Australian Native Wildlife Flashcards
Aim of tx for native fauna
Full recovery, rehabilitation and release to a suitable site (discuss with appropriate wildlife authority Dept of Env, land water and planning; parks victoria)– ideally at its site of origin
Exceptions- endangered species or otherwise healthy animal that has been hand- reared and resists release
- Reason for presentation? Recovery from predator induced injury will likely recover better than diseased
- How long will the animal be in care? 7-10 days ideally
- Initial exam– sex an age?? Males of some species (e.g. brushtail possums) are aggressively territorial and may have fight wounds or malnutrition– poor candidates for release
What macropods may be presented to a vet practice in VIC?
x
The eastern grey kangaroo
Macropus giganteus
x
The western grey kangaroo
Macropus fuliginosus
(in north
-
w
estern Victoria)
x
The red kangaroo
Macropus rufus
(in arid zone areas)
x
The swamp wallaby
Wallabia bicolor
What can happen with inappropriate capture techniques? How to avoid?
Animals can develop hyperthermia and exertional myopathy
Anaesthesia of macropods
* Tiletamine- zolazepam (Zoletil)- rapid, smooth induction, good muscle relaxation, prolonged recovery (1-5 hours) (can supplement with isoflurane in oxygen) or top up doses of Zoletil (but will prolong recovery)
* Tractable animals that are restrained in a bag can be given alfaxalone for IV induction
* Diazepam- diagnostic procedures (palpation, radiography, blood collection)- debilitated animals lower doses… post-capture reduces risk of exertional myopathy– diazepam is absorbed slowly and incompletely following IM injection
* Intubation may be difficult due to narrow gape– useful aids include a flexible stylet inside the ET tube and a laryngoscope with a long narrow blade
* recovery– quiet, dark area– solid wooden box or stable/shed– away from dogs and high traffic areas
Physical examination of marsupials
* Temperature: 35-37C
* Female animals look for pouch young– best to remove and provide accomodation that is 37C during a procedure– after you can keep the pouch closed with paper tape
* Macropods are diprotodont– two large procumbent incisors with a diastema between the incisors and cheek teeth– basic dentition is 1 permolar and 3 molars in each jaw quadrant (4th molar eruption later in life)
* venous access via the lateral coccygeal (tail) vein, medial saphenous vein, jugular vein, or cephalic vein
Temporary housing for macropods?
* Stable or similar with bedding, if small than a dog run
* Neuroleptics/ tranquilisers if housed temporarily (Azaperone– Stresnil) or Fluphenazine decanoate (Modecate Squibb)– longer acting neuroleptic given IM
Appropriate diet of macropods
* water and good quality ad lib hay, lucerne pellets/ cubes with chopped carrot or commercial macropod pellet once daily
* Bread useful vehicle for oral medications (olive oil or peanut butter)
Lumpy jaw in macropods
* Lumpy jaw- predisposed if in captivity if poor diet, poor hygiene, stressors such as high stocking density
* Dichelobacter nodosus and F. necrophorum. Nocardia sp. Corynebacterium sp. and Actinomyces sp.
* Clinical signs:
- facial swelling, hypersalivation, mouthing, reduced flight distances, separated from the mob, unilateral conjunctivitis, rhinitis, depression, inappetance, lethargy due to toxaemia, chronic weight loss, reduced appetite
* Peri-alveolar necrosis with foul smelling exudate when examined under anaesthesia (RG demonstrate osteomyelitis)
* Treatment– surgical– extraction of affected teeth and debridement, zinc oxide eugenol packing of defect to prevent food impaction (tape removed 5-7 days), antibiotic impregnated polymethylmethacrylate beads in the affected area held in place with soft dental wax +/- gingival sutures
* Re-examined under anaesthesia at 7-10 day intervals
* Antibiotics: long acting penicillin IM every 48-72 hours , Ceftiofur SID, Clindamycin hydrochloride BID until resolution of lesions (Melbourne Zoo)
* Analgesia- Buprenorphine, Carprofen, Meloxicam +/- neuroleptic drugs to reduce anxiety
Bacterial disease in macropods
Lumpy jaw as already discussed
Viral diseases in macropods
Coccidiosis in macropods
Eimeria– intestinal coccidiosis (eastern grey)– introduced during high pasture contamination, intestinal haemorrhage or plasma protein loss (potentiated by malnutrition) may result in hypoproteinaemia and death… juveniles may exsanguinate into the intestines before passing blood in faeces
* Hepatic coccidiosis reported in wallabies and western grey kangaroos
Toxoplasmosis in macropods– clinical signs and pathogenesis?
Diagnosis and treatment of Toxoplasmosis in macropods
What trematode can use marsupials as one of its hosts?
Fasciola hepatica – more common where marsupials are in contact with domestic stock
Nematodes in macropods
Antiparasitic drugs in macropods?
Exertional myopathy in macropods
Traumatic injury and toxicosis in macropods
Six possum families? Common possums in urban environments?
Capture and restraint of possums
Cardboard box– thick towel over animal to allow IM injection of tiletamine-zolazepam
Or wire trap
Smaller brushtail possums and ringtails easily grasped over tailbase and dorsally over the neck
Anaesthetic agents of possums
Physical exam of possums
Appropriate diet of possums– brushtail and ringtail?
* Common brushtail possum: chopped fruit, veggies, eucalyptus browse, fresh water
* Common ringtail possum: small amount chopped fruit and veg but bulk of diet must be fresh, leafy branches and blossoms (eucalypts, Callistomen sp., acacia, melaleuca), fresh water
