Concise Textbook of Small Animal Handling

C.B. Chastain is a professor emeritus and adjunct professor of veterinary medicine and former Section Head of Small Animal Medicine and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the University of Missouri. He also has been on faculty at Iowa State University and Louisiana State University. In addition to being a Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, he has authored journal articles, book chapters in veterinary medical and allied publications, and textbooks on clinical endocrinology and animal handling and physical restraint. He was also chief editor of the monthly journal, Advances in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery for 20 years. Prior to entering academic veterinary medicine, he was a horse wrangler for a horseback riding stable and a licensed guide in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado; worked in mixed animal veterinary medical practices in Missouri, Illinois, and New Mexico; and a captain in the U.S. Air Force Veterinary Corps. He has handled, restrained, and trained a variety of animals in differing environments and taught aspects of animal handling for more than 40 years at the undergraduate and professional school levels. Currently, he is a professor and consultant for Veterinary Online Programs at the University of Missouri.

Preface. Acknowledgments. Caution. Author Biography. SAFER ANIMAL HANDLING AND PHYSICAL RESTRAINT. Handling and Animal Welfare. The More Effective Handler: The Art of Firm Kindness. Conditions for Handling and Restraint. Risks of Injury. Risks of Disease to Handlers and Other Animals. Ethical Concerns. Legal Considerations. Roles of Chemical and Physical Restraint. Keys to Good Handling of All Animals. SMALL ANIMAL BEHAVIOR. Behavior and Handling. Predator or Prey Behavior. Animal Hierarchy: Social Dominance. Socialization with Humans. Flight Zone. Senses and Behavior. Resistance Behaviors. Species Differences in Aggression and Avoidance. Training Methods for Handling Animals. Health and Behavior. Stereotypic Behavior and Environmental Enrichment. Nutraceuticals for Control of Anxiety. Animal Behavior Specialists. DOGS. Natural Behavior of Dogs. Safety First. Approaching and Catching. Handling for Routine Care and Management. Walking Dogs. Lifting and Carrying Dogs. Handling for Common Medical Procedures. Special Equipment. Transporting Dogs by Automobile or Truck. CATS. Natural Behavior of Cats. Safety First. Approaching and Catching. Handling for Routine Care and Management. Handling for Common Medical Procedures. Special Equipment. OTHER SMALL MAMMALS. Natural Behavior of Small Mammals. Safety First. Mice. Rats. Hamsters. Gerbils. Guinea Pigs. Chinchillas. Degus. Sugar Gliders. African Pygmy Hedgehogs. Rabbits. Ferrets. Handling Small Mammals for Common Medical Procedures. COMPANION BIRDS. Types of Caged Companion Birds and Birds of Prey. Natural Behavior of Companion Birds. Safety First. Approaching and Catching. Handling for Routine Care and Management. Handling for Common Medical Procedures. Special Equipment and Procedures. REPTILES. Types of Pet Reptiles. Natural Behavior of Reptiles. Safety First. Turtles and Tortoises (Chelonians). Snakes. Lizards. Handling of Reptiles for Common Medical Procedures. Transporting Reptiles. Appendix. Index.