Wildlife casualties Flashcards
Relevant legislation to have protected wildlife species in possession for a reasonable period of time
Section 23(6) the Wildlife Act 1976-2012
animals not protected by act?
Three commonly encountered species are not protected
by this legislation: the red fox, rabbit and grey squirrel. A
licence is, therefore, not required for these species,
although it is important to note the grey squirrel is classed
as an invasive species and as such its release is not
permitted.
Legislation ensuring animals needs are met in captivity and protects from unnecessary suffering.
Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013
Relevance of Veterinary Practice Act 2005 when it comes to wildlife?
vets have a
duty of care to provide emergency care or
euthanasia to any species of animal to relive suffering,
this includes providing emergency care out of hours. It
does not require the treatment to be provided free of
charge
Essential information to be obtained when a wildlife
casualty is presented includes:
- Exactly when and where animal was found
- Any history of trauma or obvious clues for cause of
injury - Any treatment or food given so far
- Contact details of the finder.
Avian clinical exam
Weight, body condition score
Lameness score, flight test if appropriate
Palpate thoracic girdle (clavicles, coracoids, scapulae), wings
and limbs for fractures
Check for wounds
Bumblefoot (raptors, waterfowl)
Oral exam (trichomonas, capillaria)
Palpate neck for oesophageal swelling (balls of grass, fishing
hooks in swans)
Ocular exam including pecten oculi – especially raptors
Mammalian clinical exam
Mentation, ambulation
Assess dentition for fractured teeth or excessive dental
wear which may compromise food acquisition
Skin and coat condition, ectoparasites
Palpate limbs and pelvis for fractures
Hedgehogs should always be uncurled to check for missing
limbs or myiasis (anaesthesia may be required)
Bats’ wings should be assessed for tears and fractures.
Transillumination can be helpful.
Difference between nestlings and fledglings
Nestling birds are partially feathered and gape for
food, while fledglings are fully feathered and don’t
gape.
indications for immediate euthanasia
Collapse, unresponsive
Emaciation
Open fracture, spinal fracture, pelvic fracture (female)
Missing limb(s) or eye(s)
Myxomatosis
Severe fly strike
Severe sarcoptic mange (foxes)
Severe trichomoniasis (pigeons)
Paramyxovirus (pigeons)
Multiple pathological fractures (pigeons/ doves with metabolic bone
disease)
Rabbits/ hares with abnormal dentition
Loss of canine teeth, excessive dental wear
Analgesia when stabilising wildlife patient:
. Opioids are used for
moderate to severe pain. Buprenorphine or methadone
are suitable for mammalian species, however avian
species possess mainly kappa receptors so butorphanol is
a more suitable choice for these species. Non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are also suitable for
most species once hydration is corrected.
Fluids considerations
Intravenous fluid administration may not be well
tolerated by larger mammal species, however, can
be very useful for larger birds such as waterfowl. If IV
access is not a suitable choice, then subcutaneous
fluids may be used alongside oral fluids.
Generally use Hartmanns
Nutrition considerations
: A variety of food choices should be offered
and should mimic the natural diet as closely as
possible. Time of day should be considered, for
example nocturnal species such as hedgehogs should
be fed in the early evening. Crop tubing or syringe
feeding with an appropriate critical care formula is
required if the patient is not self-feeding
social/dietary/behavioural tendencies of hedgehogs
solitary, nocturnal, insectivores.
outside in daylight=problem, except for pregnant or nursing females
hedgehog offspring?
4-5 hoglets in spring
hedgehog hibernation
Jan-Mar.
Must be over 650g and have good BCS
