ANSWERS

1. List 4 possible reasons why injured animals should be handled with care.
   
   • The animal may be frightened and thus may be more inclined to bite or scratch, especially when approached by a stranger.
   • The animal may be shocked and care must be taken to prevent worsening of this condition which may prove fatal.
   • The animal may be in pain and may resent handling especially of the affected area/s.
   • Moving the animal may worsen some injuries.
2. List 3 important considerations that must be taken into account before attempting to move an injured animal.
   
   • Is the airway clear and is the animal breathing?
   • Is haemorrhage controlled?
   • Are any fractures immobilised?
3. What is meant by an "ambulatory" patient?
   One that is able to walk (as opposed to a non-ambulatory, collapsed or recumbent patient).
4. You are called to attend an rta (road traffic accident) involving a cat. You can see that although the cat is breathing, it has suffered several injuries and requires urgent veterinary attention. The cat is showing signs of aggression and has already scratched a member of the public. Describe two methods that may be employed in order to restrain the cat.
   
   • As with all injured animals, approach the cat calmly and quietly. Talk softly to provide reassurance. Any sudden movements or noises may provoke an attack or escape. Gently lower an inverted box or basket over the cat and slide a thin piece of hardboard underneath. This may then be lifted and secured and enable the cat to be transported safely to the surgery.
   • Approach calmly and quietly and gently place a thick blanket or coat over the cat. Grasp the scruff through the material before attempting to lift the animal. Do bear in mind that cat claws and teeth are very sharp and may be able to penetrate through the material. The cat should then be transferred (complete with blanket/coat if necessary) to a secure wire cat carrier, but a box or basket may be utilised in an emergency.
5. List 3 restraining aids that are not recommended if a dog is suffering dyspnoea.
   
   • Muzzle - the dog may have to rely on mouth breathing if the upper airway is blocked.
   • Dog catcher - this may prove too stressful for the animal and compromise breathing further.
   • Slip lead - this may compromise the airway if it is pulled tight.
6. Describe how you would approach an injured dog that is showing signs of aggression. There is no evidence of dyspnoea (difficulty breathing).
   
   • If an assistant is available, ask him or her to distract the dog's attention from the front by talking quietly and maintaining eye contact.
   • Meanwhile, approach the dog quietly from behind.
   • Make a running noose from a leather or rope leash and gently pass this over the dog's head.
   • Be aware that this may startle the dog, so reassure the animal and do not make any sudden movements.
   • Once the dog is accustomed to the pressure of the lead and to your voice, handling should be easier.
   • If the dog still shows signs of aggression, apply a muzzle (using a dog catcher and an assistant if necessary).
7. List 6 instances in which animals should not be lifted.
   
   • In cases of suspected spinal fracture - lifting may worsen the injury and cause paralysis.
   • In cases where multiple fractures are sustained - lifting would prove too painful.
   • In cases of collapse with dyspnoea (difficulty breathing) - the condition may worsen.
   • In cases of collapse with thoracic or abdominal injuries - lifting may exacerbate the injuries.
   • In cases of unconsciousness - respiration may be compromised.
   • In cases where the animal is too heavy to lift comfortably - the handler may suffer back injuries.
8. Describe how you would lift a cat or small dog.
   
   • Approach the animal quietly and calmly whilst speaking softly in order to provide reassurance.
   • Accustom the animal to your voice and touch prior to attempting to lift.
   • Hold the animal firmly around the neck with one hand, whilst taking care not to compromise respiration.
   • Slide the other hand and arm around the sternum to scoop up the body, using the length of the forearm to support the weight of the patient.
   • Restrain the animal by holding the forelimb furthest from the handler's body with one hand and the neck of the animal with the other.
9. Describe how you would lift a medium sized dog.
   
