VT5 Intro to the Veterinary Hospital Animal Handling
GENERAL RESTRAINT The restriction of an animal s activity by verbal, physical or pharmacological means so that the animal cannot injure itself, the handler or other people who are working with the animal. Purpose 1. To facilitate physical examination 2. To administer medication (oral, injectable, topical) 3. To apply bandages, splints 4. To perform certain procedures (i.e. urinary catheterization)
GENERAL RESTRAINT Equipment 1. Leashes - when using a choke chain or collar, make sure the feeding end is on the top so that when the choke is loosened it slackens and does not bind 2. Elizabethan collars 3. Muzzles: soft, leather, basket, full face 4. Cat bags 5. Cat nets/bird nets 6. Leather capture gloves for cats and birds of prey 7. Catch pole 8. Blanket/towel 9. Carrier 10. Halter/Stall/Squeeze chute/stanchion (large animal) 11. Chemical 12. Minimal/verbal/distraction
General Restraint muzzles (leather or nylon)/leashes (always slip leads) Catch pole, rabies pole-not routinely used in clinic. Always remove muzzles from anesthetized/sedated patient. Leave on long enough to get the task completed and then remove
General Restraint
General Restraint-routine feline Hand Towel -- Kitty Burrito Clamps
General Restraint-other feline Cat Bag/muzzle net
II. VERBAL RESTRAINT Always observe the behavior of animal before you attempt to handle your patient Always speak to an animal when you approach it. Be especially careful not to startle an animal that is blind, deaf or not looking at you Cataracts You should always start with the least severe method - speaking softly, using the animal s name. Only if necessary should you speak sharply using the word no in a clear firm voice.
Verbal Restraint Ask the dog to sit! Minimal Restraint
III. PHYSICAL RESTRAINT Dog standing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ri8uldflgqc Dog sitting/sternal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cutmj9dtmbm Dog Lateral: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0ihjszyvnw
Physical Restraint Restraint for cephalic venipuncture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzil9pzjgmu Restraint and good view of cephalic vein (IV catheter) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wt_k1beuzei Restraint for large dog jugular venipuncture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_y5mmsqxiai Restraint for a smaller dog jugular venipuncture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_rij2ttcusw Restraint for dog lateral saphenous venipuncture https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckf-mzoabb8
III. PHYSICAL RESTRAINT Carrying a Dog Start with the dog in a standing position. The handler places one arm under the dog s neck and uses it to pull the dog s head and chest into his/her body. The other hand is placed under and around the dog s rear end. The dog can then be lifted. Always lift animals by bending at the knees, not with your back. This does not work with very small dogs, in which case we often carry them with one hand; the hand is supporting the chest and the forearm is supporting the rear, like the picture to the right. In very small dogs, the other hand is often not used. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u LFwjoZoRt8
Physical Restraint Use of a Muzzle Dogs/cats with muzzles should never be left unattended. Anesthetized dogs should immediately have the muzzle removed.
PHYSICAL RESTRAINT Elizabethan Collars (e-collars) /towels While not classically used as a form of restraint, e-collars can help decrease biting by providing a protective barrier or by minimizing neck mobility. A towel can be used as a tool to minimize neck movement as well, and is really good for brachycephalic dog restraint.
PHYSICAL RESTRAINT LESS IS MORE Often the DVM can examine and hold at the same time DISTRACTION-head and ear rubs Firm Restraint is sometimes needed but can make angry cats worse often you need to just let go completely and regroup. ALWAYS let people know and make sure all exit routes are closed off.
PHYSICAL RESTRAINT kitty burrito Wrapping a cat in a towel can be one of the best restraint methods. The towel keeps the claws under wraps and also provides a level of comfort for the cat. **This works for rabbits too!
Physical Restraint With one hand, scruff the cat s neck. The other arm is placed behind and around the cat s body, pulling it in toward the handler s body. The handler s free hand is used to hold the cat s front legs, tucking one finger between the legs. This position limits the cat s ability to escape, scratch or bite. Aggressive cats should by placed in middle cages to give you more control https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7imdnsoh6ha (the above is good in general still need to control the head in a clinic environment, as well as have more control of the front feet) The other method is to burrito a cat and pick up and carry the entire burrito
Physical Restraint Cat rear carry. This is actually my preferred way to carry the rabbit.
