Species, causes, and outcomes of wildlife rehabilitation in New York State.

Wildlife rehabilitation is a publicly popular practice, though not without controversy. State wildlife agencies frequently debate the ecological impact of rehabilitation. By analyzing case records, we can clarify and quantify the causes for rehabilitation, species involved, and treatment outcomes. This data would aid regulatory agencies and rehabilitators in making informed decisions, as well as gaining insight into causes of species mortality. In New York State, the Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) has licensed rehabilitators since 1980 and annual reporting is required. In this study, we analyzed 58,185 individual wildlife cases that were attended by New York rehabilitators between 2012 and 2014. These encompassed 30,182 (51.9%) birds, 25,447 (43.7%) mammals, 2,421 (4.2%) reptiles, and 75 (0.1%) amphibians. We identified patterns among taxonomic representation, reasons for presentation to a rehabilitation center, and animal disposition. Major causes of presentation were trauma (n = 22,156; 38.1%) and orphaning (n = 21,679; 37.3%), with habitat loss (n = 3,937; 6.8%), infectious disease (n = 1,824; 3.1%), and poisoning or toxin exposure (n = 806; 1.4%) playing lesser roles. The overall release rate for animals receiving care was 50.2% while 45.3% died or were euthanized during the rehabilitation process. A relatively small number (0.3%) were permanently non-releasable and placed in captivity; 4.1% had unknown outcomes. A comparable evaluation in 1989 revealed that wildlife submissions have increased (annual mean 12,583 vs 19,395), and are accompanied by a significant improvement in release (50.2% in the study period vs 44.4% in 1989) (χ2(1) = 90.43, p < 0.0001). In this manuscript, we aim to describe the rehabilitator community in New York State, and present the causes and outcomes for rehabilitation over a three-year period.

Orthopedic Diagnostic Imaging in Exotic Pets.

Orthopedic diseases are a common problem in exotic pets. Diagnostic imaging modalities are more accessible and available in exotic animal veterinary medicine; the higher standards of care of the veterinary profession have progressed toward an increased offer of advanced imaging modalities. The literature on the use of diagnostic imaging modalities in orthopedic disease of exotic pets is scarce. This article discusses when to use the different diagnostic imaging techniques and reviews the imaging findings usually found in the most common orthopedic diseases in small mammal, avian, and reptile exotic pet species using different imaging modalities, especially radiography and computed tomography.

Exotic Mammal Orthopedics.

Orthopedic disorders are a common clinical presentation for the exotic clinician. Before treating the fracture it is vital to stabilize the patient. Small exotic mammals are characterized by relatively thinner bones, adding to the difficulty the small size already represents. A combination of conservative and surgical treatment options are available. The principles of orthopedic surgery and ideas behind the treatment options remain the same as for small mammals, but not all techniques can be directly extrapolated. Historically, the tie-in fixator has been the preferred surgical choice whenever feasible, but further development in bone plates represents a promising advancement.

Skeletal Bone Structure and Repair in Small Mammals, Birds, and Reptiles.

Bone strength depends on its structure, its composition, and the forces it is subjected to. Bone structure varies greatly between species and these differences may have clinical implications in their assessment or treatment. Fractures occur when the magnitude of the sum of forces affecting it exceeds its ultimate strength. The aim of bone healing is to recover the normal structure of the bone to maintain its normal function, but the mechanisms of bone healing differ greatly among species. This article provides a basic reference for the bone structure of small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

[Fractures and luxations in small mammals]. / Frakturen und Luxationen beim Kleinsäuger.

Most traumata in small mammals occur at home. Diagnosis and therapy can be compared with that in the dog and cat, but species-specific differences have to be considered. For fracture treatment a butterfly-cast can be sufficient for stabilization in special cases. In most cases satisfying results can be obtained with a "tie-in-fixator" treatment. Dislocations of the elbow joint are treated by reduction or stabilization through suture techniques or temporary arthrodesis.

The use of geographic information systems as a forensic tool to investigate sources of marine mammal entanglement in fisheries.

Commercial fisheries represent a significant anthropogenic threat to marine mammal survival. Causes of marine mammal mortality are commonly determined by detailed necropsies of stranded carcasses. Gross evidence of entanglement in a fishery might include gear attached to the body, internal indications of asphyxiation and trauma, or gear markings on the epidermis. As gear is often fishery-specific, wound patterns on the epidermis that are created by entanglements in fishing gear may serve to identify possible sources of mortality. For this study, tools within the Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc. (ESRI) ArcMap GIS software were used to create maps that outline impressions that fishing gear can leave on the epidermis of entangled marine mammals. These maps can subsequently be used to identify possible sources of fishery entanglement for the many marine mammals that wash ashore without gear attached to their carcass. Entanglement wound patterns can be visually compared with fishing gear characteristics; however, differences in scale and image quality can introduce subjectivity that might hinder source identification. The technique described herein provides an objective way to outline the unique characteristics of fishing gear and their associated wounds on entangled marine mammals. Additionally, spatial relationships are preserved as the maps are adjusted to varying scales. Whereas the initial protocol required time-consuming digitization of the outline and visual determination of the pattern interface, this new, semiautomated technique saves analyst effort and minimizes error.

