1. Proper animal handling & Restraint

2. Why Proper Restraint Techniques?
Prevents injury
Useful for examinations and treatments
More comfortable for animal and handler
Keep First Aid Kit for bites and scratches

3. Rabbit Restraint & Handling
Picking Up
Grab scruff of the neck with one hand and lifting up while placing the other hand under the rump for support.
Holding
Use the same technique but the hand under the rump is moved to support the abdomen.
Rabbits seldom bite but many cause injury with their hind legs or may be injured if placed on a smooth surface
Rabbit’s foot pads are covered with fur which causes a lack of traction
Can lead to dislocation of their hip or spine when they try to move or hop

4. Rat & Mice Restraint & Handling
Grasp the tail close to the body with one hand
Use the other hand to grasp loose skin in the neck and shoulder area.

5. Cat Restraint & Handling
To work around head:
wrap in a blanket or place in “cat bag”
Allows handler to grasp and hold the back of the head between the thumb and fingers

6. Dog Restraint & Handling
Standing restraint
Place one arm under the dog’s neck with the forearm, holding the head
The other arm is placed around the animal’s body to pull it close to the handler
Can be used on floor or table
Use
General Exams
Specimen Retrieval
Nail Trims

7. Dog Restraint & Handling
Sitting Restraint
Same technique as standing restraint, but dog is sitting
Can be against wall to keep dog from backing up
Use:
General Exams
Cleaning ears
Blood draw

8. Dog Restraint & Handling
Lateral Recumbency
Begin in Sitting Restraint
Carefully place in lying position
Hold legs that are on down side of table/floor prevents dog from standing
Pay attention of head of animal!
Use:
X-Rays
Blood Draw
Nail trims (extreme)

9. Dog Restraint & Handling
Sternal Recumbency
Place dog in sitting position
Use light pressure to encourage dog to lie down on its chest
“Bear-hug” dog to maintain restraint
Use:
Close examination
Blood draw

10. Dog Restraint & Handling
Dorsal Recumbency
Will need more than one person
Place in lateral recumbency, then carefully roll dog to its back
Front legs are pulled forward to head
Rear legs are pulled towards tail
Use:
X-Rays

11. Dog Restraint & Handling
Venipuncture
Cephalic
Cephalic vein in front leg
Sitting/Sternal Recumbency
Jugular
Jugular vein on either side of neck
Saphenous
Inside of thigh in rear limb
Lateral recumbency

12. Dog Restraint cont… Muzzles prevent biting
can be simple narrow strips of gauze or cloth
make a loop in the material
Loop is then slipped over the dog’s nose and mouth
The ends are crossed under the jaw to bring them up behind the ears for tying in a bow

13. Elizabethan Collars
Elizabethan Collars (or E-collars) prevent dogs and cats from reaching injuries with their teeth.
They also protect facial sores from pawing or scratching nails.
You can get them at pet- supply stores, catalogs, or from a vet.
They can also be home- made.

14. Making an E-collar – Cone of SHAME
1. Measure the pet’s neck and the distance from his collar to the tip of his nose
2. Mark these measurements on a piece of rigid cardboard or plastic.
We’re going to use construction paper
3. Make a V-shaped cut from the outer edge to the inner circle.
4. Punch holes along both edges of the collar.
5. Lace a shoe string or yarn through the holes to secure the collar around your pet’s neck.