Animal Care Day 2 - SAFETY PLEASE SIGN IN & PICK-UP HAND-OUTS, THEN BEGIN GET GOING ACTIVITY Please hand in your signed paperwork to our lovely TA Isabel. Thank you! GET GOING ACTIVITY FAST READ the Safety Chapter (pages 9-22) in your yellow text books by 3:50pm. By fast read, I want you to sort out what seems important skim over and don t spend time on details grasp concepts. Add any pertinent notes to your handouts which we will be discussing as a class.
TODAY S LESSON ROP BASIC ANIMAL CARE DAY 2 SAFETY at The Shelter including Proper Handling of Animals
Objective: By the end of this lesson, you will know what happens at an animal shelter and the roles various staff members play. You will also understand the risks of working with small animals and learn ways in which to prevent injury and disease transmission from happening. You will know the symptoms of basic zoonotic diseases, what precautions to take when working with animals and how to read basic dog and cat body language as well as safe methods (including necessary equipment) of animal restraint.
WHAT HAPPENS AT THE ANIMAL SHELTER?
Animal Licensing Intake & Adoptions Care for Pets Spay/Neuter Micro-chipping Stray & Dead Animal Pick-ups Animal Law Enforcement Quarantine Euthanasia Public Education ROP & other classes Donations Projects to help the animals
The Burbank Animal Shelter operates under the Burbank Police Department Chief Scott LaChasse & Captain Ron Caruso
STAFF Superintendant Brenda Castaneda Senior Animal Control Officer (ACO) Stacie Levin
Animal Control Officers (ACOs) Dan Sheflin John McCullough and Winnie Broussard
Kennel Attendants (KAs) Marissa O Brien Carlos Rivas & Jessica Kusher
What s the difference in job duties between an ACO and a KA?
KENNEL ATTENDANTS (KA) Feed, Clean & Screen potential adopters ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS (ACO) Enforce Animal Laws Pick-up stray pets Pick-up dead animals & wildlife Facilitate Adoptions License Pets Micro-chip
Medical Team Dr. Harriet Howe & RVT Jeannette Dease and Dr. Modesto
DOG KENNELS Main kennel consists of 40 kennels Odd number on the right Even number on the left Back kennel is the Quarantine Area Consists of 10 kennels Quarantine is used for dogs that have bitten, puppies, dogs that are under treatment
Available cat room Cat maternity room Socialization/Feral Room Kitten Room Adult Cat Room by Laundry Cat Rooms
READING A KENNEL CARD
Food Storage & X-ray Medical Surgery & Treatment Rooms
Front Desk, Lobby, Volunteer & ACO Offices
Garage with laundry area Euthanasia room Freezer Corral & Aviary Turtle Pond Employee Parking Lot Drop Off Cages Play Yards & Green Room Other shelter areas
LET S TAKE A TOUR! No fingers in cages, loud voices or running -- stay with the group.
EXTRA CREDIT OPPORTUNITY Create 3 PAWSome professional looking Valentines for dogs that live outside, are chained or in a pen! No larger than 4 X 8 ½ They will be given to thousands of people across the country who don t make pets a part of their family along with a brochure explaining the dangers and how wonderful it can be to have an indoor pet!
SAFETY Evacuation Route Report all bites and scratches immediately to your instructor/supervisor and obtain necessary medical assistance. Read all Material Safety Data Sheets posted near the kitchen and abide by the proper use of chemicals. Know procedure for evacuating the shelter should the need arise. Info is posted in hallway near front desk.
TO AVOID ANIMAL BITES Always ask for assistance if you are unsure of working with an animal. There are NO dumb questions! Exercise caution, learn to properly handle animals and learn to read body language. At first glance some injuries don t appear bad, but they can become worse. REPORT ALL BITES AND SCRATCHES TO THE KA. 5% of dog bites vs 50% of cat bites become infected.
QUARANTINE What does it mean?
A place QUARANTINE A special location Bites Recovery from Surgery Nursing Moms Travelling The act of isolating while For observation (10 days for bites) Treating/recovery (as long as needed)
ZOONOTIC DISEASES are diseases that can be passed between species, meaning YOU can get them from your pet! Cat Scratch Fever 1. Learn to Properly Handle Cats 2. Immediately wash with chlorhexidine or anti-bacterial soap 3. Observe healing may need to seek medical attention 4. SYMPTOMS: infected scratches and punctures, swollen lymph nodes
Giardia 1. Fresh water supply. 2. Wear rubber gloves when cleaning up. 3. SYMPTOMS: vomitting & diarrhea
Transmitted by ticks Small red spot that become large irregular circle with red border Can cause measle-like eruptions or hives SYMPTOMS: Flu-like, muscle aches, swollen lymph glands, nausea Need anti-biotics Lyme Disease
Live on or within a person or animal and feed off them Fleas Ticks Roundworms Parasites
Psittacosis Parrot Fever SYMPTOMS: coughing, vomiting and muscle pain Keep birds lice and mite-free and wear dust masks when cleaning cages
Rabies Vaccinate! More on this soon 50,000 humans die worldwide each year but rarely in the USA SYMPTOMS: tingling sensation, fever/muscle aches, nausea, fatigue, agitation, hallucinations, aggressiveness, paralysis If you are bitten
Wash area for 10 minutes with Chlorhexadine Call and get to doctor Notify Animal Control Find out vaccination info from pet s owner if possible
Tick transmitted disease SYMPTOMS: Fever, headache, nausea, skin rash Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
Ringworm FUNGUS! Not a worm. Spread via direct contact SYMPTOMS: scaly/crusty circular patch on the skin with no hair Need medical treatment
Can be fatal! Salmonella Bacteria transmitted by reptiles & amphibians SYMPTOMS: abdominal cramping & diarrhea Wash hands after handling pets But in actuality, more likely to get from incorrectly cooked food
Toxoplasmosis Kitty feces Most humans do carry the anti-body (immunity) to this disease SYMPTOMS: enlarged lymph nodes, headache, fever, mono-like but can become more serious and lead to birth defects in unborn fetus
VOCABULARY WORDS ANTIBODY: What creates immunity! Protein made by white blood cells that neutralize the affects of toxins; created in response to antigens (substance introduced into body) INFLAMMATION: Body s reaction to infection or injury (red, warm, swelling, pain) LYMPH NODES: Small masses of lymphatic tissue that can trap bacteria primarily in the neck, armpits and groin
KEY TO PREVENTING DISEASE Practice proper hygiene for yourself and the animals in your care. Cages are cleaned with a diluted bleach solution (2 oz bleach to 1 gallon water 1:32 ratio) except for rabbits where white vinegar is used as a disinfectant. Learn to properly handle animals and remain alert to body language letting you know that they do not want to be handled.
