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Optimizing animal welfare in clinical practice
/content/chapter/10.22233/9781910443798.chap7
Optimizing animal welfare in clinical practice
- Authors: Heather Bacon and Hayley Walters
- From: BSAVA Manual of Practical Veterinary Welfare
- Item: Chapter 7, pp 166 - 193
- DOI: 10.22233/9781910443798.7
- Copyright: © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
- Publication Date: November 2022
Abstract
The fear and anticipated discomfort patients often experience at, and associate with, the veterinary practice can make handling and treating them difficult and/or dangerous. Distressed patients can have compromised immune systems, longer recovery times from disease or surgery and increased risk of anaesthetic complications. However, with thoughtful planning of each area of the clinic, an understanding of the animal’s perspective, and staff awareness of low-stress handling and restraint methods, a patient’s experience of the clinic can be much more positive.
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Figures
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7.1
The patient–clinic relationship as a ‘bank account’. The bank account balance is shown by the solid line and the 0 threshold by the dashed line. A indicates how investing in the bank account through positive welfare experiences can mitigate the impact of necessary aversive procedures on the patient–clinic relationship, whilst B indicates that a focus on routine aversive procedures may create a significant deficit within the patient–clinic relationship, which can be difficult to recover.
(© Heather Bacon) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.1
The patient–clinic relationship as a ‘bank account’. The bank account balance is shown by the solid line and the 0 threshold by the dashed line. A indicates how investing in the bank account through positive welfare experiences can mitigate the impact of necessary aversive procedures on the patient–clinic relationship, whilst B indicates that a focus on routine aversive procedures may create a significant deficit within the patient–clinic relationship, which can be difficult to recover.
(© Heather Bacon)
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7.2
A raptor transport box.
(Courtesy of John Chitty) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.2
A raptor transport box.
(Courtesy of John Chitty)
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7.3
Habituated raptors can be transported in a car securely.
(Courtesy of John Chitty) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.3
Habituated raptors can be transported in a car securely.
(Courtesy of John Chitty)
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7.4
A cat being habituated to its carrier.
(© Hayley Walters) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.4
A cat being habituated to its carrier.
(© Hayley Walters)
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7.5
Cat carriers should never be placed on the floor; if bespoke shelving (a) is not provided, carriers may be placed on the reception desk (b) or held by the owner.
(a, © Heather Bacon; b, © Hayley Walters) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.5
Cat carriers should never be placed on the floor; if bespoke shelving (a) is not provided, carriers may be placed on the reception desk (b) or held by the owner.
(a, © Heather Bacon; b, © Hayley Walters)
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7.6
(a) This raised shelf is suitable for cats and birds, with screening between patients. (b) Signage encourages use by owners.
(Courtesy of John Chitty) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.6
(a) This raised shelf is suitable for cats and birds, with screening between patients. (b) Signage encourages use by owners.
(Courtesy of John Chitty)
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7.7
An example of a dog examination room that supports low-stress handling, with toys, treats and a ground-level mat.
(Courtesy of Claire Corridan) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.7
An example of a dog examination room that supports low-stress handling, with toys, treats and a ground-level mat.
(Courtesy of Claire Corridan)
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7.8
An example of a cat-friendly examination room, allowing clear communication between the vet and client(s) with a safe and appropriate environment for the cat to explore.
(Courtesy of Claire Corridan) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.8
An example of a cat-friendly examination room, allowing clear communication between the vet and client(s) with a safe and appropriate environment for the cat to explore.
(Courtesy of Claire Corridan)
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7.9
An example of equipment in an exotic-friendly examination room, including a net and two sizes of scales.
(Courtesy of John Chitty) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.9
An example of equipment in an exotic-friendly examination room, including a net and two sizes of scales.
(Courtesy of John Chitty)
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7.10
An appropriate cage set-up for two kittens.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.10
An appropriate cage set-up for two kittens.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education)
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7.11
Inappetent cat being encouraged to eat.
(© Hayley Walters) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.11
Inappetent cat being encouraged to eat.
(© Hayley Walters)
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7.12
Recumbent patient in a well-padded kennel.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.12
Recumbent patient in a well-padded kennel.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education)
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7.13
A nurse providing a moment of comfort for a dog who needs it.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.13
A nurse providing a moment of comfort for a dog who needs it.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education)
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7.14
This exotics ward demonstrates suitable hospitalization facilities. Birds are housed off the ground in enclosures with controlled temperature and humidity parameters. Visual barriers are placed between each enclosure. Tortoises are housed in separate large enclosures on the floor, which are easy to disinfect and provide visual barriers and suitable ambient parameters.
(Courtesy of John Chitty) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.14
This exotics ward demonstrates suitable hospitalization facilities. Birds are housed off the ground in enclosures with controlled temperature and humidity parameters. Visual barriers are placed between each enclosure. Tortoises are housed in separate large enclosures on the floor, which are easy to disinfect and provide visual barriers and suitable ambient parameters.
