Reading Animal Behavior Chapter 4-Lesson 2 Reading Animal Behavior

Introduction One of the most important skills anyone involved with animals at any level should develop is the ability to interpret behavior in a multiple of species. It is the animal handler’s responsivity to read behavior correctly to protect themselves, the animal , and any other individual who may come in contact with the animal. Signals of distress and aggression may be subtle or obvious.

Introduction Cont. Usually when signs become obvious it is because someone has ignored, or not recognized the subtle signs the animal has exhibited. Once obvious, the animal can become hostile and fractious. At times the behavior of the technician should be modified to make the patient feel more comfortable with them and the environment.

Body Language and posture One of the first behavior signals that should be evaluated is body language and or posture. How an animal is standing can say a lot about the animal’s temperament and/or physical well being. An animal that is standing up with a high head carriage, alert ears, bright shiny eyes, and actively taking in its surroundings, with or without a wagging tail, is an animal that confident,healthy, and possibly friendly. One should not assume this stance is always that of a friendly animal, Some very confident, yet aggressive animals can have the same stance as they watch your behavior.

Body Language and posture cont. Always allow the opportunity to come or reach toward you in a friendly manner. If an animal approaches but does not appear to be friendly, one should politely get a trained staff member to help restrain the animal for examination or treatment of the patient.

Body Language and posture cont. Approaching a patient should be done in a calm, quiet, yet confident manner. Avoid direct eye contact with the patient, especially in aggressive breeds of dogs, as this can be interpreted as a threat. If the dog is inclined, and it is sage to do so allowing them to roam the exam room while a patient history is taken will allow them to relax and feel more comfortable with the environment.

Body Language and posture cont. Casually stoking the patient as they pass will allow them to feel less threatened as they explore and allows them the opportunity to become comfortable with you. This is also a great time for clients to relax as they see their pets interacting positively with staff. Patients can feed off the anxiety of their owners or staff and may become defensive if they feel threatened. Body Language and posture cont.

Body Language and posture cont. Cats brought in carriers should be set on the floor with the door open to allow them to come out and explore at their leisure until it is time for the examination. It is best to handle feline patients as little as possible. While some cats enjoy human interaction, others can be very wary of strangers and become more aggressive if they are handled.

Body Language and posture cont. Behavior on the part of staff and owners should be as calm and low key as possible with equine patients. Placing horses in stocks can be beneficial or not depending on their temperament. If a horse is calm and relaxed standing quietly with its owner during history takin, then allow them to continue standing until the veterinarian is present for the exam.

Body Language and posture cont. Fi the horse is nervous or the owner is unable to restrain the horse, placing them in an empty stall or stocks is ideal. Be careful when placing a nervous horse into stocks alone. It is not uncommon for a horse to spook, either bolting forward or setting back. ALWAYS practice safe horsemanship when handling horses; it is best to work in pairs.

Body Language and posture cont. Submissive, fearful, and ill patients may have similar body postures. Crouched, avoiding eye contact, ears back, tail tucked, hiding, dull expressions and head hanging are all postures of animals who feel threatened. Care should be taken not to threaten these patients further with bold body posture and loud speaking.

Body Language and posture cont. Approach theses animals with caution by mimicking some of their own postures to help them feel less threatened. Slowly opening and closing doors, speaking in low calm voices, slouching shoulders, approaching at an angle without direct eye contact, and allowing the patient time to become accustomed to your presence is key. As a VA you must be aware of how you may present to the patient. Cats and horses are especially sensitive to smells, so a change in scrubs may be needed.

Body Language and posture cont. The “fight or flight” response can be a very powerful instinct and one that should be taken seriously, ignoring these body postures could prove dangerous for staff and other individuals working with the patient. Dogs may snap, or even attack if they are fearful and can not escape the situation. Calmly placing a muzzle on these patients is important and should be done with the assistance of another staff member.

Body Language and posture cont. For smaller dogs, a muzzle and wrapping them snugly in a towel may also facilitate handling and treatment. Cats almost always prefer to run away but when cornered have use of claws as well as teeth. It is always best to never get to the point where a feline patient is threatened enough to use its teeth. A cat bite can be career ending and should be avoided at all costs.

Body Language and posture cont. Using a commercially made feline muzzle and the burrito technique can help keep everyone safe. It is best to either work quickly with a feline patient, or sedate so as to limit further stress.

Body Language and posture cont. Fearful equine patients are very dangerous and only the most experienced staff members should handle them. Horses have excellent aim when kicking and can kick straight back as well as in a sweeping motion from the side. It is best to work close to the animal rather than far away as a close kick will just shove an individual, while a kick at full power can break bones.

Body Language and posture cont. Horses may also rear and strike, so the front hooves should be watched as well. It is not unheard of for horses to bite, especially mares and stallions. Nervous horses can benefit from sedation; however on e should be careful in the administration of Xylazine as this can cause an excitatory response in equine patients.

Body Language and posture cont. NEVER use Acepromozine in stallions due to paraphimosis. In the event an equine patient should fall during a fight or flight response it is best to maintain your position parallel to the patient’s back. Never put yourself in the position to be struck by flailing hooves in front, behind and parallel with the horse’s legs in lateral recumbency.

Body Language and posture cont. As a horse gets up, it will roll toward its hooves, throw its front legs forward, and push itself up with its hindquarters. Should it lose its balance, it can flip over forward, flip over backward, or roll laterally in either direction. As long as it is in an area where it cannot trap or entangle itself, give it as much room as possible and the least amount of assistance unless it is endangering itself or others.