Penn Foster Veterinary Assistant- Handling and Restraint

Chemical restraints

certain drugs, such as sedatives, that restrain a animal by controlling his or her behavior

Cross-tying restraint method

restricts a horse's side-to-side head movements, and also helps prevent the horse from turning around or rearing up. Attach two ropes to the halter and tie them to the cross-tie rings, which are normally securely in place in the barn or stall area

Catching Net

serves to remove individual birds from a flock. The net is usually attached to the end of a long-handled wooden pole.

Cat Bag

A restraint device designed to enclose a cat's body while providing access to treatment sites

Cross-tie

A restraint method that restricts an animal's side-to-side head movement by tying two ropes to the halter and to cross-tie rings in a barn or transport trailer.

Casting Rope

A rope used to place an enclosed animal on its side

Snubbing Rope

A rope with a loop at one end, tied with a slip knot so that the loop can be tightened, designed to help restrain a captured pig's head

Hurdle

Flat, shield like piece of plastic or plywood three feet square, used to direct a group of pigs into an enclosure

Restraining Goats for a Venipuncture

Hold the goat's chin or beard with one hand and place your other arm around the goat's neck to hold it in place.

Sternal Recumbency

Place an animal on its sternum at the edge of a table with its forelegs extending off the tables edge

Forceps

an instrument used to grasp small rodents and allows for their transport from one cage to another

Cattle Chute

A cattle examination area large enough to hold one animal, often with poles for cross-tying and an opening to hold its head in place

V-trough

A V-shaped trough usually made of plywood used to restrain a pig on its back

Rope Twitch

A device that works the same as a chain twitch, only made of rope

Lead

A guide leash, often made of leather or rope, that attaches to a halter and allows you to hold an animals in place or guide its direction

Catching Hook

A hook, usually about five inches long, attached to a long-handled pole for the purpose of catching chickens and turkeys

Chain Twitch

A horse restraint, usually composed of a long wooden handle with a loop of stainless-steel chain at one end, designed to distract a horse by stimulating its nerves.

Slip Leash

A leash of flat or braided nylon with a ring at one end, designed to tighten momentarily the way a training collar does.

Hobble

A leather strap fastened around an animals legs t restrict its movement

Chain Shank

A long leather lead or rope with about a two-foot length of chain and a snap hook at one end, used to distract a horse.

Head snare

A long metal or heavy-duty plastic, tubular handle with a thick retractable wire inside it, forming a large loop designed to be pulled out, slipped over an animal's head, and quickly tightened.

Pig Catcher

A long-handled, large clamp with a rope that holds the ends of the clamp shut

Lateral Recumbency

An animal restrained on its side and stretched out (Also called Reclining Restraint)

Stanchion

An opening at the front of a cattle chute that holds the head in place

Muzzle

Any device applied around an animal's nose and mouth to prevent the animal from biting

Halter

Gear composed of a noseband and a throatlatch that encircles the head of a large animal such as a horse, allowing a lead to be attached for restraint.

Restraint Gloves

Heavy gauntlet-type gloves, used to handle cats, typically made of leather too thick for cats to bite through.

Occlude

In venipuncture, to block or hold off vein be pressing on it with your finger, allowing blood to pool in the vein

Nose lead

Large metal tongs with large ball-shaped ends, designed for cattle to hold their heads in place.

Stocks

Narrow enclosures that partially immobilize a horse for treatment

Catching Hook

Often used to catch chicken and turkey

Venipuncture

Puncturing a vain to collect blood, administer medication, or pass a catheter

Bull Staff

Restraint equipment for cattle that consists of a long-handled metal rod with a large hook at one end that clips to the nose ring, helping to restrain the head

Training Collar

Stainless-steel links with a ring at each end, forming a dog collar designed to tighten momentarily with a short, firm tug

Reclining Restraint(Lateral Recumbency) Step by Step

Step 1: After lifting the dog onto the table, place the dog on its side. Step 2: Stand behind the dog so that the dog's spine is against the front of your body. Step 3: Grasp the dog's forelegs with one hand, securing your grip by placing one finger between the legs. Step 4: Press down slightly with your forearm on the base of the dog's neck. Step 5: Use your other hand to grasp the dog's rear legs.

Cat Restraint for Physical Examination Step by step

Step 1: Allow the cat to stand or sit on the table. Step 2: Place on hand on the cats shoulders. Step 3: Place the other hand on its hips. Then gently press it down against the table.

