ANIMAL WELFARE - Wildlife

Question 1

What is wildlife veterinary medicine?

Answer 1

The treatment of any sick, injured or orphaned wild animal that is unable to survive within the wild without human intervention

Question 2

What defines a wildlife rehabilitation centre?

Answer 2

Any premises that is prepared to accept wildlife casualties

Question 3

In the UK who is legally allowed to diagnose, prescribe for and treat wild animals?

Answer 3

An RCVS registered veterinary surgeon

Question 4

What are the six key steps of wildlife treatment and rehabilitation?

Answer 4

1. Capture/transport
2. Physical examination
3. Treatment
4. Rehabilitation
5. Release
6. Post release monitoring

Question 5

Why is it so important to record the location in which an animal is found before beginning treatment and rehabilitation?

Answer 5

It is important to record the location in which an animal is found so you can release the animal in the same place following treatment and rehabilitation

Question 6

How should you handle larger birds?

Answer 6

Use one hand to restrain the head and beak and the other hand to control the legs

Question 7

How should you handle a hedgehog for a physical examination?

Answer 7

For a hedgehog, lift the back legs up gently to prevent them from curling up

Question 8

How should you handle foxes and badgers?

Answer 8

Restrain foxes and badgers around the neck, foxes can be scruffed

Question 9

How should you handle a deer?

Answer 9

For a deer, cover the animal’s head and forelimbs with a towel or blanket

Question 10

(T/F) Deer should be sedated during transportation

Answer 10

TRUE.

Question 11

How should you handle marine mammals?

Answer 11

Avoid handling marine mammals, instead seek advice from a Marine specialist

Question 12

What are the three main considerations during the treatment of a wild animal?

Answer 12

What are the chances of recovery?
What is the likelihood of survival after release?
How much stress/fear/pain is the treatment inflicting?

Question 13

What are the four arguments for the treatment of wild animals?

Answer 13

1. Vets should provide attention to animals of any species in an emergency
2. Treating wildlife can be good publicity for veterinary practices
3. Knowledge of wildlife can be useful in understanding the transmission and pathogenesis of certain diseases
4. Injuries to wildlife are often human induced

Question 14

What are the five arguments against the treatment of wild animals?

Answer 14

1. Do we know enough about the species to fulfil its dietary and husbandry requirements
2. Do we have suitable facilities to keep the animal
3. Could the animal pick up an infection during captivity which could be spread to other animals following release
4. Will the animal be able to return to the wild successfully
5. Once the animal is released the fate of the animal is unknown

Question 15

What are the three methods of euthanasia used in wild animals?

Answer 15

Lethal injection of pentobarbital
Dislocation of cervical vertebrae
Use of firearms (only by trained staff)

Question 16

What are the roles of veterinarians within wildlife veterinary medicine?

Answer 16

Physical examination
Treatment
Preventative treatment
Pre-release health checks
Reporting disease
Expert witnesses for wildlife crime

Question 17

What are the three common problems seen in wild animals?

Answer 17

Starvation/dehydration
Hypothermia
Predation/trauma

Question 18

What is the maintenance rate for fluid therapy in wild animals?

Answer 18

50 - 100 ml/kg/day

Question 19

Describe how you would treat a wild animal that has undergone predation/trauma

Answer 19

Assess the type, location and contamination of the wound, followed by wound debridement, lavage and analgesia and antibiotic administration

Question 20

What is imprinting?

Answer 20

Imprinting is when a young animal comes to recognise a human as a parent

Question 21

What is habituation?

Answer 21

Habituation occurs when animals are exposed to a repeated stimulus, i.e. human contact, and eventually stop responding to that stimulus (i.e. animals will get used to human presence)

Question 22

What are the three behavioural problems that can arise from imprinting and habituation?

Answer 22

Excessive socialisation
Aggressive behaviour
Excessive vocalisation

Question 23

What can be done to prevent imprinting and habituation?

Answer 23

To prevent imprinting and habituation, minimise human contact with the animals

Question 24

What should be fed to birds of prey in long-term rehabilitation?

Answer 24

Mice
Rats
Day-old chicks

Question 25

What should be fed to swans in long-term rehabilitation?

Answer 25

Commercial waterfowl food (must be fed within water or they won’t eat it)

Question 26

What should be fed to deer in long-term rehabilitation?

Answer 26

Roughage such as grass and hay

Question 27

What should be fed to foxes in long-term rehabilitation?

Answer 27

Day-old chicks
Rabbits
Mice
Rats
Dog food

Question 28

What should be fed to seals in long-term rehabilitation?

Answer 28

Whole fish

Question 29

Which two vitamins should be supplemented in seals that are receiving a diet of frozen fish during wildlife rehabilitation?

Answer 29

Vitamin E
Vitamin B

Question 30

What are the five clinical signs of a vitamin A deficiency in wild animals that are undergoing long-term rehabilitation?

Answer 30

Ruffled feathers
Roughened coat
Inflamed eyes
Lack of coordination
Nasal discharge

Question 31

What is a soft release?

Answer 31

A soft release is the gradual return of an animal to the wild whereby an animal receives support, shelter and food until the animal is able to fend for itself

Question 32

What is a hard release?

Answer 32

A hard release is the direct release of an animals into the wild with no further support