wild birds

Question 1

why treat wild birds?

Answer 1

• human interactions/human caused injury/disease are major causes of death for wild birds = ethical obligation to help
• treatment and return to wild helps wild pop.s = impactful for rare/declining species
• legal responsibility under RCVS code of conduct
• practice engagement with community
• opp to work w other caregivers e.g. rehabbers/charities
• team building within practice
• opp to develop range of clinical skills - not often used

Question 2

initial triage -

• the act that applies here
• 2 things you must do once animal in practice

Answer 2

• Animal Welfare Act 2006 (once bird under temp/perm. care of humans)
• admission form: reasons for rescue, location, finders (MOP) contact number - for returning to wild if poss
• emphasise practice now has bird; some practices get MOP to formally sign over bird - it is NOT “their bird” (differs when working with a rehabber)

Question 3

age order for birds

Answer 3

nestling
fledgling
(juvenile?)
adult

Question 4

what to suggest to MOP when bringing wild birds into practice (what to bring them in)

Answer 4

covered dark box
no food ***!!
water only
hot water bottle if young/injured

Question 5

once in practice: first steps

Answer 5

• quiet dark room, closed doors and windows
• PPE - small risk of zoonosis minimised if wear PPE
• confirm species
• categorise if alive/alert/moribund (not active)
• give fluids (always first - after species determined) via tube feed or injection
• warm
• FULL CLINICAL EXAM

Question 6

once in practice: FULL CLINICAL EXAM

Answer 6

CONSIDER STRESS: CAN TAKE 4-6HRS TO RECOVER = may need to leave to calm to assess mentation (thinking?) properly

• BCS (keel bones)
• weigh (may do in box and deduct weight)
• oral exam (foreign bodies/canker etc.)
• eye exam
• feather condition
• fractures and joint issues (MSK exam)
• ability to perch
• wounds

Question 7

clinical cases: what to consider

Answer 7

• age of bird (nestling/fledgling/juvenile/adult
• what enclosure in practice would best suit
• what bird eat in wild hence what to feed in practice
• disease risk in practice (to and from bird)
• any medications/immediate interventions required?
• urgency of transfer to rehabber (e.g. swifts should not be fed without expert knowledge?)

Question 8

reducing/preventing harm
(and why maintaining wild state is important)

Answer 8

• imprinting/human bonding - wild state must be maintained to facilitate recovery and return to wild
• away from sight/sound of humans/predators
• handling - towel/dark/claw grip (minimises stress/feather damage)
• size of container - able to extend wings in all directions and turn (wing/feather damage)
• feeding wrong food - do not feed if doubt
• aspiration pneumonia - syringe feeding/fluids inhaled

Question 9

rehabbers:
- what you should do (2)
- why they are a useful resource

Answer 9

• visit premises and ensure good facilities/release methods
• discuss what you can offer them, be clear about costs
• useful resource: advice to enable progress, discuss likelihood of release to wild

Question 10

crop tube feeding:

how to do

Answer 10

• insert crop tube on RIGHT side of beak
• aim to LEFT side of back of mouth
  (tube goes diagonal?)

Question 11

crop tube feeding:

points to note (3)

Answer 11

• don’t use plastic tubes in birds that can bite through
• should always be last treatment performed (?)
• can still do if no crop e.g. owls, but go into oesophagus