Animal Welfare Professionals

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  • 1.  Squeeze Gates/Medical Restraint

    Posted 09-09-2024 08:46 AM

    Hi everyone! 

    Our shelter is looking at ways to safely sedate animals that are difficult to handle or will not allow handling at all. We try to use non-invasive methods, like adding sedatives to food, as often as possible, but sometimes we do not have time to wait for that to take effect or the animal won't eat due to stress or other factors. 

    Is anyone able to share their set-up? I've seen examples of wall-mounted gates with some padding, but now I can't find them again. 

    Thank you! 


    #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment
    #Medicine,SurgeryandSterilization

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    Zach Mills
    Animal Behavior Manager
    Heidi's Village
    AZ
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  • 2.  RE: Squeeze Gates/Medical Restraint

    Posted 09-10-2024 07:53 AM

    Hi Zach! Are you looking for info for just dogs or cats and dogs? Are they being sedated for medical treatment or for euthanasia (or both depending on the case)? 

    I can't find a photo of it but I have visited one shelter that had an improvised squeeze chute for dogs in the intake room. It was just a panel of chain link on a hinge that could be moved into place for something quick like a vaccine or IM sedation.

    I currently work with multiple shelters as a mobile vet and most of our caseload is behaviour including sedation and euthanasia of animals who cannot be safely taken to vet clinics. I may be able to help more in terms of what seems to work best here  if you share a bit more about what types of cases this is for.  



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    Emilia Gordon
    BC SPCA
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  • 3.  RE: Squeeze Gates/Medical Restraint

    Posted 09-13-2024 06:28 PM
    Hi Zach!  For large dogs our shelter has had success using a squeeze caged placed in a kennel. It's an entirely hands off process.
     
    We typically have the advantage of having a divider between kennels, so we will close the dog off on one side and place the squeeze cage right up against the divider. You can use a pig board or other barrier if there is still room between the wall and the squeeze cage. Then, you can open the divider enough to allow the dog access to the squeeze cage. From there, you can use motivators such as attention, treats, toys, etc, on the other side to prompt the dog to move forward. Otherwise, if the dog is fearful or moves away from people, you can use social pressure by approaching the same side of the kennel the dog is on, and opening the door, or using a kerunda bed/pig board/etc to step into the kennel and prompt them to move away. Always, also, making sure the squeeze cage is covered. 
     
    I don't know if this is the exact model, but it is very similar: https://www.livetrap.com/index.php?dispatch=products.view&product_id=29899
    Good luck!
    Lauren Malfatti
    Training Specialist
    San Diego Humane Society


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    Lauren Malfatti
    Training Specialist
    San Diego Humane Society
    CA
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