09/09/14

How to Restrain Pets Appropriately in Front of Clients | Veterinary Team Brief

Veterinary
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How to Restrain Pets

Appropriately in Front of Clients
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Nelle Wyatt, LVMT, CPDT-KA, University of Tennessee Veterinary Medical Center Behavior
Clinic, Knoxville, Tennessee

Veterinary practices frequently need to address client concerns that their pet was
restrained or handled inappropriately during a visit. When dealing with a fractious
patient, it can be challenging to find an effective method of restraint that reduces
patient stress and keeps team members safe. With proper training, however, team
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How to Restrain Pets Appropriately in Front of Clients | Veterinary Team Brief

members can become experts at low-stress handling.

Related Article: Stress-Free Restraints and Handling
Several approaches can minimize danger to the
team when restraint is needed. For some patients,
the less restraint used, the better. For others, it may
work well to allow them to stand and accept treats
during a procedure, such as a lateral saphenous
venipuncture. A basket muzzle or head collar that a
dog has been conditioned to wear at home can
ensure team safety. Plus, clients may appreciate
getting involved and seeing that their pet does not resist the muzzle or head collar
during veterinary visits.
A variety of towel-restraint techniques can reduce the need for excessive pressure for
cats and dogs, but it is important that team members practice on stuffed animals first.
A good time to hold a handling lab is during a team meeting when all team members are
together. This allows those who do not routinely assist with restraint to see the
techniques firsthand and reassure clients that the practice cares about reducing their
pets stress.
Related Article: How to Recognize and Treat Anxious Dogs and Cats
Supplies for a low-stress handling lab:
The book Low Stress Handling, Restraint and Behavior Modification of Dogs and Cats:
Techniques for Developing Patients Who Love Their Visits, by Sophia Yin, DVM, MS, has stepby-step photographs and instructions for low-stress handling and behavior modification
techniques.1 Dr. Yins website, drsophiayin.com, is also very informative.
Cat or small dog stuffed animals with free-moving legs make realistic models to encourage
proper training.
A bath towel for each stuffed animal that is not excessively worn or thin nor too thick and
bulky.
A tolerant cat and dog, if available, to use for training.

Neck brace wraps and the scarf wraps are 2 of the most commonly used restraint
methods.

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How to Restrain Pets Appropriately in Front of Clients | Veterinary Team Brief

Steps for the neck brace wrap:

Using a towel, make a brace around the neck that
allows for full body manipulation, keeping the neck
straight so that the patient is unable to turn and
bite. This wrap can take the place of a muzzle for
brachycephalic cats or dogs that are not
desensitized to a muzzle and can eliminate the
need to scruff cats. It is also useful for examinations, venipuncture on limbs, and
injections. (It is important, however, that the wrap is not pulled too tightly to avoid
choking the patient.) When done properly, owners can see that no excessive force is
being used to keep the patient still.
Folddont rolla towel lengthwise to fit from just below the patients jaw to the base of the
neck.
Wrap the folded towel around the patients neck to form a stable brace.
After the neck is wrapped, grip the loose end and a section of the secured towel with one
hand.

Steps for the scarf wrap:

The scarf wrap, which can be used to access an
patients back and rear, can be modified by pulling a
forelimb forward to allow for examination and
venipuncture.
Spread the bath towel on a table.
Place the patient on the center of the towel, slightly forward toward the far long edge andwith
the hind quarters in front. Leave enough of the towel in front of the patient to fold the edge up
and over the front legs.
Flatten the folded edge to form a straight seam lengthwise.
Take one end of the long edge and pull it snugly over the patients back. Pull the upper corner
of the folded towel end around the patients neck and chest and continue to wrap over the
shoulders. Secure the towel with one hand to hold it in place across the patients shoulder.
Grasp the other end of the towel, pull it in the opposite direction over the patients back, and
wrap it across the chest and over the shoulders. Catch the towel with the hand that is already
securing the towel.

These wraps can be used for low-stress restraint, but team members should be
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How to Restrain Pets Appropriately in Front of Clients | Veterinary Team Brief

encouraged to practice first on either stuffed animals or tolerant animals. Proper

training can make team members skilled, confident handlers, and the wraps will look
effortless when used in front of a client with a fractious pet.
Images courtesy of Phillip Snow

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