Restraint For All Animals
Don't be scared when restraining an animal!! Restraining animals is an important part of job. It is important when examining an animal that no one gets hurt. It is our job as technicians to properly hold the animal so the doctors can examine the animal thorougly.
Whether it is a cat, dog, ferret, or bird that you are restraining it is important to hold it correctly. In the following pictures it will show you how to hold an animal while it is being treated or examined.
Here Jen is restraining her dog. This is a typical restraint for a physical exam, taking a temperature, getting a fecal or a nail trim.
Jen has put her arm under the dog's neck to prevent that dog from being able to turn her head and bite either of the technicians or doctor. She is also holding her arm so they can getting blood from the dogs arm. This is also the technique to use when installing an intra-venious(IV) catheter.
Jen is holding her dog so she can not back-up and escape out of her hold. She is also holding her head up, so blood can be taken from her neck. This would also be the hold to install an IV catheter in the neck.
Here Jen is holding her eyes so they can be flushed, stained with flourscein stain, checking pressures, or having a doctor do an eye exam on the dog. She is also holding the mouth shut so the dog is unable to snap at anyone.
Here Jen is holding the dog's mouth closed as well. She is also holding the dog's ears so they can be examined. This technique is also proper for obtaining a cytology from the ear or flushing the ears.
Jen is holding this kitten by the legs so he is unable to move. She is also holding the kitten's head up so a technician can pull blood sample from the animals neck. When necessary this is also the way to restrain a cat or kitten when putting an IV catheter in the neck.
Grasping cats by the neck is the normal holding procedure for them. It does not hurt them so do not be afraid to do so. After you have a firm grasp of the scruff of their neck, gentle place them on their sides.
After Jen has grab the kitten by the scruff of his neck and gently placed him on his side. The other technician has pulled its back leg out, and Jen has held off the vein so blood can be taken from his back leg.
Here Jen is restraining the kitten head while holding off the vein in the arm so a blood sample can be pulled or an IV catheter can be installed.
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