Animal Husbandry, Behavior, and Restraint
Husbandry
Understand the housing, nutrition, and environmental needs of common species. Know the difference between species in terms of social structure, activity, and dietary requirements. Recognize the signs of poor husbandry, including stress, obesity, and behavioral abnormalities.
Behavior
Familiarize yourself with normal and abnormal behavior, the principles of learning (classical and operant conditioning), and the role of enrichment. Understand fear, anxiety, and aggression and how they affect handling.
Restraint
Know the appropriate restraint techniques for each species, including manual restraint, muzzles, towels, and chemical restraint when indicated. Understand the importance of minimizing stress and the risks of improper restraint.
Traps to Watch
Questions may ask about a restraint method that is unsafe for a species or confuse negative reinforcement with punishment. Another trap is assuming a behavior is abnormal when it is species-typical.
Worked Example
A fractious cat requires handling. The correct approach is a towel wrap or chemical restraint rather than scruffing, which increases fear and risk of injury.
Rule of Thumb
Use the least restraint necessary to accomplish the task safely; minimize stress and protect both patient and handler.