1. Dog Handling and Restraint Techniques Vet Tech

2. After the completion of this lesson students will be able to… Catch a dog with a snare Carrying an injured dog, both small and large. Muzzle a dog, both normal and short nosed. Describe the proper way to administer medication (liquid and pill) Determine the use of and proper methods of lateral, sternal and standing restraint. Describe proper procedures for taking a rectal temperature. Describe proper procedures for using an Elizabethan collar.

3. General Safety Procedures Wear protective clothing when working with animals. Before handling any animal, make sure it is up to date all on VX, especially rabies. Make sure to put your safety first and the animal’s second! If bitten or scratched return the animal to its cage, then clean the wound with soap and water.

4. Reasons for restraint To control an animal for treatment or examination. To prevent the animal form harming itself. To prevent the animal from harming the people who are treating it.

5. Before you restrain… As a general rule begin with the minimal restraint necessary and proceeded from there. Observe the dog for signs of fear or aggression. Approach and handle all dogs slowly and gently and talk with a soothing tone of voice!

6. Catch a Dog with a snare To use the snare place the loop over the dog’s head and pull the handle a the opposite end until the loop becomes snug around its neck. A snare a.k.a rabies pole Permits handler to lead the dog from a safe distance.

7. Carrying a Small Injured Dog 1. Place you right hand under the dog’s body with your index finer between the forelegs. 2. Lift the dog so that its body is supported by your hip and hold firmly by your right 3. Hold the scruff to help further restrain the head.

8. Carrying a large dog “scoop” method 1. kneel and completely surround the dog with both arms. 2. Return to standing position. Remember to lift with your knees not your back!

9. Using an “E collar” Elizabethan collar Commonly used to keep a dog from chewing or licking wounds or incisions. Needs to be light and flexible The dog may be able to still bite!

10. Muzzling a normal dog Make a loop in the center of a 4ft piece of bandage. Tie a “x” knot in the center and slip it over the dog’s muzzle. Bring the ends together under the chin and loop the ends through each other. Tie the two loose ends in a bow behind the dog’s head.

11. Muzzling a Brachiocephalic Dog Complete the same process as described for a normal dog. Then, to relieve pressure of the nose loop on the nasal passage, pass on of the ends under the loop on the dog’s muzzle and pull it tight. Then ties ends at the back of the head with a bow. Brachiocephalic = short nosed

12. Administering medication First try to get the dog to take the pill on its own. 1. Grasp the jaw with the lips folded inward. Gently pull upward on the top jaw. 2. While holding down the lower jaw place the pill as far back as possible on the tongue. Hold the mouth shut till the dog swallows the pill. You may need to massage the throat.

13. Lateral Recumbency Start with the dog in standing position. Reach over the back and gently grasp the legs and pull the dogs body toward you. DO NOT DROP THE DOG Once the dog is down grasp the forelegs in one hand and the hind legs in the other. Restrain the neck with the arm that is holding the forelegs by pressing on the base of the skull.

14. Sternal Recumbency Most commonly used for IV injections. Lay the dog down on its belly with the forelegs stretched forwards. Hold the dog’s head with one arm With the other arm reach over the dog’s back and grasp the opposite foreleg. Gently apply your weight to the dog’s back to prevent movement.

15. Standing position This type of restraint is most commonly used for a physical exam or while administering a vx Allow the dog to stand on the examination table and slip one arm around the dog’s neck. Pass you other arm under the animal’s body between the two sets of legs and pull the body firmly against yours.