Wildlife and zoological medicine Flashcards by Kai Sainsbury

what laws effect veterinary surgeons when dealing with wildlife?

Veterinary Surgeons act 1966
Animal Welfare act 2006
Wildlife and Countryside act 1981
Animal Health act 1981

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what is the ultimate goal of wildlife rehabilitation?

returning the patient to the wild with normal physical and behavioural function

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what are the three main steps of wildlife rehabilitation?

initial assessment
ongoing treatment/managing captivity
release

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what should be thought about during an initial assessment of a wild animal?

is intervention needed
how to intervene
how likely is a successful outcome

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what should be considered when releasing a wild animal?

method
disease screening 
health check
location
season 
monitoring

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what are the main sources of wildlife patients?

members of public
charities
wildlife projects

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what should be done during a telephone triage of wildlife?

record species, location and presentation
inform how to capture and transport
inform of health hazards - zoonosis, bites…

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how can most wildlife species be transported?

cardboard box or pet carrier

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how should carnivores be transported?

in a covered crush cage

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how should amphibians be transported?

plastic container with some humidity

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what are the most common reasons for wildlife casualties to be brought in?

trauma
natural
orphans
poisoning
infectious disease

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in what mammals should sedation/anaesthesia be considered to exam/handle?

hedgehogs
deer
most carnivores
large rodents

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what should be worn when handling amphibians?

powder free latex gloves that are moistened with water (very delicate skin) - try to do most examining inside their container

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what are the distinguishing features of an adder?

orange to red eyes
vertical pupil
dark zig-zag dorsal pattern

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what animals can gas anaesthesia be used on?

hedgehogs
large rodents
some avian patients

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what is a common combination of drugs used to sedate avian patients?

midazolam and butorphanol (IM or intranasal)

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what should always be done to wildlife patients under anaesthesia/sedation?

cover eyes and ears

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what are some options for anaesthetising carnivores?

ketamine and medetomidine

ketamine and medazolam

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what can medetomidine be reversed by?

atipamezole

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what can midazlolam be reversed by?

flumazenil

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what are the options for deer anaesthesia/sedation?

ketamine and medetomidine
etorphine
xylazine

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what position should deer be placed in when anaesthetised? and why?

sternal recumbenecy to prevent tympanisms (accumulation of gas in GI tract)

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what are some examples of cases in which euthanasia should be considered?

imminent death
exposed internal organs
exposed fractures
permanent disability
untreatable disease
legal reasons

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what is usually used in birds to assess body condition?

pectorals

how can dehydration be assessed in birds?

``` dry MM cold extremities shock CRT (usually assume birds brought in are between 7-10% dehydrated) ```

what routes of medication can be used in birds?

IV (difficult) - ulna and medial metatarsal vein IM - pectoral intra-osseous - distal ulna and proximal tibiotarsus subcutaneous

what are the best routes of injection for wild mammals?

intramuscular | subcutaneous

what routes can be used to administer medication in reptiles?

IM and intraosseous (only lizards) are best

what can cause a wild animal to present with shock?

blood loss and hypovolaemia dehydration and emaciation poisoning

what is the emergency treatment of shock in wild animals?

thermal support oxygen fluid therapy

what are some diagnostic tests that should be carried out for wildlife patients?

``` PCV total proteins blood smear glucose urea radiographs ```

how are debilitated birds fed?

gavage/crop tube

how are debilitated small mammals fed?

syringe feeding

why should contact with wildlife be limited during ongoing treatment and rehabilitation?

biosecurity stress behaviour changes

when are orphan birds usually seen?

late winter to summer

most orphaned birds are in fact what? and what should be done with these?

fledgelings so should be left in a secure place

what are some common traumatic injuries seen in wild birds?

head, wings, leg trauma | lacerations and bites

what signs should be looked for in suspected head injuries to birds?

``` altered mentation haemorrhage of oral cavity/ears hypheama anisocoria paralysis ```

what is hypheama?

accumulation of RBCs in the anterior chamber of the eye

what is anisocoria?

uneven pupil size

what first aid should be given to a bird with head trauma?

put in a cool dark place analgesia take care with over-hydration

what should be done first when presented with a wing fracture?

stabilise the wing

why does care need to be taken the treating/immobilising wing fractures?

can cause fibrosis/lesions of the patagium

how should wounds/bites be damaged?

``` sedate/anaesthetise to examine flush remove necrotic tissue cover with hydrocolloid gel analgesia and antibiotics ```

what are common causes of poisoning in wild birds?

lead | botulisms

what are the clinical signs of lead poisoning in birds?

neurological signs pale MM haemoglobinuria

how can birds with lead poisoning be treated?

calcium EDTA penicillamine supportive care activated charcoal

what causes botulism?

ingestion of toxin type C produced by Clostridium botulinum

what are the clinical signs of botulism in wild birds?

progressive flaccid paralysis (neck muscles) high mortality outbreaks lasting several weeks

how should oiled birds be treated?

``` supportive care supplementary heat clean mucosa/eyes remove oil - fairy remove detergent from plumage - warm water dry plumage ```

what are some common hedgehog injuries?

``` trauma flystrike emaciation neonates respiratory disease limb entrapment poisoning ```

what is the approach to bat casualties?

start observing from a distance always handle with latex and garden gloves warm them (most hypothermic) oral hydration and glucose

what are common problems seen in bats?

cat bites wing tears/lacerations fractures entanglement

what is the role of zoos?

preventing extinction - conservation, research, education

what are some zoological governing bodies?

BIAZA EAZA WAZA

what are the main legislations around zoological medicine?

zoo licensing act 1981 | animal welfare act

what are the roles of zoo vets?

``` medicine animals imports/exports populationmanagement conservation work pathology animal welfare ```

what are the 4 categories of preventative medicine?

parasites vaccination herd health plans disease surveillance