Approaching and Capturing Fowl

Step 1: Approach and stand next to the bird. Step 2: Reach down and grasp the animal's legs quickly. Step 3: Pull the bird up so that its head is facing the ground.

V-trough restrain

Step 1: Capture the pig. Step 2: Lay the pig on its back in the trough. Step 3: Attach a rope to one front leg. Step 4: Pass the rope under the trough and tie it to the other front leg. Step 5: Repeat Steps 3 and 4 on the back feet. The trough can be tilted to the desired position.

Capturing A small Bird in a Cage

Step 1: Carefully open the cage door. Block the open door as you reach into the cage. You can block the door with your hand and a towel or have someone stand behind you and hold a towel over the door. Step 2: Remove most of the perches and toys from the cage to keep the bird from injuring itself should it become frightened and fly around the cage (small birds frighten easily). Step 3: Grasp the bird in your hand by placing your palm against its wings and securing its head between your thumb and index finger. Cradle the bird in your palm and place your last finger gently across the bird's legs. Take care not to cover or press down on the bird's breastbone area. The breastbone must move for the bird to breathe properly. You can continue to hold the bird in your palm for restraint and for most technical procedures.

Restraining Pig and Piglets

Step 1: Grasp the animal by its rear legs. Step 2: Lift the body. Step 3: Place the animal's head between your knees. The pig's front legs should touch the ground and its back should be centered between your legs.

Handling Mice Step by Step

Step 1: Grasp the base of the mouse's tail as close to the body as possible (A).Mice are rarely aggressive, biting only when frightened or in pain. Their small size and high activity level, however, can make mouse handling and restraint difficult. Mice usually reside in small plastic shoebox cages with wire-mesh lids. To remove a mouse from its cage and then restrain it, Step 2: Lift the mouse straight up and place it down on a wire-mesh cage top or other grid-type surface. Keep hold of the tail. The mouse will grasp this surface with its feet. Step 3: Gently stretch the mouse's body by pulling back on its tail with one hand while you grasp the loose skin on the back of its neck with the other (B and C). Step 4: Lift the animal up and cup it in the palm of your hand (D). Step 5: Loosely drape your other fingers around the animal's body. Hold the feet and tail between your last two fingers. Don't hold the mouse so tightly that you impede its breathing.

Restraint for Medial Femoral Venipuncture Step by step

Step 1: Grasp the cat by the scruff with one hand. Step 2: Grasp its back feet with your other hand. Place one or two fingers between the feet. Step 3: Lay the cat on its side with its back resting against your forearm. Step 4: Gently extend the cat's body by stretching its legs back and its head forward, to help reduce the chance that the cat will be able to bite or scratch. Step 5: The upper hind leg is gently extended back to expose the medial saphenous vein of the leg lying on the table. The veterinarian or veterinary technician will hold and extend this leg while venipuncture is performed. Step 6: An additional person may be required to occlude the vein. Direct pressure can be applied at the proximal end of the leg by pressing the vein against the femur. This person can also gently tap on the cat's nose to distract it while venipuncture is being performed. Step 7: This vein must be held off once venipuncture has been completed to prevent a hematoma or excessive bleeding from occurring.

Cat Restraint for Intramuscular Injection 1st method Step by step

Step 1: Grasp the cat by the scruff with your right hand. Step 2: Grasp its back feet with your left hand and place one or two fingers between the feet. Step 3: Lay the cat on its side with its back resting against your right forearm. Step 4: Gently extend the cat's body by stretching its legs back and its head forward.

Restrain a struggling cat for cephalic venipuncture:

Step 1: Grasp the cat by the scruff, rather than under the jaw, with one hand. Step 2: Grasp the cat's elbow. Step 3: Gently extend the cat's leg. Step 4: Use your thumb to occlude the vein.

Cat restraint for venipuncture Step by step

Step 1: Grasp the cat's head firmly under the jaw with your right hand. Step 2: Extend your left arm around the cat's body and grasp the cat's left leg around the elbow. Step 3: Hold the forelimb at the elbow and use your thumb to occlude the vein by pressing in and slightly to the side.

Handling Rats Step by step

Step 1: Grasp the rat by placing your thumb and index finger around its lower jaw ([A] in the figure). This technique secures the head and keeps the rat from being able to turn and bite. Step 2: Pick the rat up. Step 3: With your other hand, support the rat's hindquarters while holding its feet and tail still ([B] in the figure).

