Cat Fear Reactions?

• Find a small dark place to hide

• Vocalize with growls, hisses, and moans

• Pull back its ears against its head

• Twitch its tail slowly

How to Handle Small Birds?

1.Carefully open the cage door. Block the open door with your hand and a towel as you reach into the cage or have someone stand behind you and hold a towel over the door.

2.Remove most of the perches and toys from the cage. This will keep the bird from injuring itself should it become frightened (small birds frighten easily) and fly around the cage

3.Grasp the bird in your hand by placing your palm against its wings and securing its head between your thumb and index finger. Be careful, as too much pressure can damage its face.

4.Cradle the bird in your palm and place your pointer finger gently across the bird’s legs.

How to handle big birds?

1.Remove excess perches and toys from the cage

2.Place the towel lengthwise across the palm of your hand.

3.Reach into the cage and grasp the bird from behind by placing your hand behind the bird’s head. Position the bird’s lower jaw between your thumb and index finger. For a larger bird, place one hand loosely around the bird’s neck and the other hand, stretched slightly, on its feet.

4.Drape the towel around the bird as you lift it slightly toward the door of the cage. For a larger bird, fold its wings and pull the bird close to your body.

5.As you bring the bird through the cage door, place your other hand on the bird’s feet and hold them firmly in place.

Two Mechanical Rodent Restraint tools?

Two mechanical devices used to restrain rodents are the acrylic rodent restrainer and the forceps. An acrylic rodent restrainer is a clear plastic tube with access ports drilled into it. Allow the rat or mouse to climb up into the device and then place a small plastic gate behind the animal to keep it from backing up.

Handling a mouse and gerbils?

1. Grasp the base of the mouse’s tail as close to the body as possible. Lift the mouse straight up and place it down on a wire-mesh cage top or other grid-type surface, keeping hold of the tail. The mouse will grasp this surface with its feet and try to escape. This keeps the mouse distracted.

2. Gently stretch the mouse’s body by pulling back on its tail with one hand while you grasp the loose skin on the back of its neck with the other.

3. Lift the animal and cup it in the palm of your hand.

4. Loosely drape your other fingers around the animal’s body, holding the feet and tail between your last two fingers. Don’t hold the mouse so tightly that you impede its breathing.

Handling a Rat?

1. Grasp the rat by placing your thumb and index finger around its lower jaw. This secures the head and keeps the rat from being able to turn and bite.

2. With your other hand, support the rat’s hindquarters while holding its feet and tail still.

Pick Up a Hamster?

1. Make sure the hamster is awake. A knock on the side of its cage usually awakens the animal.

2. Reach into the cage and grasp the loose skin on the back of the hamster’s neck. Grasp as much of the loose skin as possible, or the hamster may still be able to turn and bite.

3. Lift the animal out of the cage and cup it in your palm as you would a mouse.

Pick Up a Guinea Pig?

1. Reach into the cage and place your hand in front of the animal to block it from running around.

2. Slide your other hand gently under the guinea pig’s chest.

3. Pick the animal straight up.

4. Immediately place your other hand under the animal’s hindquarters for support.

5. Avoid placing your hand down on a guinea pig’s back or shoulders too firmly; this may injure its lungs.

Handling a Chinchilla?

1. Reach into the cage and place your hand under the animal’s thorax (chest).

2. Pick the animal up out of the cage.

3. Immediately place the other hand over the animal’s shoulders to prevent it from escaping.

4. Avoid Fur slip.

Handling a Ferret?

1. Place one hand under the animal’s chest, behind its forelegs.

2. Pick up the ferret.

3. Use your other hand to support the ferret’s hindquarters.

Handling a Rabbit?

1. Reach into the cage and lightly grasp a small amount of the loose skin behind the rabbit’s ears.

2. Facing the animal away from you, slide your other hand under its rear legs.

3. Lift the animal toward you and press it gently against your body.

4. Don’t Hold Scruff to tightly because it can damage the tissue

How many people are needed for every 3 feet of Snake?

3 People

Handling a Lizzard?

1. Most lizards can be restrained by grasping them around the shoulders.

2. Use your other hand to restrain and support the hindquarters.

How to approach a horse?

• Always approach a horse at the shoulder or near the neck so that it can see you.

• Never approach from behind if you can help it.

• Speak softly to the horse. Your voice will put it at ease. Also, the horse may be asleep, and talking to it will awaken it.

• Don’t make sudden noises or movements that might frighten the horse.

• Once near the horse, pat it on the neck or shoulder and continue to speak softly to it.