CW Chapter 3: Cat Restraint Course Work 107

I. Restraint for Physical Exam (PE) on Small Animals (This can be done as a lab activity) (Less than 20 pounds) A.Restraint during a physical exam on a small patient, weighing less than 20 pounds, should be on a leash or in a pet carrier. B. Assisting with a small animal (less than 20 lbs) during a physical examination (PE) that is willing to come out of its carrier. Course Work 107

I. Restraint for PE on Small Animals 1. Supplies a. Two-piece pet carrier (or box that paper reams comes in) b. Mannequin (cat) or small stuffed animal (or “live” animal if permitted by school/district) c. Tongue depressor d. Canned cheese or treat (not used in demo if using mannequins) e. Muzzle, leash Course Work 107

2. Roles: Client, VetTech, Small Patient 3. Steps for PE a. Take a full history of the patient from the client. b. Smear cheese on a couple of tongue depressors before coming in contact with the patient. i. For the patient that is very ill or pre- surgical, this may not be an option…you should adhere to pre-op (preoperative) orders. Course Work 107 I. Restraint for PE on Small Animals

c. Open the door to the carrier; if the patient comes out proceed with the physical exam. d. Position the patient with its face towards the owner. e. A thorough physical exam can be achieved by moving in a systematic routine. Course Work 107 I. Restraint for PE on Small Animals

f. When doing the physical exam, offer the cheese to the patient. i. The owner can hold the tongue depressor and offer the cheese to the pet. g. Always move slowly so that the patient does not feel alarmed or get startled. Course Work 107 I. Restraint for PE on Small Animals

h. Do not speak in a loud tone, because it can make the patient more anxious. i. Speak in a confident, calm tone. i. Do not reprimand the patient for inappropriate behavior! Instead, slowly position the patient in the desired place. ii. Puppies and kittens are difficult to get to hold still for long times, so be flexible and move with them. Course Work 107 I. Restraint for PE on Small Animals

j.NOTE: If the patient is showing signs of agitation, stop, and wait to finish the exam with another partner. Course Work 107 I. Restraint for PE on Small Animals

C. Restraining a small pet (less than 20 lbs) for a physical exam when the pet DOES NOT COME OUT of the carrier (this can also be done as a lab activity): 1. Additional Supplies: a. Feliway and/or DAP b. Towel c. Muzzle 2. Roles: Client, VetTech, Additional VetTech, Small Patient Course Work 107 I. Restraint for PE on Small Animals

3. Steps a. Spray a towel with Feliway™ for cats or DAP for dogs. b. Drape the towel over the carrier so the pheromone smell calms the patient; this can be done while taking the history from the owner. c. Undo the fasteners from the carrier as quietly as possible. Course Work 107 I. Restraint for PE on Small Animals

d. Slip the towel between the two halves of the carrier making sure the pet is covered by the towel. i. This creates a roof over the pet. ii. Place the carrier top in an area of easy access, but safe from tripping on it or causing a disturbance to the patient. e. A thorough physical exam can usually be achieved by moving from the patient’s head to its hindquarters. Course Work 107 I. Restraint for PE on Small Animals

f. When doing the physical exam, offer cheese to the patient when necessary or appropriate. i. The owner can hold the tongue depressor, and offer the cheese to the pet. g. Move slowly so the patient does not feel alarmed or get startled. Course Work 107 I. Restraint for PE on Small Animals

h. Do not speak in a loud tone, because it can make the patient more anxious. i. Speak in a confident, calm tone. i. Do not reprimand the patient for inappropriate behavior! Instead, slowly position the patient in the desired place. ii. NOTE: If the patient is showing signs of aggression despite executing step (1), do not perform the physical exam. Course Work 107 I. Restraint for PE on Small Animals

j. Get skilled help, and proceed with a single physical exam. After all, patient and client comfort is of the utmost importance! Course Work 107 I. Restraint for PE on Small Animals

II. Jugular Venipuncture on a Feline (this can be done as a lab activity) A.Keep the cat inside the bottom half of the carrier, whenever possible. 1. Only the person that will be holding the cat is allowed to touch it at this time. 2. The handler is positioned behind or beside the carrier. 3. Gently grasp both ears of the patient with the index and thumb, and place the middle finger of the two hands underneath the jaw of the cat. Course Work 107

II. Jugular Venipuncture on a Feline 4. The rest of the fingers are gathered at the sides of the cat’s head just behind the angle of the jaw. a. Hint: the middle fingers will cross each other underneath the chin of the cat. 5. Gently lift the cat’s head to expose the jugular area to the person who will draw blood. 6. The person who will draw blood can begin slowly and very gently wetting the feline’s neck with an alcohol soaked cotton ball. Course Work 107

II. Jugular Venipuncture on a Feline 7. Beginning at the lateral side, and working towards the trachea. 8. When the person drawing the blood begins to insert the needle beneath the skin of the cat, the handler is to blow gentle puffs of air at the cat’s nose or at its head or gently vibrate the cat’s head; this is done to distract the feline. Course Work 107

II. Jugular Venipuncture on a Feline 9. NOTE: If the feline is pawing, then a towel misted with Feliway™ can be used to gently wrap the cat so that its paws can’t move. a. If the patient is not cooperating, but not stressed out, then an e-collar can be used, or blood can be drawn from the medial saphenous. b. If high distress is exhibited by the feline patient, then no invasive procedure should be done. c. Save it for some other time, and have the patient come back with a mild sedative on board. Course Work 107

III. Restraint for Lateral Recumbency for Feline Venipuncture (this can also be done as a lab activity) A. In some instances a feline patient may not object to be positioned in lateral recumbency (on its side) for venipuncture. Course Work 107

III. Restraint for Lateral Recumbency for Feline Venipuncture B.Restraint for lateral recumbency for feline venipuncture is as follows: 1. Make sure all the supplies for collecting blood samples are present. 2. Gently place the cat in lateral recumbency. 3. Grasp the cat’s head by its zygomatic arches by placing the palm of the hand directly across the top of the feline’s head. Course Work 107

4. The forearm will lie along the cat’s back. 5. The other hand of the handler will gently hold the front limbs of the cat, and pull them caudally. a. This forearm can hold the hindquarters. b. If this is not feasible, a towel with Feliway can be gently wrapped around the cats body. Course Work 107 III. Restraint for Lateral Recumbency for Feline Venipuncture

6. Gently shift the cat’s head to expose the jugular area to the person who will draw the blood. a. This method can also be used to take blood from the saphenous vein. 7. The person who will draw blood can begin slowly and very gently wetting the feline’s neck with an alcohol soaked cotton ball. Course Work 107 III. Restraint for Lateral Recumbency for Feline Venipuncture

8. Slowly and gently press the thumb at the thoracic inlet to reveal the jugular. 9. When the person drawing the blood begins to insert the needle beneath the skin of the cat, the handler is to blow gentle puffs of air at the cat’s nose or at its head or gently vibrate the cat’s head; this is done to distract the feline. Course Work 107 III. Restraint for Lateral Recumbency for Feline Venipuncture