Small Animal Restraints Agriculture Science - Veterinary
Technician Slide 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 Slide 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
Slide 4 Benefits of Proper Animal Handling Prevents people from
getting hurt Minimizes animals chances of injury Reduces stress for
the animal Sets an example to others of how to properly handle
animals Slide 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 Slide 6 Types of
Restraint Verbal Commands such as Sit, Stay, Down Physical
Restraint Pole Leash Your hand Muzzle Towel Slide 7 Muzzles 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
Slide 8 Types of Muzzles Basket Style MuzzleFabric 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 vets Restricts the
animals ability to pant Easy to put on and take off Comfortable and
secure Slide 9 Making a Gauze Muzzle Slide 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 Slide 11 Towel Used as makeshift
restraining devices Can also help capture animals If thrown over
the animals head, the towel can prevent it from seeing and
anticipating movements Helps protect handlers hands from sharp
claws or teeth Slide 12 Leash A line for leading or restraining an
animal Placed around the animals 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 Slide 13 Carrying an Animal Place one arm in
front of the animals 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 animals
chest The other holds the animal under its abdomen, in front of its
hind legs Slide 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 handlers arm while its front leg is
loosely grasped Hold the animals head to detract its ability to
escape Slide 15 Approaching an Animal 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 pets 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 Slide 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) Slide 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 Slide 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 Slide 19 Sternal
Recumbency 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 animals leg at
the elbow to prevent its front leg from pulling back Slide 20 Drugs
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 Slide 21 Things to
Remember 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 Slide 22 More Links Safe Restraint
Methods lateral incumbency, muzzles Safe Restraint Methods Creating
a Muzzle from Gauze Using a Control Pole (Skip to 2:45) Using a
Control Pole