Tail Jacking- Lifting the tail Step by step

Step 1: Grasp the tail with both hands nearest the animal's body. Step 2: Lift the tail up gently but firmly. Take care to keep the tail in line with the spine and not deflected out to either side. Because a cow's or bull's tail isn't as strong as a horse's, handle it carefully to avoid fracturing the vertebrae.

Applying a Halter and lead rope on a Horse Step by step

Step 1: Hold the neck strap and buckle end of the halter in your left hand. Step 2: Stand on the horse's left side and reach over its neck with your right hand. Step 3: Grasp the neck strap from your left hand and pass the entire halter back over the horse's neck. Step 4: Gently slide the nose band of the halter up over the nose, then buckle the halter to the neck strap. The rings of a correctly applied halter don't press tightly against the horse's face; its straps are away from the eyes. Step 5: Once you've properly applied the halter, attach the lead rope to the center ring just beneath the horse's nose.

Capturing a Large Bird in a Cage

Step 1: Locate a large towel. Step 2: Open the cage door. Use the towel to block the opening. Step 3: Remove excess perches and toys from the cage. Step 4: Place the towel lengthwise across the palm of your hand. Step 5: Reach into the cage and grasp the bird from behind by placing your hand behind the bird's head. Position the bird's lower jaw between your thumb and index finger. Step 6: Drape the towel around the bird as you lift it slightly toward the door of the cage. Step 7: As you bring the bird through the cage door, place your other hand on the bird's feet and hold them firmly in place. Remember to avoid putting pressure on the bird's breastbone. You can use this towel restraint for examination and most technical procedures. When working with large, particularly aggressive birds, wear lightweight leather gloves to protect yourself from bites. If the bird is too aggressive, tape its beak shut.

Tail Jacking- Tie the tail step by step

Step 1: Locate the end of the last vertebra in the tail. Step 2: At a spot about 18 inches from one end of the rope, lay the rope across the tail so that it lays over the end of the last vertebra. Fold the rest of the tail up and over the rope. Pass the short end of the rope behind the tail. Make a long, sharp loop in the rope as you go. Step 3: Bring the loop over the folded tail. Pass the loop through the rope that's looped under the tail. Step 4: Pull the longer end of the rope to tighten it. Step 5: Use the longer end of the rope to tie the tail to the cattle's front leg or neck.

Tail-tying restraint step by step

Step 1: Locate the end of the last vertebra in the tail. Step 2: Lay a piece of rope across the tail at that site and fold the rest of the tail up and over the rope. Step 3: Pass one end of the rope behind the tail. Make a long, sharp loop in the rope as you go. Step 4: Bring the loop over the folded tail and pull it tight through the rope that's looped around the tail. You can then use the other end of the rope to tie the tail to the horse's front leg or neck.

Handling a Hamster Step by step

Step 1: Make sure the hamster is awake. A knock on the side of its cage usually awakens the animal. Step 2: Reach into the cage and grasp the loose skin on the back of the hamster's neck. Grasp as much of the loose skin as possible, or the hamster may still be able to turn and bite. Step 3: Lift the animal out of the cage and cup it in your palm as you would a mouse.

Lifting a small, Injured dog less than 50 pounds Step by step

Step 1: Place one arm under the dog's head. Step 2: Place your other arm around the dog's hindquarters. Step 3: Lift the dog straight up and place it on the examining table.

Lifting a small, uninjured dog less than 50 pounds Step by step

Step 1: Place one arm under the dog's head. Step 2: Place your other arm under the dog's abdomen with your hand pointed forward and your fingers between the dog's front legs. Step 3: Lift the dog straight up and place it on the examining table.

Snubbing Rope Restrain

Step 1: Place one end of the rope in front of the pig's snout. Step 2: Wait for the pig to open its mouth. Step 3: When the pig opens its mouth, slip the loop into its mouth and push the loop quickly up so that it rests just behind the tusks. Step 4: Tighten the loop across the top of the pig's snout. Step 5: Either hold the snubbing rope or tie it to a stationary object.

Standing Restraint Step by step

Step 1: Place one hand in front of the dog's neck. Step 2: Place the other hand under the dog's abdomen just in front of its rear legs. Step 3: Gently pull the dog toward you until it's snug against your body.

