Restraining Animals

More is NOT BetterOUse the LEAST amount of restraint

that is neededO Dogs can be stubborn and won't give

up

OThe more you try to restrain, the harder they resist O Less pleasant, more dangerous

O"Talk to the animals" in a quiet, soothing voice, its comforting O Tone not content

OEarly application of a muzzle reduces the need for additional restraint

MuzzlingO If real muzzles are not

available, use a piece of rolled gauze and fold in half (makes stronger)

OCreate a large loop and slip animal’s mouth through

O If animal is resisting or aggressive, sneak muzzle on from behind

OTie gauze in a single knot

Muzzling Cont…OBring gauze down sides of

snout, and the ends of the gauze are tied under the jaw with a single knot

OBring gauze up behind ears and tie in a bow for easy release

OKnotting and cutting with scissors to remove may injure animal

HandlingOBefore handling, get animal’s attentionOCall by name and encourage them to

come to you O If the pet doesn't come, slowly approach

from the frontO Never come from behind

OOffer hand, palm down, curling fingers into a fist to prevent nipping or biting

OLet the animal sniff, then slowly move your hand to touch the side of the face then stroke the top of the head

Handling Cont…O If the owner is holding the pet, have the

owner place the animal on the exam table

O Its ok to examine a large dog on the floor in either a sitting, standing or recumbent position (The dog….not the veterinarian)

OTo pick up and place a dog on the table, put one arm in front of the of the chest and the other either behind the rear legs, lift in a "scooping" motion

Carrying a Cat or Small Dog

OCradle the animal's rear quarters in the handler's arm and loosely gripe the front legs with the same hand

OThe other hand is free to pet and the animal’s head but can also quickly grab the zygomatic arches to control the head if the animal attempts to escape

Carrying a Cat or Small DogOCat's will try to hide

when frightenedOCarry a cat with one

hand under the hind quarters and the other holding the scruff of the neck, letting the cat hide its head

Positional RestraintO To restrain in LR, place an elbow over

the neck and holds the elbow of the leg closest to the table

O Drape other arm over the abdomen of the animal with the hand holding the rear leg which is closest to the table

O Hold limbs at a point close to the bodyO Only apply light pressure at all

restraint pointsO If the animal struggles, apply greater

pressure and lean body over the thorax of the animal for more control

O As soon as the animal stops struggling, reduce the amount of pressure

Positional RestraintOCats can be restrained in LR using

the "stretch" methodOHold the scruff of the neck and the

hind legs with legs between different fingers

Positional Restraint O The holder stands on the side of

the dog opposite the leg being usedO The dog is restrained close to the

body of the holder O The muzzle is held away from the

face of the holder and the vetO Holder reaches over and applies

downward pressure over the dog's back, if needed

O If the animal is not struggling, it is not necessary to apply pressure over the animal's back

Inspecting the Oral Cavity

OExamine the surface of the teeth and gums by lifting the lips

OOpen the mouth to examine the inner surface of the teeth, palette, tongue and throat

OLight pressure on the roof of the mouth with the dog's lip between teeth and your thumb will reduce the chance of being bitten

Inspecting the Oral Cavity

OOpen a cat's mouth by holding the zygomatic arches and pulling down on the lower jaw, with your finger on the midline, over the incisors, rather off center near the canine teeth