Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

Victoria Nielsen RVN — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:28:13 GMT

I agree with above - very true. I'm very experienced with holding aggressive cats, they don't bother me. But it comes with experience and confidence. To protect your hands, wear latex disposable gloves, the cat may scratch you but will only catch the glove and not your skin! :-)

Be firm with them at all times and don't show any nervousness, as they pick up on this very quickly. Cats are smart. But we nurses are smarter ;-)

If you know they will misbehave or have wriggled out of the first time of taking blood etc, then wrap up in the towel rather than struggling and winding the cat up and therefore yourself.

Some cats do not like firm restraint, so attempt gentle restraint at first and then become firmer if this does not work.

Like the poster above, I tend to blow in their face as well and I sing to them if they are agitated. This makes them focus on me rather than what the vet is doing and distracts them. Also I get an assistant to tap their heads if they are still misbehaving!

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

Ozzie Kate — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 02:44:51 GMT

8 months? Try 3 years! I am an equine nurse at heart but in the last couple of years I have been doing a lot of small animal nursing. I am quite happy to restrain 600kg of warmblood but a 3kg cat can still get the better of me! They best advise I have been given in any aspect of working with animals is to BREATHE! The second you stop breathing your body tenses up and then so does the animal! It is the easiest way to overcome nervousness. Also I find with cats that when taking a jugular to blow into their face, they hate it, but they are more focused on planning your death then wigging out at what the vet is doing. I also tap cats and dogs on the nose or head with a finger, not hard, just annoying! Like that annoying kid at school that used to tap you on the shoulder.... tap, tap, tap, tap, tap! Annoying huh? This seems to get the focus off the vet and onto how annoying you are!

If you have a quiet animal come in or a regular that you know, jump in and get the practice on the better animals before attempting the naughty ones. I will also repeat what everyone else has said, talk to your head nurse, that is what they are there for. She might even be able to have a chat to the vet who is not being encouraging.

It is something that takes time, you just need to work out what works for you and not follow what the text books say to the T. I am certainly not classical in the way I restrain the animals but they don't move!!!

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

Nicola Smith — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 08:51:36 GMT

I alwasy think with some animals less is best - some will fight if you are too heavy handed and some respond much better to gentle quiet restraint so I alwasy try that first. A big towel for stroppy cats is a godsend!! Stroppy cats are always hard but most with the correct handling and patience will react better as they are often just stressed - its just teaching the vet to be patient that can be the challenge!!

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

nicole pescott — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 21:30:48 GMT

Dont worry! it really gets better with time when you become more confident!!!!

Confidence is the key as the animals (especially cats) can sense that you are nervous and this is when they have their way!!! The best way is just to go for it straight away with confidence and you should find that the animals become less stressed as things are done quicker.

And don't forget....... all the best nurses have war wounds..... it comes in our job description! :)

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

emmRAR — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 13:43:46 GMT

I was really badly bitten by a cat a couple of months after I started nusring, which totally destroyed my confidence.

What I did was approach some friendly senior nurses and asked them outright how to restrain animals - I got some brilliant advice, they even demonstrated techniques on cuddly toys for me. I think this would benefit you enormously. They have the tips and tricks that come with experience, and it also gets it out in the open that you're nervous about restraint, so hopefully your team can be more sympathetic towards you.

Confidence is the key, and it's your practice's job to help you build that confidence - you are a trainee at the end of the day!

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

Anonymous — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:37:30 GMT

This vet sounds like a right berk!! why on earth they can't take the time to show you the way to hold an animal is beyond me, I can only think it's because they have no idea either and would rather make it look as if it's your fault and not their's. Don't let these experiences kill your confidence, ask your colleagues to show you different techniques and just keep practising. The fact that this bothers you shows what a dilgent person you are and for that reason you are a great nurse in the making ! Good luck

[quote user="emmyzig"]

Hi everyone,

I am a Trainee Vet Nurse who is about 8 months into my traineeship. Lately I have been feeling like I am terrible and hopeless at my job and that my colleagues think I am incompetent.