Handling a Ferret step by step

Step 1: Place one hand under the animal's chest, behind its forelegs. Step 2: Pick the ferret up. Step 3: Use your other hand to support the ferret's hindquarters.

Sitting Restraint Step by step

Step 1: Place your arm around the dog's hindquarters. Step 2: Gently tuck the dog into a sitting position. Step 3: Place your other arm around the dog's neck so that its head rests in the crook of your elbow. Step 4: Pull the dog snugly against your body. Take care not to place your head close to the dog's mouth; the animal might start snapping during the procedure.

Cat Restraint for Intramuscular Injection 2nd method Step by step

Step 1: Place your right forearm across the cat's neck. Step 2: Gently press the cat down against the table. Grasp the front paws between your fingers. Step 3: Grasp its back feet with your left hand. Place one or two fingers between the feet. Step 4: Gently extend the cat's body by stretching its legs back and its head forward

Restraint for Saphenic Venipuncture

Step 1: Position the dog in lateral recumbency. Step 2: Grasp the upper rear leg just below the knee so that the skin over the vein is pulled tight to occlude the vein and prevent it from "rolling" while venipuncture is being made. Step 3: Release the vein when directed by the veterinarian or veterinary technician. By using this procedure, medication can be administered or a catheter can be passed into the vein. Step 4: Apply pressure to the venipuncture site to allow a clot to form and bleeding to stop completely. Step 5: Once the procedure is complete, maintain moderate restraint to keep the dog from jumping off the table. It's often helpful, should the dog struggle in this position, to raise the legs closest to the table so that they cross the upper legs.

Restraining Goats for a Examination

Step 1: Position yourself alongside the goat. Step 2: Reach one arm over the goat's back and one arm over the goat's neck. Step 3: Grasp the legs closest to your body and gently lift up, which will force the goat off balance and onto its side.

Handling a Chinchilla Step by step

Step 1: Reach into the cage and grasp the animal by the base of the tail (close to the body) with one hand. Step 2: Pick up the chinchilla by its tail. Step 3: Immediately support the animal's body, either with your forearm or your other hand.

Handling a Rabbit step by step

Step 1: Reach into the cage and lightly grasp a small amount of the loose skin behind the rabbit's ears. Step 2: Face the animal away from you, and slide your other hand under its rear legs. Step 3: Lift the animal toward you, and press it gently against your body.

Handling a Guinea Pig Step by step

Step 1: Reach into the cage and place your hand in front of the animal to block it from running around. Step 2: Slide your other hand gently under the guinea pig's chest. Step 3: Pick the animal straight up. Step 4: Immediately place your other hand under the animal's hindquarters for support.

Restraining a Lamb for tail docking and castration

Step 1: Sit down. Step 2: Grasp the lamb's right legs with your right hand and its left legs with your left hand. Step 3: Place the lamb on its back, supported by your legs.

Jugular Venipuncture

Step 1: Stand alongside the dog and place your right hand under its muzzle. Step 2: Point the dog's head toward the ceiling. You may have to hold the dog's mouth closed with your hand. Step 3: With your left hand, grasp the dog's front legs just above the feet and hold them together. Secure your grip by placing a finger between them. Step 4: Pull the feet slightly to align them with the dog's nose. The venipuncturist will normally occlude the vein without further assistance. Step 5: Once the procedure is finished, apply pressure to the venipuncture site.

Restraining a Adult sheep

Step 1: Stand on the animal's side. Step 2: Place one arm around the sheep's neck at the shoulder, and, with your other arm, reach over the animal and under its abdomen as far as possible, depending on the animal's size. Step 3: Gently lift the sheep and tilt it back onto its rump. Stand directly behind the sheep so that its back rests against your legs. Tilt the sheep's body slightly back so that it's off balance. A sheep in this position rarely kicks or struggles

Leading a Horse

Step 1: Stand on the horse's left, holding the lead rope in your right hand about 8-10 inches from the horse's head. Step 2: Hold the remainder of the lead rope in loose loops in your left hand. Make sure that the lead rope passes in front of your body and isn't wrapped around your hand; otherwise, it could seriously injure you if the horse bolts. Step 3: Walk on the horse's left. Keep your body in the zone between the animal's head and left shoulder.

