Animal Handling

Question 1

What are common stressors?

Answer 1

examining 
medicating 
vaccinations 
noise/smells
travel
separation

Question 2

outcomes of stressors?

Answer 2

injury

aggression

Question 3

how to improve behaviour in practice?

Answer 3

habituation
positive reinforcement
youth clubs/puppy parties
time

Question 4

how to approach a canine?

Answer 4

be quiet and confident 
lower to a safe level (crouch)
encourage to come to you
offer hand (not fingers)
scratch sternum/under chin
avoid leaning over 
don't stare

Question 5

how to approach a feline?

Answer 5

be quiet and confident 
offer hand (not fingers)
avoid leaning over 
let leave box thesemves 
if not leaving kennel remove all items

Question 6

what are the 4 types of restraint?

Answer 6

non-contact
manual/physical
chemical
combination

Question 7

Canine restraint methods?

Answer 7

collar and lead 
muzzle
slip lead
halti 
dog catcher 
chemical

Question 8

canine restraint during examination?

Answer 8

Sitting up

• one arm around body
• other restraining neck/head

Lateral

• stand behind back
• one arm across body to lower forelimb (restraining neck)
• other arm across body to lower hindlimb

Question 9

canine restraint during blood sampling?

Answer 9

position to expose vein
be against a wall or in a corner
have all equipment ready

Question 10

feline restraint methods?

Answer 10

towel
restraining bag
crush cage
muzzle

Question 11

feline restraint?

Answer 11

hold body close
hold around forelimbs
start with minimal restraint and increase if necessary
hold scruff if unavoidable

Question 12

what can poor handling lead to?

Answer 12

excessive behaviour changes (fight or flight)
injury and suffering 
inability to treat 
excessive chemical restraint 
loss of client

Question 13

what PPE can be used for small animals?

Answer 13

gloves
apron
jumper to cover arms

Question 14

general advice/tips

small animal

Answer 14

never put face directly into theirs
avoid outside distractions 
never sit on the floor
always be prepared 
communicate

Question 15

how to approach an equine?

Answer 15

observe and interpret behaviour 
approach shoulder diagonally 
make sure they know you are there
speak quietly but confidently 
avoid concerning 
encourage to approach you

Question 16

equine restraint?

Answer 16

tie to a suitable ring, post or rail
use breakable string and quick release knot
can use second person instead of being tied
can use head collars for more control

Question 17

how to lead equines?

Answer 17

lead on left side
hold lead close to horse with right hand
remaining rope lose in leftt hand
use bridle or chifney if difficult horse
give vocal instructions

Question 18

what PPE can be used around horses?

Answer 18

hard hat 
gloves 
riding/steel toe cap boots 
no loose clothing 
no jewellery 
tie hair up

Question 19

how to approach exotics?

Answer 19

don't approach from above 
often nocturnal so need dark 
allow them to approach you 
give time
reduce noise

Question 20

tips for handing exotics?

Answer 20

should be minimal

when possible observe through container

Question 21

mouse restraint?

Answer 21

place thumb and index finger on shoulders

restrain base of tail

Question 22

rat restraint?

Answer 22

grasp around shoulders and lift head

support body with other hand

Question 23

hamster restraint?

Answer 23

place beneath palm

lightly scruff

Question 24

gerbils restraint?

Answer 24

cupped in two hands

don’t restrain by tail

Question 25

guinea pig restraint?

Answer 25

one hand around shoulders | other hand around hindquaters

Question 26

chinchilla restraint?

Answer 26

dont scruff one hand below forelimbs other hand under hindlimbs

Question 27

ferret restraint?

Answer 27

thumb and fingers around forelimbs push chin up support hindlegs (if needed) scruff if aggressive

Question 28

Rabbit restraint?

Answer 28

``` C hold - one hand below forelimbs - another hand supporting hindlimbs - hold close to chest football hold - one hand under ventrum supporting hindlimbs and chest - other hand over back - hold close to chest ```

Question 29

small bird restraint?

Answer 29

wear gloves hold neck between index and middle finger thumb and forefinger hold legs and wings

Question 30

large cage bird restraint?

Answer 30

use towel to form cacoon grasp back of neck firmly thumb and forefinger under beak to push upwards don't use gauntlets as reduce control

Question 31

poultry restraint?

Answer 31

one hand holding legs other hold head keep close to chest

Question 32

chelonian restraint?

Answer 32

both hands either side of shell behind forelimbs if hiding give time or encourage with food (then hold neck once out) if aggressive hold at bottom both sides of hindlimbs

Question 33

small lizard restraint?

Answer 33

grasp behind shoulders with thumb and index finger use remaining fingers and other hand to hold body leave tail hanging freely

Question 34

large lizard restraint?

Answer 34

``` wear gauntlets face them away from you hold front of neck use arm to support body tuck tail under elbow ``` or place on surface with one hand on shoulders and other on pelvis

Question 35

snake restraint?

Answer 35

if 4+ foot then 2 people non-aggressive/non-venomous - thumb and index finger either side of head - other three around neck - other hand (and second person) to support whole body aggressive - finger on top of head - other hand (and second person) support whole body venomous - use tongues/hooks - press head to ground and grasp

Question 36

snake restraint methods?

Answer 36

snake tubes can be useful to restrain for imaging, intubating or minor procedures

Question 37

hedgehog restraint?

Answer 37

minimal restraint needed wear gloves to protect from spines and ringworm to uncurl stroke spine

Question 38

foxes and badgers restraint?

Answer 38

``` use dog catcher for initial restraint always have two people present scruff with both hands can use gauntlets but may affect grasp chemical restraint and PPE must be used ```

Question 39

bat restraint?

Answer 39

gloves must be worn as carry Lyssavirus (rabies) they are protected species so should go to specialist

Question 40

waterfowl restraint?

Answer 40

use towel to restrain wings scoop up with one arm keeping close to body use other hand to hold neck can use cradle bag for swans smaller waterfowl can be held same way as poultry

Question 41

birds of prey restraint?

Answer 41

similar to large cage birds must restrain talons use hoods to cover eyes and reduce stress also use gauntlets, towels and jesses