Handling An Injured Animal

Any animal injured or in pain can bite or scratch you. Even the friendliest of pets must be handled with care for the safety, of all involved.

If you are accidentally bitten or scratched, seek medical attention - Dog and cat bites can become infected quickly!

Restraint Methods

If your animal is injured, you must restrain him/her for your safety as well as your pet's. Muzzle your pet to restrain it unless it is unconscious, has difficulty breathing or has a mouth injury.

Dogs - Muzzles

• Speak and move calmly and quietly.
• Have someone restrain the dog with a leash.
• Approach dog from the side and behind its head; do not attempt to put muzzle on from the front.
• Quickly slip a nylon or wire cage muzzle over nose, secure snugly behind ears.
• If a muzzle is not available, you can make one from a strip of gauze, rag, necktie, belt or rope about 3 feet long.
• Make a large loop in the center. Quickly slip loop over dog's nose.
• Bring ends under chin. Tie snugly behind ears.

Cats - Muzzles

• Speak and move calmly and quietly.
• Have someone restrain the cat by holding the scruff of its neck firmly. This does not hurt the cat; it just prevents him/her from moving.
• Working from behind the cat, quickly slip a nylon muzzle over the cat's face. The muzzle will cover most of his/her face, including the eyes. Secure snugly behind head.
• If you are alone, scruff the cat with one hand and put the muzzle over the cat's face with the other. Slide both hands along muzzle straps and secure behind the head.
• If a muzzle is not available, one can be made with a rag or a strip of gauze. Make sure that it is carefully placed around the cat's mouth and securely fastened, as cats can escape from these temporary muzzles.

Cats - Body Restraint

• Most cats can be restrained by holding the scruff of the neck.
• The "Cat Sack" can be used for fractious or very frightened cats. Slip sack over cat from tall to head, zip up appropriate zippers.
• Wrap cat in a towel, making, sure front legs are covered and against the body.
• Gloves are not recommended for handling cats. They reduce the handler's dexterity and can easily be penetrated by a cat's teeth.

Birds - Restraint

• Carefully wrap bird in towel, gently folding his/her wings against the body. Keep your hands out of the way of the beak.
• Gloves are not recommended for bigger birds. They reduce the handler's dexterity and strong beaks can easily penetrate them.

Small Mammals And Reptiles - Restraint

• Wrap the animal in a towel or rag, gently folding his/her legs against the body.