Proper animal handling & Restraint

Why Proper Restraint Techniques? Prevents injury Useful for examinations and treatments More comfortable for animal and handler Keep First Aid Kit for bites and scratches

Rabbit Restraint & Handling Picking Up Grab scruff of the neck with one hand and lifting up while placing the other hand under the rump for support. Holding Use the same technique but the hand under the rump is moved to support the abdomen. Rabbits seldom bite but many cause injury with their hind legs or may be injured if placed on a smooth surface Rabbit’s foot pads are covered with fur which causes a lack of traction Can lead to dislocation of their hip or spine when they try to move or hop

Rat & Mice Restraint & Handling Grasp the tail close to the body with one hand Use the other hand to grasp loose skin in the neck and shoulder area.

Cat Restraint & Handling To work around head: wrap in a blanket or place in “cat bag” Allows handler to grasp and hold the back of the head between the thumb and fingers

Dog Restraint & Handling Standing restraint Place one arm under the dog’s neck with the forearm, holding the head The other arm is placed around the animal’s body to pull it close to the handler Can be used on floor or table Use General Exams Specimen Retrieval Nail Trims

Dog Restraint & Handling Sitting Restraint Same technique as standing restraint, but dog is sitting Can be against wall to keep dog from backing up Use: General Exams Cleaning ears Blood draw

Dog Restraint & Handling Lateral Recumbency Begin in Sitting Restraint Carefully place in lying position Hold legs that are on down side of table/floor prevents dog from standing Pay attention of head of animal! Use: X-Rays Blood Draw Nail trims (extreme)

Dog Restraint & Handling Sternal Recumbency Place dog in sitting position Use light pressure to encourage dog to lie down on its chest “Bear-hug” dog to maintain restraint Use: Close examination Blood draw

Dog Restraint & Handling Dorsal Recumbency Will need more than one person Place in lateral recumbency, then carefully roll dog to its back Front legs are pulled forward to head Rear legs are pulled towards tail Use: X-Rays

Dog Restraint & Handling Venipuncture Cephalic Cephalic vein in front leg Sitting/Sternal Recumbency Jugular Jugular vein on either side of neck Saphenous Inside of thigh in rear limb Lateral recumbency

Dog Restraint cont… Muzzles prevent biting can be simple narrow strips of gauze or cloth make a loop in the material Loop is then slipped over the dog’s nose and mouth The ends are crossed under the jaw to bring them up behind the ears for tying in a bow

Elizabethan Collars Elizabethan Collars (or E-collars) prevent dogs and cats from reaching injuries with their teeth. They also protect facial sores from pawing or scratching nails. You can get them at pet- supply stores, catalogs, or from a vet. They can also be home- made.

Making an E-collar – Cone of SHAME 1. Measure the pet’s neck and the distance from his collar to the tip of his nose 2. Mark these measurements on a piece of rigid cardboard or plastic. We’re going to use construction paper 3. Make a V-shaped cut from the outer edge to the inner circle. 4. Punch holes along both edges of the collar. 5. Lace a shoe string or yarn through the holes to secure the collar around your pet’s neck.