Rodent Restraint

Question 1

What should you never grab a rabbit by?

Answer 1

Never grab a rabbit by it’s ears because it may damage it’s ear cartilage.

Question 2

What happens when a rabbit kicks violently?

Answer 2

When a rabbit kicks violently it can break its own spine.

Question 3

How do you remove a rabbit from it’s cage?

Answer 3

reach into the cage and grab a small amount of loose skin behind the rabbit’s ears, face the rabbit away from you, then slide your other hand under it’s hindquarters. Now, lift and pull the animal gently against your body.

Question 4

How do you carry a rabbit?

Answer 4

tuck the rabbit’s nose into the crook of your elbow and support it’s body on your forearm.

Question 5

How do you return a rabbit back into it’s cage?

Answer 5

face the rabbit toward you, then place it’s rear legs down in the cage first; this will prevent it from scratching you.

Question 6

How do you restrain a rabbit for most technical procedures?

Answer 6

place the rabbit on the examination table, then place your arms on either side of it. If the rabbit feels unsecure on a smooth surface; place a towel under it.

Question 7

How do you restrain a rabbit for intramuscular or subcutaneous injections?

Answer 7

gently yet firmly press the rabbit against the table.

Question 8

What are the tools used to restrain a rabbit?

Answer 8

Acrylic restraining device: A tool used to restrain a rabbit but it is only used for rabbits of a certain size.

Towel: A tool used to wrap and restrain a rabbit comfortably.

Question 9

How do you restrain a ferret?

Answer 9

You can restrain a ferret as much as you would a cat, however when you scruff a ferret make sure that it’s feet cannot touch the table because if so it can turn and bite you.

Question 10

How do you stop a ferret from biting you?

Answer 10

To stop a ferret from biting you place it under running water this will force the ferret to release it’s grip.

Question 11

How do you pick up a ferret?

Answer 11

place one hand under the ferret’s chest, just behind it’s forelegs, then pick it up and use your other hand to support it’s hindquarters.

Question 12

How do you restrain a ferret with it’s scruff during most technical procedures?

Answer 12

grab the ferret’s scruff just behind it’s ears and lift the ferret off of the table for restraint.

Question 13

What tool and technique is used to help restrain an aggressive ferret?

Answer 13

A towel is used to restrain an aggressive ferret; you may also hold the aggressive ferret’s head between your thumb and forefinger.

Question 14

What rodent restraint should be used in less/more stressful procedures?

Answer 14

For less stressful procedures; you can use manual restraint, but for more stressful situations it will most likely require mechanical or chemical restraint.

Question 15

What is the equipment used to restrain rodents?

Answer 15

Acrylic Rodent Restrainer: A clear plastic tube with access ports drilled into it; this tool is usually used for venipuncture.

Rubber-Tipped Forceps: A tool used to transport small rodents from one cage to another. Grab either at the base of the tail or the loose skin on the back of it’s neck. Do not dangle the animal for more than a few second lest you injure it’s back.

Question 16

How do you remove a mouse from it’s cage and restrain it?

Answer 16

To remove a mouse from it’s cage; first, grab the base of the mouse’s tail, then lift it straight up and place it down on a grid-like surface while keeping a hold of it’s tail. The mouse will now try to escape, so gently stretch the mouse’s body by pulling back on it’s tail with one hand while grabbing it’s loose skin on the back of it’s neck with the other. Now lift and cup the mouse in your palm and loosely drape your fingers around it’s body; while holding the feet and tail between your last two fingers.

Question 17

How should you never hold a mouse?

Answer 17

Make sure to never hold the mouse tightly because it will impede it’s breathing.

Question 18

How do you remove a rat from a cage?

Answer 18

The same way you would for a mouse.

Question 19

How do you restrain a rat?

Answer 19

You can hold the rat in your hand for most technical procedures. To restrain a rat; grab the rat by placing your thumb and index finger around its lower jaw; this will secure it’s head and prevent it from turning and biting. Now, pick up the rat and use your other hand to support the rat’s hindquarters while holding it’s feet and tail still.

Question 20

Are Hamsters difficult to handle and restrain?

Answer 20

Hamsters are generally the most aggressive small rodent so it can be very difficult to restrain.

Question 21

How do you pick up a hamster?

Answer 21

To pick up a hamster; first, make sure the hamster is awake, if not knock on the side of it’s cage. Doing so will most likely wake up the rodent. Reach into the cage and grab the loose skin on the back of the hamster’s neck; make sure the grab as much skin as possible or the hamster may turn and bite. Now, lift the animal out of the cage and cup it into your palm as you would a mouse.

Question 22

Are guinea pigs difficult to handle and restrain?

Answer 22

Guinea pigs have quiet temperaments and almost never bite or scratch.

Question 23

How do you pick up and restrain a guinea pig?

Answer 23

To pick up a guinea pig; first, reach into the cage and place your hand in front of the guinea pig to prevent it from running around, then slide your hand under it’s chest and pick it up. Immediately place your other hand under it’s hindquarters for support.

Question 24

Where should you avoid placing pressure when handling a guinea pig?

Answer 24

You should avoid placing pressure on the guinea pig’s back/shoulders because doing so may injure it’s lungs.

Question 25

Are chinchillas difficult to handle and restrain?

Answer 25

Chinchillas are not difficult to handle and restrain and they hardly ever bite.

Question 26

What is Fur Slip?

Answer 26

Fur slip is a chinchilla’s tendency to shed patches of it’s fur if grasped too roughly.

Question 27

How do you pick up and restrain a chinchilla?

Answer 27

To pick up a chinchilla; reach into the cage, then place your hand under the chinchilla’s thorax and pick it up. Immediately place your other hand over it’s shoulders to prevent it from escaping.

Question 28

How do you handle a gerbil?

Answer 28

You can handle and restrain a gerbil the same way as a mouse, but since gerbils are more active and good jumpers they may try to escape.

Question 29

How do you restrain a gerbil?

Answer 29

To restrain a gerbil; simply scoop it up and cup the gerbil in your hand, never pick it up by the tip of your tail; doing so will damage the skin surface.