Animal behaviour and handling

Companion animals are generally friendly and appear happy in nature and are responsive to humans. They are likely to exhibit excitement or contentment through the way they respond to humans or other animals.

Behaviour indicators

Excited or happy behaviour indicators may include:

• jumping
• barking
• licking
• tail wagging.

Relaxed behavioural indicators may include:

• purring
• docile
• calm.

It is when this behaviour changes that generally indicates there is something not quite right, and the animal may be sick, injured, frightened or in pain.

The following behaviours that indicate the animal is aggressive or frightened:

Aggressive behaviour indicators may include:

• lunging
• snarling
• biting
• scratching
• hissing
• barking.

Frightened behavioural indicators may include:

• hiding
• trembling
• jumping on the owner
• attempting to escape.

Some animals may be fine outside the cage but any turn aggressive once placed inside a cage.

Behaviour should always be noted on the animal’s computer file on the animal’s profile screen as well as on the history of the visit on the day.

Physical indicators

Sometimes, there are visible physical features that an animal may exhibit that indicate it is in pain or sick. It is important you are aware of the animals’ history because they may have an existing condition affecting their physical abilities.

Some of the physical indicators an animal may present when they are injured or unwell may include:

• Injury or pain
  • broken bones
  • cuts
  • abrasions
  • limping or lameness
  • excessive panting
  • Inappetence
  • Sel trauma

In any circumstance, you need to be mindful of how you approach an animal. This is even more important when they are unwell. Before you attempt to handle them, you must observe their behaviour. You will need to look for how they approach you at the gate or cage where they are being held. If the animal is exhibiting aggressive behaviour, you should avoid attempting to handle it until it has calmed down. If you try to handle the animal without observing the behaviour first, you risk the animal lashing out and biting or scratching you. The danger of bites or scratches is heightened as soon as the animal has been diagnosed with an infectious disease.

If you are ever unsure of how you should approach an animal under these circumstances, you should always ask for support or assistance from the veterinarian or an experienced member of the team. It would also be of benefit to observe how other members experienced people approach animals. Never attempt to approach or handle the animal if you are feeling unsure; this is when accidents are likely to happen.

Once you have observed and approached the animal, you will need to handle it. When you are handling the animal, you will need to use the appropriate techniques, equipment, and PPE to safely handle and control the companion animal to avoid being bitten or scratched.

It is important that you handle animals safely, in accordance with workplace health and safety, in a compassionate and caring manner.

Offering comfort

Providing comfort and support is a sign of compassion. Most companion animals are affectionate in nature and generally respond to physical comfort from the handler.

Types of comfort and compassion you could provide to an animal may include:

• holding the patient in a non-threatening and safe way
• speaking calmly and softly (do not yell or raise your voice)
• providing soft, comfortable bedding and warmth
• provide a safe hiding place for cats in their cage or enclosure and blankets with Feliway.

While demonstrating compassion and affection to animals, you need to be mindful that there are several WHS/OHS hazards and risks that come with it. The following table illustrates both animal and non-animal-related safety hazards:

When clients and their pets come into your clinic, there will be time when you will have to assist with restraining and handling animals. It is important to remember that:

• the owners will be watching you to learn how to properly handle animals.
• being professional means being safe and humane
• good animal handling skills prevent staff from being injured.
• good animal handling skills reduce stress for the animal.

When you are attempting to handle an animal, you will need to be mindful of the stress of animals in the clinic setting. The clinic is extremely chaotic for any animal because of the incredible number of smells and other stimuli, and animals are likely to be confused, overwhelmed, and distressed. You must also consider that many of the patients have lived entirely outdoors and may never have been handled or examined before. They may not have any experience on a leash and may panic in response. Even the most social animals may exhibit aggression toward other animals, particularly in a strange environment, and may redirect to nearby people when over-stimulated.

The following list provides you with some general safety considerations for safe handling,

• Never put your face directly into the face of a dog or cat.
• Do not move in behind or crowd around a dog.
• Concentrate on the animal you are handling without being distracted by other activities.
• Never sit on the floor while handling/examining a dog. If the animal becomes aggressive or aroused, you will be unable to move away or protect yourself and risk serious facial bites.
• Always be prepared to protect yourself or move away quickly in the event an animal becomes aggressive unexpectedly.

