Contributor: Colin McDermott, VMD, DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian Practice), CertAqV

Article 

Amphibian Handling and Restraint

Part of the Herptile Handling Teaching Module, this review article addresses handling and restraint of amphibians, a diverse group that consists of over 8,000 extant species belonging to three orders: Anura (frogs and toads), Caudata or Urodela (salamanders, newts, and sirens), and Gymnophiona or Apoda (caecilians). Transport, defense mechanisms that may prove hazardous to handlers, potential dangers for the patient, and specific capture, handling, and restraint techniques are reviewed. Equipment needed, including personal protective equipment, is also discussed as well as measures to reduce the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.

Colin McDermott, VMD, DABVP (Reptile & Amphibian Practice), CertAqV

Colin McDermott lives and works in Hong Kong, where he serves as a veterinary surgeon at Zodiac Pet and Exotic Animal Hospital and a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences of City University. Dr. McDermott earned his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in 2011. He completed a 2-year specialty internship at the University of Pennsylvania followed by a fellowship in aquarium science and veterinary medicine at the National Aquarium…