RESTRAINT OF
EXOTIC
ANIMALS
Elizabeth Dingwell
Alyson Plank
Avian Restraint
• Observe from a distance and make sure the bird
is well enough to withstand the stress of
restraint. Advise the owner of possible effects if
the bird is very ill.
• Darken the room just before reaching for the
bird.
• Use a towel for larger birds.
Small Birds
• Grasp with head
between index and
middle finger, allow bird
to grasp thumb and pinky
finger.
• Careful not to squeeze
too hard or completely
encircle the bird!
Small Birds
• Or grasp the bird with
only thumb opposed and
use thumb and index
finger to control the
head.
Larger Birds
• Use a towel to capture
them.
• Restrain head with
thumb and forefinger
around the neck,
pressing up against the
mandible.
• Use the other hand to
hold the body, feet, and
one wing.
Physical Exam Considerations
• Listen to respiration, palpate sternum for body
condition.
• Check the eyes for clarity and discharge, look for
nasal discharge (or growths) and mites around
head/feet.
Geese and Ducks
• Yes! These are people’s
beloved pets.
• Grasp neck to control the
head, if lifting, support
the weight of the body
with the other hand.
Geese and Ducks
• Also may grasp the
wings with one hand,
placing a finger between
the two wings.
Snakes
• Grasp behind mandible
with thumb and
forefinger
• Or place thumb and
middle finger behind
occiput with the index
finger on top of the head.
• Support the body with
the other hand
Lizards
• When picking up a lizard,
pin down the head first
then wrap fingers around
the neck and pectoral
girdle.
• With the other hand,
near the pelvis, hold the
legs and tail.
Lizard Handling
• Restraint of a bearded
dragon
Physical Exam- Lizards
• Lizards also have no diaphragm, careful not to
squeeze the breath out of them.
• Gila monster and beaded lizards are poisonous.
• Examine rostral end of animal for evidence of
damage due to leaping against glass or nasal
discharge. Feel the jaw for softness (evidence of
osteodystrophy). If skeletal or soft tissue
abnormalities are found- do radiographs.
Vago-vagal response
• Used to temporarily restrain most small lizards
and some turtles and tortoises.
• Apply gentle digital pressure on eyes for a few
moments- induces a 20-30 second drop in blood
pressure and heart rate. Will remain quiet and
motionless for a few minutes.
• Loud noises or other external stimuli can abolish
the effect. Can be repeated.
Chelonians- Turtles and Tortoises
• Grasp turtles or tortoises by the shell laterally
just cranial to the hind limbs
• Be very careful with snapping and soft-shelled
turtles- very long necks.
• Tend to relax when turned upside down.
• Soft-shelled- use cloth or gloves for a secure
hold.
Chelonians
• To examine the head- can remove with a large
pair of forceps and then place thumb and
forefinger behind the occipital condyles.
• Better way- to examine either end, Can push on
the opposite end desired into the shell to cause
the desired end to leave the shell due to space
limitations.
Chelonians
• Handling of a large turtle
or tortoise
Chelonians
• Small turtle
Physical exam - Chelonians
• May have to anesthetize
to examine head closely.
Observe for nasal
discharge, and check
tympanic membrane for
concavity. Convexity
may be due to otitis
media.
• Can check for
dehydration as in small
animals
PE- cont.
• Check shell for
hemorrhage or softness-
can be due to nutritional
deficiencies, bacteria or
trauma.
• Palpate extremities
• Check cloaca for
swelling or discharge. If
feces are available, can
perform a fecal float.
Amphibians
• These animals have a
very delicate and
sensitive epidermis and
mucous covering skin.
• Handle only if needed
and use wet hands.
• Picture to right is how
most toads are handled
Amphibians
• African clawed toads-
sharp claws, be careful.
Frogs
• However, it’s not as easy
as it looks, Frogs are
extremely slippery.
• Larger frogs may be held
by the back legs if the
body is supported.
Chemical Restraint of Amphibians
(and fish)
• Tricaine Methane Sulfate- 2g/L of water for frogs,
toads and fish
• Tadpoles and salamanders- .5g/L
Physical Exam- Frogs and Toads
• There is a sub-Q space for injections over entire
dorsal and ventral aspect.