Safe and effective animal handling requires a thorough understanding of the normal behaviour and responses of each species. If there is any doubt about the temperament of an animal, you should always ask for assistance before attempting to move the animal. Remember, there is no substitute for observance, care and experience.

Equipment and PPE

Among these considerations, you also need to be aware of the need for specific types of equipment and PPE. Animals should never be moved unless you are organised and prepared to do so. You should ensure you have any of the following equipment ready:

• leash
• harness
• blankets
• Feliway (for cats)
• treats
• sedatives if necessary

In conjunction with the equipment, you must ensure you have elected a pathway or route you are going to take to move the animal. You will need to be considerate of doors and gates and make sure they are closed behind you in case the animal tries to run. You must also be mindful of other animals in the area, especially if the animal you are moving is suspected to have an infectious disease or does not respond well to others. Movement should be limited, and if it is necessary, the route you take should have as minimal traffic as possible.

PPE must also be considered when you are attempting to move an animal with a history of aggression or a suspected (or diagnosed) infectious disease. You want to minimise the risk of you as the person moving the animal being bitten or scratched, as well as ensuring others around you are also safe.

The PPE you will need to consider may include:

Let’s take a look at the methods that can be applied when capturing and restraining animals.

When it comes to capturing and restraining animals, you need to consider the technique you are using and the species of animal you are applying it to. First, what is the difference between capturing and restraining?

Capturing involves catching the animal either with a leash or by hand. Restraining restricts the movement of the animal so it can be examined. There are human and inhumane methods of both capture and restraint of animals, and in any circumstances, you must always opt for the safest and most humane approach.

Not all restraining techniques are the same, and they will need to be altered to suit the type of animal you are working with. Some capturing and restraining techniques may be similar, depending on the animal and some may be different entirely. In addition to this, you will also need to be mindful the technique you apply is safe and humane. You do not want to restrain an animal that will cause them unnecessary pain or fear or present a hazard to you or the animal. Remember, if you are not completely certain, always ask for help.

Dogs

When it comes to capturing dogs, you need to be mindful of the nature of the dog, the area you are in, and the condition of the dog, whether it is sick or in pain. Remember, the nature of an animal can change suddenly when they are in pain or sick.

Capture

When you are attempting to capture a dog, you should consider the following.

• Call the patient by their name and approach in a non-threatening way from a distance so the dog can see you. You may want to use a treat to help entice the dog.
• Using a leash to loop around the patient’s neck, it is important you do not attach a lead to the patient’s collar as most owners make the collar too loose, and the patient will be able to slip out.
• Ask the owner to place a muzzle and lead to the patient, then take the lead from the owner, gaining control of the patient.
• Place a large towel or blanket over the top of the patient, and then you can pick the patient up, making sure your hands are not near the mouth, allowing the dog to bite you.
• Pet carriers (some patients will willingly go into a carrier, and others will need some encouragement)
• Muzzle the patient with the appropriately sized muzzle (even the friendliest of dogs can bite when in pain)
• Dog poles for aggressive patients
• Gas chambers for smaller aggressive dogs
• Chemical restraint (Sedatives) in the most extreme of circumstances.

Restraints

When a dog needs restraining, there are two popular methods of restraint: lying down and a headlock. Keep in mind, depending on the nature and response of the dog, you may require a muzzle prior to attempting to restrain it.

Lying down restraint method:

1. Start by standing alongside the dog. Make sure that the front of your body is along the side of the dog
2. Coming from over the top of the dog, hold the front and hind leg that is closest to you
3. Ask someone to hold and guide the dog’s head as you gently pull the dog’s legs out from under them. At this point, there may be some struggle, so be prepared.
4. Once the dog is down, DO NOT let go of the legs; otherwise, the dog will be able to stand again.
5. Using your elbow at the front of the dog, gently apply pressure to the dog's neck. This will prevent the dog from being able to lift its head, allowing you to have control.

Fun fact!

