ABSTRACT: Wildlife casualties are usually found by members of the general public, and the receptionist is often the first person with whom they have contact when they telephone or come into the veterinary practice. It is because of this that it is vital to draw up a practice protocol to deal with wildlife casualties so that everyone follows the same procedures, from reception through to the nursing and veterinary surgeon team.
If a protocol exists, then communication is less likely to break down and the casualty will receive the best level of care that it requires. All members of staff need to familiarise themselves with the protocol. Having an established protocol increases the chances of the animal’s survival as the initial contact can have a direct bearing on its treatment and future. This is where team work and communication play a key role.
Telephone advice
Your protocol should start by dealing with telephone calls from members of the public who are concerned about an animal. It is useful to list the most common calls you receive and advice to be given, so that a portfolio can be constructed to enhance the wildlife protocol. Consider including information on local rehabilitation and wildlife centres that can help – their contact telephone numbers and useful websites.
At fledgling time of year, for example, it is especially important that the correct information is issued to the public. In this case, clients should be advised to leave a baby bird alone if there are no obvious signs of danger. However, if the client has already picked the baby bird up or danger is present, then he or she should be advised to keep the bird warm and quiet and to transport it to the veterinary practice or rehabilitation centre as soon as possible.
Finally, make use of awareness campaigns, such as those run by the RSPCA and the RSPB. These often circulate posters and information for waiting rooms to educate clients. (Figure 1).
Figure 1: Make use of awareness campaigns and suitable posters
Presentation to the practice
The gathering of information is crucial when the animal is presented to the practice:
• name, address and telephone number of whoever found the wildlife casualty (This is important in case any further information is required and in the assistance of releasing the animal)
• why the wildlife casualty required rescuing – a bird flown into a window, a fledgling, injury, nocturnal animal found in daylight hours
• any treatment administered already prior to admission. Often the public will attempt some form of first aid themselves before contacting the surgery, offering food or water, for instance
• the exact location the animal was found, including the time and date.
This information should then be kept with the patient’s records.
Protocol and triage nursing
The next part of the protocol should concentrate on triage nursing.
Nursing staff should familiarise themselves with first aid for wildlife patients. TPR ranges will vary between species, for instance. On admission, a basic examination can be completed and should form part of the protocol itself. It may be difficult to examine the animal, but, where possible, the following should be recorded:
• initial TPR on admission
• body weight (important for drug dosages and weight gain/loss monitoring)
• assessment of hydration status
• physical injury or illness.
These findings should be reported to the assigned veterinary surgeon, so that he or she can examine the animal promptly, especially if euthanasia is a consideration.Remember to record all your findings.
Treatment plan
After the initial examination has been carried out, the animal’s treatment plan can then be constructed as part of the continuing protocol.
Fluid therapy and heat should be top priorities as it is common for wildlife to die of shock within 24 hours of admission. Consider analgesia too as wildlife species are good at disguising pain in their natural habitat in order to protect themselves from predators.
Suitable accommodation should be provided and behavioural needs met – a quiet environment away from perceived predators, space for flight if it is a bird, or darkness if it is a naturally nocturnal animal. An appropriate feeding regimen should also be established, considering their natural dietary requirements.
It may be necessary to administer flea and worming treatment after admission. This should be incorporated into the patient’s treatment regimen along with any other medication prescribed. The wildlife protocol can include commonly used drugs, flea and worming products that can be safely used along with dose rates and routes for administration.
Reducing stress levels for wildlife patients should be considered throughout the hospitalisation period. With an accurate treatment protocol established, examinations can then be grouped together so the animal is handled as little as possible. Ideally, a period of 30 minutes should elapse before the animal is examined on admission unless the injury is serious. By doing so, stress can be greatly reduced.
Rehabilitation or release?
Consider the long-term options, such as rehabilitation centres, as soon as possible. Wildlife species often require specialised attention in a quiet environment. The veterinary practice is often unable to provide these essential elements.
Often the person who brought the animal in would like to be involved in its release. Keeping them informed of the animal’s progress is good practice and shows that the veterinary practice team takes the treatment of wildlife patients seriously.
'Species-specific’ continuity of care
Designating a VN to oversee all wildlife in the practice is recommended both as a source of information and as an aid to improving continuity of care. Although in a busy working day this can be difficult, it ensures the animal gets the same level of care regardless of its species and whether it is owned or not.
Finally, once a general wildlife protocol has been devised and established, you can then consider the variety of species that are presented to your surgery (Figure 2). A more ‘species-specific’ plan can then be considered, for example, hedgehogs, birds/fledglings, bats, foxes and squirrels.
Figure 2: Aim for 'species-specific' treatment plans
Once your wildlife protocol has been drawn up, it will be easy to use it for each wildlife patient that has contact with the practice. This will aid in prompt and efficient treatment from reception to nurse triage and, in so doing, increase sur
vival rates. It will also enable you to monitor the nursing care and the outcome, with a view to reviewing, improving and standardising your nursing practice for wildlife.
Author
Alison Williams RVN PHC
Alison has worked in small animal veterinary practices since 1995. She is currently part time at an ophthalmology referral centre in Hampshire and also with Vetfone, a 24-hour pet advice helpline.
She has always taken a special interest in British wildlife.
Bibliography
BSAVA Manual of Wildlife Casualties (2003).
Useful website links and further reading
www.sttiggywinkles.org.uk
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildlife
www.wildlife1.wildlifeinformation.org
• VOL 25 • No8 • August 2010 • Veterinary Nursing Journal