I am not quite comfortable yet with restraining animals, particularly when they are stressed, anxious, fighting, hissing, struggling, etc. I'm fairly comfortable now with restraining calm animals, particularly for the cephalic vein or a general check up in a consult or surgery room, but find the jugular vein difficult (especially for cats and particularly if they are not happy!) My boss has made some remarks that I have found hurtful (he's about 60 years old and not as understanding as one or two of the other vets at the clinic I'm at) - one example being when I went to pick up a medium sized dog and got confused which way to pick him up and my boss remarked "Here we go again!" sarcastically and another incident when I was restraining a cat for a microchip in a consult in front of the clients, I had never done it before and didn't think we could scruff them as didn't realise the chip goes between the shoulder blades. The cat went to bite him, I released my hold and the microchip fell out, he remarked "It's going to sting him now" in front of the clients - I feel awful that my restraining and handling of animals is so poor that I can cause harm to the animal and vet and one day perhaps myself.

Whenever an animal appears threatening/threatened, scared, particularly cats when they hiss or scratch or struggle in my hold I tend to lose my grip, I'm very timid and frightened of getting hurt, but in doing so this creates an unsafe environment. Whenever I'm going into a situation of restraining an animal for a procedure I am now getting extremely nervous, timid and worried of their behaviour and worried that I'm going to fail yet again.

How do I improve? Has anyone felt like this before? I love my job but this is a major part of it and I am worried I'm never going to get it right and I seem to be the only one in the clinic that is so hopeless at it!!! (and there are 5 other trainees at my clinic!!!!)

[/quote]

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

emmyzig — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 09:02:11 GMT

So many replies! Thank you so much everyone! I greatly appreciate it. It's great to know that others find this challenging too because I always feel like I'm the only one to get things wrong!

The other nurses at the clinic are very helpful and most of the vets, they have shown me how to restrain and what to do in the past and are often giving me suggestions. I think my problem is that when I make mistakes I beat myself up about it and then go into the next surgery or consult or restraint with zero confidence. I have to try and keep every incident separate and not try to dwell on things! One of the vets has asked the head vet if I can have more surgery time as I am not very confident in that either - but for me they go hand in hand because our job is to restrain and handle animals before (blood tests, iv fluid lines, putting them onto the anaesthetic machine, etc) and after surgery.

We don't have cat bags or cat muzzles at our clinic (I'm in Australia). We do have protective gloves (Fnewboult called them gauntlets) but I've never seen anyone use them before. We do use muzzles and towels quite often and net is used for cats occasionally too. Kat Spear I like your suggestion of the Feliway spray! Susan Jackson - very helpful tips on cats thank you :)

Thank you everyone to responding, it's been so helpful reading through!

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

les punton — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 21:32:27 GMT

I completely agree with everyone else, esp sal - many vets wouldnt be able to restrain the animals we do. You are still pretty new at it and it does just take practice.

Get some of the more experienced nurses to help you.

But also be aware every nurse has strengths and weaknesses, dont ever think you are pants, do the best you can and no one can knock you down for that! Use different aids as everyone has mentioned above to give you confidence.

Chin up x

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

shelly jefferies — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 19:37:54 GMT

I agree it comes with time, perhaps try avoiding holding in consults if possible until you get more confidence. Have a word with your head nurse and discuss your concerns. Whilst gaining confidence put muzzles on dogs so you know you cannot get hurt, this way you can concentrate on the holding techniques first. Cats are difficult anyway and just need to learn not to let go, a big towel is always handy with cats so can wrap or cover them for damage limitation.

Just keep persisting.

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

Sal the 1st — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 17:10:31 GMT

Just thought I would add this

some of the worst people for restraining difficult animals in practice are ..... you guessed it vets, especially vets that have a short temper and an overactive mouth. (saying that there are some very good vets out there so not to tar them all with the same brush)

in agreement with other posters you get better at this with time and will find you own ways of doing things safely

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

Cat Waters — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 14:05:19 GMT

I agree that it takes time to build your confidence, and even then animals are unpredictable! I think that your boss is wrong to say these remarks to you, especially in front of clients, he should be encouraging you and talking you through what you need to do.....