To stay safe, we are going to: Practice proper hygiene for ourselves (wash hands and wear gloves) and the animals (keep them clean). Report any bites or scratches. Take care with chemicals. Pay attention to animal behaviors. Utilize proper handling and restraint methods.
KNOW BEHAVIOR Pay Attention to: Ears Eyes Whiskers Tail Hackles Vocalization
VIDEOS
The more wide open the mouth and the farther laid back the ears are the more likely you are to be bitten!
EXAMPLES OF PAST ASSIGNMENTS
Proper Handling & Restraint
Humans vs Our Four-Legged Friends Unlike human patients, dogs and cats are not usually willing participants in the care of their health and well being
Even when things start off going well, a friendly animal may start to feel threatened so your actions will determine if you can continue the procedure.
Keep doors shut! MOST BASIC RULES Calmly but quickly alert if you are letting go of an animal. Use your happy voice and stay aware at all times.
Restraining, Handling & Muzzling Catch Pole, Net, Tongs, Traps Leashes & Harnesses Figure 8 Harness Towel Muzzling Proper Handling & Hand Restraint
RULES OF RESTRAINT Hold back, check or suppress action Keep under control Improper restraint can affect the physical and psychological effect of the animal as well as people trying to help Use the least amount needed to accomplish the mission CALMLY BUT IMMEDIATELY let others know if you need to let go
VARIOUS DEGREES OF RESTRAINT 1. Gentle touch and a soft voice 2. Immobilization of a portion of the body 3. Confinement 4. Tranquilize, sedate or anesthetize
Catch Pole
Tongs
Nets
Collars / Leashes / Harnesses Buckle Quick Release Choke Chain Pinch Collar Martingale Combo Harness
or in a figure eight harness.
Hands are your most flexible equipment Can soothe and calm an animal while also manipulating his body Your Voice is also a powerful instrument Animals respond to tone and pitch but react negatively if you convey fear or a lack of confidence No mixed signals (don t yell and then soothe) Be a kind and gentle ALPHA
Fight or Flight Don t let the animal think he is under attack The more forceful the restraint, the more the animal may resist or become stressed
Most animals remember bad past experiences, so never let yours become a bad experience an animal later remembers!
PRECAUTIONS 1. Use minimal restraint and lighten as needed THINK 2. GENTLE FIRM and alert Veterinarian to the cat s changing temperament. You are holding and watching the cat, so you must be aware of any behavioral swings. 2. Keep all doors closed in case you need to let go. 3. Watch body language! 4. Don t treat all animals the same each is a unique individual. 5. Distraction techniques can be a godsend silly noises, ear or chin scratch, wiggling back legs, toy, etc. 6. Don t lose your temper no matter what nor tighten your hold as if to force the cat into cooperation. You have just doomed the procedure.
Extend a curled finer and talk in a soft soothing voice See if cat will then allow you to touch or pick her up Find an itchy spot behind the ears or at the base of the tail
Scruffing looks uncomfortable but can have a calming effect. Some cats go limp drawing up their hind feed when scruffed.
A towel may be helpful
Take care not to choke the cat!
You can not establish dominance over a cat like you can with a dog, so use must build trust Always keep your face away!
HELPFUL REMINDERS Remain alert to changing body language Wear long sleeves Have distractions available toys or anything to attract attention Put on your silly voice Stay calm!
Sometimes you may also need to apply a cat muzzle!
Muzzling Techniques STEP 1: Make a loop in the center of fabric strip. STEP 2: Slip loop over dog s snout and tighten to firmly shut mouth, but make sure fabric does not cut into dog s skin.
STEP 3: Cross ends of fabric under chin exchanging ends in each hand. STEP 4: Bring ends of fabric around each side of dog s neck and tie off in a bow never a knot behind ears.
HOMEWORK Study for Safety Quiz on 1/26 Draw pictures showing dog and cat behaviors so that you know what to look out for. Due 1/26 If you have a pet at home, practice observing body language reading skills and check if collars/leashes are properly attached.
NEXT CLASS First OJT this Sunday 1/24 8:00am sharp! Until 10:30am Be in uniform long sleeved shirt underneath is ok Tuesday 1/26 3:30pm-6:00pm Please fold up tables and chairs and make sure the floor is clean before you leave.