(Courtesy of John Chitty)
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7.15
Hospital inpatients should be provided with species-appropriate enrichment. These hanging cardboard tubes filled with food offer cognitive and physical stimulation.
(Courtesy of Abi Discombe) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.15
Hospital inpatients should be provided with species-appropriate enrichment. These hanging cardboard tubes filled with food offer cognitive and physical stimulation.
(Courtesy of Abi Discombe)
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7.16
This hospital enclosure has been set up for a rat or similar rodent. It provides a hiding place with bedding, fresh water and food, and a tunnel which can be used for hiding or to facilitate low-stress handling.
(Courtesy of Abi Discombe) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.16
This hospital enclosure has been set up for a rat or similar rodent. It provides a hiding place with bedding, fresh water and food, and a tunnel which can be used for hiding or to facilitate low-stress handling.
(Courtesy of Abi Discombe)
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7.17
Bonded companion rabbits can be an important part of the treatment plan for hospitalized rabbits. Interactions and social time should be carefully monitored when the rabbits have experienced any time apart. Note the soft blanket, which is often given to giant breeds experiencing skeletal discomfort and pododermatitis.
(Reproduced from the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.17
Bonded companion rabbits can be an important part of the treatment plan for hospitalized rabbits. Interactions and social time should be carefully monitored when the rabbits have experienced any time apart. Note the soft blanket, which is often given to giant breeds experiencing skeletal discomfort and pododermatitis.
(Reproduced from the BSAVA Manual of Rabbit Medicine)
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7.18
This ferret hospital cage provides a comfortable bed/hiding area for the ferret to burrow into, a litter tray, and clean fresh water and food.
(Courtesy of Abi Discombe) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.18
This ferret hospital cage provides a comfortable bed/hiding area for the ferret to burrow into, a litter tray, and clean fresh water and food.
(Courtesy of Abi Discombe)
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7.19
A simple vivarium can be easily adapted for different reptile species. Newspaper provides an easily cleaned substrate that will not damage skin and disposable cardboard hides provide refuge. As always, fresh water should be provided. Thermal monitoring ensures the preferred optimum temperature zone is maintained and ultraviolet light should also be provided.
(Courtesy of John Chitty) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.19
A simple vivarium can be easily adapted for different reptile species. Newspaper provides an easily cleaned substrate that will not damage skin and disposable cardboard hides provide refuge. As always, fresh water should be provided. Thermal monitoring ensures the preferred optimum temperature zone is maintained and ultraviolet light should also be provided.
(Courtesy of John Chitty)
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7.20
(a) Temperature monitoring of ectotherms is essential to ensure vivaria stay within the preferred optimum temperature zone – fridge thermometers can be useful for this purpose. (b) An infrared camera can be a useful tool to check that a thermal gradient is available in reptile housing, and to avoid over- or under-heating. (c) Ultraviolet meters are important for ensuring UVB is provided at an appropriate intensity.
(Courtesy of John Chitty) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.20
(a) Temperature monitoring of ectotherms is essential to ensure vivaria stay within the preferred optimum temperature zone – fridge thermometers can be useful for this purpose. (b) An infrared camera can be a useful tool to check that a thermal gradient is available in reptile housing, and to avoid over- or under-heating. (c) Ultraviolet meters are important for ensuring UVB is provided at an appropriate intensity.
(Courtesy of John Chitty)
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7.21
Warm water baths are important to provide hydration to hospitalized tortoises. Each tortoise should have its own bathing tray that is labelled and cleaned to prevent cross-infection.
(Courtesy of John Chitty) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.21
Warm water baths are important to provide hydration to hospitalized tortoises. Each tortoise should have its own bathing tray that is labelled and cleaned to prevent cross-infection.
(Courtesy of John Chitty)
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7.22
Cockatiel in a brooder. Most hospitalized birds require a heat source.
(Reproduced from the BSAVA Manual of Avian Practice) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.22
Cockatiel in a brooder. Most hospitalized birds require a heat source.
(Reproduced from the BSAVA Manual of Avian Practice)
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7.23
Badgers (Meles meles) can be temporarily housed in large secure dog kennels for initial treatment, but will need to be moved to larger pens for longer-term hospitalization.
(Reproduced from the BSAVA Manual of Wildlife Casualties) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.23
Badgers (Meles meles) can be temporarily housed in large secure dog kennels for initial treatment, but will need to be moved to larger pens for longer-term hospitalization.
(Reproduced from the BSAVA Manual of Wildlife Casualties)
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7.24
This young emu is comfortably housed in a walk-in kennel in a quiet area of the clinic, with blankets used to provide visual barriers on the kennel doors.
(Courtesy of John Chitty) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.24
This young emu is comfortably housed in a walk-in kennel in a quiet area of the clinic, with blankets used to provide visual barriers on the kennel doors.
(Courtesy of John Chitty)
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7.25
Enrichment is a useful tool for long-term inpatients.
(© Hayley Walters) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.25
Enrichment is a useful tool for long-term inpatients.
