Wildlife Triage + Rehabilitation Flashcards
(45 cards)
What is the main area of action in wildlife medicine?
First aid of wildlife casualties
What are laws directly affecting veterinary surgeons?
*Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966
◦ Only registered Vets can practice Veterinary Medicine
◦ Exceptions: RVNs, Veterinary Students
*Animal Welfare Act 2006
◦ Applies to domestic animals and wild animals while under captive care
*Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
◦ Permits taking an animal from the wild for treatment and rehabilitation, until released.
◦ Illegal to release certain species in the wild (eg. Grey squirrel), except under license
*Animal Health Act 1981
◦ Regulates the control of some notifiable diseases (eg TB, Avian flu, Rabies)
What are common wild bird species seen?
Waterfowl
Swans
Buzzards
Kestrels
Owls
Magpies
Crows
What are common small / garden birds seen?
Pidgeon
Blue tits
Robins
Finches
What are common wild mammal species seen?
Hedgehogs
Foxes
Rabbits
Bats
Squirrels
Wild deer
What is the goal of rehabiliatation?
*Ultimate goal:
= return that patient to the wild, with normal physical and behaviour function.
*Main consideration = animal welfare and health
What needs to be done with telephone triage?
*Record species, location + main presentation
*Inform how to capture + transport
*Inform of possible health hazards to humans
What is the risk to humans of handling wildlife?
*Bites
*Scratches
*Antlers
*Toxic skin secretions
*Venomous species
*Zoonosis - rabies / TB
What is the risk to animals of handling wildlife?
*Iatrogenic trauma - skin + hair
- Tail slip
*Stress
*Disease transmission / cross contamination
*Imprinting + Behaviour change
What needs to be done when handling birds?
*Minimise pressure on chest
*Keep in upright position
*Avoid talons
*keep wings folded + controlled - towel
*CAn injure themselves badly if long legs
What needs to be done when handling bats?
Always wear latex gloves - risk of rabies
Why are adders relevant?
Venomous
What are distinguishing features of adders?
- Orange to red eye
- Vertical pupil
- Dark zig-zag dorsal pattern (but coloration varies)
When would you use gas anaesthesia?
Routine examination of Hedgehogs, large rodents + some avian patients
What would you use to sedate avian patients?
Midazolam + Butorphanol IM/intra-nasal
What would you give injectable anaesthesia to and how would you deliver it?
Mammals – Carnivores, Deer
Delivery:
◦ Crush cage
◦ Darts – special licenses required!
When would you consider euthanasia?
- Imminent death
- Extensive trauma +/- exposure of internal organs
- Severe emaciation
- Exposed fractures (specially birds)
- Severe or extensive myiasis
- Blind/naked neonates
- Untreatable disease
- Permanent disability
- Legal reasons
- Any circumstance where the patient’s welfare and release back to the wild can’t be guaranteed
What % dehydration would most wild birds be when coming to practice?
10% dehydration
What is emergency treatment?
*Thermal support
*Oxygen
*Fluids - Maintenance fluid + Correct dehydration over 24-48hr
When are orphan birds seen?
Late winter (owls) to summer
What traumas are seen in wild birds?
*Head trauma
*Wing fractures
*Leg fractures
*Lacerations + bite wounds
What are the signs of head trauma in birds?
◦ Altered mentation
◦ Hemorrhage on oral cavity/ears
◦ Hyphema
◦ Anisocoria
◦ Facial paralysis (check head feathers)
What first aid care should you give for a head trauma?
*Dark, cool place
*Analgesia - meloxicam
What should be done with wing fractures?
Immobilize wing as soon as possible
-figure of 8 bandage / tape splint
