Description
British wildlife casualties are commonly presented to veterinary practices, and many general practitioners feel daunted by the huge diversity of species and conditions which they are expected to treat. This webinar aims to demonstrate how to apply basic principles and commonly used techniques to less familiar species, and some adaptations that may be required for the effective management of wildlife in practice. A range of birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians may be presented as injured, sick or orphaned patients. The most common wildlife admissions are birds, including passerines (small garden birds), corvids (members of the crow family), pigeons, waterfowl and birds of prey. The most common wild mammals that vets may be asked to see are hedgehogs and rabbits. Whilst most vets feel confident extrapolating much of their domestic mammal knowledge to treat mammals; birds may present more of a challenge. As such, the focus of this presentation will be on avian techniques, although many of the principles of wildlife medicine apply to all wild animal casualties. We will cover some of the basic skills and knowledge that underpin effective wildlife medicine, such as species identification, legislation and triage. We will also discuss initial decision making – and how to decide whether a wild animal casualty should be treated, whether it needs treatment, and if so what can be done. We will talk about some of the specifics of first aid, including various options for fluid administration and analgesia in a range of species. We will also discuss different methods of euthanasia, and cases where this may be appropriate. Finally we will cover basic husbandry, nutrition and housing within the average general practice setting. We will also touch upon some of the more common conditions that we see in the most common species admitted. Anaesthesia and further diagnostics and therapeutics of British wildlife are beyond the scope of this webinar, but may be covered at a later date. Bev graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2009 with an intercalated degree in Veterinary Conservation Medicine from the University of Liverpool. She spent a year working in East Africa both with wild and domestic species, whilst working on an international development education initiative at the RVC. She then spent 3 years as a small animal and exotics general practitioner in Horsham, alongside weekly pro bono work for a large wildlife hospital. In 2013 she moved into full time wildlife work as the Veterinary Officer at RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery, working with a wide range of British wildlife and domestic species. She is Honorary Lecturer at the University of Liverpool, and runs their final year exotics and wildlife clinical rotation. She holds the RCVS Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice in Zoological Medicine.