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Chapter 8 Restraint of Animals 133

FIGURE 8.24 Removing a small patient from a kennel.

has left the hospital, return to the kennel and clean as
FIGURE 8.23 First step in removing a small patient from a kennel.
described in Chapter 4.
Medium and large dogs are retrieved from kennels
similarly. Again, offer a treat to get them to come to the
It is to be hoped that they know this command and will front of the kennel or run. Open the door slightly, using
walk in on their own or perhaps the treat will entice your body or knee to block them from escaping and
them to go into the kennel or run. If not, open the door, apply the leashes (Figure 8.25). Follow the same
use the leash to point its head into the kennel, then procedure as described for removing the patient from
squat down and give them a little boost in that direction the kennel or run.
with a hand across their rear end. Do it gently and not so
forcibly that its head hits the back wall of the kennel. Let
them eat the treat if they desire, then gently pull their General Restraint Techniques
head with the leashes so you can remove them. Repeat for Dogs and Cats
with ID collar, cage card, comfort item, and water dish.
Double check that the kennel or run door is securely Many procedures like physical exams, aural, oral and
latched. ophthalmic examinations and medications, vaccina-
When it is time to do the procedure or for the animal tions, anal gland evacuation, and toenail trims can be
to go home, approach the kennel calling out the ani- accomplished with minimal restraint and virtually the
mal’s name. It is to be hoped that they are at the door same techniques for both dogs and cats. Some will
waiting, because they associate you with all those treats! object to a procedure, especially if sore or injured, so
Carefully open the door and offer a treat. As the patient modifications will be needed. This could be a change in
is munching on it, slip the leash around the neck and if the hold, the use of restraint equipment, or the use of a
there is a collar attach a second leash. Snip the ID collar sedative.
off with your scissors and leave it in the kennel for now.
If the patient is small, position the pet so its head is going
in the same direction as your non‐dominant hand Reflection
(Figure 8.23). Reach over the back and slide your hand
under the chest so that its body is laying on your forearm Think about the differences in small, medium, and
and that hand can clasp the front legs. Lift the patient up large patients. Think of ways to get them into and
and pin its body with your elbow against your side, all out of kennels and runs. Can you come up with
done gently of course (Figure 8.24). Transport to exam any treats or tricks to do so gently?
table or to the owner in the reception area. If the patient