This concise instructional guide condenses the most important aspects of large animal handling. It provides a portable, durable, beside-the-animal means of learning, as well as a convenient way to refresh on how to strive for safety and efficacy in animal handling techniques. It is ideal for use during veterinary placements in all settings from farm to laboratory, to riding school. The text covers:
• Handler safety
• Animal safety
• Sanitation
• Approach and capture
• Routine handling and release procedures
• Handling for medical procedures
• Use and supply sources of restraint equipment.
A Companion Website provides additional self-assessment questions and answers to aid learning
Important reading for undergraduate veterinary students on EMS rotations, as well as practicing veterinarians, technicians and assistants, the book covers species encountered in farm, equine and laboratory settings.
Author(s): C. B. Chastain
Publisher: CRC Press
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 321
City: Boca Raton
Cover
Half Title
Title
Copyright
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Caution
Author Biography
1 SAFER ANIMAL HANDLING AND PHYSICAL RESTRAINT
Handling and Animal Welfare
Good Handling Needs Transparency
Definition of Animal Welfare
The More Effective Handler: The Art of Firm Kindness
Affection for the Animals
Proper Attitude
Allocation of Sufficient Time: Power of Patience
Use of Voice, Touch, and Body Language
Always on Guard: Safety First
Distraction versus Pain for Restraint
Respect for Handlers
Adaptation to Special Circumstances
Appropriate Attire, Grooming, and Personal Habits
Conditions for Handling and Restraint
Pre-Handling Considerations
Pre-Restraint Considerations
Effects on Animals
Surroundings and Conditions
Personnel
Duration
Risks of Injury
General Risks
Risks to Veterinary Personnel
Risks of Disease to Handlers and Other Animals
Zoonoses: Transmission of Disease from Animals to Humans
Transmission of Disease among Animals by Their Handlers
Anthroponosis: Transmission of Disease from Handlers to Animals
Ethical Concerns
Use of Force
Responsibility for the Actions of Assistant Handlers
Legal Considerations
Liability
Inherently Dangerous Animals
Animal Abuse Regulations
Roles of Chemical and Physical Restraint
Proper Use of Chemical Restraint
Advantages and Disadvantages of Chemical Restraint
Drugs to Facilitate Handling of Large Animals
Chemical Restraint for Deep Sedation or General Anesthesia
Keys to Good Handling of Large Animals
Ideals and Realities
Ideals Can Be Elusive
Best Interests of the Animal
Flexibility Advantage in Handling Methods
Less Than Ideal Situations Should Not Default to No Care
2 LARGE ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
Behavior and Handling
Natural Instincts
Body Language
Facilitating Handling
Predator or Prey Behavior
Predators
Prey
Perception of Handlers as Predators
Animal Hierarchy: Social Dominance
Social Rank
Leadership
Socialization with Humans
Socializing Large Animals
Risks of Early Handling
Flight Zone and Point of Balance
Size of Flight Zones
Major Reactions to Invasion of Flight Zones
Minor Reactions to Invasion of Flight Zones
Management of Flight Zones
Senses and Behavior
Olfactory (Smell)
Hearing
Vision
Tactile (Touch)
Resistance Behaviors
Maternal Aggression
Pain-Related Aggression
Territorial and Possession Aggression
Fear-Induced Aggression
Intermate Aggression
Dominance Aggression
Species’ Differences in Aggression and Avoidance
Horses
Cattle
Small Ruminants
Swine
Poultry
Training Methods for Handling Large Animals
Reinforcements
Shaping and Chaining
Counterconditioning
Habituation and Desensitization
Aversive Training Methods
Health and Behavior
Assessment of Health
Prey Animal Health Behaviors
Stereotypic Behavior and Environmental Enrichment
Imperfect Methods to Quantify Stress
Pragmatic Means to Measure Stress
Nutraceuticals for the Control of Anxiety
Efficacy and Safety of Nutraceuticals
Anti-Anxiety Nutraceuticals
Animal Behavior Specialists
Animal Behaviorist Training
Certification as an Animal Behaviorist
3 ROPES, KNOTS, AND HITCHES
Terminology and Rope Construction
Definition of Terms
Natural Fiber Rope
Synthetic Fiber Rope
Rope Parts
Equipment Maintenance
Stabilizing the Ends of Ropes
Storing Ropes
Leather Quality and Care
Cleaning Ropes
Equipment Safety