How to make a gauze muzzle

Step 1: Take a long piece of bandage and tie a large loop at its midsection. Step 2: Approach the dog from the side or back and slip the loop over the end of the dog's nose. Step 3: Quickly tighten the loop and bring the ends of the gauze under the dog's neck. Step 4: Cross the ends over, then pull the ends behind the dog's neck. Step 5: Tie the ends of the gauze in a half bow or slip knot so that it can be removed quickly.

Lifting a large, uninjured dog more than 50 pounds step by step

Step 1: Two people should crouch down on the same side of the dog. Step 2: One person should restrain the dog's head by placing one arm around the dog's neck and the other arm around the dog's chest. Step 3: The second person should place one arm around the dog's abdomen and the other arm around the dog's hindquarters. Step 4: Simultaneously, both people should lift the dog using their legs, not their back.

Restrain a cat for a Jugular venipuncture Step by Step

Step 1: You'll want to wrap a towel around the cat's rear legs to prevent it from scratching you. Step 2: Place the cat on its sternum at the edge of the table, its forelegs extending off the table's edge. Step 3: Stand alongside the cat, place one hand under its nose, and point its head toward the ceiling. If necessary, hold the cat's mouth firmly closed. Step 4: With your other hand, grasp the cat's legs just above the feet. Secure your grip by placing a finger between the feet. Step 5: Pull the feet slightly to align them with the cat's nose. The veterinarian or veterinary technician performing the venipuncture will normally occlude the vein without further assistance.

Tail Tying

Technique that involves tying an animal's tail out of the way for certain procedures

Sternum

The breastbone

Fetal hold

The technique of grasping a cat by the scruff of the neck

Nasal Septum

Tissue between the nostrils

Picking Up a Horse's Front Feet Step by step

To raise a front foot: Step 1: Stand alongside the animal, close to its body. Face toward the back end. Step 2: Place one hand on the horse's shoulder. Step 3: Firmly run your other hand down the horse's leg to the fetlock, just above the hoof. Step 4: Continue down the leg to the fetlock, just above the hoof. Step 5: Place your palm under the fetlock and wrap your fingers around the joint. Step 6: Gently squeezing the foot, lift it up.

Picking Up a Horse's rear Feet

To raise a rear foot, follow these steps: Step 1: Approach the horse from the side at the shoulder. Step 2: Place your hand on the horse's side. Step 3: Run that hand along the horse as you walk toward its rear. Step 4: Standing alongside the horse's rear with one hand on the horse, run the other hand down the horse's leg. Step 5: Grasp and lift the foot as described for the front feet.

Sternal Recumbency Step by Step

To restrain a dog for cephalic venipuncture Step 1: Stand at the side of the table, facing in the same direction as the dog. Step 2: Grasp the dog under its neck so that its head rests in the crook of one elbow. Step 3: Place your other arm across the dog's back and pull the dog snugly against your body. Step 4: Extend the same arm to grasp the dog's opposite forelimb at elbow level with your right hand. Hold the forelimb at the elbow and use your thumb to occlude the vein by pressing in and slightly to the side. Step 5: The dog's elbow should be at the table's edge, which allows the veterinarian or veterinary technician to grasp the dog's foot and complete the venipuncture. Step 6: Don't release the animal from your grasp, or remove your hand from its leg, until the venipuncturist tells you to. A veterinarian or veterinary technician withdrawing blood or administering medication will tell you when it's time to release the occlusion of the vein. Once the needle is removed from the vein, maintain your grasp on the leg and simply lift your thumb straight off it. Place your thumb over the injection site while applying pressure. Continue to hold the dog firmly. Step 7: Once the procedure is complete, slowly loosen your grip. Maintain moderate restraint to keep the dog from jumping off the table.

Milking Hobble

Two metal bands, connected by length of chain, used to prevent a cow from kicking

Mechanical restraint

Use of equipment like leashes, collars, restraint bags, and poles on an animal.

Acrylic Rodent Restrainer

Used for rat and mouse venipuncture; consists of a clear plastic tube with holes drilled into it

Tail Jacking

Used to prevent the animal from kicking, this technique restrains an animal for minor technical procedures. It involves lifting the tail up in line with the animal's spine to prevent fracturing the vertebrae

Manual Restraint

Using your hands to hold the animal in the desired position

Cephalic Vein

Venipuncture site along the front of the foreleg

Jugular Vein

Venipuncture site on the front of the neck

Saphenous Vein

Venipuncture site on the outer surface of the hind leg