• Unless animal is large enough to have visible
veins, blood is collected from the heart. The
sternum is pushed to one side and blood is
collected with a 22-26 g needle.
FERRETS
Most are docile and can be
examined with little restraint
Assistance will be needed with:
• Rectal Temperature
• Injections
• Oral Meds
• Biters
– Nursing females
– Infrequently handled
– Young
– Scared
Two basic restraint methods
• Very active or tendency to
bite
– Scruff at back of neck and
suspend with all four legs off
the table
• Well mannered
– Lightly restrain on exam
table
– Pick up with one hand for
support under body
**Hint**
Distract
with
food
RABBITS
Pick Up
• Grasp by scruff with
one hand
• Support Hind quarters
with other hand
• NEVER
– Pick up by ears
– Let rear legs dangle
Transport
Tuck head
under arm
Placing back into cage
Put back end into cage first
Restraint for Physical Exam
• One handed palpation-
Hold with forearm and
tuck into abdomen
• Two handed palpation-
tuck hindquarter into
abdomen and face nose
away
Wiggly Rabbits
• Bunny burrito
• Rabbit restraint
devices
• Cat bag
GUINEA PIGS
Restraint for Physical Examination
• Minimal restraint
• Owner or assistant
places hand on
rump to keep from
backing away
Transport
• Support weight in
one hand
• Cup dorsum with
other hand
CHINCHILLAS
CHINCHILLAS
• Generally don’t bite, but be
cautious
• If it doesn’t come out of the
cage on its own – be fast
and on target
• Lift out of cage
– One hand under abdomen or
around scruff of neck
– Hold base of tail with other
hand
Full Restraint
• Two person hold
– One person restrains the
chinchilla on the table
with one under the thorax
and one hand holding
base of tail
– Examiner holds the scruff
with one hand
Thanks to Jennifer
Periat and Skylar
MICE
• Escape easily
• Very likely to bite
Picking up a mouse
• Grab at base of tail
• Allow forefeet to grasp edge
of cage or table
• Approach from behind and
place forefinger and index
finger on either side of neck,
exerting pressure on body of
mandible
• Hold rest of animal against
palm with remaining fingers
Full Restraint
• Scruffing Technique
– Hold by tail base
– Use forefinger and thumb
to gently pin down the
head
– Using the same fingers,
grasp a sufficient amount
of loose skin over the
neck
– Hold the tail with the little
finger of the same hand
for additional support
GERBILS
Thanks to Jillian Mancini,
baby Rumen and Colic
GERBIL
• Can usually pick up and
hold loosely in a cupped
hand to examine
• Signs of an angry gerbil
– Rhythmic thumping of
hind limb
• General and full restraint
same as with mice
Thanks to Jennifer Periat
and Chronic
HAMSTERS
HAMSTERS
• More likely to bite
• Signs of an angry
hamster
– Roll on back
– Stand on hind limbs
– Vocalizing
General Restraint
Scoop up in
palm of hand
Full Restraint
• Modified Scruffing
Technique
• Grasp skin between
the tips of all fingers
and base of the
thumb + lower palm
of hand
RATS
RATS
• Usually very friendly and
accept handling and
gentle manipulation
• Rarely bite
GENERAL RESTRAINT
• Grab over neck and
shoulders
• Place forefinger just below
mandible on one side of
head and thumb on opposite
side either above or below
forelimb
• Provide additional support by
holding tail and hind limbs
with opposite hand
• Scruffing
Technique
– Same as in
gerbils and mice
Full Restraint
• Wrap in thin towel or
stockinette
• Syringe case with air