(© Hayley Walters)
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7.26
Trigger stacking.
(© Heather Bacon) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.26
Trigger stacking.
(© Heather Bacon)
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7.28
The canine Ladder of Aggression: how a dog reacts to stress or threat.
(Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.28
The canine Ladder of Aggression: how a dog reacts to stress or threat.
(Reproduced from BSAVA Manual of Canine and Feline Behavioural Medicine)
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7.29
Cat examinations may be facilitated by (a) low-stress handling techniques and (b) in-basket examination.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.29
Cat examinations may be facilitated by (a) low-stress handling techniques and (b) in-basket examination.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education)
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7.30
A relaxed and comfortable dog being examined during a consultation.
(Courtesy of Claire Corridan) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.30
A relaxed and comfortable dog being examined during a consultation.
(Courtesy of Claire Corridan)
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7.31
This anxious dog has been provided with a toy, which serves as a reward and distraction during a clinical examination. Low-stress handling is also being employed.
(Courtesy of Jess Davies) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.31
This anxious dog has been provided with a toy, which serves as a reward and distraction during a clinical examination. Low-stress handling is also being employed.
(Courtesy of Jess Davies)
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7.32
(a) This Chihuahua is demonstrating calming and threat-averting behaviours. Note the paw lift, ‘whale eye’ (whites of the eye showing) and ears pulled back. (b) The Chihuahua has now escalated to growling as its previous appeasing behaviours have not resulted in the desired outcomes. See also
Figure 7.28
.
(© Hayley Walters) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.32
(a) This Chihuahua is demonstrating calming and threat-averting behaviours. Note the paw lift, ‘whale eye’ (whites of the eye showing) and ears pulled back. (b) The Chihuahua has now escalated to growling as its previous appeasing behaviours have not resulted in the desired outcomes. See also
Figure 7.28
.
(© Hayley Walters)
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7.33
(a) A dog being allowed to approach and sniff an outstretched hand. (b) A dog being stroked under the chin. (c) A dog being gently restrained on a knee.
(© Hayley Walters) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.33
(a) A dog being allowed to approach and sniff an outstretched hand. (b) A dog being stroked under the chin. (c) A dog being gently restrained on a knee.
(© Hayley Walters)
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7.34
A dog wearing a Baskerville Ultra Muzzle®.
(© Hayley Walters) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.34
A dog wearing a Baskerville Ultra Muzzle®.
(© Hayley Walters)
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7.35
Walking sedation being administered.
(© Hayley Walters) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.35
Walking sedation being administered.
(© Hayley Walters)
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7.36
(a) A cat being allowed to stay securely in the base of its carrier for examination. (b) A cat being gently restrained for blood sampling; note it is placed on a bed and minimal restraint is being used.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.36
(a) A cat being allowed to stay securely in the base of its carrier for examination. (b) A cat being gently restrained for blood sampling; note it is placed on a bed and minimal restraint is being used.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education)
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7.37
(a–d) Four-step process to restrain a cat in a towel.
(© Hayley Walters) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.37
(a–d) Four-step process to restrain a cat in a towel.
(© Hayley Walters)
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7.38
This kestrel has been trained to sit on the handler’s glove and accept auscultation. The use of a hood helps to prevent any environmental stressors occurring and the examination is taking place outdoors in a quiet area away from cats and dogs.
(Courtesy of John Chitty) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.38
This kestrel has been trained to sit on the handler’s glove and accept auscultation. The use of a hood helps to prevent any environmental stressors occurring and the examination is taking place outdoors in a quiet area away from cats and dogs.
(Courtesy of John Chitty)
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7.39
Towels can facilitate low-stress handling of many different species. This image shows a towel being used to reduce noise and light, whilst also safely securing the limbs of this green iguana.
(Courtesy of John Chitty) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.39
Towels can facilitate low-stress handling of many different species. This image shows a towel being used to reduce noise and light, whilst also safely securing the limbs of this green iguana.
(Courtesy of John Chitty)
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7.40
A dog having an intravenous injection on a comfortable bed whilst the paw is continuously held.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.40
A dog having an intravenous injection on a comfortable bed whilst the paw is continuously held.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education)
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7.41
An intravenous cannula placed in the saphenous vein of a dog.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.41
An intravenous cannula placed in the saphenous vein of a dog.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education)
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7.44
(a–b) A dysphoric dog attempting to escape from the kennel despite a lack of any limb or even tongue control.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education) © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.44
(a–b) A dysphoric dog attempting to escape from the kennel despite a lack of any limb or even tongue control.
(© The Jeanne Marchig International Centre for Animal Welfare Education)
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7.45
PetSavers guides to help owners prepare for the arrival of a new puppy, kitten, rabbit or guinea pig are available for members of the public and professionals to download and print out. © 2022 British Small Animal Veterinary Association
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7.45
PetSavers guides to help owners prepare for the arrival of a new puppy, kitten, rabbit or guinea pig are available for members of the public and professionals to download and print out.