Concise Textbook of Large Animal Handling: A Practical Handbook

Description

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. 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