Small Animal Restraints

Agriculture Science - Veterinary Technician

Small Animal Management & Veterinary Medical Applications

2(A): explain the importance of safe practice when working with small animals4(F): describe and practice common methods of handling each species studied

5(D): demonstrate appropriate methods of handling a variety of animal behavioral situations

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

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

Elizabethan Collars (E-collars)

A protective medical device worn by an animal to allow its wounds and injuries to heal

E-collars for CatsE-collars for Dogs

Types of Restraint

Verbal◦Commands such as “Sit”, “Stay”, “Down”

Physical◦Restraint Pole◦Leash◦Your hand◦Muzzle◦Towel

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 bitingUsing a muzzle could reduce the possibility of using

additional restraint laterGauze can be fashioned into a muzzle

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’sRestricts the animal’s

ability to pantEasy to put on and

take offComfortable and

secure

Making a Gauze Muzzle

Restraint Poles

Also known as control polesUsed as a last resort at vet clinicsHelps with an aggressive animalHas a rigid pole to give the user distance

from the animalAnimal may flail violently after captureHow to use a Control Pole

Towel

Used as makeshift restraining devices Can also help capture animalsIf 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

Leash

A line for leading or restraining an animalPlaced around the animal’s neckDo not drag an animal with a leashHowever sometimes a quick tug will get

an animal to walkIf animal refuses to wear a leash, carry itRemoving a dog from its cage with a leash

Carrying an Animal

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 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

Approaching an Animal

Crouch down to their level but maintain the ability to move away if necessary

Do not approach from behindAvoid direct eye contactGet the pet’s attention and

encourage it to come forward by calling its name

Talk in soothing tonesPat your leg to motion the animal

towards youExtend hand, palm down, for the

animal to sniff

Restraining an Animal

Often needed to safely examine animalsRestraint BagPositional Restraint

◦Lateral Recumbency (Recumbency means to be lying down)

◦Sternal Recumbency (Sternal concerns the sternum)

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

Lateral Recumbency

Place animal on its sidePut elbow over neck and hold the leg

closest to the tableTry to keep limbs close to the bodyIf animal struggles, apply more pressure

to stay in controlLessen the pressure when the animal

stops strugglingWatch a video of the process

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 animal’s leg at the elbow to prevent its front leg from pulling back

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

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

More Links

Safe Restraint Methods – lateral incumbency, muzzles

Creating a Muzzle from GauzeUsing a Control Pole (Skip to 2:45)