handling and restraint of exotics

Question 1

what can happen if restraint is done badly

Answer 1

• injury/death of animal OR handler
• escape of the animal
• creating fearful animal
• destruction or damage of HAB

Question 2

basic guidelines of animal handling (4)

Answer 2

• is it safe for person
• is it safe for the animal
• is it possible to accomplish procedure by using suggested restraint method
• can constant observation and attention be given to the animal following the restraint until is fully recovered from physical effects

Question 3

success of animal handling depends on (4)

Answer 3

• knowledge of the animal
• experience of handler
• application of correct technique
• availability and application of appropriate tools/chemicals

Question 4

what is the restraint mantra:
There is strength in ______.
Good restraint is about _____, _______ and _______.
Preparation is : _______________

Answer 4

“There is strength in gentleness. Good restraint is about empathy, finesse and technique. Preparation is equally important as execution.”

Question 5

restraint can be what 4 things

Answer 5

physical, chemical, psychological or combo

Question 6

physical restraint

Answer 6

combo of physical forces and tools to limit movement of animal

Question 7

chemical restraint

Answer 7

use of tranquillizers, sedatives and anesthesia

Question 8

psychological restraint

Answer 8

behavioural conditioning using positive reinforcement

Question 9

transquillizers

Answer 9

drugs that have a calming effect, but the animal remains aware of its surroundings and may respond to stimuli

Question 10

sedation

Answer 10

reduces anxiety and promotes relaxation, produces sense of calm, lack of awareness, and drowsiness

Question 11

anaesthesia

Answer 11

loss of consciousness and therefore loss of awareness, although the depth can often be controlled

Question 12

what is the masking phenomenon

Answer 12

desire/ instinct to conceal signs of pain or injury from predators

exotics will fake looking healthy, so that means if they look sick this is often late detection and they are much sicker than they look

Question 13

what is a misconception about exotics being handled

Answer 13

they are easily stressed and may even die during restraint

this misconception stems from the masking phenomenon and the fact that early signs of sickness are missed so by the time they get to the vet they are incredibly sick

Question 14

what to observe in exotics to see through the masking phenomenon (5)

Answer 14

• alertness
• respiratory effort
• appetite and thirst
• co-ordination
• behaviour

Question 15

how to let bird out of cage

Answer 15

ask owner to remove bird from cage, if they can’t then allow bird to come out themself, then attempt to bring out on hand or on stick

Question 16

should you use gloves when restraining birds

Answer 16

no

Question 17

what size towel should you use to restrain birds

Answer 17

smallest possible, bring towel behind them

Question 18

3 fingered grip

Answer 18

thumb under jaw, pointer on top of head and middle finger on side of head

Question 19

two fingered grip

Answer 19

pointer and middle finger on either side of head

Question 20

2 handed grip

Answer 20

2 or 3 finger grip on head and other hand holds wings, feet, tail

Question 21

what needs to be free when restraining birds, and what always needs to be supported

Answer 21

sternum free for breathing, and always support body

Question 22

handling chickens

Answer 22

won’t bite will scratch, place fingers between legs and hand on back, chicken can rest on forearm

Question 23

restraining pigeons

Answer 23

bird sits in palm of hand has feet in-between fingers

Question 24

handling birds of prey

Answer 24

need to worry about talons, fingers between legs (do not want to rub their legs against each other, can bruise and swell)

Question 25

containers carrying reptiles should be

Answer 25

leak proof, crush proof and secure

Question 26

turtle handling major concerns

Answer 26

falling, biting, scratching

Question 27

lizard handling major and minor concerns

Answer 27

major: spinal support, autonomy, escape
minor: biting, scratching, tail may drop

Question 28

turtle shell

Answer 28

top: carapace (spine and ribcage)
bottom: plastron (sternum and ribcage)
-bridge; joins carapace and plastron together

Question 29

how to handle turtle

Answer 29

hand on butt area with hand on bottom and thumb on top, other hand by the front for support

Question 30

non venemous snake handling

Answer 30

• identify the species
• be the rock or tree
• minimal restraint
• one person per m of snake
• support spine
• major concerns: biting, spinal support

Question 31

what to think about when handling small mammals

Answer 31

how you can hurt them (spinal support and escape) and how they can hurt you (teeth, nails)

Question 32

pythons of all sizes may ____ and _____

Answer 32

bite and constrict

Question 33

restraining head of python will usually cause it to

Answer 33

struggle, whereas if handled gently with support on body only will tend to relax

Question 34

what will snakes do when distressed

Answer 34

excrete voluminous feces and urates

Question 35

handling venemous snakes

Answer 35

don’t

Question 36

reptiles may naturally carry

Answer 36

strains of salmonella that shed in feces

Question 37

handling guinea pigs

Answer 37

support their legs, support back end and chest, often will squeal, usually can restrain with one hand

Question 38

rat/ mouse handling

Answer 38

usually can just scoop, very active, give them freedom to explore, can also hold base of tail (close to body as possible) pick back end up and slide palm under them

to restrain get put fingers on either side of head but make it brief

don’t like scruffing but may be needed in some cases

Question 39

rabbit handling

Answer 39

have to very careful due to weak spine
- good option is bunny burrito (bunny faces away, sitting in centre of towel, fold bum corner up first, then sides)
- always support hindquarters

Question 40

why is pet rabbits spine so weak

Answer 40

rarely see sun, don’t get much exercise, usually overweight

Question 41

restraining ferrets

Answer 41

• better to hold after they have burnt off some energy
• like to feel secure and supported, long back needs to be protected from excessive movement
• one hand under chest, other hand support hind legs, bring close to body
• don’t like scruffing