handling and restraint of exotics Flashcards
what can happen if restraint is done badly
- injury/death of animal OR handler
- escape of the animal
- creating fearful animal
- destruction or damage of HAB
basic guidelines of animal handling (4)
- is it safe for person
- is it safe for the animal
- is it possible to accomplish procedure by using suggested restraint method
- can constant observation and attention be given to the animal following the restraint until is fully recovered from physical effects
success of animal handling depends on (4)
- knowledge of the animal
- experience of handler
- application of correct technique
- availability and application of appropriate tools/chemicals
what is the restraint mantra:
There is strength in ______.
Good restraint is about _____, _______ and _______.
Preparation is : _______________
“There is strength in gentleness. Good restraint is about empathy, finesse and technique. Preparation is equally important as execution.”
restraint can be what 4 things
physical, chemical, psychological or combo
physical restraint
combo of physical forces and tools to limit movement of animal
chemical restraint
use of tranquillizers, sedatives and anesthesia
psychological restraint
behavioural conditioning using positive reinforcement
transquillizers
drugs that have a calming effect, but the animal remains aware of its surroundings and may respond to stimuli
sedation
reduces anxiety and promotes relaxation, produces sense of calm, lack of awareness, and drowsiness
anaesthesia
loss of consciousness and therefore loss of awareness, although the depth can often be controlled
what is the masking phenomenon
desire/ instinct to conceal signs of pain or injury from predators
exotics will fake looking healthy, so that means if they look sick this is often late detection and they are much sicker than they look
what is a misconception about exotics being handled
they are easily stressed and may even die during restraint
this misconception stems from the masking phenomenon and the fact that early signs of sickness are missed so by the time they get to the vet they are incredibly sick
what to observe in exotics to see through the masking phenomenon (5)
- alertness
- respiratory effort
- appetite and thirst
- co-ordination
- behaviour
how to let bird out of cage
ask owner to remove bird from cage, if they can’t then allow bird to come out themself, then attempt to bring out on hand or on stick
should you use gloves when restraining birds
no
what size towel should you use to restrain birds
smallest possible, bring towel behind them
3 fingered grip
thumb under jaw, pointer on top of head and middle finger on side of head
two fingered grip
pointer and middle finger on either side of head
2 handed grip
2 or 3 finger grip on head and other hand holds wings, feet, tail
what needs to be free when restraining birds, and what always needs to be supported
sternum free for breathing, and always support body
handling chickens
won’t bite will scratch, place fingers between legs and hand on back, chicken can rest on forearm
restraining pigeons
bird sits in palm of hand has feet in-between fingers
handling birds of prey
need to worry about talons, fingers between legs (do not want to rub their legs against each other, can bruise and swell)
containers carrying reptiles should be
leak proof, crush proof and secure
turtle handling major concerns
falling, biting, scratching
lizard handling major and minor concerns
major: spinal support, autonomy, escape
minor: biting, scratching, tail may drop
turtle shell
top: carapace (spine and ribcage)
bottom: plastron (sternum and ribcage)
-bridge; joins carapace and plastron together
how to handle turtle
hand on butt area with hand on bottom and thumb on top, other hand by the front for support
non venemous snake handling
- identify the species
- be the rock or tree
- minimal restraint
- one person per m of snake
- support spine
- major concerns: biting, spinal support
what to think about when handling small mammals
how you can hurt them (spinal support and escape) and how they can hurt you (teeth, nails)
pythons of all sizes may ____ and _____
bite and constrict
restraining head of python will usually cause it to
struggle, whereas if handled gently with support on body only will tend to relax
what will snakes do when distressed
excrete voluminous feces and urates
handling venemous snakes
don’t
reptiles may naturally carry
strains of salmonella that shed in feces
handling guinea pigs
support their legs, support back end and chest, often will squeal, usually can restrain with one hand
rat/ mouse handling
usually can just scoop, very active, give them freedom to explore, can also hold base of tail (close to body as possible) pick back end up and slide palm under them
to restrain get put fingers on either side of head but make it brief
don’t like scruffing but may be needed in some cases
rabbit handling
have to very careful due to weak spine
- good option is bunny burrito (bunny faces away, sitting in centre of towel, fold bum corner up first, then sides)
- always support hindquarters
why is pet rabbits spine so weak
rarely see sun, don’t get much exercise, usually overweight
restraining ferrets
- better to hold after they have burnt off some energy
- like to feel secure and supported, long back needs to be protected from excessive movement
- one hand under chest, other hand support hind legs, bring close to body
- don’t like scruffing