PHYSICAL RESTRAINT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjfjfopwcvm (this is one kitty burrito method) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew8ee5fepzk (this is a good burrito for cephalic vein access and it shows how to pick up a cat in the beginning) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fn94yltkcme (good overall restraint-shows minimal, lateral recumbency and a burrito) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqaz8qmoqzw (fractious cat restraint good use of cat gloves with minimal restraint methods) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngelhzl4l84 (good video of angry cat/gloves/towel and some distraction techniques also shows the assistant letting the cat go and regrouping)
PHYSICAL RESTRAINT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgl81eywczs (lateral restraint and medial saphenous/femoral venipuncture) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uiyfnm6y3vu (long video but does show fractious cat and blanket techniques as well as butterfly catheter use for venipuncture) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=soe8-0rzgde (over the table technique jugular venipuncture) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brecb83n_ci (lateral anesthetized jugular draw shows redirection of needle) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-2g4tiqppm (good cephalic restraint)
Physical Restraint Cephalic vein Jugular Vein Medial saphenous (femoral) vein **remember there are many different nuances for these tasks you will find that certain techniques work better for different cats
Restraint-equine (bullet points) 60-70% binocular vision (seen with both eyes) Blind spots directly in front of the face and directly behind Kicking with front legs striking Kicking with back legs barrel kick and cow kick Horses can bite, step on you and lean/crush you Herd animals, can spook/startle easily Usually handled from their left side, aka near side http://giphy.com/gifs/horse-kick-animals-being-jerksgw2p7fmjkwl8q (shows barrel kick person appears not injured)
Restraint-Equine (bullet points) Restraint techniques: Halter/lead rope (left side or near side) Nose, lip or gum chain be careful, can injure the horse-excellent pictures of these in your McCurnins Twitch: can be made from rope, metal or a persons hand it is used to gently but firmly squeeze soft tissue to cause a distraction. Common places are the ears, lip/muzzle, skin around the shoulder. Excellent pictures in McCurnins Leg lifting-prevents the horse from moving-hobbles can be used as well to prevent kicking and excessive movements Stocks Tail wraps-these allow control of the tail for examinations at the rear of the animal
Restraint-Equine (bullet points) Do not make loud noises, wave hands when approaching Ears often give away horse mood Stay close to the horse and make continual contact with the body of the horse as you move around it NEVER wrap the lead rope around your hand
Restraint-Bovine (bullet points) Cows are usually herded and often treatments are done on a herd basis. This is where all the individuals are receiving the same therapy (vaccines/deworming etc..) Walking up to a group of cows will cause them to move in a direction away from you. Some cows are trained to move to certain areas, and simply follow the cow in front of them (for example, dairy cows gets milked 2x/day and follow the same path each time every day) Others need to be herded. Cows rarely bite but can kick sideways and can step on you and lean against you causing crushing injuries Bulls can charge, head butt and horn you
Restraint-Bovine (bullet points) Restraint devices Squeeze chutes Stanchions which capture the head Rope halter often the cow is tied to limit the cow s head movements. The knot ALWAYS needs to be a slip knot so a quick release can happen if the cow decides to lay down or kneel down.
Restraint-Bovine (bullet points) Restraint techniques Nasal septum pinch-this can be done with a pair of nose tongs or fingers. It can provide distraction when a second person is performing an exam or providing treatment. Nose tongs can cause damage be gentle Tail restraint-the tail can be lifted straight up in the air, or pulled to one side and forward. This will cause the cow to move forward or at least not back up. Tying the tail with rope can also be done to move the tail out of the way. The coccygeal vein/artery can be sampled with the tail up, as it runs along the bottom surface.
Restraint-Porcine (bullet points) Pigs bite, stampede, impale you with tusks Usually not handled often Pig boards Hog snares Hold babies like a football or by the hind legs
Physical Restraint-Rabbit Fragile spine!!!-be sure to support and control hind legs Carry them in the football hold Never hold a rabbit by the ears You can scruff a rabbit; they just do not always respond well to this. Towels are acceptable Must be tight
Physical Restraint-Rabbit Covering eyes Dorsal recumbency= hypnotic state Rump in first They are obligate nose breathers so never cover or compromise the external nares during restraint
Physical Restraint-small mammal
Physical Restraint-avian/reptile
CHEMICAL RESTRAINT All pharmacological agents must be ordered by the veterinarian Some common drugs used: 1. Ace promazine (tranquilizer) 2. Ketamine (dissociative anesthetic) - often used with diazepam ( aka Valium, a tranquilizer and muscle relaxant) a) Use eye ointment whenever ketamine is used. 3. Xylazine (Rompun) - Mainly large animals but can also be used in dogs. Do NOT use in cats. 4. Dexmedetomidine (dexdomitor) - Rapid acting and reversible agent used in dogs. 5. Gas anesthetics (e.g. halothane, isoflurane, sevoflurane) 6. Propofol 7. Opioids-often in combination with a sedative
What s wrong
What s wrong?
Important Points to Remember: 1. Always use the minimum amount of restraint needed-minimal restraint will be your best friend in a well-mannered animal 2. Chose a restraint procedure that is safe for the handler, person doing the procedure and the animal. You do this by carefully observing your animal prior to any handling attempts. 3. Cats can be restrained by towels, scruffing and stretching, squeeze cages, plastic restraint box, nets, muzzles, snare poles, cat bag, etc. Remember, toweling, cat bag, cat mask can be a wonderful method but it can impair breathing if used incorrectly or excessively. 4. Dogs can be restrained with leashes, muzzles, towels, snare poles, proper handling, etc. Remember snare or catch or rabies poles are used only with extremely aggressive dogs. Most dogs do not need this type of restraint. Remember you can create a make-shift muzzle on the fly if needed. Remember that these guys often respond to soothing verbal commands. 5. Never lift using your back, always bend your knees. 40#!!!!!! 6. A dog s first reaction is to bite, a cat s first reaction is to scratch. Cats will attempt to run and hide if they escape. Cats tend to have shorter fuses and can be hard to read..and they are very fast. Which one-dog or cat-do you think is more likely to nail you, even if you have experience? 7. Always use eye ointment to lubricate eyes when Ketamine is used. 8. Always move in a calm and controlled manner; use verbal reassurance; do not try to dominate an animal; be aware of safe distances
Important Points to Remember: Common veins for venipuncture 1. Jugular 2. Cephalic 3. Medial and lateral saphenous 4. Coccygeal
Important Points to Remember: Recumbencies: 1. Standing 2. Sitting 3. Right and left lateral recumbency 4. Sternal 5. Dorsal