Talking about turtles was fun! Yes, I am loopy-tired. Maybe that is a good state to be in when I need fun topics to post! On that note…
MORE STRANGE PATIENTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
When a hamster comes in with a crying kid, it can throw your whole day off. Well, no more!
How to weigh a hamster, gerbil, mouse, rat, budgie or anole (I am sure I forgot someone, but one of these two ways should work with almost all of the small guys.) (1) If the patient may dart off or fly away, weigh them in a small paper bag with the top folded over. (2) If the patient promises to behave and stay put, weigh them in a doggy dish.
How to handle a hamster: Do not wake him up! Hamsters are not morning people! If he is awake, quickly pick him up by his scruff. You will need to grab a much larger amount of skin than you would expect. You will not hurt him, but you may anger him! So make sure to apologize and give him a treat when you are done.
How to make a bunny costume for a hamster without angering him: Draw bunny ears and whiskers on your hand with a Sharpie. Pick the hamster up in a loose fist. Take a picture because he will look even cuter than he does when he is NOT in costume. I love this “tip” almost more than I love the turtle weighing tip. *Safety note: This works best with happy hamsters.
How to handle a gerbil: Stop or steady him by grabbing the base of his tail (but do not pick him up by the tail). Place a hand under him and scoop him up.
How to handle a rat: Pick him up under the armpits and then steady his bottom (exactly like you would pick up a very small, very strange looking baby) Rats do not need excess restraint, as they are usually quite agreeable to whatever you need to do. I have only ever met one crabby rat, and I suspect he was actually just feeling sick, not actually crabby in Real Life.
Baby Fuzzy and Baby Wuzzy playing in the Lincon Log house my daughters made for them - they loved it!
How to handle a mousie: Pick him up by the base of the tail (This is one of the few little guys whose weight can be supported this way-but just for the few seconds it takes to nab him.) Place him on your sleeve for the examination while continuing to hold the base of the tail.
How to handle a bird: When you are learning how to restrain a bird, start with the smaller birds who cannot chomp you as hard. The technique is the same for all of them though! Once you are comfortable with budgies, move on to macaws!
Examining and working with birds is ALWAYS a two person job! Have the bird on a finger or your arm, with your thumb gently holding their four front toes down. With a light towel in your hand, gently place your thumb and forefinger of your other hand in a ring around his neck from the dorsal side. The palm of the same hand will be over his back. Close your hand around his back and wings, being careful not to compress the chest. Slowly turn him upside down. Everyone is now in a position to safely examine and work with the bird.
Easy for me to say! Actually the best way to learn how to restrain a bird is to make sure one of the two people involved is experienced at avian restraint. Restraining birds has been like a skill chain through Omaha veterinary teams until all of us who want to work with birds are now able to safely hold them! I even have trained teams at Montessori Children’s Room and Lakeside Retirement VIllage, so whenever I go see their cockatiels, I have plenty of helpers! (Thanks Mom and Mom-Karen!)
Pedro, The Lakeside Village Cockatiel
Clicking here will bring you to the webpage with information about Bradyn and an opportunity to donate towards the training of his service dog from 4 Paws for Ability. ♥