hole
• Cone shaped
polyethylene bag with tip
cut off
CHEMICAL RESTRAINT
SEDATION AND
TRANQUILIZATION
ACEPROMAZINE
• Mild tranquilizer
• DO NOT use in gerbils - seizures
• Dose: 0.5 – 2.5 mg/kg IM or SQ
– Lower dose for IM
– Higher dose for SQ
• Hamsters may need up to 5 mg/kg SQ
• Guinea Pigs and Chinchillas need less
– 0.5 – 1.5 mg/kg
• Ferrets
– 0.1-0.3 mg/kg Im or SQ
• Rabbits
– 0.25-1.0 mg/kg Im or SQ
DIAZEPAM
• Mild sedation
• Safe in gerbils
• Dose: 3-5 mg/kg IM
– IM injection may be irritating to muscle
FENTANYL/DROPERIDOL
• Excellent sedative
• Can see narcotic induced respiratory depression
with higher doses
• Primarily used in rats and mice
• Doses
– Rats
• 0.13 – 0.33 ml/kg IM
• Provides sedation and anesthesia for minor procedures
– Mice
• Make a 1:10 dilution
• 0.0002 – 0.0005 ml/g IM
– Guinea Pigs
• 0.08 – 0.44 ml/kg IM
• Caution – may predispose to self-mutilation
– Ferrets
• 0.13 – 0.22 ml/kg IM or SQ
ANTICHOLINERGICS
• Used as a premed
– Decrease salivation (Ketamine, inhalants)
– Maintain heartrate
• Atropine
– 0.05 mg/kg SQ
– Rabbits
• 0.8-1.0 mg/kg SQ
• Glycopyrrolate
– 0.01 – 0.02 mg/kg SQ
COMBINATIONS
• Guinea Pigs and Chinchillas
– Midazolam: 0.3 mg/kg
– Ketamine: 5 mg/kg (up to 10 mg/kg
for G. Pig, Ferret & Rabbit)
– Atropine: 0.04 mg/kg IM
• Ferret: 0.02-mg/kg IM
OR
– Acepromazine: 0.05 mg/kg (0.1
mg/kg for G. Pig)
– Ketamine: 10 mg/kg
– Atropine: 0.04 mg/kg IM
CHEMICAL RESTRAINT
INJECTABLE ANESTHESIA
XYLAZINE/KETAMINE
• Short duration of action (30 minutes)
• Rats
– Xylazine: 3-5 mg/kg + Ketamine: 40-90 mg/kg IM or IP
• Mice
– Xylazine: 5-10 mg/kg + Ketamine: 50-200 mg/kg IM or IP
• Hamsters
– Xylazine: 5-10 mg/kg + Ketamine: 50-150 mg/kg IM
• Gerbils
– Xylazine: 2-3 mg/kg + Ketamine: 50-70 mg/kg IM or IP
• Guinea Pigs
– Xylazine: < 5 mg/kg + Ketamine: 20-40 mg/kg IM
• Ferrets
– Xylazine: 1-2 mg/kg + Ketamine: 10-30 mg/kg IM
KETAMINE/ACEPROMAZINE
• Adequate restraint for minor surgical procedures
• DO NOT use in gerbils
• General Rule: the smaller the species, the
greater the dose needed for adequate effect
• Rats, Mice and Hamsters
– Acepromazine: 2.5-5 mg/kg + Ketamine 50-150
mg/kg IM or IP
• Guinea Pigs and Chinchillas
– Acepromazine: 0.5 mg/kg + Ketamine 20-50 mg/kg
IM or IP
TILETAMINE-ZOLAZEPAM
• For minor surgical procedures
• Dose
– 50-80 mg/kg IM or IP
– Guinea Pigs and Chinchillas: 20-40 mg/kg IM
– Ferrets: 22 mg/kg IM
– Rabbtis: 5-25 mg/kg IM
• Can have prolonged recovery
• Used in combination with xylazine
– Decrease dose to 10-30 mg/kg
– Better effect and faster recovery
INHALANT ANESTHESIA
• Use for any major surgical procedure
• Induce with gas alone or with injectable
anesthetics
• Isoflurane is the agent of choice
The End
REFERENCES
• Birchard, S.J., & Sherding, R.G. (2000). Saunders Manual of
Small Animal Practice, Second Edition. Phildephia, PA. WB
Saunders Company.
• Fowler, M.E. (1995). Restraint and Handling of Wild and
Domestic Animals, Second Edition. Ames, IA. Iowa State
University Press.
• Frye, F.L. (1994) Reptile Clinician's Handbook: a compact clinical
and surgical reference. Krieger Pub Co.
• Beynon, P.H. (1992) Manual of reptiles. Cheltenham,
Gloucestershire. British Small Animal Veterinary Association.
• Hillyer, E.V., & Quesenberry, K.E. (1997). Ferrets, Rabbits and
Rodents: Clinical Medicine and Surgery. Philedephia, PA. WB
Saunders Company