Chapter 1
Restraint of Dogs and Cats

Don't be impatient with your patients.

CARL OSBORNE

Restraint is the restriction of an animal's activity by verbal, physical, or pharmacologic means so that the animal is prevented from injuring itself or others.

NOTE: Restraining a dog or cat forcibly is dangerous to both the handler and the animal. Most privately owned dogs and cats can be handled safely and humanely with gentle and minimal physical restraint; however, we strongly recommend the use of pharmacologic agents to assist in proper restraint for:

• procedures that are painful
• procedures that require holding an animal in a position that compromises its respiration
• severely frightened or aggressive animals

Purposes

1. 1. To facilitate physical examination, including ophthalmic and rectal examinations
2. 2. To administer oral, injectable, and topical materials
3. 3. To apply bandages
4. 4. To perform certain procedures (e.g. urinary catheterization)
5. 5. To prevent self-mutilation (Elizabethan collar)

Complications

1. 1. Dyspnea
2. 2. Hyperthermia
3. 3. Tissue trauma (e.g. muscle strain)
4. 4. Stress

Equipment Needed

• Strips of gauze or cloth, 100-150 cm in length, 2-5 cm in width; or commercially available nylon or plastic muzzles
• Elizabethan collar of appropriate size

VERBAL RESTRAINT

Procedure

Technical Action Rationale/Amplification 1. In general, begin with the least severe restraint technique and proceed to more severe methods if necessary. 1. The amount of restraint needed will depend on the environment, the animal's behavior, and the degree of discomfort caused by the procedure. 2. Speak to the dog or cat when approaching it. 2. Speaking to the animal initially in a calm, soothing voice helps to prevent startling it. This is especially important if the animal is blind or is looking in another direction. 3. Use the animal's name. 3. Pet animals are usually conditioned to respond to their names. 4. If necessary, speak firmly to the animal. 4. Say "no" in a sharp, clear tone of voice. Verbal restraint can be a useful adjunct to the physical restraint of pet animals. 5. Assistant: Stand on opposite side of animal from person performing procedure. 5. The intended site for treatment or examination must be easily accessible.

PHYSICAL RESTRAINT WITH DOG IN STANDING POSITION (Fig. 1-1)

Procedure

Technical Action Rationale/Amplification 1. Place one arm under dog's neck so that forearm holds dog's head securely. 1. The dog's head should be positioned so that it is virtually impossible for the dog to bite either the person restraining it or the person performing the procedure. 2. Place other arm underneath dog's abdomen or thorax. 2. An arm underneath the dog's abdomen will prevent the dog from sitting down during the procedure. 3. Pull dog close to chest of person performing restraint. 3. The restrainer has more control of the animal's movement if the animal is held closely.

Figure 1-1 Restraint with dog in standing position.

PHYSICAL RESTRAINT WITH DOG SITTING OR IN STERNAL RECUMBENCY (Fig. 1-2)

Procedure

Technical Action Rationale/Amplification 1. Place one arm under dog's neck so that the forearm holds dog's head securely. 1. Adequate restraint of the dog's head is important for all procedures. 2. Place other arm around dog's hindquarters. 2. An arm underneath or around dog's hindquarters will prevent it from standing up or lying down during the procedure. 3. Pull dog close to chest of person performing restraint. 3. The restrainer has more control of the animal's movement if the animal is held closely.

Figure 1-2 Restraint with dog in sitting position.

PHYSICAL RESTRAINT WITH DOG IN LATERAL RECUMBENCY (Fig. 1-3)

Procedure

Technical Action Rationale/Amplification 1. With the dog in standing position, reach across dog's back and take hold of both forelegs in one hand and both hind legs in other hand. 1. If the dog is a giant breed, it will suffice to reach across the dog's back and take hold of the foreleg and the hind leg that are closer to the person doing the restraint. 2. Place index finger of each hand between the two legs being held. 2. Placing the index finger between the legs ensures a good grip if the dog tries to move its legs. 3. Gradually lift dog's legs off table (or floor) and allow its back to slowly slide against your body to a position of lateral recumbency. 3. The dog should be shifted from a standing position to lateral recumbency gently and gradually. 4. To immobilize head, exert pressure on side of dog's neck with forearm. 4. Adequate restraint of the dog's head is important for all procedures. 5. Hold legs proximal to carpus and tarsus, if possible. 5. Holding the animal in this manner provides better control of the legs.

Figure 1-3 Restraint with dog in lateral recumbency.

USE OF A MUZZLE ON THE DOG (Fig. 1-4 and 1-5)

Procedure

Technical Action Rationale/Amplification 1. Place commercial muzzle of appropriate size on dog (Fig. 1-4). Alternatively, cut strip of gauze or cloth approximately 125 cm in length for a 40-50-lb. dog. 1. Use of sturdy or double-thickness gauze is recommended for large dogs. A weak or poorly made muzzle leads to a false sense of security and the possibility of one's being bitten by the dog. Gauze muzzles can be used in aggressive dogs, allowing the basket muzzle (Fig. 1-5C) to be placed with minimal risk of injury to handler. Commercially available muzzles should be disinfected between uses in order to avoid disease transmission. 2. Before approaching animal, make loop with one half of a square knot so that diameter of loop is about twice the diameter of dog's snout. 2. Preparation of the muzzle in advance helps to ensure rapid placement and minimizes the length of time the operator's hands must be near the dog's mouth. 3. Slip loop over dog's nose and mouth with the half square knot on dorsal surface of dog's snout (Fig. 1-5A), then tighten quickly by pulling on ends (Fig. 1-5B). 3. The hands should be kept as far away from the dog's mouth as possible while the muzzle is applied. Placing a muzzle on a fractious dog requires at least two people; one person holds the 4. Cross (but do not tie) free ends of muzzle under dog's lower jaw (Fig. 1-5C). leash and distracts the dog while the other applies the muzzle.

4. Each step of this procedure must be done quickly if the animal is fractious. If the ends are crossed but not tied under the mandible,

5. Bring ends of muzzle up behind dog's ears (Fig. 1-5D) and tie in a bow (Fig. 1-5E). the muzzle can be removed quickly in case of emergency (see No. 6 below).

5. The bow should be placed directly behind the dog's ears and tied tightly. The dog will be able to open its mouth if the muzzle is tied loosely.

6. To remove muzzle quickly from a fractious dog, untie bow and pull on one end of muzzle material. 6. A muzzle prevents panting and must be used judiciously in heavy-coated animals or in warm environments. A muzzle should be removed immediately if an animal has difficulty breathing or starts to vomit.

Figure 1-4 Commercial muzzles (A) Nylon cat muzzle and (B) Nylon dog muzzle (C) Basket muzzle.

Figure 1-5 (A, B, C, D, and E) Applying muzzle to...