1. Small Animal Restraints
Agriculture Science - Veterinary Technician

2. Small Animal Management & Veterinary Medical Applications
2(A): explain the importance of safe practice when working with small animals 4(F): describe and practice common methods of handling each species studied
5(D): demonstrate appropriate methods of handling a variety of animal behavioral situations
Small Animal Management & Veterinary Medical Applications

3. Intro to Veterinarian Assistant Technology
9 (D) place and restrain small animals on table; (E) apply safety muzzles and Elizabethan collars; (F) demonstrate proper use of restraint poles
10 (A) discuss safety purposes of proper restraint to prevent harm to the patient and handler; (B) discuss the importance of proper restraint during veterinary treatments; (C) demonstrate proper restraint methods for a variety of different animals species
Intro to Veterinarian Assistant Technology

4. Benefits of Proper Animal Handling
Prevents people from getting hurt
Minimizes animal’s chances of injury
Reduces stress for the animal
Sets an example to others of how to properly handle animals
Benefits of Proper Animal Handling

5. Elizabethan Collars (E-collars)
A protective medical device worn by an animal to allow its wounds and injuries to heal
E-collars for Cats
E-collars for Dogs
Click on the links to watch a video of a vet putting on an E-collar Step by Step Instructions:
Elizabethan Collars (E-collars)

6. Types of Restraint Verbal Physical
Commands such as “Sit”, “Stay”, “Down”
Physical
Restraint Pole
Leash
Your hand
Muzzle
Towel
Types of Restraint

7. A fastening or covering for the mouth of an animal used to prevent eating or biting
Apply a muzzle if animal has had a history of biting
Using a muzzle could reduce the possibility of using additional restraint later
Gauze can be fashioned into a muzzle
Muzzles

8. Types of Muzzles Basket Style Muzzle Fabric Muzzle
Best type to use for long periods of time
Allows the animal to open its mouth slightly to pant, drink, or vomit
Often used at vet’s
Restricts the animal’s ability to pant
Easy to put on and take off
Comfortable and secure
For more information on muzzles:
Types of Muzzles

9. Making a Gauze Muzzle

10. Restraint Poles Also known as control poles
Used as a last resort at vet clinics
Helps with an aggressive animal
Has a rigid pole to give the user distance from the animal
Animal may flail violently after capture
How to use a Control Pole
Restraint Poles

11. Towel Used as makeshift restraining devices
Can also help capture animals
If thrown over the animal’s head, the towel can prevent it from seeing and anticipating movements
Helps protect handler’s hands from sharp claws or teeth
Towel

12. Leash A line for leading or restraining an animal
Placed around the animal’s neck
Do not drag an animal with a leash
However sometimes a quick tug will get an animal to walk
If animal refuses to wear a leash, carry it
Removing a dog from its cage with a leash
Leash

13. Place one arm in front of the animal’s chest and the other behind its back legs
Animals heavier than 50 pounds should be carried by two people
One person positions arms behind the front legs, under the animal’s chest
The other holds the animal under its abdomen, in front of its hind legs
Carrying an Animal

14. Carrying Smaller Animals
Carry the animal in a manner that will allow you to increase the amount of restraint quickly
Animal is supported by handler’s arm while its front leg is loosely grasped
Hold the animal’s head to detract its ability to escape
Carrying Smaller Animals

15. Crouch down to their level but maintain the ability to move away if necessary
Do not approach from behind
Avoid direct eye contact
Get the pet’s attention and encourage it to come forward by calling its name
Talk in soothing tones
Pat your leg to motion the animal towards you
Extend hand, palm down, for the animal to sniff
Approaching an Animal

16. Restraining an Animal Often needed to safely examine animals
Restraint Bag
Positional Restraint
Lateral Recumbency (Recumbency means to be lying down)
Sternal Recumbency (Sternal concerns the sternum)
Restraining an Animal

17. Restraint Bag Used to restrain small animals
Has zippers that can be used to expose one body part at a time
Can be replaced by a towel if necessary
Restraint Bag

18. Lateral Recumbency Place animal on its side
Put elbow over neck and hold the leg closest to the table
Try to keep limbs close to the body
If animal struggles, apply more pressure to stay in control
Lessen the pressure when the animal stops struggling
Watch a video of the process
Lateral Recumbency

19. Place animal on the examination table in a standing position
Force patient to sit down by applying pressure to hips
Apply pressure to the shoulder with one hand and the back with the forearm so that the animal is lying down
Hold the animal’s leg at the elbow to prevent its front leg from pulling back
Sternal Recumbency

20. Drugs may be necessary so that the vet can safely examine the patient if it is:
Aggressive
Stressed/Worked up
Extremely uncooperative
Sedation or general anesthesia may be used
Ask a staff member to determine if sedation is needed
Drugs

21. Use as little restraint as possible without giving up your control
Excessive restraint may cause animal to become stubborn
Talk to the animal in a quiet, soothing tone throughout examination
Do not make any sudden movements
Things to Remember

22. More Links Safe Restraint Methods – lateral incumbency, muzzles
Creating a Muzzle from Gauze
Using a Control Pole (Skip to 2:45)
More Links