You can also use this restraint for cats.

Headlock Restraint method:

The following image sliders provide you with a visual representation of these restraining techniques.

1. Standing beside the dog facing the dog’s body, place your forearm around the dog’s neck and hold snugly holding the head still (headlock formation)
2. Place your other arm under the dog's belly close to the hips. Hold this position firmly.
3. Some dogs may find it difficult to stand like this so they can lie down. When the dog is lying down, place your other hand (that would have been under the dog) around the dog’s body, holding the body firmly into your body.

Cats

When capturing and restraining cats, there are similar techniques or strategies you can apply to help with cats that you may have used for a dog. Remember, when you are dealing with cats, they have very sharp retractable claws; you may need to consider using durable gloves during this process as an added layer of protection. If you are using towels and blankets, you should ensure they are sprayed with Feliway to help keep the cat calm.

Capture

When you are attempting to capture a cat, you should consider the following.

• Call the patient by their name and reach into the cage with your hand in a non-threatening way; you may want to use a treat to help entice the cat.
• Open and remove the top of the cat’s cage and lift the cat out.
• Picking the cat up from the examination table and restraining them in your arms
• Place a large towel or blanket with Feliway over the top of the patient, wrap the patient up in the towel, then you can pick the patient up, making sure your hands are not near the mouth, allowing the cat to bite you.
• Pet carriers (some patients will willingly go into a carrier, and others will need some encouragement)
• Muzzle the patient with the appropriately sized muzzle (even the friendliest of cats can bite when in pain)
• Cat crush cages
• Cat trap
• Anaestheticchamber when extremely aggressive
• Scruffing the cat's neck fur
• Chemical restraint (Sedatives) in the most extreme of circumstances.
• Cat bag

Restraint

There are a number of different ways to restrain cats. Here are some examples of cat restraints. 

Cat bag restraint:

1. Place the cat’s head into the opening at the top of the bag
2. Tighten the neck opening so the cat cannot get its front foot out
3. Either hold the cat off the table and zip the bottom up or turn the cat onto its back to zip the bottom up
4. Be careful of the cat’s fur and tail when zipping the bag up
5. The bag can then be unzipped slightly to allow the hind leg to be exposed

Head raising restraint:

1. Hold the cat's front legs with one hand
2. With the other hand, hold the cat’s head and raise it to the roof, stretching the cat's neck out
3. You can also stretch the cat over the examination table to allow for extra stretching.

The following image sliders provide a visual representation of each of these restraining techniques

Rabbits

Rabbits are quite fragile and quick animals that often scare easily. You will need to ensure you are careful and apply the correct capture and restraining techniques to avoid causing unnecessary stress and harm to the animal when you are capturing and restraining. Rabbits will kick out hindlegs. On slippery surfaces, this can cause serious injury, such as broken bones in the back.

Capture

• Pet carriers (some patients will willingly go into a carrier, and others will need some encouragement)
• Picking the rabbit up from the examination table and restraining them in your arms
• Place a towel or blanket over the top of the patient, wrap the patient up in the towel, and then you can pick the patient up.
• Hutch or trap
• Anaesthetic chambers, when extremely aggressive
• Chemical restraint (Sedatives).

Restraint

Rabbits need to be restrained properly as they can easily injure themselves with incorrect restraint. For example, they can break their back. There are two common restraint techniques, which are underarm carrying and towel wrapping.

Underarm carrying:

1. Tuck the rabbit's head under your elbow and put the hand of that same hand under the rabbit’s stomach
2. With the other hand, scoop the rabbit’s backside up as you lift the rabbit off the table.

Towel wrapping:

1. Place the towel on the examination table
2. Pick up the rabbit, ensuring that you are supporting its back at all times, and place the rabbit onto the towel
3. Wrap the towel under the neck and around the body of the rabbit, leaving only the head and ears out

The following image sliders provide a visual representation of each of these restraining techniques

You must understand that each and every animal care organisation will have a different procedure or method for the capture of animals. You must ensure that you follow the policies and procedures set out by your organisation before you partake in any capturing of an animal. You should also seek advice from your supervisor or manager to confirm the procedure.