Physical Restraining Methods of dogs and cats

Restraining of cats and dogs for clinical examination and medication

1. Restraining Methods of Dogs and Cats Tahmeena

2. What is Restraint It is Restriction of an animal’s activity by verbal Physical and Chemical means so that the animal is prevented from injuring itself or others.

3. Purposes of Restraint To facilitate physical examination including ophthalmic and rectal examination. To apply bandages To medicate the animal To perform certain procedure such as urinary catheterization To prevent self mutilation To perform surgery

4. Verbal restraint In general, Begin with the least restraint & proceed to more severe method. Speak to dog or cat when approaching it Use the animal’s name If necessary speak firmly to the animal many pet animals know commands such as:- SIT, STAND, STAY, COME, DOWN and NO etc.

5. Physical Restraining .

6. Different restraining tools for cat and dog Noose Leashes A noose leash is a single piece of nylon or rope with a ring on one end and a handle at the other The noose leash can be used to remove a dog from a cage or run Make the loop on the noose leash big enough to fit around the head

7. Rabies pole The rabies pole is used to capture a dog or cat when you cannot put your hands on it. This could be used to remove a dog or cat from a cage or to capture an animal that got loose in the hospital This may be the restraint necessary to give a sedative to allow for a physical examination or treatment to the animal. Once the noose is around the neck, quickly tighten it. Anyone using this pole should familiarize themselves with the tightening mechanism of the noose before using it.

8. Cat Bag A cat bag is useful for restraint because it prevents the cat from scratching. The Head is still exposed, however. These bags are typically made of nylon. The cat bag is used to: •Restrain a cat so that personnel do not get scratched. • Provide access to specifi c areas of the body through various zippered openings allowing for injections or venipuncture . To provide restraint while anesthetizing a cat with an anesthetic mask.

9. Obtain the cat bag you will be using and unzip the top all the way open. Scruff the cat and lift it into the bag. This should be done in one swift motion.

10. Muzzle place commercial muzzle of appropriate size on dog Otherwise cut strips of cloth or gauze etc.

11. Strip of cloth & loop Before approaching the animal , make a loop of strip of cloth . Diameter of loop must be double than the dogs snout.

12. Cont … Slip loop over dog’s nose and mouth with the half square knot on dorsal surface of dogs snout and pull strip from both ends to tight the muzzle.

13. Cont … Cross free ends of muzzle under dog’s lower jaw. Bring ends of muzzle up behind dog’s ears and tie in a bow.

14. Cont … Muzzle should be removed immediately when animal has difficult breathing or starts to vomit. To remove muzzle quickly untie bow and pull on one end of muzzle . Double thickness strip of cloth/gauze Is used in giant breeds of dog

15. Cat Muzzle Approach the animal from behind Put muzzle on the face Tightened the muzzle with a kont

16. Cat Muzzle

17. Use of Elizabethan collar it should be made of tough flexible structure like plastic. Place it on neck of fractious dog or cat to prevent animal from biting or licking itself. in this, animal can paint easily may be applied for days without any drawback Collars are reusable

18. Commercial Elizabethan collar a

19. Restraining of dog in different position .

20. Physical Restraint It includes Restraint of dogs in sitting position Restraint of dogs in standing position Restraint of dogs in lateral recumbency Restraint and positioning for cephalic venipuncture

21. Cont…. Restraint and positioning for saphenous venipuncture Restraint and positioning for jugular venipuncture

22. Restraint of Dog In Sitting Position Place one arm under the dog’s neck to secure dog head firmly Place the other arm around the hindquarters to prevent the dog from standing or lying down. Pulling the dog close to the chest allows more control if the animal attempts to move.

23. Sitting position

24. Restraint in standing position Place one arm under the dog’s neck in such a position that it is impossible for the dog to bite. Place the other arm under the abdomen to prevent the dog from sitting or lying down Pull the dog close to your body allows more control if the animal attempts to move.

25. Standing position

26. Restraint of dogs in lateral recumbency Take hold of the foreleg and hindleg closest to you . Gradually lift the dog’s legs off the table and allow her body to slide slowly against your body until she is lying on her side with feet pointing away from the handler. Use your forearm to exert pressure on the side of the dog’s head, thus immobilizing the head . Used for saphenous venipuncture

27. In lateral recumbency

28. Restraint and positioning for cephalic venipuncture Extend the animal’s front leg by placing the palm of one hand behind the animal’s elbow. Compress the cephalic vein with the thumb, and stabilize the vein by rolling the skin laterally . For IV injection, slowly lift the thumb off the vein, leaving the hand in position behind the elbow to prevent the animal from withdrawing the leg .

29. Cephalic venipuncture

30. Complications of restraint Trauma, including contusions, bruising, lacerations, and nerve paralysis Metabolic disturbances such as acidosis, hypoxia, hypocalcemia , hyperglycemia, and hypoglycemia Hyperthermia Regurgitation Emotional stress

31. Restraint of Cats Restraining a cat is difficult than restraining of dog because:- cat can move very quickly Use claws as well as teeth to defend themselves Cat is a small animal, can be injured by indiscriminate use of force

32. Restraint of cats Grasp the loose skin of cat’s neck between the ears tightly. (called scruffing ) This grasping/ scruffing unable cat to turn her head and bite. Wrap the fingers of the other hand around and through the cat’s hind legs. Gently stretch the cat out Brace the cat's back and neck firmly against your forearm .

33. Scruffing ws

34. Restraint for femoral venipuncture The hand holding the hind legs can then be used to hold the top leg and tail out of the way While the person performing the venipuncture pulls out on the leg closer to the table. Pressure placed vertically on the inner thigh will occlude and raise the femoral vein.

35. Cont ….

36. Restraint of the Cat for Cephalic Venipuncture Place the cat in sternal recumbency on an examination table Scruff the cat with your right hand and extend the left front limb forward by grasping the elbow in the palm of your hand with your thumb on top of the elbow joint. The procedure for occlusion of the vein is the same as in the dog

37. Restraint of the Cat for Jugular Venipuncture Place the cat in sternal recumbency with its chest close to the edge of the table. Hold the head up, away from the chest. This can be achieved by cupping your hand underneath the jaw and pushing the head up toward the ceiling

38. References Routine clinal procedures in small mammals Restraint and Handling for Veterinary Technicians and Assistants