I'm a great believer that it is always better to be on the safe side so if you feel that you need to use muzzles, gaunlets etc then do so. It doesn't do the animals any harm and it will help your confidence when handling them. Watch the VN's and get them to talk you through what they are doing and then when it's your turn to restrain, make sure they keep talking you through it. You will get there and your confidence will grow!

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

Susan Jackson — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 16:04:36 GMT

Hi I'm with everyone else really, you're not terrible and it does come with time. You're brave to admit you have a problem and your determination to get it right will see it through.

I believe it's been said before that animals read the handler. If you're stressed and anxious they don't trust you and if the Vet is in a rush they won't respond either. Try and get more handling experience with the nurses. Take animals away from owners so you don't have an audience and they tend to behave better elsewhere.

Cats prefer a quite room, not too much talking and start with gentle handling. the trick is to restrain to the resistance the animal is giving. Start soft and just match tension, hold but do not excessively hold. Practice handling on animals not requiring blood tests. Don't stare in there eyes but watch what they do. Again with cats if the ears go down they close there eyes and crouch even if they're growling they're not going to strike. If they change and look directly at you or your hands with ears down, they're going to strike. Take comfort in knowing it's the vet they go for 1st!

Cats are really good wrapped up in towels or put in cat bags. If they're making a fuss don't attempt anything just put them in the bag. Don't wind them up 1st. There's nothing worse than a vet in a rush in a loud room clanking things round. Get everything prepared first before getting the animal.

Dogs I find myself harder to read. If clients are'nt around and i'm unsure of temperament then I muzzle. It relaxes me which in turn I think works better.

I must admit I don't coo at animals and I don't tend to wind them up excitedly before asking them to sit still. I find it makes them less handlible and more nervous.

Give yourself a break, I'm sure you do a good job and you're only 8 months in. Try not to let other people make you feel bad. Anyway how many Vets are there that are good at holding.?..... ....... not so many as there are nurses.

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

fnewboult — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:48:28 GMT

Hey, I'm about to enter my 3rd year of a VN degree and I'm still shocking at restraining cats for jugular samples in particular and I have tiny hands so can find raising veins in very large dogs a challenge sometimes also! It isn't nice when people who have perhaps forgotten that we all start at the same place make snide comments, especially in front of clients! Try not to be too hard on yourself (and yes I know this is easier said than done believe me!), everyone, even people who have been qualified for years, can make mistakes and find certain animals difficult to restrain and it is not a sign of failure to ask for help or for someone else to take over.

I'd mention to your clinical coach that you feel a little nervous about restraining some of the more nervous animals and ask if they have any tips to give you / if you can have extra help with this.

Also what PPE does you practice have available? If there is a cat who is hissing and spitting then don't be afraid to use gauntlets to restrain them, this may give you more confidence as the cat is a lot less likely to be able to injure you if you are wearing these and wrapping fractious cats in a towel / using a cat bag. Also always insist that nervous / aggressive dogs are muzzled, better for that to happen when they may not actually need it than for someone to end up being bitten, it does not harm the dog in any way and will help you feel safer. Do not ever let anyone pressure you into using less PPE than you feel comfortable and safe with using.

Also don't know if this is something you already do or not but with cats / small dogs that are being wriggly it can be useful to use your elbow to tuck them against you and don't be afraid to ask for a bumstop even for smaller patients if they are trying to engage reverse! With big dogs if can be helpful to back them into a corner if you don't have a bumstop as this gives less space to go backwards.

Good luck and chin up, I think everyone does go through this at some stage and most of it will come with practice and experience, don't worry about how fast or slow you pick these things up because I'll bet there are other things that you have picked up faster than the other trainees as well!

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

Denise — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 14:13:22 GMT

Most animals sense when the handler is nervous, perhaps it is your boss who is giving off the bad vibes?

I find it very interesting that he actually needs a nurse to restrain a cat for a simple microchip.......the fact that the microchip fell out was certainly not your fault.

Perhaps it is your boss who needs a bit of practice in the art of approaching and handling animals (and staff) more sympathetically?

