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Animal Restraint & HandlingAnimal Restraint & Handling

Martha Imperato, LVT

VTS 159-02

WHO AM I?

• Riding Master I: Meredith Manor Waverly, W.Va● A.A.S. Veterinary Technology SUNY Delhi, Delhi, N.Y.

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*12 years experience with husbandry & training horses*11 years experience training versatile hunting dogs *22 years in the field of veterinary medicine*Certified in canine physical therapy & canine massage

MY GIRLS; Katydid

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Honor

Raisin’ Cain

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So, What’s ThisSo, What’s ThisCourse About Course About

Anyway?Anyway?

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You’ll Learn How To:• Properly restrain common large and small animal

species for routine husbandry or medical procedures

• Work safely around both large and small animal species

• Identify common equipment used in the restraint of common large and small animal species

• Identify different breeds within the species covered

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How to Do Really Well in This Course…

Reading Assignments Quizzes Class Participation Student Project Final Exam

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Course Requirements

• Reading AssignmentsReading Assignments

To be done before coming to class

Includes assigned textbook readings and hand-out articles/materials

Come prepared to discuss!

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Course Requirements

Animal Restraint for Veterinary ProfessionalsSheldon, Sonsthagen, TopelMosby, 2006

Veterinary Instruments & Equipment: A Pocket GuideSonsthagen; Mosby, 2006

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Course Requirements

• QuizzesQuizzes

7 quizzes (comprises 25% 7 quizzes (comprises 25% of final grade)of final grade)

Given after each Given after each “category” as a review of “category” as a review of the material coveredthe material covered

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Course Requirements

• Class Participation

o Attendance: MANDATORY! >2 absences =

administrative withdrawal from course

o Proper Dress: Coveralls & boots for farm labs Scrub tops for in-class labs

o Attitude & Enthusiasmo Mastery of skills for that day

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Course Requirements – Proper Dress

Farm-Based Labs

In-Class Labs(where live

animals are used)

WWW.QCSUPPLY.COM

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Course Requirements – Proper Dress

Improper attire at farm lab or in-class lab with = live animals

Absence for the day

TAKE NOTE!

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Course Requirements:Proper Behavior

• We are guests at the farm locations…

o No smoking

o ABSOLUTELY NO ABSOLUTELY NO CELL PHONES!CELL PHONES!

“The Horse Whisperer”

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Course Requirements

• Student Project & Student Project & PresentationPresentation

Will involve breeds research

To be presented November 20th

More information to follow later

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Course Requirements

• Final Exam

Cumulative

Practical Portion (identification) and Written Portion

~ 40% of Final Grade

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Other Course Stuff…

ArticlesWebsites/Resources

Announcements/Changes to Schedule

www.sunyulster.edu

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Questions?

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Session 1

Principles of Restraint &

The Role of the Veterinary Technician

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WHAT IS RESTRAINT?

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Restraint

“an act or the quality of holding back, limiting, or controlling something”

• Effective restraint is essential for the success of a procedure and the health and safety of animals and people.

Developing skills

• We all posses the innate ability to control and manipulate animals which can be consciously developed according to interest or occupation.

• People can be experts at handling certain species. Developing a rapport with one species doesn’t mean the same knowledge is directly transferred between animals.

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Excellence:

To become excellent, one must surround themselves with

excellence. HOW?1. Study (observation, reading,

listening to experts) 2. Practice

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Key to restraint:

… is to use the minimal amount necessary to be effective.

Purpose: 1. procedure / medical treatment

2. prevent harm to animal or medical treatment (bandage, sutures ect.)

3. personal protection

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Types of restraint

• Physical• Chemical• Mechanical

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Considerations

• Environmental factors- weather- other animals nearby- owners

• Potential for harm to the animal during restraint

- small animals: falling from table, etc.;- large animals: barbed wire fencing,

etc.

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Animal Perception & Behavior

Be aware of how animal senses your encroachment into its environment

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Animal Perception: Smell

Sense of smell is highly developed in all domestic mammals

When encountered an unusual / unfamiliar smell…

• Horses: snort, become alert raise head & tail, position ears forward• Cattle: blow thru nostrils, bulls paw @ ground • Dogs: tuck tail, raise hackles

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• Slight sounds elicit movement of the ears and makes the animal aware of someone new

• Use low, confident tones to allow the animal to become comfortable

• Position of the ears is important to assessing animal’s attitude

Animal Perception: Hearing

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• Herbivores have wide field of vision (to see predators from various angles)

• Horses have sluggish accommodation – which makes them seem fractious when they’re not

Animal Perception: Vision

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsBeRdaVl1E

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Animal Perception: Vision• Dogs’ ability to make out form

and pattern is poor compared to humans (beware fear-biters!)