   • Approach the animal quietly and calmly whilst speaking softly in order to provide reassurance.
   • Accustom the animal to your voice and touch prior to attempting to lift.
   • Use one arm to encircle the animal's neck and secure its head against your shoulder. Use your second arm placed under the sternum to support the animal's weight. A second person is required to support the hind quarters.
     The animal is held against the handler's chest and lifted (the handler must maintain a straight back and bent knees to avoid back injuries).
10. Describe how you would lift a large dog.
    
    • Approach the animal quietly and calmly whilst speaking softly in order to provide reassurance.
    • Accustom the animal to your voice and touch prior to attempting to lift.
    • Enlist the help of an assistant.
    • Stand at the dog's shoulder with one arm curled around the neck.
    • Place the other arm around the thorax just behind the forelimbs.
    • The head is held against the handler's shoulder in order to restrict any biting activity.
    • The assistant stands at the dog's hindquarters and places one arm underneath the abdomen just in front of the hind legs.
    • The other arm is placed around the pelvis.
    • The dog must be lifted by both handlers simultaneously (maintaining straight backs and bent knees to avoid back injuries).
11. Describe an ideal cat-carrying container.
    
    • Well ventilated
    • Large enough to allow the cat to fit comfortably within, but not so large that excessive movement is possible.
    • Safe and secure.
    • Preferably opening from the top to enable the cat to be gently lifted out with the minimum of fuss, rather than front opening where a reluctant cat may have to be dragged out.
    • Good visibility within so that the patient may be constantly observed during transit.
    • Made of washable material. eg. plastic.
12. When lifting is inappropriate, a stretcher may be used. Describe how you would transfer an injured dog from the ground to a stretcher.
    
    • Approach the dog in a calm and quiet manner, speaking gently to provide reassurance.
    • Having established that the dog is safe to handle and that the airway is clear, place the dog in lateral recumbency (lying on its side).
    • If using a specially designed animal stretcher such as those manufactured by Shoreline, ensure that the stretcher is the correct way up and that the straps are unfastened and placed to one side.
    • Place the stretcher as close to the dog's back as possible.
    • Roll the dog until it is almost in sternal recumbency (lying on its chest) and enlist the help of an assistant to push the stretcher as far as possible underneath the animal, then allow the dog to revert to lateral recumbency onto the stretcher.
    • If spinal injuries are suspected, dragging the dog onto the stretcher by grasping the skin at several points along the scapula, back and pelvis (several assistants are necessary) is a more suitable technique since rotation of the spine or limbs is less likely.
    • Adjust the position of the dog so that it lies in the centre of the stretcher and ensure that the airway remains clear and that the head and neck are extended.
    • Ensure that the limbs are extended and are not crushed beneath the body.
    • Fasten the safety straps to secure the dog safely prior to lifting.
13. A specially designed stretcher is far preferable to improvised means. However, if you were attending an emergency where no stretcher was available, what could you use instead? Discuss the limitations of such methods.
    
    • Blanket - this can be easily manoeuvred underneath an animal enabling 2 or more handlers to take the weight of the patient; the drawback is that little support of the spine is offered.
    • Sheet of hardboard or wood such as an old door - suitable for cats and small to medium sized dogs; be sure to check for splinters and nails beforehand, lifting may prove difficult since there are no handles to aid lifting.
    • Wiremesh/plastic coated fencing wire - easier to handle than an improvised wooden stretcher but often difficult to hold taut and thus does not offer maximum support; again ensure that no protrusions are likely to further injure the patient.
    • Coats mounted on wooden poles (such as broom handles) - ideal in an emergency but suitable equipment may not be readily available.
14. List precautions to be taken when transporting injured animals within a vehicle.
    • A second person should travel in the vehicle to reassure and observe the patient (this should ideally be the animal's owner or a person who knows the animal who is able to provide a detailed case history).
    • Cats should be restrained within a secure carrying case (see Q13).
    • Dogs should be restrained on a leash (if there is no second person accompanying the animal then the leash should be securely attached to a part of the inside rear of the car to prevent the dog from either interfering with the driver in the front or trying to escape upon arrival at the surgery).
    • Drive carefully avoiding any sharp movements which may cause the animal further pain during transit.