The Large Animal Vertical Rescue System (LAVRS) - a further development of the Animal Rescue and Transport sling (ARTS)

摘要

Mechanical suspension systems are often required for the rescue and transport of horses and other large animals. Large animal rescue has undergone significant progress over the last few years and several new lifting systems for rescue and in-clinic use have been developed. One of these is the Animal Rescue and Transport Sling (ARTS), by the Swiss Large Animal Rescue Service GIRD CH/FL in collaboration with the University of Zurich. However, the rescue of large animals entrapped in narrow spaces such as pits or wells remains difficult. In these situations, the opening to the space must be enlarged, which usually requires a great deal of work and loss of valuable time, or the animal is simply pulled out using belts, chains or ropes. Animals rescued in this fashion often die or are severely injured, or the rescue fails altogether. To facilitate the recovery of large animals from narrow enclosures, the ARTS was modified and improved to generate the Large Animal Vertical Rescue System (LAVRS) in which the animal is lifted in a vertical or near-vertical position. We have used this system extensively and found it to be safe and user-friendly. It has allowed us to rescue numerous cattle and horses without complications. The LAVRS has five main components: a front-leg sling, a dorsal belt with a hoist, a ventral belt, a seat portion and a rear hoist, and the two optional V-ropes. The application of the LAVRS is complex and at least four highly-trained and experienced people are required for a successful rescue operation. A critical component of the rescue is ensuring that the animal remains calm, and therefore one of the team members must be a veterinarian, who is responsible for the administration and monitoring of sedation and/or anaesthesia. The LAVRS is expensive and costs between 5,000 and 6,000 Swiss francs, but in our experience, most owners are willing to pay a fair price for the rescue of their animal. The LAVRS is currently the only rescue system that allows rescue of an entrapped large animal in a vertical position and is safe for both the rescuers and the animal. The aim of this article is to present the concept of rescuing a large animal in a vertical position using the LAVRS, to provide a detailed description of all its components and to illustrate its use in standing and recumbent animals.