• Cats are acutely aware of small movements when hunting, which allows them to react quickly

• Quick reactions also allow fearful or vengeful cat to strike out against humans during restraint

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Animal Perception: Touch

• Tentative, light touch or repeated patting makes many species nervous

• Steady, firm strokes are reassuring

• Touch is important in the communication between animals

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• Associated with conflict (being restrained)

• Range from passive avoidance to aggression and fighting

• “Fight or Flight”

Animal Behavior: Agnostic Behaviors

Understand the NORMAL behavior

of the species in order to effectively restrain

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Animal Behavior:Fight or Flight

• Each animal has a fight or flight distance – when it’s encroached animal goes into state of alert

• Response can vary within the same species and with the same animal

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Animal Behavior:Fight or Flight Responses

Herd Animals Individual Animals

Bunch together with a defined flight distance

Avoidance: cow crashes thru fence;

dog runs awayAggression:

cow can run you over; dog will bite you

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• Pain Induced:o High probability for aggression if animal

is apprehensive/nervous

• Maternal Aggressiono Nursing domestic species are sensitized

to interference with their offspring by strangers

Animal Behavior:Aggressive Behaviors

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• Territorial Aggression:o Strangers in animal’s

territory arouses suspicion, which can lead to attacks

• Fear-Induced Aggression:o When animal is terrified in

environment and left with no escape, it will become aggressive

Animal Behavior:Aggressive Behaviors

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• Intermale Aggression:o Esp. problematic when studs

are kept together

• Dominance Aggression:o Animal establishes authority

over human family & strangers

o Very problematic in clinic setting!

Animal Behavior:Aggressive Behaviors

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The Role of the Vet Tech

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Safety of People

• Takes precedence over animal

• Understand how the animal can hurt you

• Use sound judgment!

Understand What You’re Dealing With!

• Animal’s behavior• Maternal aggression• “Fight or Flight”• Herding instinct• Mating season• Territorial aggression• Owner presence

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Safety of People

• Owner should NEVER restrain animal in exam room

• Legal ramifications

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Safety of the Animal

• Minimize the effects of handling!

• Avoid causing stress (considerations for sick, old, pregnant and young animals)

• Match restraint technique with procedure and individual animal

Animal’s Perspective Vet Tech’s Perspective

Restraint by person = Stress

Resistance = More forcible restraint

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Effects of Inappropriate Restraint

• Delayed recovery

• Broken bones; dislocated joints

• Premature death (due to shock)

• Dystocias/Fetal death

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Restraint Procedures & Equipment: EQUIPMENT

“Just because it worked before does not mean it will always work again…”

• If using equipment, examine before use & have it ready

• Don’t always rely on a favoredrestraint technique. Tailor therestraint to the individualanimal

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• Ensure you have proper size equipment for the animal

Restraint Procedures & Equipment: EQUIPMENT

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Restraint Procedures & Equipment: VOICE

• Animals respond to tone & pitch Your anxiety results in an anxious

animal

• Always let animal know you’re approaching!Start talking to it before you get close

by

• 3 Tones of Voice: Soothing, Instructional & Commanding

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Soothing Voice

• Use when animal is behaving well

• Use “crooning” words“good, good”“it’s okay”“hello <pet’s name>”

• Avoid speaking urgently when the procedure is about to take place

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Instructional Voice

• Used when animal balks

• Firm, abrupt, louder than Soothing

• BE DECISIVE!

• “SIT,” “NO,” “STOP,” “WHOA!”

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Commanding Voice

• Voice of authority

• Used when animal is not behaving or paying attention

• VERY FIRM, deep and much louder, with different inflection

• “ENOUGHHHHH!!!” “STOP IT!”

DON’T SCREAM

Screaming = Lack of control

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Transferring energy

• Animals can preseve your anxieties physically and mentally.1. Beware of grip or force in restraint2. Mentally clear mind of negative,

angry thoughts