Badgers

Question 1

On average how much do female and males weigh?

Answer 1

Females: 10.1 kg
Males: 11.6 kg

Question 2

What are the 3 different types of coats?

Answer 2

albino, erythristic (red pigmentation) and melanistic (dark pigmentation)

Question 3

What are the most common presentations in practice?

Answer 3

RTA (usually females), territorial disputes, baiting, snare/trapping injuries, old diseased animals, orphaned/abandoned cubs

Question 4

What zoonotic infections are you at risk of from badgers?

Answer 4

Enteric infections: salmonella, parvo, e coli
Others: rabies, TB, lepto, sarcoptic mange

Question 5

What precautions should be taken when handling badgers?

Answer 5

-Suitable trained staff (SOPS)
-Proper handling equipment
-PPE
-BCG vaccine?
-Do not post mortem
-Care with urine, faeces, body fluids
-Appropriate disinfection

Question 6

What are some legal considerations?

Answer 6

-Protected species under the wildlife act 1976
-Licence requires to keep in captivity

Question 7

What equipment could you use for capturing badgers?

Answer 7

Crush cage/dust bin, dog catcher, muzzles, cover with a blanket and have cages pre weighed

Question 8

What should you be looking for upon examination?

Answer 8

Age, gender, tooth wear, claw wear, BCS (1-5), wounds, fractures etc

Question 9

What first aid is provided for badgers?

Answer 9

Fluid therapy, analgesia, temp regulation, hospitalisation in a suitable environment, food and water, monitoring

Question 10

What can you use for sedation and anaesthesia?

Answer 10

Usually IM combos of ketamine (5-7.5 mg/kg) and medetomidine (4 mcg/kg). Reverse med with 200mcg/kg of atipam

Question 11

How should bite wounds be treated?

Answer 11

-Sedate, examine, clip and clean
-Topical: saline, dilute chlorohex or hydrocolloid gel
-Systemic: antibacterial and NSAIDS only

Question 12

What are the signs of M. bovis

Answer 12

Poor bcs, lung lesions, joint lesions, lymph nodes, sinus tracts

Question 13

What should badgers be fed short/long term?

Answer 13

-Short term: wet/dry dog food
-Long term: mixture - chicken, dead day old chicks, sandwiches, peanuts, seeds, road kill

Question 14

How can we mark badgers prior to release?

Answer 14

Microchips, fur clipping, tattoos

Question 15

How should they be released?

Answer 15

Once confirmed clinically fit, release back to where they came from, at night (10pm-6am), on road if necessary but not in extreme weather conditions

Question 16

How should cubs be reared?

Answer 16

Microchipped on admission, mixed with other cubs as soon as possible, bottle fed until 10-12 weeks old (they do not wean until 8 wks old), BCG and parvo vaccinated from 8 weeks old, ecto/endo tx only if clinically needed, TB tested

Question 17

How is TB tested for?

Answer 17

-DPP lateral flow serological test
-Specificity 95% but only 50% sensitivity
-Multiple tested will inc sensitivity but dec specificity
-PM and culture to confirm infection