2-Small Animal Behavior and Restraint.pptx

Animal Behavior & Restraint Primary Goals Safety of the handler Reduce financial losses Safety of the examiner Safety of the animal Welfare of the animal All are equally important Tips on Approach Use a low, soft, nonthreatening voice 1 Try to avoid direct eye contact 2 Slow, purposeful...

Animal Behavior & Restraint Primary Goals Safety of the handler Reduce financial losses Safety of the examiner Safety of the animal Welfare of the animal All are equally important Tips on Approach Use a low, soft, nonthreatening voice 1 Try to avoid direct eye contact 2 Slow, purposeful movements 3 Bend at the knee or squat 4 Let the animal smell the back of your hand, not the palm 5 Remove the white coat Non-fearful Canine Behavior • Come to greet you or may lay quietly on the floor • Body is relaxed • Tail is wagging • Mouth is closed or panting • Ears are forward/erect • Willing to make eye contact Understanding Non-Verbal Communication: Canine • Offensively Aggressive Behavior • Eyes—direct stare, not squinting • Ears—forward, erect • Posture—straight and tall • Tail—raised, subtle movements Understanding Non-Verbal Communication: Canine Fearfully Submissi ve Behavior Eyes—avoid direct contact; may squint Ears—flatten on back of the head Posture—front end low to the ground, lower head and neck, may turn body sideways, lay down, or roll over Tail—between hind legs, tucked Mouth—”grinning” with corners of mouth pulled back; may lick lips or yawn May urinate or defecate Fearfully Submissive Posture Understanding Non-Verbal Communication: Canine • Fearfully Aggressive Behavior • Eyes—direct stare, not squinting • Ears—flatten on back of the head • Tail—between hind legs, tucked • Mouth—open wide/retract lips showing all teeth • May back away or try to escape; can also lunge forward Types of aggression Fearfully Aggressive Offensively Aggressive Understanding Non-verbal Communicatio n: Canine All of these behaviors can result from fear and can lead to bite incidences Being able to evaluate an animal before you approach him/her is going to aid in personal safety as well as improved welfare for the animal Non-Fearful Feline Behavior • Tail is down or pointed upward • Ears pointed up, forward, and slightly out • Pupils are normal • Animal may approach and attempt to sniff hand • PURRR Understanding Non-Verbal Communication: Feline • Aggressive Cat • Posture—walking on tiptoes with head down • Tail—pointed down with tip away from hocks; fur on the back and at the base of the tail may be piloerected • Ears—erect but turned so openings pointed outward Understanding Non-Verbal Communication: Feline • Fearful Submissive Cat • Ears flattened on back of head • Tail and paws tucked under body • Eyes are dilated • Will likely hiss and/or spit Understanding Non-Verbal Communication: Feline • Fearfully Aggressive Cat • “Halloween Cat” • Arched body • Tail erect • Ears Flattened to the head Predatory Behavior Fear free approach Observe dog from a distance (in waiting room) • Is he/she approaching other people and pets in a friendly manner? • Is he/she hiding under the owner’s chair or lunging at anyone passing by? Approach dogs with a treat or positive reinforcement • Pheromone spray or plug in (Adaptil) • Spray muzzles, towels, or other equipment you may use Observe cat inside the cage • Nervous cat will crouch in the back, ears pinned down, growl or hiss • He/she is head butting the front of the cage or reaching out is likely friendly and comfortable Cat pheromone spray (Feliway) on hands, towel, or in the room before cat appointment (or plug in) • Separate cats/dogs • Don’t place carriers on floor • Can try treats but many cats won’t eat if nervous Proper Restraining Techniques: Canine • Exam Table or Ground • One arm in front of shoulders and under the neck • This is the best way to keep the dog’s head away from the holder and the examiner • Second arm is under the flank or behind the rump Canine Handling and Restraint • Lifting • Table restraint • Miscellaneous • Never leave an animal unattended • Do not let your inattention result in harm to the patient • Anticipate the needs of those with whom you are working Picking up a dog Proper Restraining Techniques: Canine • Venipuncture—jugular, lateral saphenous, cephalic Proper Restraining Techniques: Feline • Only as much restraint as necessary—with some cats, less is more • Allow them to move freely (if well behaved) if not impeding exam • Scruffing if necessary— actually makes some cats worse Proper Restraining Techniques: Feline • Venipuncture—Cephalic, medial saphenous, jugular Managing Threatening or Aggressive Animals • Timeout period • Remove owner • Muzzles • Head collars • Calming caps • Cat bags • Squeeze cage • Towels • Heavy gloves • Catch pole/snare • SEDATION Aids for uncooperative cats Aids for uncooperative dogs Your Body Language Don’t • Make direct eye contact • Approach squarely • Reach toward or over the animal • Lean forward or over the animal Do • Look off to the side • Approach at an angle • Allow the animal to come to you • Bend at knees, squat, or stand straight up Instrumentation Miscellaneous items Nail Trimmers Ingrown Nails Elizabethan Collars Questions?