Manage Ropes on Animals
Monitor Equipment Weak Points
Always Carry a Sharp Knife
Useful Knots, Bends, and Hitches for Animal Handlers
Definition of Terms
Challenges in Tying Knots, Bends, and Hitches
Overhand Knot (Thumb Knot) and Other Stopper Knots
Square Knot
Quick Release Hitches (Lead Rope Ties)
Honda Knot
Sheet Bend (Weaver’s Knot; Tail Tie)
Bowline (“King of Knots")
Bowline on the Bight
Half Hitch
Clove Hitch
Picket Line Hitch
Rope Horse Halter Ties
Using a Lariat
Value Depends on Experience
Anatomy of a Lariat Loop
The Thrown Loop (Tossed Loop)
The Hoolihan Loop
Loop on a Stick (Uurga)
4 HORSES, DONKEYS, AND MULES
Natural Behavior of Horses
Inherent Herd Behavior
Gender Behavior
Curiosity
Defense
Sleep
Communications
Young Horse Behavior
Breed Behavior
Safety First
Handler Safety
Horse Safety
Riding Safety
Key Zoonoses
Sanitary Practices
Approaching, Catching, and Releasing
General Considerations
Catching Inside Pens
Catching Inside Stalls
Catching Inside Pastures, Pens, and Corrals
Trapping Horses
Releasing Horses
Special Captures
Handling for Routine Care and Management
Basic Equipment and Facilities
Tying
Restraint by Distraction
Lifting Feet
Moving Horses
Environmental Protection
Handling for Routine Medical Procedures
Restraint of Individual Horses or Portions of Their Body
Working with a Downed Horse
Injections and Venipuncture
Administration of Oral and Ophthalmic Medications
Special Equipment
Twitches
Hobbles
Feed Bag (Morral)
Transporting Horses
Ground Transport
Air Travel
Donkeys, Mules, and Hinnies
Donkeys
Mules and Hinnies
5 CATTLE
Natural Behavior of Cattle
Inherent Herd Behavior
Special Senses
Daily Activity
Deprivation of Natural Behavior
Safety First
Handler Safety
Cattle Safety
Key Zoonoses
Sanitary Practices
Approaching and Catching
Catching Cattle
Capture and Restraint of Calves
Handling for Routine Care and Management
Training Cattle to Be Handled
Basic Handling and Restraint Equipment and Facilities
Moving Cattle
Collecting Cattle
Sorting Cattle
Handling for Common Medical Procedures
Restraint of Individual Cattle and Portions of Their Bodies
Working with Downed Cattle
Injections and Venipuncture
Administration of Oral Medications
Trimming Hoofs and Treating Feet
Mammary Examination and Treatments
Transporting Cattle
Detrimental Effects of Transport Stress
Provision of Appropriate Transportation
6 SMALL RUMINANTS
Species Characteristics
Sheep and Goats
South American Camelids
Natural Behavior of Small Ruminants
Behaviors Common to All Small Ruminants
Sheep
Goats
South American Camelids
Safety First
Handler Safety
Small Ruminant Safety
Key Zoonoses
Sanitary Practices
Sheep
Approaching and Catching
Handling for Routine Care and Management
Handling for Common Medical Procedures
Goats
Approaching and Catching
Handling for Routine Care and Management
Handling for Common Medical Procedures
South American Camelids (Llamas and Alpacas)
Approaching and Catching
Handling for Routine Care and Management
Handling for Common Medical Procedures
Transporting Small Ruminants
Loading Chutes
Sheep or Goats
South American Camelids
7 SWINE
Natural Behavior of Swine
Social Structure
Special Senses and Communications
Daily Activities
Habitats
Aggression and Defense
Safety First
Handler Safety
Swine Safety
Key Zoonoses
Sanitary Practices
Approaching and Catching
Avoid Startling
Prevent Bites and Being Knocked Down
Train to Come with a Call
Rub and Scratch to Reduce Stress
Separate by Size
Manual Catching of Pigs Less Than 50 Lb
Handling for Routine Care and Management
High Volume Facilities
Basic Equipment
Moving Pigs and Hogs
Handling for Common Medical Procedures
Restraint of Individual Hogs and Pigs and Portions of Their Body
Injections and Venipuncture
Administration of Oral Medications
Transporting Swine
Ramps
Chutes
Transport Vehicle
8 POULTRY
Natural Behavior of Poultry
Highly Social but Territorial
Daily Activities
Roosting
Defenses
Behavior Caused by Close Confinement
Behaviors of Less Common Poultry
Safety First
Handler Safety
Poultry Safety
Key Zoonoses
Sanitary Practices
Approaching, Catching, and Routine Handling
Chickens
Guineafowl
Turkeys
Waterfowl
Ratites
Handling for Common Medical Procedures
Injections and Venipuncture
Administration of Oral Medications
APPENDIX
Supply Sources of Large Animal Handling and Restraint Equipment
INDEX
