PART IV. 



Restbaint ov the Dqq. 



In restraining the dog for either examination or operation, 

 care must be exercised to avoid injury. By rough handling, 

 the animal is liable to receive both external and internal inju- 

 ries; by improper or imperfect restraint the operator is liable 

 to receive personal injuries as a result of bites from the animal. 



Some animals are very active in their efforts at resistance, 

 while others are docile and easy to manage. It is always advis- 

 able to apply some form of muzzle before proceeding far with 

 any examination or operation. It only requires a few mo- 

 ments' time to apply a muzzle, and it will oftentimes relieve the 

 surgeon of the embarrassment of caring for and treating severe 

 punctured and lacerated wounds, or in many instances resorting 

 to Pasteur treatment. Especial care must be exercised in hand- 

 ling nervous, fat and aged animals, also those of the smaller 

 breeds, on account of their susceptibility to injury. 



The quickest, as well as the safest, method of handling a 

 dog is to promptly and firmly grasp the skin of the nape of the 

 neck. But in very large, savage and dangerous dogs the risk 

 of personal injury to the operator can be greatly minimized 

 by seizing them with a long pair of collar nippers or tongs. In 

 the absence of nippers or tongs an improvised "catcher" may be 

 quickly made by procuring a stick four or five feet in length, 

 through the end of which two holes are bored. Through those 

 holes a piece of wire or cord is carried, fdsming a running noose 

 at the end of the stick. Standing at a distance from the ani- 

 mal this noose is placed over the head and the wire or cord 

 tightened. An appliance of this kind holds the dog at a safe 

 distance until more secure restraint can be applied. 



