Small Animal Restraints and Safe Handling Practices in Veterinary Technology
Importance of safe practice when working with small animals includes preventing harm, reducing injury, and minimizing stress. Proper animal handling methods and tools are crucial for the safety of both animals and handlers. Common methods of handling different species, demonstrating appropriate animal behavioral handling, and discussing safety purposes of proper restraint are essential skills in small animal management and veterinary medical applications.
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Small Animal Restraints Agriculture Science - Veterinary Technician
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 Small Animal Management & Veterinary Medical Applications
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 Intro to Veterinarian Assistant Technology
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 Benefits of Proper Animal Handling
A protective medical device worn by an animal to allow its wounds and injuries to heal E-collars for Cats E-collars for Dogs Elizabethan Collars (E-collars)
Verbal Commands such as Sit , Stay , Down Physical Restraint Pole Leash Your hand Muzzle Towel Types of Restraint
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 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 s Restricts the animal s ability to pant Easy to put on and take off Comfortable and secure Types of Muzzles
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 Restraint Poles
Used as makeshift restraining devices Can also help capture animals If 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 Towel
A line for leading or restraining an animal Placed around the animal s 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 Leash
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 animal s chest The other holds the animal under its abdomen, in front of its hind legs Carrying an Animal
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 Carrying Smaller Animals
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 pet s 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 Approaching 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) Restraining an Animal
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 Restraint Bag
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 Lateral 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 Sternal Recumbency
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 Drugs
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 Things to Remember
Safe Restraint Methods lateral incumbency, muzzles Creating a Muzzle from Gauze Using a Control Pole (Skip to 2:45) More Links
