Small Mammal Restraint Techniques

Many exotic companion mammals have an inherent fight-or-flight response. Safe handling techniques can minimize stress and reduce the chance for trauma in these patients. Body size, sensitive skin, and, in some species, fragile, long bones should be considered.

During examination, patients should be approached in a calm, gentle manner and minimal physical force should be applied. Staff should wear gloves, as some animals may carry zoonotic pathogens.^1-3 Chemical immobilization with injectable sedatives or inhalant anesthesia should be considered in patients that are extremely fractious and/or painful and for invasive and/or prolonged procedures.

The following can serve as a general guide for handling select small mammals commonly evaluated in the clinical setting.

FIGURE 1A

1 / 12

FIGURE 1A

Rabbits can experience high levels of stress but may not always exhibit an overt struggling response. Rabbits should be manually restrained by holding the thoracic and pelvic regions. Restraint can be achieved by placing one hand over the pelvic region and holding the head with the other (A), or the rabbit can be gently lifted and placed against a staff member, with one hand over the cranial body and the other holding the pelvis, to evaluate the patient’s caudal and ventral sides (B).

FIGURE 1A

1 / 12

FIGURE 1A

Rabbits can experience high levels of stress but may not always exhibit an overt struggling response. Rabbits should be manually restrained by holding the thoracic and pelvic regions. Restraint can be achieved by placing one hand over the pelvic region and holding the head with the other (A), or the rabbit can be gently lifted and placed against a staff member, with one hand over the cranial body and the other holding the pelvis, to evaluate the patient’s caudal and ventral sides (B).