Embarcações motorizadas: uma ameaça aos peixes-boi marinhos (Trichechus manatus) no Brasil / Motorboat: a threat to Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus) in Brazil

O aumento do tráfego de embarcações motorizadas em áreas utilizadas para alimentação, descanso e reprodução pelos peixes-boi marinhos tem não só afugentado estes animais, mas resultado em potenciais casos de colisões. Este trabalho tem como objetivo relatar casos de interações entre embarcações motorizadas e peixes-boi marinhos (Trichechus manatus) no litoral Nordeste do Brasil. As interações ocorreram nos Estados do Ceará, Paraíba e Sergipe com três espécimes, sendo um destes com quatro registros. Foram observados transtornos clínicos como edema da região frontal, proptose ocular, emagrecimento e múltiplos cortes ao longo do corpo. Sendo assim, o aumento do tráfego de embarcações, e a falta de normativas e de fiscalização que assegurem a efetiva proteção de determinadas áreas, representam um risco direto para a conservação dos peixes-boi marinhos no litoral Nordeste do Brasil.

The increasing traffic of motorboats on feeding, resting and reproduction areas used by manatees causing serious problems for these animals, so scaring them away and leading to potential collisions. The purpose of this study was to describe cases interaction between boat and Antillean manatees (Trichechus manatus) living in the Northeastern coast of Brazil. These interactions took place in the State of Ceará, Paraíba and Sergipe, involving three specimens, one of them with four records. Clinical alterations were observed, such as edema in the frontal part of the body, ocular proptosis, weight loss and multiple cuts all over the body. Therefore, the increasing traffic of motorboats, allied to the lack of normative rules and effective law enforcement assuring the protection of specific areas, represent a direct risk to the conservation of Antillean manatees living in the Northeastern coast of Brazil.

Characteristics of vehicle-animal crashes in which vehicle occupants are killed.

During the past 10 years almost 1,500 people have been killed in motor vehicle collisions with animals. Police reports on 147 fatal vehicle-animal crashes during 2000-2002 were obtained from nine states. The goal was to determine common crash types, types of animals involved, and steps that could be taken to reduce the crashes and injuries. Seventy-seven percent of the struck animals were deer, but six other types of animals were involved including small ones such as dogs. Eighty percent of the crashes were single-vehicle events. In most of these cases a motorcycle struck an animal and the rider came off the vehicle, or a passenger vehicle struck an animal and then ran off the road; in a few cases the animal went through the windshield. Multiple-vehicle crashes included vehicles striking deer that went through the windshields of oncoming vehicles, vehicles striking animals and then colliding with other vehicles, and vehicles striking animals that subsequently were struck by other vehicles. Crashes occurred primarily in rural areas, on roads with 55 mph or higher speed limits, during evening or nighttime hours, and in darkness. Greater application of deer-vehicle collision countermeasures known to be effective is needed, but it is noteworthy that a majority of fatalities occurred from subsequent collisions with other vehicles or objects, not from animal contacts. Sixty-five percent of motorcyclists killed were not wearing helmets, and 60% of vehicle occupants killed were unbelted; many of these fatalities would not have occurred with proper protection.

Principles of wound management of small mammals: hedgehogs, prairie dogs, and sugar gliders.

The management of wounds is a common scenario for the exotic animal practitioner. When presented with such cases, the practitioner must first adhere to the firmly established principles of wound healing, and then modify available treatment modalities to fit the needs of the species at hand. Practicing wound management on exotic patients can be challenging due to their small size, unusual anatomy, difficult behaviors, and tendency for developing secondary stress-related health problems. A review of the stages of wound healing as well as traditional wound management techniques is provided here. This review is followed by a summary of typical wounds encountered in hedgehogs, prairie dogs, and sugar gliders, as well anatomic, physiologic, and behavioral characteristics that should be taken into consideration when managing wounds on such species.

Basic mammalian bone anatomy and healing.

The goal of any method of fracture repair should be the early return to function of the patient with minimum postoperative morbidity. This is accomplished most optimally by having a basic understanding of the biology of bone healing and by being familiar with the musculoskeletal system of the species before attempting fracture repair. Applying the fundamental principles of mammalian bone anatomy and physiology to the bird ensures the best prognosis possible and minimizes postoperative complications in the avian patient.

Small exotic mammal orthopedics.

The basic principles of orthopedic repair are the same for small exotic mammals as for the canine or feline patient. This article assists the clinician in determining the most appropriate method of fixation and maximizes the probability of a favorable outcome.

Postoperative management of the exotic animal patient.

Careful postoperative management is crucial for the success of any orthopedic surgical repair. The special needs of the exotic animal must be met during the immediate postoperative period and during hospitalization. Many exotic animals require a quiet, stress-free environment and careful attention to housing parameters, such as perching, temperature, and visual security. To provide adequate pain relief in these patients, analgesia should be given before, during, and after surgery. The drugs most often used for pain relief are NSAIDs and opioid analgesics. After surgery, monitor the healing process carefully with regular examinations and radiographs while remaining vigilant for potential problems such as osteomyelitis or nonunion. Physical therapy prevents the development of fracture disease, which includes joint or ligament contracture and bone or muscle mass loss. Because physical therapy affords the patient full use of the affected limb, it is considered a helpful practice in all patients. Physical therapy, however, is critical for free-ranging exotic animals that will be released back into the wild, such as birds of prey.

An introduction to nonavian wildlife emergencies.

This article lists some basic guidelines for practitioners to use in treating wildlife patients. Major issues associated with wildlife practice are introduced. Important sources of equipment and major literature are contained in appendices.