Wildlife Nursing Flashcards
What is rehabilitation?
The treatment and temporary care of injureed, diseased, and siplaced indigenous animlas, and the subsequent release of healthy animals to appropriate habitats in the wild
Ireland’s Protected Mammals:
- Badger
- Deer
- Hedgehog
- Red squirrel
- Otter
- Hare
- Stoat
- Pine Marten
- Bats
- Pygmy Shrew
Ireland’s Protected Marine Mammals:
- Dolphin
- Porpoise
- Seals
- Whales
Ireland’s Protected Reptiles and Amphibians:
- Common Lizard
- Marine Turtles
- Common Frog
- Smooth Newt
- Natterjack Toad
Ireland’s Protected Crustaceans and Molluscs:
- Freshwater Crayfish
- Freshwater Pearl
Mussel - Kerry Slug
Ireland’s Unproteted Species:
- Rabbits
- Foxes
- Red Squirrels
Rehabilitation License
One licensed is needed for each protected animal admitted
Act?
Wildlife Act 1976-2012
Veterinary Obligations?
First Aid, OOH care, [discretionary euthanasia]
NOT ongoing or free treatment
NOT keeping animal alive at all costs
Leave/Reunite:
Bright, no obvious injury
Fledgling
Parents nearby
Nest / den nearby
Admit:
- Bleeding, shivering, injuries
- Lethargic, unresponsive
- Flies/ants present
- Approachable
IF IN DOUBT – ADMIT
Arrival of animal to clinic:
- out of reception asap (stress, prevent escape)
- record taking
*rescuer/finder info (name, address, phone, email) where found, when captured, contact with animal? (food etc)
WHERE, WHAT, WHEN and WHY?
Why keep records?
Vital
Care - to provide professional care and treatment
Prophylaxis – preventative measures
Planning - annual casualty trends
Useful
Early detection of disease trends
Identify environmental risks
Identify crime/disease hotspots
Information to researchers
Rehabilitation means:
- Legitimate rescue
- Temporary care
- Subsequent release
Why euthanise?
- No quality of life when recovered
- If all canine teeth need removing
- Permanent jaw damage
- Loss of sight/hearing
- Loss of flight
- Chronic arthritis or predisposition to arthritis
- Non-native species that you cannot release
Euthanasia - specied specific
- Limb amputation necessary
- Hydrocephalus - otter / fox / pine marten
- Insufficient dentition to feed independently
- Bovine TB
- Recurrent malocclusion - lagomorphs / squirrel
- Permanent injuries to thumbs or toes hindering grooming etc
- bats
Where to find advice?
www.irishwildlifematters.ie
Stress Triggers:
- Unfamiliar smells
- Loud noise
- Excessive handling
- Pain and injuries
- Long journeys
- Other animals/overcrowding
- Lack of food or water
Stress - positives
- Strive to get food
- Build good nests for their young
- Stimulates adrenaline to help with escape and defence
- Decreases digestion rates to hold onto food and energy in
times of famine - Increases heart and breathing rates
Stress - negatives
Continuous stress can cause constant adrenaline production
and a change in metabolism:
* Muscle dies from lactic acid build up – ‘capture myopathy’
* Dehydration
* Starvation
* Suppressed immune system
*Hair or feather loss
Unfortunately, too much stress can be fatal
Stress - Signs:
Most of the signs are physiological…
* Making noise
*Eyes wide
* Attempt to hide/flee
* Increased breathing rate
*Tremors
* Lack of interest in food or water
*Temperature change
Stress reduction when handling:
*Restrain quickly and
confidently
* Cover their eyes
* Handle for the shortest
time possible
* Have all equipment ready
before handling
Stress Reduction day to day:
- No unnecessary handling
- Naturalised cage
- Plenty of water
- Correct diet
Hospital Considerations:
Prey away from predators
Appropriate food
Cover cage
Privacy within cage
Quiet
