General Principles

Question 1

Restraint techniques can be divided into three major categories

Answer 1

(1) manual, (2) mechanical, and (3) chemical.

Question 2

Manual restraint

Answer 2

is simply using your hands to hold an animal in the desired position. Because this method distresses animals the least, you’ll want to use it whenever possible. Manual restraint works well for most species during physical examination or minor technical procedures. Always use the minimal force required to keep the animal in position. You should never hold an animal forcefully; if you need more force, use mechanical restraint.

Question 3

Mechanical restraint

Answer 3

Mechanical restraint employs such equipment as leashes, collars, restraint bags, and poles. These devices tend to upset animals, so use them only when absolutely necessary. Most mechanical-restraint aids are designed for one species only. Using a head snare on a rabbit, for instance, can seriously injure the animal and its handler. Once you’ve chosen the correct device for a particular species, you must also use it correctly; incorrect use can also injure the animal. Even when you’ve applied and used mechanical restraint correctly, be sure to check the animal for injury after removing the restraint. Also, clean the device thoroughly after each use. This cleaning not only keeps the device from spreading disease, it eliminates scent; some animals will resist a restraint device that smells of another animal. We’ll cover the various mechanical-restraint aids and their proper use throughout this lesson.

Question 4

Chemical restraints

Answer 4

Chemical restraints are sedatives, tranquilizers, and anesthetics. Veterinary professionals consider chemical restraint the least desirable method. While extremely aggressive or frightened animals may require chemical restraint, these agents can interfere with diagnostic testing and can also complicate diagnosis by masking particular symptoms.