In the meantime, have you any animals of your own, or friends with pets who would let you have a practice? Try picking up, cuddling, holding up veins etc with some friendly animals (and people) and your confidence will grow.

Ask the other vets and nurses in the practice to let you assist them more, try and be around when they are about to examine an animal and ask them to demonstrate what they doi- flatter them a bit and they will love to show you their techniques.

If there is a known nervous or naughty cat coming in don't be afraid to ask one of the experienced nurses assist and ask to observe.

I always remember going to a lecture on hyperthyroidism in cats, I think from a vet at Liverpool Uni. He said he would never ask any of the student vets to assist him in getting a blood sample from these old and crotchety cats, he would always ask the more experienced VN at the hospital.He said it was much fairer on the students and the cats involved.

Good luck

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

xhappysvn21x — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 12:38:49 GMT

same here, i got beaten to the floor with unwanted comments at the beginning, and it does take time and practice, every patient is different, always make sure you are comfortable and confident and talk to the animal. i am better with cats than i am with dogs- dogs look at me in the eye and say i gona bite you and i think i no you are . :)

i had to move practice as i was getting the responsilibilities or competancy to gain the experience.

do not put up with the comments make sure you speak to someone about it, even if its the boss, its not as if he can sack you over it. your showing you care and want to improve.

think it took me a 1yr and half to feel confident confident, and i still today make minor errors and so do the senior staff, so you can always get them back ;)

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

Katherine Spear — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 10:22:40 GMT

Yes Im really pants at restraing huge dogs - im quite small - or stressed cats-and im qualified, dont worry it is difficult. Espesially if your nervous as cats especially will pick up on it. You should speak to your Head Nurse about it if its stressing you? so then others are aware and can help you-if your a trainee they are meant to train you until you feel competent. Comments from staff will always make you worse as your confidence will drop and youll be all clumsy and unsure, so if you maybe speak to the other staff then they know that you are trying but finding it difficult-everyone finds something in pratice difficult-im sure your good at other things! Dont forget that the vet has years more experience and training that you and you are working there to be trained - if you arent confident in a task you just need more training and practice-it will come dont worry! Perhaps you could use a towel to restrain any potentially stressed cats before they get to a stressed stage to restrain them safely sooner - or a lovely cat bag which works wonders, or you should be confident in asking for assistance - if a cat is playing up you could ask for soemone else to help - like you might with a huge dog that also needed a bum stop? often having someone to hold the cat into them and restrain the legs and someone else to hold up its head and speak to it gently will help alot so if you have someone to help would be good? minimising stress for cats is important-have you tried spraying yourself & the area with feliway? and letting them sit on a vet bed rather than a table? and always using emla cream before placement of a catheter for example. Also studies have shown that classic fm in the cat ward will help destress cats so if its cats in for ops that are stressed perhaps you can do that? mostly practice and confidence will help though-id say ask for more teaching and talk to your head nurse about it so the practice can help u overcome your worry.

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

Kells x — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 09:14:44 GMT

I used to be exactly the same and it just comes with time.

when i first started i was petrified of holding animals that were aggresive or scared as i was scared of getting hurt myself but it really will come to you with time. i still get nervous! You just have to think, ok right i can do this and be confident. If your nervous the animals will sense that, so just go into it and think yes i can do this, im a good nurse :)

Dont listen to anyone trying to make remarks, things are going to go wrong whether you like it or not and it happens to the best of us!

Im sure your a fantastic nurse and practice makes perfect

K x

Re: Restraining & Handling Animals - I'm terrible!

gemma wade — Sat, 06 Aug 2011 07:21:06 GMT

These techniques come with time and your boss should be supportive in showing you these required skills in a veterinary nurse. Maybe the other vet nurses could show you these techniques on a quiet day or if a member of staff could being in their animal for you to practice on that would be helpful.

Old bosses are sometimes too set in their old ways and want everything to be perfect without actually helping!! so just ignore him and get your other nurses, vets to help you. And remember dont panic, when you panic things are bound to go wrong. :)

You are not useless, everyone has to start at the beginning and everyone goes through what you are going through, it will make you a stringer person and a fabulous nurse!!! just ignore the oldie :)

Gem x