Handling & Restraint

Handling and Restraint

• Proper handling and restraining animals is crucial for examination and procedures.
• Improper restraint can cause injury to the animal and handlers.
• Restraint protects the animals, staff, and the technician .

General Principles of Animal Restraint

• Organizations promote positive patient experience through restraint techniques and equipment.
• Veterinary professionals should create a positive experience for animals in their care.
• Animal restraint goals include restricting movement for procedures, ensuring safety, and minimizing animal distress.

Animal Restraint

• Restraint is crucial for safe and humane animal care.
• There are three types of animal restraint: manual, mechanical, and chemical.
• Improper restraint can cause injury, hyperthermia, or difficulty breathing.

What's a Manual Restraint?

• Manual restraint involves using hands to hold or guide the animal in a desired position .
• It's best to use minimal force.

What's a Mechanical Restraint?

• Mechanical restraint uses equipment such as muzzles, leashes, collars, and restraint bags.
• Use only when manual restraint is insufficient.

What's a Chemical Restraint?

• Chemical restraint utilizes medications like sedatives, tranquilizers, and anesthetics.
• Authorisation of use is by the veterinarian only.

Injuries

• Injuries may result from improper restraint techniques, poor restraint methods choices, or misuse of restraint devices.
• Staff must recognize signs of fear or aggression in animals.
• Never lift animals over 40 lbs without assistance.

Vet Tech Connection

• Proper restraint and handling of animals are crucial aspects of veterinary medicine.
• Fear Free Certification is available.

Introduction to Animal Restraint

• If manual restraint is ineffective, the next step is to use mechanical restraint.
• Only a veterinarian can authorize the use of chemical restraint.

Techniques for Picking up Dogs

• Important to use two prerequisites when picking up a dog: a leash and crouching beside the animal.
• For small dogs, hold the leash in one hand and place one arm under the dog's head and around its neck.
• For larger dogs, two people lift the dog, ensuring they are on the same side of the dog.
• Steps should be followed in order when lifting a dog.

Dog Restraint and Handling

• The best way to approach a dog is for the dog to approach you.
• Anxiety is a common behavior when dogs are restrained or distressed.
• Nylon collars are suitable for everyday home use and not for restraint.

Removing a Dog from its Owner or a Cage

• When removing a dog from its owner, follow guidelines to approach the dog.
• When removing a dog from a cage, have the leash ready before opening the cage.
• Use the leash to prevent the dog from escaping when the cage door is fully opened.

Dog Restraint Techniques

• Choose the restraint technique that is appropriate based on the dog's temperament and what procedure will be performed.
• Different techniques should be followed for different types of dogs, including young and/or injured ones.

Specialized Restraining Techniques

• Special restraint techniques are required in specific situations such as restraining puppies or injured dogs.
• Restraint for procedures such as venipuncture varies on the vein to be used.
• Proper vein identification and placement is important for venipuncture restraint.

Restraint of Puppies

• Puppies may require less restraint than adult dogs.
• Remove the mother from the room when caring for the puppies.

Restraint of III or Injured Dogs

• Handle severely ill or injured dogs with caution as they may bite in response to extreme pain.
• Use restraint equipment such as muzzles to prevent injury.

Cat Restraint and Handling

• Cats are unaccustomed to regular handling.
• A frightened cat's natural instinct is to escape.
• Use restraint equipment such as restraint gloves for handling and preventing injury.

Removing a Cat from a Cage

• Use the same procedure followed when handling a dog to remove a cat from a cage.

Cat Restraint and Handling

• Veterinary visits can be stressful to cats; minimizing the time spent at the clinic or using pheromones aids this.
• A cat that is stressed or threatened may hide or show other signs of stress.
• Proper restraint techniques for cats include collars, leashes, and muzzles.
• Avoid holding a cat too tightly for fear of injury.

Cat Burrito Technique

• A towel restraint technique—wrapping the cat in a towel—is often used.

Cat Restraint Techniques

• Several restraint techniques can be used for cats, including standing, sitting, and sternal restraint.

Birds, Rodent, and Reptiles

• Each species requires specific handling and restraint procedures.
• Be mindful of the size and structure of small animals.

Handling and Restraint of Birds

• Handling birds carefully is important as they are delicate animals, especially young ones.

• Stress can cause birds illness or death.

• A towel restraint is often used to restrain birds.

• Do not cover or press down on the breastbone area.

Rodents

• Rodents should be handled gently with minimal restraint.
• Mechanical restraint or chemical restraint may be necessary.
• Consider the size and activity level of the rodent.

Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, and Chinchillas

• Approach these animals slowly, ensuring proper handling to avoid aggression.
• Do not disturb sleeping or hibernating animals.

Gerbils, Ferrets, and Rabbits

• Gerbils are active, and should be grasped at the base of the tail, near the body.
• Ferrets can bite and should be managed carefully.
• Rabbits are easily injured and should be handled with the least amount of force.

Reptiles

• Handling and restraining reptiles depends on the species.
• Gentle but firm handling is important, as roughly handled reptiles may become aggressive.
• Use the proper restraint method depending on the species.

Farm Animal Handling and Restraint

• Farm animals can be very large and should be handled with caution.
• Use proper equipment and procedures to restrain the animal and maintain safety for all.

Handling and Restraining Horses

• Approach horses slowly and attentively to their body language.
• A horse that is startled may injure itself or the handler.

Horses, Cattle, Sheep, and Lambs

• Different handling techniques are needed for different animals.
• Always handle these farm animals safely and cautiously.

Handling Goats, Pigs, and Fowl

• Farm animals may be challenging to restrain; it is important to be aware of their reactions
• Use appropriate restraint methods.