Page 159 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

Chapter 8 Restraint of Animals 143

they tend to hop forward quickly to get away from you.
This could mean they hop off the table or hop into the
back wall of the cage. Don’t let go of them immediately
when their feet hit the surface, they will do their little
hop and you can still control their forward motion.
Rabbits can hurt their backs by kicking out with their
back legs. It is important to keep the rabbit in sternal
recumbency or if going into lateral recumbency wrap
them tightly in a towel, as described for the cat. Rabbits
do not appreciate slippery surfaces, so a cushion and
towel are both needed to make them feel more at ease
on the table.
Ferrets, guinea pigs, and rats are picked up by grasp-
ing them over the shoulder and then quickly supporting
their rear ends until they can be cradled in your arms.
Hamsters are often asleep during the day so make sure
you wake them up with a knock on their cage. Give them
a moment before reaching in for them or you will see a
very frightened and angry hamster chatter its teeth!
Which in turn is very frightening for us! A gentle way to
pick up hamsters and gerbils is to scoop them up. Cup
both hands and lower them down on each side of the
FIGURE 8.54 Gauntlets. patient, bring them together in a scooping motion and
bring your hands together so the patient is encircled by
empty finger holes the other hand can reach around and your hands. If you are worried about bites, a pair of light
grasp the animal long enough to slip the other glove all cotton gardening gloves will slow them down a bit.
the way on and assist with a hold around the neck and In the suggested reading section at the end of this
grasp the feet. Another person should be standing ready chapter there is a list of websites that should have more
to give a sedative and/or muzzle. information on handling techniques for blood draws
and injections done on pocket pets.

Learning Exercise Reflection

Schedule a time to look over the instruments Think of a pocket pet coming to a veterinary prac-
discussed at school. If they don’t have them or tice. Will they be scared and nervous or calm and
you are studying remotely stop by a veterinary collected? What could you do to help them calm
practice and explain that you are going to school down?
and ask if they would let you see their restraint
equipment. Perhaps they will allow you to either
watch while they are using the equipment or take
a photo of the instruments. Restraint of Pet Birds

When a bird is brought to the veterinary clinic it is usu-
Restraint of Pocket Pets ally a very sick bird. The goal is to not stress the bird
further so, if possible, the bird is “examined” inside the
cage without touching it at all. If you must hold the bird,
Rabbits and ferrets are becoming increasingly popular one thing you have to remember is bird’s breathe using
house pets. Rabbits are never carried or held by their a “bellows” like system. So, any constriction of the thorax
ears. To carry them, their head is tucked into the crook can suffocate the bird. The goal is to hold the bird
of your elbow and their bodies are supported along your without injuring them and not being injured by the bird.
forearm and snugged against your body, lay your other Their bullet‐shaped body and wings makes it difficult to
hand on top of the shoulders. Rabbits rarely bite but hang on to them and if they are psittacine birds their
their back feet can be used to rake your arms and body. beaks can cause damage to fingers, even amputation!
They are very sharp and can cause quite severe gashes. Some people recommend using a small wash cloth or
When putting rabbits down on a table or inside a kennel towel to reach into the cage to grasp the bird from