Wildlife Triage Flashcards
Why vet professionals get involved in wildlife rehab?
- Ethical, legal and professional
requirements - Animal welfare
- Conservation
- Disease monitoring
- ‘Addressing the balance’ of
mans’ actions - Personal satisfaction
- Public demand and practice PR
- Education
zoonotic viral infection(s) in birds:
Avian influenza [aerosol-, west nile virus (flavivirus) [insect bites, aerosol]
Species commonly affected by rabies (lyssavirus) and route of infection
bats, foxes.
Bites, saliva contamination of wounds
Common zoonotic viral infection in seals? Route of infection?
Seal pox (poxvirus).
Skin contact
Zoonotic viral disease in most species?
Common route of infection?
Parvovirus.
Faecal-oral
Species affected by Campylobacteriosis (Campylobacter spp.)
Route of infection?
Most spp., esp. birds.
Faecal-oral
[Bacterial infection]
Species affected by Chlamydiosis (Ornithosis) (Chlamydia psittaci)
Route of infection?
Pigeons and other birds.
Aerosol.
[Bacterial infection]
Species affected by Coliform infections (Escherichia coli and others)
Route of infection?
Most species.
Faecal-oral.
[Bacterial infection]
Species affected by Leptospirosis (Leptospira spp.)
Route of infection?
Rodents, foxes
Urine contamination
[Bacterial infection]
Species affected by Lyme disease(Borrelia burgdorferi)
Route of infection?
Deer, foxes
Tick bites
[Bacterial infection]
Species affected by Mycoplasmosis ‘seal finger’ (Mycoplasma spp.)
Route of infection?
Seals
Skin contact
[Bacterial infection]
Species affected by Salmonellosis (Salmonella spp.)
Route of infection?
Most species.
Faecal-oral.
[Bacterial infection]
Species affected by Tuberculosis (Mycobacterium bovis, Mycobacterium avium)
Route of infection?
Badgers, deer.
Aerosol, post-mortem exam.
[Bacterial infection]
Species affected by Dermatophytosis/ringworm (Trichophyton erinacei, Microsporum, Trichophyton sp.)
Route of infection?
Hedehogs, foxes.
Skin contact (esp via spines of hedgehogs)
[Fungal infection]
Species affected by Cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidia spp.)
Route of infection?
Most species.
Faecal-oral.
[protozoal infection]
Species affected by Sarcoptic mange (Sarcoptes scabiei)
Route of infection?
Foxes
skin contact
[Parasitic infection (caused by mite)]
How to control H&S risks?
- Limit those at risk:
– staff
– volunteers
– general public - Provide suitable training, risk
assessments and SOPs:
– staff
– volunteers - Provide suitable facilities,
equipment and training:
– gloves
– gauntlets
– graspers
– cages
– swan bags etc. - Vaccination where
recommended (rabies, bTB).
Triage definition:
‘The assignment of degrees of urgency to wounds or
illnesses to decide the order of treatment of a large
number of patients or casualties’
* ‘The process of determining the most important people
or things from amongst a large number that require
attention.’
Most common usage of triage:
initial assessment of a casualty to
make a decision to treat or
euthanasia’
Legalities regarding non-indigenous species (eg grey squirrels, muntjac deer):
require licenses to keep. Cannot legally be released
Considerations for initial assessements of wildlife casualty:
From a distance, quite and safe environment, experienced person, ASAP.
Consider mentation, demeanor, movement, breathing, wing position.
Examining head:
- Eyes – ophthalmic examination
especially in birds of prey - Ears and nares for discharge or
bleeding - Jaw – fracture, dislocation
- Oral cavity of birds - bleeding,
white plaques (Trichomonosis),
parasites (Syngamus trachea) - Beak - not soft, closes normally,
normal length, no excess scaling,
not unevenly worn - Take care regarding health and
safety.
Skin, feathers, coat and spines
- Examine the whole of the outer
body for evidence of wounds,
bruising or bleeding - Wounds (e.g. from cat bites) may
be very small on the outside but
extensive inside the animal - Look for any abnormalities in the
skin and coat or feathers - Notice any missing or damaged
feathers, lack of pigmentation,
stress (fret) marks - Look for ecto-parasites.
Anus, cloaca, reproductive system
- Look for excessive soiling around the
anus or cloaca and anal abnormalities
(e.g. prolapses) - Look for discharge from the vulva in
female mammals - In birds check for a ‘brood patch’
- In female mammals check the
mammary glands for evidence of
feeding young or other abnormalities - In male mammals check the prepuce
for discharge or wounds and the
scrotum for wounds
