Restraint

Question 1

low stress handling

Answer 1

• move slowly but confidently
• handle gently
• no loud, sudden movement/noise
• allow patient to adjust to surroundings first

Question 2

rules

Answer 2

• 1 person w/hands on patient at all times (holding a leash doesn’t count)
• if you’re restraining, restraint is your one job. focus.
• have control of head at all times
• never restrain on a joint
• teamwork, trust, and communication!

Question 3

moving patients on/off table

Answer 3

large: move them beside the table and get them in the direction you need before picking them up. have multiple people, hold them firmly against your body and have head control before lifting up. try to put the patient down on table directly in position needed.

• do not rush
• do not release before they have calmed

Question 4

lateral

Answer 4

• lift patient so ventral thorax is at table height
• gently roll them onto their side, either pulling legs towards/rotating them away depending on side needed
• body in contact with table at all times during rolling
• head control
• use your body to apply pressure as you roll

as you stand:
- hold legs
- keep same amount of pressure on patient with hands
- control head

• deep chested animals never rolled on their back, always legs under to switch sides!

Question 5

sternal

Answer 5

• lift high enough for legs to go onto table (lower the table if you have long-legged patients)
• slowly lower them into a laying position (easiest if you never allow them to get their feet under them)
• pressure over shoulder blades will reduce urge to sit up/stand
• towel on table may help them feel safer
• head under control at all times

Question 6

ventral dorsal

Answer 6

• same as lateral to get them onto table
• restrainers should move themselves into position for proper restraint (head person at head end, hind person at hind end)
• head restrainer: hold just above elbows, squeeze head between your forearms
• hind end restrainer: hold patient between stifle + tarsus, or closer to hips if they are noncompliant
• AT SAME TIME both people roll patient onto their back

Question 7

when they start to panic

Answer 7

small:
- apply pressure to keep them down is possible
- pick them up into arms
- control head

medium-large:
- control head
- pressure to keep them down (over shoulder blades + hips for sternal, over neck/shoulder area + hips for lateral, squeeze b/w arms for VD or roll them into lateral to calm)
- pull into your body or put your body over top
- concern for injury to patient personnel? remove them from the table with 1-2 people! control the head!