Page 143 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

Chapter 8 Restraint of Animals 127

Look and listen; a low‐pitched growl that seems to be
coming from deep within may be your first warning of
impending cat explosion. Stop what you are doing to
avoid escalating into a very angry cat. The cat in
Figure 8.13 is very obviously upset and angry. Back
arched, hair standing on end, hissing or screaming vocal-
ization, whiskers straight out and up, foot poised to
strike. No one wins at this point, it is better to let the cat
calm down and perhaps discuss sedation options with
the veterinarian.

Learning Exercise

As you go through your daily life, pay attention
to body language. Dogs, cats, and people! What
FIGURE 8.10 Relaxed cat. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.
org/wiki/File:European_shorthair_procumbent_Quincy.jpg. Public does their body language tell you? Are they
Domain. friendly, scared, nervous, aggressive?

Ferrets are gregarious and curious about their sur-
roundings. However, they may be scared if not used to
car rides or strangers. Allow them to walk out of the car-
rier and explore a bit. Be aware, however, that they can
fit themselves into tiny spaces and will be extremely diffi-
cult to remove if they feel cornered. Once on the exam
table, a smear of peanut butter on the ventral abdomen
will keep them busy for general exams and often subcu-
taneous injections.
Aggressive behavior can be aroused by fear, pain,
territorial instincts, dominance behavior, sex drive, and
maternal protection of young. These stresses lower toler-
ance limits, so selection of restraint techniques based
upon these behaviors is highly recommended in order
not to push an animal into aggressive behaviors.
FIGURE 8.11 Annoyed cat. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Used Fear and pain will cause all animals to lash out. They
under CC‐BY‐SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ do not always understand that you are trying to help.
File:Chausiecatexample.jpg.
Extreme care must be taken to ensure not only the ani-
mal’s safety, but also that of the personnel doing the
in Figure 8.12a has a startled appearance; whiskers work. Sedation or tranquilizers are usually the only
straight out, body positioned to escape, irises narrowed choice at this point to handle the animal safely.
to a slit. The kitten in Figure 8.12b is nervous or scared, Territorial instincts in both dogs and cats are often
body position is hunched in order to move quickly, whis- forgotten about. Cats establish their territory very quickly
kers are straight out and its vocalizing. Both may or may and a calm cat put into a kennel may turn into a very
not be exhibiting the hair standing on end along its angry cat because you are infringing on its territory (i.e.,
back, like the photo in Figure 8.12c. This can indicate the kennel). This may also be the reason why cats refuse
anxious, scared, nervous, excitement, or anger; you must to come out of carriers and get quite upset when the car-
take it in context of the situation. The cat in Figure 8.12d rier is “invaded.” Dogs will also establish territory and
is a bit harder to determine, is it stupefied, resigned to its become “cage aggressive.” They may lunge, barking and
fate, or ready to explode? The context of the picture is growling at other dogs as they pass by. A towel or blanket
that it is being examined at a cat show by a judge. The placed over the door of the kennel is one way to keep the
fully dilated eyes and whiskers pulled down may indicate peace. That and placing these dogs at the very end of the
nerves, excitement, or maybe even enjoyment. This pic- room so passers‐by are limited will help. Dogs and birds
ture demonstrates that we don’t always know what the are also hierarchical. This is where a top animal leads
cat is feeling and so a person needs to be ready for and everyone else falls in line. The point is when intro-
anything when dealing with not only cats but all animals. ducing a new animal into the pack or flock it is