ABSTRACT: Nursing wildlife species can be difficult in a veterinary practice. There is an inherent responsibility to attend to physical injury whilst also providing a suitable, behaviourally enriched environment. Decisions to the ethical approach with treatment plans should be openly discussed with the whole veterinary team to ensure the patient’s best interests are achieved. The goal being that that upon recovery, the animal should be able to thrive in the wild, more than simply survive. It should be able to return to its natural behaviour at the time of release. Rehabilitation centres should be involved in treatment plans, rehabilitation requirements and facilities available.

Author

Stacey Vickery RVN GCVNES

Stacey qualified in 2012 and has since furthered her studies with the Exotics Certificate and the Exotic Merit Award and has also undertaken many courses in exotic animal behaviour: She currently works in an Exotic Nursing role in Wiltshire where she leads the exotic nursing department.

Email: stacey_vickery@btinternet.com

Keywords: Wildlife nursing; ethics; rehabilitation; welfare

To cite this article: Veterinary Nursing Journal • VOL 35 (07)• July 2020 •  pp188-191

To gain access to this article, select one of the links below:

I am a BVNA member

I am accessing through my Institute

I am paying to gain access to this article